Why Rosemead?

Rosemead provides you with a firm foundation of Scripture and the great historic traditions of the Christian church. We believe that Scripture provides the greatest insight into the human condition, which is why our doctoral programs include 24 credits of theology courses and integration seminars into our interdisciplinary study. These theology and integration classes, taught by faculty with psychology and theology degrees, will provide you with necessary cross-disciplinary teaching in both of these areas.

• Relevant Research & Scholarly Dialogue
  Since 1973, the Rosemead-produced Journal of Psychology and Theology has been a leading source of research and scholarship on — as well as one of the few journals dedicated to — the integration of psychology and theology.
• Integration-Focused Classes
  These specialized classes are designed to enhance your understanding of how your faith and practice work together.

Our Philosophy of Integration Statement

Integration in Rosemead involves engaging psychology and Christian theology as an act of love, rooted in the belief that all truth is unified in God. We recognize that science alone cannot answer life’s biggest questions; ultimately, only faith in God can provide clarity, meaning, and direction for life. By recognizing the limitations of science and the guiding influence of faith, we seek to develop a more complete understanding of reality—physical, social, psychological, and metaphysical reality. Our approach to integration draws on the leading of the Holy Spirit through God’s word (special revelation) and God’s world (general revelation).

We believe that Integration is a culturally embedded, ongoing conversation between psychology and theology that encourages the pursuit of truth, rooted in the recognition that we are who we are meant to be only in relation to Christ and one another. Integration is a dynamic, fluid, emergent, culturally laden and continuous journey of theoretical (interdisciplinary scholarship), professional (clinical work, research, teaching, and leadership), and holistic spiritual growth (personal and corporate), whereby students and faculty seek to embody Christlikeness in their personal and professional lives. We emphasize that true knowledge comes from living in relationship with God and others, acknowledging our shared value as image-bearers of God while pursuing deeper truths that transcend human reasoning. Through this process, we seek to live fully into God's kingdom, walking humbly, loving mercy, seeking justice, and loving God and others.

Real-world experience is essential to your clinical skill development as a psychologist. At Rosemead, your hands-on training begins early and builds throughout your doctoral program. This training culminates in a full-time, year-long internship in your fifth year of study. All of your Rosemead training prepares you to interact with and work in the mental health community while maintaining a Christian worldview.

• Early Exposure
  Rosemead operates the Biola Counseling Center (BCC). Your participation at the BCC will take you beyond the classroom beginning in your first year of study. 
• Invaluable Internship
  Rosemead's unique clinical program will give you the extensive practical experience you need to qualify for some of the nation's most competitive internship opportunities. Rosemead maintains a high placement rate in APA-approved internships.
• Diverse Clinical Experiences
  All students complete practicum training in a variety of settings and communities. These practicum placements provide you with opportunities to work with diverse populations — adults, children, individuals, groups and families from various cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds — allowing you to gain a breadth of clinical experiences in professional settings. In addition, students have opportunities to receive advanced-level training (e.g., coursework, practicum experiences) in specific areas of interest (e.g., neuropsychology, child/family therapy).
• Depth-Oriented Foundation
  Our faculty have expertise in a wide variety of therapeutic modalities and clinical areas. However, our foundation as a program is psychodynamic in nature. As such, there is an emphasis on depth-work woven throughout our program, and we strive to help our students grow deeper in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives.
• Diverse Faculty Specialties
  In addition to clinical psychologists, we also have faculty who are neuropsychologists, social psychologists, developmental psychologists, experimental psychologists, and theologians. This further enhances student learning and fosters a wide range of training experiences for our students.
• Psychotherapy Lab Courses
  These courses, taken concurrently with theory courses, allow you to practice under supervision in the psychotherapy modalities you are learning.

Student life at Rosemead is characterized by a unique supportive community. Rigorous studies and the integration of theology and psychology are key components of Rosemead's program, but your personal spiritual growth is just as important. Rosemead students join a Christian university community, providing opportunities for fellowship, dialogue and worship — vital parts of the total developmental process.

• Personal Guidance As You Transition
  Incoming students are partnered with current students to address the transitional challenges of joining a new community.
• Christ-Centered Learning Environment
  Rosemead offers a distinct setting where all faculty, staff and students are professing Christians.
• Cohort-Model
  Although there are differences in the coursework and training experiences of our doctoral programs, our PhD and PsyD students enter and progress through their programs together. We know how challenging doctoral education and training can be, and this cohort model allows for all of our students to form close relationships with each other. This has been very beneficial in helping our students sustain and thrive over the course of the program.
• Fellowship Opportunities
  Rosemead offers a weekly chapel for students, staff and faculty, along with other events and informal activities that are designed to enhance your spiritual formation. Spouses of Rosemead students are invited to many of these fellowship opportunities.
• Focus on Personal and Professional Growth
  One of the highest rated aspects of Rosemead's program by alumni is the requirement that students participate in their own personal and professional growth experiences, which include individual therapy as well as opportunities for spiritual direction, couples therapy, and group therapy.