Why Biola and California

I'm sure many people wonder why I've chosen to go to Biola University out in California for graduate school. Some may think that I could get just as good of an education at any state school or at any other school that's nearby. But, I feel that God is specifically calling me to Biola. I will explain a little bit of my journey to this decision. (By the way, I will switch back and forth between calling Biola "Biola" and "Rosemead." Biola is the university's name and Rosemead is the school of psychology).

My first exposure to Biola was when I was studying at the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs in the spring of 2006. A few of my classmates were current students at Biola. Also, one of my supervisors in the counseling department at Focus attended Rosemead to obtain his master's in marriage and family therapy (which is a program that no longer exists there). While I was there, one of the professors from Biola, Dr. Todd Hall, came to give a presentation at one of the counselor's breakfasts. He spoke about spiritual assessment tests and the integration of psychology and theology. His knowledge, as well as the subject matter, really impressed me. He encouraged the students to look into Biola for graduate school, but at the time I thought it was impossible for me to consider a school out in California. So, I just filed the idea of Biola in the back of my mind and moved on with my life.

I went back to SBU and slowly my career ideas evolved. I went from thinking that I wanted to be a marriage and family therapist to broadening my interests to helping more groups/populations of people. The doctorate is the most accepted degree in the field of psychology. Furthermore, clinical psychology opens up many opportunities to teach, do research, and do clinical work. So, I decided to find a doctoral program in clinical psychology.

Since my dream was to move back to North Carolina, I initially looked into programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke. I even visited both of the campuses last summer. But, after visiting, God started moving my heart in a different direction. I realized that I wanted to do more than just study more psychology and do a whole lot of research on a subject that I wasn't passionate about. I wanted to use the talents that God had given me to impact people for Him. Of course, I could do that at a state school, but I felt like I had to learn more about God and applying my faith to psychology before I could really reach people for God doing work in my field. I wanted to learn to integrate psychology and Christianity/theology. I still had a passion for studying marriage and family issues, so I also looked at schools where I could focus on that as well.

So, I started looking into graduate programs that integrated psychology with my faith. Not many clinical psychology programs are focused on doing that, even at Christian schools. The two programs I found that really made an effort at integration were Biola and Fuller. After visiting both of the campuses, meeting some of the professors, and examining the programs, I decided that Biola was the better fit.

At Biola I will have the opportunity to study more theology. I will take theology courses and integration seminars and have a minor in theology. Rosemead also publishes the Journal of Psychology and Theology, so the school is obviously focused on the integration of the two. I will also have an emphasis on Family/Child psychology, so I will be able to take more courses on family issues and complete practicums in this area.

Biola seems focused on the student's success and is very community-oriented. Rosemead emphasizes the person's development as an individual, requiring group and individual therapy of all of its psychology students. The first year students are also assigned to an older student who becomes a mentor to them. I've already gotten in touch with my mentor and she's been a great help with all my million questions! Every older student I've contacted has said "Welcome to the Rosemead community!" And the students I've found on the Internet who are in my class have been great too! I'm already developing some good friendships.

I did not pick Biola because it was in California at all. Going to California is actually a very intimidating idea to me because it is much different than the South and the MidWest, which are the main cultures with which I am familiar. I've asked God why He is taking me to California instead of back to North Carolina, where my heart longs to go. However, God is taking me out of my comfort zone to grow me. I'm not quite sure what to expect out in California or how the differences will affect me, but I know that I will adjust, just like I have in previous moves. I trust that this is where God is leading me, so I know I will be okay.

So, I am saying good-bye to SBU, Missouri, my friends and family, and the life I know. I am going to have a "water-walking" experience as I answer the call of Jesus and "get out of the boat" of the comfortable life I have. (I've been doing a Bible study at church called If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat, so I just couldn't resist using the reference!) In a little over a week I will be leaving for California to discover all that God has planned for me out there. I have a feeling great things are in store for my life.