Master of Arts (Counselling & Spiritual Care)
The Master of Arts in Counselling and Spiritual Care is a professional degree designed to train specialists who can guide and counsel individuals and couples regarding their values, their spirituality, and their individual or couple dynamics. This program provides educational preparation, but not certification. Further clinical experience and supervision are required after graduation to obtain professional accreditation with a certifying body.
Program Duration
Designed to be completed in 2 years of full-time study. The maximum length of the degree program is 4 years with the possibility to appeal for an additional year..
Course Format Options
In-Person/Livestream
Register to attend these courses in-person or remotely via livestream (synchronous).
In-Person
The traditional classroom experience.
Online
These courses meet fully online in asynchronous format.
This program may be fully completed remotely through a combination of online (asynchronous) and livestream (synchronous) courses.
Tuition
Visit our Funding and Fees page for more information.
Program Requirements
| Number of courses | |
| Biblical Studies |
2 |
| New Testament and/or Old Testament courses (any 2 courses with codes beginning with NT or OT) |
|
| Theological Studies | 2 |
| Church History and/or Theological Studies courses (any 2 courses with codes beginning with CH or TH) |
|
| Ministry Studies | 10 |
| Ministry Studies courses in counselling area (any 2 counselling courses with codes beginning with MS) |
|
| Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) | 2 |
| Electives | 2 |
| Program Total | 18 |
Course Examples
- Basic Counselling Skills and Interventions
- Advanced Counselling Skills and Interventions
- Couples and Family Therapy
- Crisis Intervention
- Cross-Cultural Counselling
- Current Psychotherapies
- Understanding Human Development and Maturity
- Professional Ethics and Jurisprudence
- Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
- Understanding Trauma and Psychopathology
Recommended 2024-25 Courses for Full-Time Students
Fall 2024
- Essentials in Theology – Dr. Clement Yung Wen
- Understanding Human Development and Maturity – Dr. Cathryn Harris
- Basic Counselling Skills and Intervention – TBD
- Current Psychotherapies – Dr. Kelvin Mutter
Winter 2025
- Biblical Interpretation – Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall
- Understanding Trauma and Psychopathology – Dr. Cathryn Harris
- Advanced Counselling Skills: Focused Short-Term Therapies – Dr. Kelvin Mutter
- Professional Ethics and Jurisprudence – Dr. Kelvin Mutter
Spring 2025
- Crisis Intervention – Dr. Cathryn Harris
- Elective (Counselling or TH/BS as available)
- CSC Practicum (if placement available)
Admission Requirements
- Agreement with the McMaster Divinity College Statement of Faith
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution with a B- average
Although not required, it is strongly recommended that students applying to this program have a course in general psychology as part of their undergraduate degree program.
Application Deadline
Fall Semester June 1
Winter Semester October 15
Spring Semester March 15