MDiv and MA in Counseling Dual Degree

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: May 29, 2024 by Beth Brunk
2 min read

About Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling Dual Degree

A dual degree student will graduate with two master's degrees in less time than it would take to complete those degrees individually. The dual degree Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health 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 Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree.

Admissions Requirements

To be admitted to the dual-degree program, students must be accepted to both the Master of Divinity program and the Graduate 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/MA in CMHC dual degree are requested by March 1. Applications may be accepted after this date.

Degree Requirements (120 credits)

  • 60 credit hours of coursework for the Master of Divinity degree. Advisors will help students decide how the Master of Divinity core requirements will be reduced.

  • 60 credit hours toward the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. One of these credits is 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 more suitable in light of schedule constraints and individual needs.

Students will generally spend two or three full years in the Graduate Counseling Program. The sequencing of the seminary studies will be decided on an individual basis.

Seminary core requirements (60 credits)

  • FS 503 Formation in Spiritual Practices (3 SH)

  • FS 504 Formation in Narrative Identity (3 SH)

  • FS 601 Formation in Ministry I (3 SH)

  • FS 602 Formation in Ministry II (3 SH)

  • BIBL 511 Old Testament: Text in Context (3 SH)

  • BIBL 512 New Testament: Text in Context (3 SH)

  • CTH 501 Christian Traditions I (3 SH)

  • CTH 512 Christian Traditions II (3 SH)

  • CTT 634 Living Theology (3 SH)

  • CM 643 Missio Dei in Cultural Context (3 SH)

  • CTE 702 Christian Ethics (3 SH)

  • 12 hours of Biblical languages or the alternate language track

Master of Arts in Counseling core requirements (60 credits)

  • COUN 507 Professional Identity, Function and Ethics (3 SH)

  • COUN 508 Counseling Techniques (3 SH)

  • COUN 509 Supervision and Consultation (3 SH)

  • COUN 517 Human Growth and Development (3 SH)

  • COUN 518 Integrated Counseling Process (3 SH)

  • COUN 527 Psychopathology (3 SH)

  • COUN 530 Advanced Psychopathology (2 SH)

  • COUN 536 Counseling Research & Program Evaluation (3 SH)

  • COUN 547 Counseling Theories (3 SH)

  • COUN 557 Assessment and Evaluation Procedures (3 SH)

  • COUN 567 Group Counseling (3 SH)

  • COUN 587 Crisis Counseling (2 SH)

  • COUN 607 Multicultural Counseling (3 SH)

  • COUN 610 Advanced Multicultural Counseling (2 SH)

  • COUN 617 Counseling Children and Adolescents (2 SH)

  • COUN 627 Marriage and Family Counseling (3 SH)

  • COUN 637 Career Development (3 SH)

  • COUN 697 Addictions Counseling (3 SH)

  • Internship and practicum experiences are also required.