What does it mean to flourish as a whole person, made in the image of God?
Conversations about mental health have become more visible in recent years, as scientific advances and social upheavals alike have cast new light on our inner struggles. These conversations aren’t easy or one-dimensional: they can encompass everything from everyday stress, to clinical mental illness or addiction, to living well in old age. But as pervasive as these issues can be, they are too often absent from our theology. Regent’s new Certificates in Christianity and Mental Health aim to change that.
What is a Christian perspective on mental health? What can Christians add to public conversations on the subject? How can our faith inform our encounters with mental health challenges in our workplaces, ministries, families, and friendships? What does it look like to walk with God when we face such challenges in our own lives? These are just a few of the questions you can explore as a student in Christianity and Mental Health.
About the Courses
These Certificates centre on Christianity and Mental Health courses offered in partnership with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, a Vancouver-based ministry that seeks to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support those with mental illness, and promote wellbeing.
Sample courses include Dr. Isabelle Hamley's upcoming Summer 2024 course, Being Human in God's World: How the Old Testament Helps Us Understand Our Humanity in a Complex & Broken World, and previously offered courses with Dr. John Swinton and Daniel Whitehead's January-Term 2023 course, Seeking Sanctuary, Finding Shalom and Dr. Ed Ng's Summer 2023 course, Culture, Faith, and Mental Health.
Certificate students are also invited to deepen their understanding of their faith more generally by taking one or more Bible or theology courses. Learn more about Regent courses here.
About the Certificates
Regent offers two certificate options to choose from, depending on whether you’re looking for an academic experience or something more casual. Both options can be completed entirely through summer term courses—short (mostly one-week) courses offered between May and July—making this a great option if you work full time or live outside Vancouver. You’re also welcome to take regular term (fall or winter) courses if they fit your schedule.
Certificate Options
1. Certificate in Christianity and Mental Health
This coursework-based certificate allows students to explore various topics in Christianity and Mental Health while gaining graduate course credit. This is a great option if you’re considering future studies, as all the courses you’ll take can be applied toward the requirements of a Graduate Diploma or Master’s program down the road.
Requirements:
Successfully complete 12 credit hours in the following areas:
- Mental Health courses: 6 credits
- Biblical Studies (BIBL) or Theological Studies (THEO) courses: 3 credits
- Electives (courses of your choosing): 3 credits
Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.7 (i.e., B-) across these courses.
Certificate of Attendance: Christianity and Mental Health
This certificate is based on your class attendance. This is a great option if you’re looking for professional or personal development but aren’t interested in formal coursework.
Requirements:
Complete 90 hours of classroom instruction in the following areas:
- Mental Health: 45 hours
- Biblical Studies (BIBL) or Theological Studies (THEO): 15 hours
- Electives (courses of your choosing): 30 hours
A typical 1-week summer course involves 15 hours of classroom instruction.
How to Get Started
It's easy! If you are enrolled in one of our six graduate programs, all you need to do is ensure that your courses overlap with the requirements for the Certificate in Christianity and Mental Health. If you need help planning, you can book an appointment with our Academic Advisor
If you aren't enrolled in one of our programs, you may still be able to begin working toward a certificate without going through the full admissions process:
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Certificate in Christianity and Mental Health (credit-based): You can take up to 12 credits at Regent before applying to one of our six graduate programs. However, you usually need an accredited bachelor's degree in order to study for credit. Some exceptions apply in the case of mature students (at least 28 years old). Questions? Contact [email protected].
- Certificate of Attendance (audit-based): If you are at least 23 years old, you can audit an unlimited number of courses at Regent. Those under 23 must have completed at least 50% of the courses required for an accredited, four-year bachelor's degree.
Once you’ve completed the full requirements, you can contact Regent’s registrar to get your certificate.
Fine Print
Transfer credits cannot be applied to either certificate.
Students coming from outside of Canada to take a short course in Regent’s summer term are not required to obtain a study permit.
Unfortunately, neither Regent College financial aid nor student loans (Canadian or American) are available for students pursuing one of these certificates.
Resources
Hear about Daniel Whitehead’s journey from pastoral ministry, to being a student at Regent, to working executive director at Sanctuary
Listen to Regent’s podcast episodes on mental health with Edward Ng, Claudia Rossetto, and Rod Wilson
Read our Regent World issue, “Piece by Piece: Towards Mental Wellness”