The MA in Counseling Ministries offers training in the application of psychological research and theory to ministry settings. Students in this program are prepared for work in churches, mission agencies and other settings where lay counseling, support groups, and other healing ministries are provided. The program is especially designed for lay people and clergy who are already involved in spiritual formation, pastoral care and healing ministries and desire more extensive training in the application of psychological studies to those ministries.

The MA in Counseling Ministries does not prepare graduates for licensure as a psychotherapist. The MA in Clinical Psychology does prepare students for licensure.

Degree Requirements (36 credit hours)

Course descriptions

Core (18)

PSYC 512 Theories and Principles of Counseling (4)
PSYC 551 Counseling Challenges in Ministry (2)
PSYC 596 Graduate Internship (4)
PSYC 597 Internship Seminar (0)
PSYC 611 Social, Cultural and Spiritual Foundations I (1)
PSYC 612 Social, Cultural and Spiritual Foundations II (1)
PSYC 613 Social, Cultural and Spiritual Foundations III (1)
PSYC 614 Group Therapy (2)
PSYC 614L Group Therapy Lab (1)
PSYC 621 Humanistic / Experential Theory and Practice with Individuals and Systems (2)
PSYC 621L Basic Interviewing Skills Lab (1)
PSYC 622 Psychodynamic Psychology (3)
PSYC 623 Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology (3)
PSYC 624 Issues in Professional Practice (3)
PSYC 636 Family Systems Theory /Therapy (3)

Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) (6)
BITH 561 Theological Anthropology (2)
Choose one:
      BITH 565 Christian Theology (4)
      BITH 566 Foundations of Biblical Interpretation (4)
      BITH 576 History of Christianity to 1900 (4)

Electives (6)
Choose at least six hours of Psychology courses. Several levels available: 400 (max. 8 hrs), 500, 600, and 800 (specified courses). Students may choose up to 4 hours of non-Psychology courses—master’s level courses that are listed under a different academic department—in consultation with academic adviser.

One Year Track (36)

This track is available to any student—and works especially well for furloughing missionaries and international students.

Fall (14-15)
PSYC 512 Theories & Principles of Counseling (4)
PSYC 611 Foundations I (1)
PSYC 624 Issues: Professional Practice (3)
Core Clinical course (3)
Core Clinical (3), Elective (3), or Theological Studies Requirement (4)

Spring (13-14)
PSYC 551 Counseling Challenges in Ministry (2)
PSYC 612 Foundations II (1)
PSYC 614 Group Therapy (2)
PSYC 614L Group Therapy Lab (1)
PSYC 596 Internship (2)
PSYC 597 Internship seminar (0)
Core Clinical (3), Elective (3) or Theological Studies Requirement (4)
BITH 561 Theological Anthropology (2)

Summer (7-9)
PSYC 596 Internship (2)
Electives to reach 36 credit hours required for graduation