Experiences of Conservative Orthodox Christian Students Attending Public Secular Accredited Counseling and Counseling Psychology Graduate Programs

• Main Author: Schaefer, Paul
• Format: Others
• Published: ScholarWorks@UNO 2006
• Subjects: CACREP; CoA; Multiculturalism; Tolerance; Diversity
• Online Access: http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/391; http://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1412&context=td

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of conservative orthodox Christian students attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs. Conservative orthodox Christian students who were attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs were recruited by email. A prescreening interview was conducted with each respondent. Seven respondents participated in three rounds of individual interviews. The overall research question was: What are the experiences of conservative orthodox Christian students attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs? Follow-up questions explored the participants' perceptions and experiences in depth. Data were analyzed through within case and cross case displays using a phenomenological approach. Emergent categories, themes, and descriptors were gathered from each round of interviews. Data were organized into three major categories: reflections on secular programs, experiences attending secular programs and Christian identity, and further organized into underlying themes and descriptors. Implications related to conservative orthodox Christian students attending public, secular, accredited counseling and counseling psychology graduate programs were discussed. Finally, suggestions for future research were provided.