M.A. in Counseling Ministries
What is a Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries (nonlicensure)?
The ministry of counseling occurs in a variety of settings other than licensed,
professional therapy. For these forms of counseling, high quality training is essential
in order to provide wise, biblically-informed guidance, even if a state license is not
necessary. The M.A. in Counseling Ministries provides a solid foundation of counseling courses with the well-rounded biblical and theological foundations of the M.A. core curriculum. Several elective options are available, providing the flexibility to tailor your education to different ministry needs or goals. With this degree you also earn a unit toward Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which allows you to participate in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced. If God is moving you toward a non-licensed counseling ministry, the M.A. in Counseling Ministries is a superb option!
Please note that this program will not qualify a student for licensure by the state of Colorado (if you are interested in licensure, please refer to the Master of Arts in Counseling licensure degrees).
Watch a video from the Division of Counseling
The M.A. in Counseling Ministries is excellent preparation for goals such as:
-
Crisis counseling environments, both Christian and secular, that do not require licensure
-
Counseling in church and other parachurch settings that do not require licensure
-
Christian and secular humanitarian/social action programs
- International ministry settings
Structure
In addition to the required M.A. core classes (29 hours), the Master of Arts in Counseling
Ministries includes 21 hours of required classes and 12 hours of electives.
|
M.A. in Counseling Ministries |
Course # |
Sem Hrs. |
|
Modified M.A. Core |
|
29 |
|
CPH 650 |
3 |
|
|
CO 502 |
3 |
|
| Human Development and Counseling |
CO 503 |
3 |
|
CO 526 |
2 | |
| Group Experience | CO 539 | 0 |
|
CO 540 |
3 | |
|
CO 560 |
2 | |
| Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling2 |
CO 621 |
3 |
| Integration of Counseling and Theology |
CO 631 |
2 |
|
*Electives: Special skills and target populations |
|
12 |
|
Total Degree Hours: |
62 |
|
1 Students must enroll in one hour in mentored ministry experience and one hour in mentored spiritual formation while enrolled in CHP 650.
2 Includes components that meet the globalization awareness requirement.
*Students wishing to add a chaplaincy concentration should select the following twelve hours in place of the special skills and target populations courses listed above. NOTE: Those preparing to be military chaplains should enroll in the MDiv program since all branches of the military require the MDiv degree.
Sample of Electives:
- CO 505 - Groups and Counseling (3 hours)
- CO 541 - Gender Issues in Counseling (2 hours)
- CO 543 - Sexuality and Counseling (2 hours)
- CO 551 - Crisis Counseling (2 hours)
Department Faculty
- Dr. Fred Gingrich, Division Chair; Professor of Counseling
- Dr. Heather J. Gingrich, Associate Professor of Counseling
- Dr. Monte Hasz, Assistant Professor of Counseling
- Dr. Janet R. McCormack, Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling
- Dr. Elizabeth Nesbit, Assistant Professor of Counseling
- Dr. Ronald D. Welch, Associate Professor of Counseling
- Mr. Reggie Moore, Instructor of Counseling
Faculty Highlight
Dr. Monte Hasz is Assistant Professor of Counseling whose professional areas of interest include brief therapy, development, marriage and family, and men’s issues. Dr. Hasz continues to maintain a part-time private practice and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) and the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA). He has co-authored a book, Promoting Change through Brief Therapy in Christian Counseling, as well as several articles on brief therapy and marital treatment.
