Statement of Purpose

The Mission of Richmont Graduate University is to provide Christ-centered education that advances God’s work of healing, restoration, and transformation in the lives of individuals, churches, and communities.

1.Graduate Education
1. Richmont Graduate University School of Counseling provides graduate programs that integrate counselor education and Christian faith. We are committed to academic and clinical excellence through educating counselors to be spiritually sensitive practitioners.
  1. This training occurs within the context of a structured curriculum and supervisory relationships, and is designed to equip graduates to facilitate spiritual growth, mental health, and relational healing.
  2. This training culminates in either a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or a Master of Science in Pastoral Care and Integration.
  3. Certificate programs within the School of Counseling include: Addictions Counseling; Child and Adolescent Counseling; Christian Sex Therapy; Marriage and Family Therapy; Spiritual Formation in Counseling; Trauma Counseling; Integration; and Pastoral Care.
2. Richmont Graduate University School of Ministry provides training in how to advance the Gospel of Christ by increasing the capacities of those called into ministry, to understand God’s word, to become whole and holy people, and to lead and serve in culturally sensitive ways.
  1. This training culminates in either a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Leadership, a Master of Arts in Ministry, a Master of Arts in Ministry: Anglican Studies, or a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Direction.
  2. Certificate programs within the School of Ministry include: Anglican Studies and Spiritual Direction.
2. Christian Counseling Centers
1. As a part of the clinical training provided to our students in the School of Counseling, Richmont maintains counseling centers throughout the Atlanta and Chattanooga areas.
2. These centers allow our students to work with clients in church-based and community settings under the supervision of Christian mental health professionals.
3. These centers assist the church and enable people who are struggling with psychological concerns to receive low-cost Christian counseling.
3. Programmatic Research
1. Institutional program evaluation and comprehensive assessment enables Richmont to better evaluate its progress and improve institutional effectiveness. In addition, Richmont provides instruction on how to consume and conduct empirical research to facilitate clinical applications of counseling, theology, and spiritual formation activities.
2. Finally, Richmont encourages systematic investigation of the interface between mental health and spiritual issues.
4. Service to the Church
1. Richmont offers a “Curriculum of Christlikeness” for the Christian church that is designed to provide a comprehensive series of learning modules on spiritual transformation.
2. Other activities designed to enhance pastoral care and spiritual transformation include the provision of Christian resources to the community, including libraries, seminars, and lay training programs for the local church.
3. Richmont faculty make significant contributions to academic and professional journals designed to benefit the Church.

Richmont Graduate University approaches graduate education through the integration of psychological, spiritual, and theological concepts. Integration describes a spiritually sensitive approach to professional counseling that operates within the bounds of ethical standards and a commitment to academic and clinical excellence. The Board of Trustees approves the Richmont Statement of Purpose with administrative staff, faculty, and students providing input into the process. It is reviewed annually and modified only with Board authorization.