M.A. in Pastoral Counseling

Description

M.A. in Pastoral Counseling

Whether you’re a pastor, nonprofit leader or looking to add counseling tools to your role in another field, the nonlicensure M.A. in Pastoral Counseling will equip you with biblically centered counseling tools to help others through decisions and crises. This online master’s in counseling degree program draws from the Christian psychology, mental health counseling and clinical pastoral education fields.  The Master of Arts degree prepares people in one of three ways: (a) primarily academically for graduate study of one or more theologically related disciplines, including personal enrichment; (b) primarily professionally for some form of religious leadership or other kinds of service; or (c) both academically and professionally with each receiving similar attention. Each Master of Arts degree offered by a school has a clear purpose statement that indicates which of these ways is primary. The degree requires a minimum of 36 semester credits or equivalent units.

The Master of Arts degree has various nomenclatures, depending on its purpose and on certain provincial, state, or ecclesial or denominational regulations. The most common nomenclature is Master of Arts (abbreviated as MA), but the school may choose other appropriate nomenclatures that suit the degree’s purpose and setting. Other common names for this degree are Master of Theological Studies (MTS), Master of Arts in Religion (MAR), Master of Religious Education (MRE), Master of Church Music (MCM), Master of [specialization], Master of Arts in [specialization], and Master of Arts [(specialization)].  The school may use any appropriate nomenclature, but it may not change that nomenclature without notifying the Commission (see Policies and Procedures, IV.D.1) so an accurate record of all approved degrees can be maintained.

The Master of Arts degree has clearly articulated student learning outcomes that are appropriate to a graduate theological degree (including any specializations in that degree) and are consistent with the school’s mission and resources. A degree that is primarily academically oriented typically has some form of capstone research project (e.g., thesis or extended research paper), while one that is primarily professionally oriented typically has some form of supervised practical experience that meets the requirements in Standard 4.4. Master’s degrees that are oriented both professionally and academically have appropriate options (e.g., practicum, thesis, or other).

The Master of Arts degree program as a whole and each of its specific student learning outcomes are regularly evaluated, with the results discussed by faculty and used to improve student learning and formation.