Quick Program Facts

Program Duration: 4 short courses

Program Format: Seminar, Online, Practicum

Program Cost:

• Continuing Ed. Level: $50 per course + materials
• Non-Credit: Determined by your local church/Resource Center

Credit Upgrade Options

Each of the four courses can be upgraded for graduate credit by doing additional coursework within one year.  Total tuition is $285 + materials (tuition paid for PC 101 is applied toward total tuition charge of $285).

Pastoral Care Specialist Certificate

What is the Pastoral Care Specialist Certificate?

Develop skills and knowledge so you can help improve the world. Find the type of caring ministry that is the right one for you, and—with God’s empowerment—you can help people change the quality of their lives. The program has four learning modules. Each module...

• Moves you forward quickly. We support your eagerness to become capable of great servanthood.
• Enhances your knowledge through reading, and audio and video discussion and demonstrations.
• Engages you in experiential/interactive modes of step-by-step learning for all skill competencies.
• Guides you into practical application—under supervision—in the “real world” of your life.
• Coaches you with small group consultation so that learning and growth fits your specific needs.

Here's How You'll Learn in the PCS Program:

A mix of five learning methods helps you soak up information and increase your skills rapidly and, frankly, it makes the process a lot more fun. 

1. Seminar. Taught by an instructor who has extensive “done that” experience as a professional in the topic. These are seven hours long, usually Friday evening and Saturday morning. They enable learning by presentation and coaching from an expert, and by enjoyable activities with other students.
2. Independent study, at your pace and on your schedule. This may include reading, listening to audio lectures, watching DVDs, or interactive learning on the computer using CDs that are part of some texts.
3. Application: Using what you learn expands your understanding and locks it in—and you begin to improve the part of the world that you touch during your training! You will choose your style and place of service.
4. Personal coaching from a local mentor of your choice. (We’ll help you with that if you want us to.)
5. Interaction on the VIU blogsite.
   

Courses You'll Take for the PCS Certificate...

• PC 101 Communication Skills That Connect

Communication Skills That Connect

Understand other people so you can show them how to improve their life. You can have high levels of influence and persuasion with other people only when you have the skills of high-quality communication—the process that regulates almost everything you do. This course will help you learn skills of active listening, gaining and sharing empathy, giving information and direct help, and being assertive. It shows you how to connect meaningfully with other persons no matter how different their life experiences may be from yours. With a bond of rapport and insight in their motivations, you can build strong personal friendships, become effective in administrative or other workplace relationships, or be useful as a life skills mentor or as a guide in the resolution of personal distress.
Credit Hours: 0
Instructor: Richard P. Walters, Ph.D.


Click Here to Enroll Now Online

[ Close ]

• PC 102 Life Builder Counseling

Life Builder Counseling

You know that each person in the world is different, yet you realize that people are more alike than different. Learn why: Understand how personalities develop and where problems come from, and master the basics of a system of counseling based upon biblical principles. This will help you comprehend your own motivations and actions and provide the foundation upon which you can learn and use Life Builder Counseling strategies to help other persons become more like Christ. You can learn how to apply biblical principles to help others resolve ordinary cognitive and emotional conflicts or habits that have diminished their quality of life. (It does not prepare you to engage in licensed mental health counseling.)
Credit Hours: 0
Instructor: Richard P. Walters, Ph.D.


Click Here to Enroll Now Online

[ Close ]

• PC 103 Bold Answers for Todays Problems

Bold Answers for Todays Problems

Increase your influence by understanding the worldviews of people who believe differently than you. (A worldview is a set of beliefs about the nature of the world and one's place within it, and it guides everything a person does.) After you learn how the traditional Christian worldview compares with the central elements of seven other common worldviews, you can more fully and successfully understand and care for people whose worldview differs from yours. This is rewarding because Christianity is about relationships, and the church is fully alive only when, in the spirit of Christ, it finds and cares for those who are unable or unwilling to reach toward it. After the survey of worldviews, the course examines innovative approaches of ministry to those new to the church, the unchurched, the incarcerated, and to those who are angry toward the church. Learning activities allow you to emphasize the application that interests you most.
Credit Hours: 0
Instructor: Richard P. Walters, Ph.D.


Click Here to Enroll Now Online

[ Close ]

• PC 104 Issues in Aging and Elder Ministries

Issues in Aging and Elder Ministries

The people in this country who are most neglected by the church are those who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities. Sixty percent of the men and women in nursing homes do not get one visit in a year. That is shameful! Not everyone is called to specialize in this ministry, but as we read Scripture we conclude that every Christian should be able to respond to people in grief; find joy in visiting the ill or those confined at home or in a care facility; be confident when talking with people who are near death or are facing a long-term incurable condition. The number of elderly in our society is growing rapidly, and with that comes greater demand for services. This course describes how to do visitation and how to set up a church-based visitation program and get others involved.
Credit Hours: 0
Instructor: Prof. Diana Walters


Click Here to Enroll Now Online

[ Close ]

Here's Why Students Love the Pastoral Care Specialist Certificate!

The certificate attests that you have completed academic coursework and applied experience under qualified instruction and with verifiable standards. It does not license or otherwise approve you for the practice of counseling or similar human services occupations that are under governmental regulation. 

Competence to Minister   You’ll grow in confidence and enthusiasm as you develop skills of pastoral care by learning the principles through interesting study and interaction with others, and from coaching by a capable mentor in your community. If God is calling you to activities of pastoral care, he will shepherd you and lead you into experiences that benefit people in distress and that reward you with a sense of participation in the work of God’s Kingdom on Earth. What can be better than that?

Continuing Education Credit   You also have the option of earning contiuing education credit for the course via the Vision International Institute for Continuing Education and Training.

You're Eligible for the Program If...

You have a high school diploma and a desire to relate to people in distress as Jesus would relate to them.

Here's How to Get Started!

Enroll now in the first course, Communication Skills That Connect!  Additional courses coming soon.

Understand other people so you can show them how to improve their life. You can have high levels of influence and persuasion with other people only when you have the skills of high-quality communication—the process that regulates almost everything you do. This course will help you learn skills of active listening, gaining and sharing empathy, giving information and direct help, and being assertive. It shows you how to connect meaningfully with other persons no matter how different their life experiences may be from yours. With a bond of rapport and insight in their motivations, you can build strong personal friendships, become effective in administrative or other workplace relationships, or be useful as a life skills mentor or as a guide in the resolution of personal distress.
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Richard P. Walters, Ph.D.

Click Here to Enroll Now Online

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

How many hours will I study?

The courses were designed to require about 24 hours of study time. This estimate includes time when you will be talking to or listening to someone, or engaged in some other assignment.. Because of the practical nature of the topics, many assignments can be fulfilled (except for writing up results) during your everyday interactions with people. 

How soon can I finish?

That depends on how quickly you send in lessons.  Vision faculty are expected to grade assignments within three days. You can work on the next assignment as soon as you finish one, but it is best to not send it until the other has been graded.  It is of value to get feedback on lessons before moving on.

Visionis well aware that (1) many students are extremely busy and (2) that situations change. So, you’ll have as long as you need. However, you signed up for a reason, and we want to see you accomplish your goal, so let us know if we can help.

Must I take them in sequence?

That is the best plan. PC101 is about building relationships with people. It will help you in every interaction you have, anywhere or any time, so it should be taken first. PC102 is an introduction to some counseling concepts and PC103 deals with common mistaken beliefs. These courses follow PC101 quite naturally. PC104 can be taken at any time.

Yes. You will talk with people you already know in your community, and meet new ones if you choose to expand your circle of witness and influence, but those occasions will fit into the routine you already have. The books are written in plain language

What books or materials are required?

For PC101. Hand to Hand $39.95 Includes 3 CDs.

For PC102. Heaven to Heart 35.95 Includes 2 CDs.

For PC103. OddSquad Blunders 19.95 and Off Center, Off Course 16.95
For PC104. Remembering the Life of Jesus multi-sensory book 29.95 and Living Waters in a Dry Land 25.00 

These are available only from www.highgroundpress.org where you can pay by PayPal (or by credit card through PayPal) or mail a check.  Shipping is $3.95 regardless of the size of order.