Divinity and Pastoral Counseling (MDiv/MA)
This dual-degree program provides the student with a comprehensive background in ministerial leadership (through the Master of Divinity, M.Div. and specialist competencies in spiritually-integrated psychotherapy (through the MA in Pastoral Counseling, MAPC). Notably, the MAPC degree prepares students for licensure with the State of Illinois (and most other states). A "Licensed Professional Counselor" (LPC) is qualified as a clinical mental health worker in a variety of contexts.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Requirement 1 | ||
| IPS 400 | Introduction to Graduate and Professional Writing | 0 |
| Reflective Critical Understanding | ||
| Context | ||
| IPS 555 | Human Person and Psychological Development | 3 |
| IPS 532 | Social Context of Ministry | 3 |
| Scripture | ||
| IPS 417 | Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| IPS 416 | Introduction to New Testament | 3 |
| Scripture Elective | 3 | |
| Pastoral/Systematic Theology | ||
| IPS 570 | Introduction to Theology and Ministry | 3 |
| IPS 531 | Christian Doctrine | 3 |
| IPS 402 | Church and Mission | 3 |
| IPS 502 | Theology of the Developing Person | 3 |
| Ethics | ||
| IPS 553 | Moral Theology and Christian Ethics | 3 |
| IPS 512 | Ethics, Pastoral Counseling, and Spirituality | 3 |
| Sacramental & Liturgical Theology | ||
| IPS 541 | Liturgy and Christian Sacraments | 3 |
| Spirituality | ||
| IPS 545 | The Foundations of Christian Spirituality | 3 |
| Pastoral Counseling Core | ||
| IPS 517 | Models of Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| IPS 473 | Family Therapy and Personal Transformation | 3 |
| IPS 474 | Addictions & Modes of Therapy | 3 |
| IPS 509 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| IPS 520 | Testing, Measurement & Assessment | 3 |
| IPS 515 | Research Methods | 3 |
| IPS 507 | Pastoral, Psychodynamic Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| IPS 472 | Pastoral Counseling in an Intercultural Context | 3 |
| IPS 518 | Career Counseling for the Pastoral Counselor | 3 |
| Ministry Skills Core | ||
| IPS 501 | Advanced Human Relation Skills | 3 |
| IPS 503 | Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling | 3 |
| IPS 505 | Group Counseling Approaches | 3 |
| IPS 560 | Liturgical Leadership | 3 |
| or IPS 565 | Pastoral Leadership | |
| Contextual Core | ||
| IPS 511 | Internship Supervision I | 3 |
| IPS 513 | Internship Supervision II | 3 |
| Faith Formation | ||
| IPS 530 | Clinical Pastoral Care Registration | 0 |
| M.Div. Midpoint Review | ||
| Total Hours | 84 | |
- 1
If required at the time of admission
Dual Degree Programs
Students in dual degree programs are responsible for abiding by academic policies and graduation requirements of both academic units to which they are enrolled. It is strongly recommended that students schedule regular meetings with academic advisors from both units to ensure timely degree completion. Dual degree programs may have slightly different degree requirements from the standard for one or both of the degrees earned. Students should closely read through all degree requirements and ask for clarification as needed.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
By completing the program, students will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to interpret pastoral circumstances in relation to scripture, tradition, and human sciences; (Theology/Religious Heritage). [MDiv]
- The ability to engage, transform, and/or critique social, economic, political, and ecclesial realities of our day in order to address the changing landscape of ministry. (Cultural Context) [MDiv]
- The ability to engage the relevant dimensions of Christian faith, discipleship and ministry with interpersonal, spiritual, and ecclesial maturity. (Maturity/Personal Formation) [MDiv]
- The ability to be present to the person and community’s condition and environments by developing skills to discern and describe the ministry required; (Skills/Ministerial Leadership) [MDiv]
- The ability to construct ministerial vision and formulate ministerial strategies to effect personal and community transformation. [MDiv]
- The ability to pastorally and clinically engage human psychological, relational, and contextual distress in therapeutic ways. (Cultural Context) [MA]
- The ability to interpret, engage, and expand psycho-spiritual meaning making in relation to the pastoral legacy of faith communities. (Theology /Spirituality/Religious Heritage) [MA]
- The ability to offer competent therapeutic services in secular and/or faith-based contexts based on personal, interpersonal, and spiritual maturity. (Maturity/Personal Formation) [MA]
- The ability to appropriately assess and diagnose personal and relational life conditions that contribute to human distress and break down, with the skills needed to discern and effectively pastoral engage the identified dilemmas. (Skills/Ministerial Leadership) [MA]