Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling Dual Degree
A dual degree student will graduate with two masters degrees in less time than it would take to complete those degrees individually.
The dual degree master of divinity and master of arts in counseling combines the theological, biblical and pastoral training of a master of divinity with the psychologically and spiritually grounded professional counseling training of the master of arts in counseling degree.
Degree Requirements
Students will complete 60 hours of course work for the master of divinity degree. Students will not take any of the 23 track-specific electives or track-specific mentored ministry in the seminary. Advisors will help students decide how the master of divinity core requirements will be reduced.
For the master of arts in counseling, students will complete 60 credit hours toward the degree. Three of these hours are designated as a counseling elective, which could occur in the seminary context.
The dual degree advisor will work with each student on a case-by-case basis to determine which course substitutions are suitable in light of schedule constraints and individual needs.
A unique strength of Eastern Mennonite Seminary is our formation program. We believe that focusing on one’s own formation during the seminary journey is the way for ministering persons to be healthy and whole in their vocations in ministry and counseling. For this degree, four formation courses are required. FS 501/502 Formation in God’s Story I & II (2 credits each) helps students understand their own lives in conversation with and connection to God’s story as found in Scripture and being written in the present in their own lives through spiritual practices. FS 601/602 Formation in Ministry I & II (3 credits each) offers students the opportunity to put their learning into practice in internship sites related to their vocational leanings with a mentor to help with on-site theological reflection. For more information, please visit the formation page.
Admissions Requirements
To be admitted to the dual-degree program students must be accepted to both the master of divinity program and the master of arts in counseling program. Students may fill out one application for both programs. Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate how they will integrate the two degrees in their essay. They must also choose an academic reference, a pastoral reference and a professional reference. Applications for the MDiv/MAC dual degree are requested by March 1. Applications may be accepted after this date.
Curriculum
Students will generally spend two full years in the master of arts in counseling program. The sequencing of the seminary studies will be decided on an individual basis.
Seminary core requirements include
- FS 503 Formation in Spiritual Practices
- FS 504 Formation in Narrative Identity
- BVOT 511 Old Testament: Text in Context
- BVNT 512 New Testament: Text in Context
- CTH 501/512 Christian Traditions I and II
- FS 601/602 Formation in Ministry I and II
- CTT 634 Living Theology
- CM 643 Missio Dei in Cultural Context
- CTE 702 Christian Ethics
- 12 hours of Biblical languages or the alternate language track
Master of arts in counseling core requirements include
- Professional Identity, Function & Ethics
- Counseling Techniques
- Psychopathology
- Counseling Theories
- Integrated Counseling Process
- Group Counseling
- Crisis Intervention & Trauma Healing
- Multicultural Counseling
- Counseling Children & Adolescents
- Expressive Therapies
- Counseling Research & Program Evaluation
- Marriage & Family Counseling
- Advanced Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
- Career Development
- Assessment & Evaluation Procedures
- Counseling Research & Program Evaluation
- Professional Seminar
- Addictions Counseling
Internship and practicum experiences are also required.