FMP Program
As the Coptic Diaspora continues to grow throughout North America, the calling for more laymen and laywoman to serve as trained Christian counselors can be heard louder then ever before. Marital trouble, drug addiction, social pressure… the issues continue to deepen without bounds within our communities. Clergy desperately need to be reinforced with humble Christian servants that can help lighten the load and aid in guiding our communities down the straight and narrow path. By preparing these servants using the tools of both psychology and theology we can better answer this call to service. Therefore, in the Spring of 2006, H.G. Bishop Youssef met with a team of psychiatrists and Christian/Pastoral counselors to found what is now called, the Family Ministry Program (FMP).
FMP infuses Western psychology with Orthodox theology, Church tradition, and the true Christian message. It then focuses all of its faculties on understanding, diagnosing, and treating the unique Coptic American culture in which the Diaspora is flourishing in. The program incorporates 2 years of distance learning with meetings held three times a year in Titusville, FL in the education of its students. The program is revolving ,meaning students can join any semester.The program will provide a thorough background in the basics of human psychology and integrate this with Christian counseling.The curriculum is geared towards practical and clinical issues and the application of knowledge gained in real life situations.
Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of achievement. They will have the knowledge and skills to recognize cases requiring referral to professionals, to teach premarital classes, to guide families and youth, to access information and resources for those in need, as well as a general understanding of legal and ethical issues just to name a few.
Graduates of FMP will are eligible to register for Advanced FMP Program. For more information, please contact fmp.studentaffairs@suscopts.org. Graduates will be sent back to their respective communities both with the tools of education and more importantly, the blessing of our Lord to assist clergy in shepherding the flock.
Graduates of the FMP will take one of the following three certificates:
- Level 1: Graduates with outstanding performance – Students who get A for all the required courses.
- Level 2: Graduates of FMP – Students who get grades B or higher.
- Level 3: Attendants – Students who get less than B or just attend the onsite classes (auditing only).
Video About the Program
A Message from H.G. Bishop Youssef about the Family Ministry Program
Certificates Offered
Graduates of the FMP will take one of the following three certificates:
- Level 1: Graduates with outstanding performance – Students who get A for all the required courses.
- Level 2: Graduates of FMP – Students who get grades B or higher.
- Level 3: Attendants – Students who get less than B or just attend the onsite classes (auditing only).
Degree Plan
Semester | Semester Time | On-Site | Semester Breaks |
Spring 2019 | 1/25 – 4/26 | 1/25 – 1/28 | 4/27 – 5/23 |
Summer 2019 | 5/24 – 8/23 | 5/24 – 5/27 | 8/24 – 8/29 |
Fall 2019 | 8/30 – 11/29 | 8/30 – 9/2 | 11/30/19 – 1/23/20 |
Spring 2020 | 1/24 – 4/24 | 1/24 – 1/26 | 4/25 – 5/21 |
Summer 2020 | 5/22 – 8/21 | 5/22 – 5/24 | 8/22 – 9/3 |
Fall 2020 | 9/4 – 12/4 | 9/4 – 9/6 | 12/5/20 – 1/14/21 |
Spring 2021 | 1/15/-4/23 | 1/15 – 1/17 | 4/24/21-5/27/21 |
Summer 2021 | 5/28-8/27 | 5/28 – 5/30 | 8/28/21-9/2/21 |
Fall 2021 | 9/3-12/3 | 9/3 – 9/5 | 12/4/21-1/13/22 |
Spring 2022 | 1/14-4/15 | 1/14 – 1/16 | 4/16/22-5/26/22 |
Summer 2022 | 5/27-8/26 | 5/27 – 5/29 | 8/27/22-9/1/22 |
Fall 2022 | 9/2-12/2 | 9/2 – 9/4 | 12/2/22-1/12/23 |
Spring 2023 | 1/13-4/14 | 1/13 – 1/15 | 4/15/23 -5/25/23 |
Summer 2023 | 5/26-8/25 | 5/26 – 5/28 | 8/26/23- 8/31/23 |
Fall 2023 | 9/1-12/1 | 9/1 – 9/3 | 12/2/23-1/11/24 |
Policies
General:
The student will need to review the syllabi of the courses to be taught during the registered semester and purchase the recommended textbooks.
Attendance:
Every student is required to attend the entire on-site meeting.
With the administration’s approval, a student can miss onsite attendance of a maximum of one course (4 lectures) for the duration of the entire 2-year program. The student will be required to complete the distance assignment of the course. Missing more than one course needs the approval of the administration.
If a student cannot attend the entire on-site meeting, the student should:
- Get the administration’s approval
- Attend part of the weekend to ensure that no more than 4 lectures are missed for the duration of the entire 2-year program.
It is up to the administration to determine if a student has to retake a course.
Requirements
Scheduled Courses
2nd year 2023 | SPRING On-Site: 1/13-1/15 | |
Crisis Intervention | Abraham Ghattas, MD | |
Self-Development | Sarwat Gad, MD | |
Marriage & Family Counseling | Fr. Maximos Rizkalla | |
Gerontology | Mona Hanna, MD | |
Practicum II | Wafaie Selim, MD, MA, LSW, BCPCC | |
SUMMER On-Site: 5/26-5/28 | ||
Homosexuality | Fr. Boutros Samy | |
Newborn to Elementary | Nabil Guirguis, MD | |
Introduction to Practicum | Karen Naguib, MSEd, LPC | |
Practicum III | Sofie Azmy, PsyD | |
FALL On-Site: 9/1-9/3 | ||
Family Systems Theories & Therapies | Amani Henry, MD, LMHC, NCC | |
Counseling Theories & Psychotherapies | Sister Youanna, MD | |
Adolescents & College | Christine E. Agaibi, M.A. | |
Ethics & Legal Issues | Karen Naguib, MSEd, LPC | |
Practicum I | Mary Michail, MA | |
1st Year 2022 | SPRING On-Site: 1/14-1/16 | |
Infidelity Prevention/Purity in Marriage | Karen Naguib, MSEd, LPC | |
Abnormal Psychology (DSM-V) | Ihab Istafanous, MD | |
Preparing for Marriage | Hani Ashamalla, MD | |
Gerontology | Mona Hanna, MD | |
Practicum II | Wafaie Selim, MD, MA, LSW, BCPCC | |
SUMMER On-Site: 5/27-5/29 | ||
Addiction | Adel Andraws, MA | |
Parenting Coaching | Adly Youssef | |
Introduction to Practicum | Karen Naguib, MSEd, LPC | |
Practicum III | Sofie Azmy, PsyD | |
FALL On-Site: 9/2-9/4 | ||
Domestic Violence & Anger Management | Maggie Bishay, Psy.D. | |
Challenges Facing Christian Marriage | Naglaa Moussa, MA | |
Human Sexuality | Marguerite Rizk, MA | |
Ethics & Legal Issues | Karen Naguib, MSEd, LPC | |
Practicum I | Mary Michail, MA |
Continuing Education