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Certificate

Competence & Character Growth Model

Be The Change You Want To See
With the Townsend Institute’s Competence & Character Growth Model Certificate

Enhance your people-helping skills.

Volunteers, Professionals, Ministry Leaders

Learn how a person’s emotional hurts, relational issues, or bad habits are not the problem but the “symptom” of something deeper.

Advance your skills in helping individuals, families, or groups in a variety of settings. Whether you have a Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree in Counseling or a related helping profession, this program will teach you Dr. Townsend’s unique approach to change, growth, and healing.


Accessible

Accessible: Online Classes


Affordable

Affordable: $695 Cost Per Unit


WASC | Senior College and University Commission

Accredited: WSCUC Accredited


Accelerated

Accelerated: 5-7 Month Program


Start in March or August

  • “Crack the code” for how deep and lasting change takes place
  • Learn counseling skills integrated with biblical principles
  • Personally learn from Dr. John Townsend
  • Engage with world-class Christian thought leaders

Apply Now

Get Started Today

Concordia University Irvine is no longer enrolling new students in the Competence and Character Growth Model Certificate.

The deepest experience that I have had in my life. Vulnerability + Love & Safety = Growth, Healing & Deep Connection!

C Harvey Norman

Female student on her computer

Join us LIVE!

Experience a new kind of relational education. Join us online LIVE and hear from our faculty, academic advisors, current students, and alumni about their experience in the Townsend Institute.

  • Ask Dr. John Townsend your questions about the Institute and our offerings
  • Learn how our counseling and leadership programs can advance your career
  • Connect with other prospective students exploring our programs
  • Become eligible for scholarships and other prizes by participating in our info session



Founded by best-selling author and leading Christian thought leader Dr. John Townsend, the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine brings together Christians from all across the country and across all walks of life. For years, Dr. Townsend, along with the Institute’s Fellows and faculty, have been transforming lives. Now you too have the opportunity to learn from master practitioners with decades of real world experience.

You can choose to earn a Basic Townsend Competence & Character Growth Model Certificate (4 courses) in a little over 5 months or the Advanced Townsend Competence & Character Growth Model Certificate (6 courses) in a little over 7 months. Students will take one 7-week course at a time.

Should you wish to continue your education, the certificate program coursework can apply to the corresponding Master’s degree at the Townsend Institute.

Basic Certificate - Core Courses

  • COUN 600: Personal Development Skills Process Group - or - COUN 600 B: Personal Development Skills Process Group (B) (3 units)
  • COUN 601: Human Growth and Development * (3 units)
  • COUN 602: Theories of Counseling * (3 units)

Choose one of the following courses:

  • COUN 605: Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues * (3 units)
  • COUN 606: Foundations and Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling * (3 units)
  • COUN 607: Social and Cultural Foundations * (3 units)
  • COUN 608: Models and Application of Integration (3 units)
  • COUN 611: Foundations of Crisis and Trauma Counseling * (3 units)
  • COUN 612: Career and Lifestyle Development * (3 units)
  • COUN 613: Foundations of Addiction Counseling * (3 units)
  • COUN 614: Methods and Practice of Research and Evaluation * (3 units)
  • COUN 621: Psychopharmacology* (3 units)
  • COUN 622: Foundations of Spiritual Formation and Direction (3 units)
  • COUN 623: Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 624: Level I Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 625: Level II Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 626: Foundations of Play Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 627: Human Sexuality* (3 units)
  • COUN 633: Counseling Skills and Techniques * (3 units)

Advanced Certificate - Core Courses

  • COUN 600: Personal Development Skills Process Group - or - COUN 600 B: Personal Development Skills Process Group (B) (3 units)
  • COUN 601: Human Growth and Development* (3 units)
  • COUN 602: Theories of Counseling* (3 units)
  • COUN 610: Advanced Counseling Skills and Techniques (3 units)

Choose two of the following courses:

  • COUN 605: Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues * (3 units)
  • COUN 606: Foundations and Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling * (3 units)
  • COUN 607: Social and Cultural Foundations * (3 units)
  • COUN 608: Models and Application of Integration (3 units)
  • COUN 611: Foundations of Crisis and Trauma Counseling * (3 units)
  • COUN 612: Career and Lifestyle Development * (3 units)
  • COUN 613: Foundations of Addiction Counseling * (3 units)
  • COUN 614: Methods and Practice of Research and Evaluation * (3 units)
  • COUN 621: Psychopharmacology* (3 units)
  • COUN 622: Foundations of Spiritual Formation and Direction (3 units)
  • COUN 623: Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 624: Level I Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 625: Level II Clinical Training: Gottman Method Couples Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 626: Foundations of Play Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 627: Human Sexuality* (3 units)
  • COUN 633: Counseling Skills and Techniques * (3 units)

For course descriptions, please see the Academic Catalog.

The Townsend Institute takes a different approach to academics. We know it’s the time you spend with people who have legitimate on-the-ground experiences and have accomplished their goals that has the greatest impact. That’s why we provide students with the opportunity to personally learn from Dr. John Townsend, our Institute Fellows and faculty. Together, they cultivate a relational learning experience, addressing the head and the heart through science and data.

We believe there is great value in frequent, real-time interaction with fellow students and your instructors. Our graduate programs launch with a 4-Day Residency where you will meet Dr. Townsend personally as he and our Townsend Institute Fellows conduct a series of trainings. You will also go through 8 process-focused growth groups – you will not leave the same person.

To learn more about the Institute’s 4-day Residency, attend a Townsend LIVE info session.

The Townsend Institute is housed within Concordia University Irvine, a private, Lutheran university. Located in Southern California, Concordia serves over 4,000 students annually, on campus and online. Centered by a Christian worldview, and guided by the Great Commission, Concordia is home to a thoughtful and caring community of learners.

  • Marketable Skills. Practice over 20 counseling skills. Demonstrate a competency level that will improve your job and promotion opportunities.
  • Character Growth + Academic Learning. Research demonstrates the single most important factor for change in counseling is the relationship between you and the client, therefore your personal growth is a high priority.
  • World-Changers. Be equipped to serve, lead, and impact the world in significant ways. Develop a real, relevant, engaging, and courageous lifestyle for living out your faith.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to have all documentation in early because there are a limited number of spaces available.

Application Requirements

  • An application with nonrefundable application fee of $50
  • One official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university that shows your confirmed bachelor’s degree. Official college transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope.
  • Must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
  • Written essay (2 pages, 500 words) addressing the following items:
    • Personal, professional, and educational goals
    • In your experience, what is the best way that a person grows or changes?
    • What interested you in applying to the Townsend Institute as opposed to other programs?
  • Minimum of 1 professional reference required.
  • A current professional resume

Apply Now

Concordia campus from French Hill Dr. Townsend and students in front of Grimm Hall

Start your application today.

Take your next step toward creating the career, and the life, you’ve been waiting for.

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