Faculty Highlight: Justin Top

JUSTIN TOP (justin_top@byu.edu) IS AN ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR IN THE BYU DEPARTMENT OF ANCIENT SCRIPTURE.

Justin Top joined Religious Education in 2022 and is an associate graduate coordinator for the MA Chaplaincy program. Justin has a MA in Religious education and a PhD in Counseling Psychology, both from BYU. His area of interest is in the relationship between spirituality and mental health, and he has a particular passion for studying the role that grace can play in emotional and mental well-being. After working in Seminaries and Institutes for seven years, Justin joined the US Navy as an active-duty chaplain in 2008, where he completed two deployments in support of the war on terror. He also worked at the Pentagon developing a program to promote “spiritual fitness” in the Marine Corps. Prior to joining the faculty at BYU, Justin worked first as a hospice chaplain, then as a psychologist in various mental health settings. He also continues his military service in the Navy reserves. Justin, his wife Shauna, and their large family enjoy outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, canyoneering, skiing, and travel.