MDiv with a Concentration in Pastoral Counseling
What is a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling?
In pastoral roles we face many forms of brokenness and frequently get involved in the ministry of counseling. With the well-rounded biblical, theological, and pastoral training of the M.Div. degree, the concentration in Pastoral Counseling provides tools and resources you need to meet the counseling demands you encounter in pastoral forms of ministry. Though it does not lead to the qualifications for counseling licensure, it combines solid biblical training with psychological principles. However, you also earn a unit toward Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which allows you to participate in clinical settings where ministry is being practiced. Through faithful pastoral counseling, you will be ready to give comprehensive pastoral ministry to those God places in your care.
“Having taught courses at Denver Seminary for many years, I can confidently say that the students whom I have had the pleasure to teach are mature, competent and very well prepared. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know the students, who have come from a variety of backgrounds and who serve as peers who can not only learn together in good spirits but also can mutually teach each other. This is a high quality program that educates and helps students develop their faith and ministries.”
Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Virginia Commonwealth University
Watch videos from the Division of Counseling and the Division of Christian Ministry
The MDiv with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling is excellent preparation for goals such as:
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Senior pastor positions for small congregations
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Pastoral positions requiring or benefiting from a counseling background, including, but not limited to, community pastors, executive pastors, staff pastors, marriage and family pastors, pastors of congregational care, and pastoral counselors.
Structure
In addition to the MDiv core, this concentration involves 12 hours of counseling courses:
| Pastoral Counseling Concentration | Course # | Sem. Hrs. |
| M.Div. Core1 | 85 | |
|
Pastoral counseling course already in core |
(CO 526) |
(2) |
| Community-Based Clinical Pastoral Education |
CHP 6502 |
3 |
| Counseling Theories | CO 502 | 3 |
| Group Experience | CO 539 | 0 |
| Counseling Issues in Ministry | CO 540 | 3 |
| Brief Counseling | CO 560 | 2 |
| Brief Counseling Practicum | CO 570 | 1 |
| 97 |
1 Students in the pastoral counseling concentration should replace PME 602 with CO 526.
2 Students must enroll in one hour of mentored ministry experience and one hour of spiritual formation while enrolled in CHP 650.
Department Faculty
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Dr. Fred Gingrich, Division Chair; Professor of Counseling
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Dr. Heather J. Gingrich, Associate Professor of Counseling
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Dr. Monte Hasz, Assistant Professor of Counseling
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Dr. Janet R. McCormack, Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling
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Reggie Moore, Instructor of Counseling
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Dr. Elizabeth Nesbit, Associate Professor of Counseling
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Dr. Ronald D. Welch, Associate Professor of counseling
Faculty Highlight
Dr. Fred Gingrich is Associate Professor of Counseling and chair of the Counseling division. He is a clinical member and approved supervisor of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. He is also a member of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, American Association of Christian Counselors, National Council on Family Relations, and Christians for Biblical Equality. Dr. Gingrich has written a number of articles and presented at professional conferences in the areas of marital and premarital counseling, counselor supervision and cross-cultural counseling.
