Joint Degree Program
Master of Pastoral Studies (MPS) in Pastoral Care and Counseling
and
Master of Science (MS) in Counseling
A Description of the Degrees:
MPS Degree (Pastoral Care and Counseling)
Provides theological and spiritual grounding for pastoral care in a variety of local church contexts and other pastoral settings. 36 credits.
MS Degree (Counseling)
Provides in-depth education in counseling models, meeting all educational requirements for state licensure as a professional counselor. 48 credits.
Individually taken, the two degrees would require 84 credits of graduate work. The joint degree allows for courses in one program to count as electives or required courses in the other degree program. The total number of credits for the joint degree is 63 credits (a reduction of 21 graduate credits).
Why do both?
Spiritual and religious issues often come up in a counseling setting. A thorough grounding in theology and hermeneutics helps the counselor appreciate the religious tradition and spirituality of the client. Pastoral ministers often encounter personal situations when assisting parishioners and others that require well-developed counseling skills. Both degrees together offer a breadth and depth of expertise that will enhance counseling practice and pastoral work. Graduates of the joint degree program who subsequently become licensed as professional counselors are eligible to become certified as professional Pastoral Counselors by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Individually taken, the two degrees would require 84 credits of graduate work. The joint degree allows for courses in one program to count as electives or required courses in the other degree program. The total number of credits for the joint degree is 63 credits (a reduction of 21 graduate credits).
How to apply?
Students already matriculated into one of the degree programs should contact their faculty advisor to discuss their interest in the degree program. Students will need to complete all application requirements for each degree program (but may request that their transcripts already on file in their current program be sent to the other department). The GRE or MAT is required for admission to the counseling program. Student need to inform both programs that they are applying for the joint degree option.
Tuition
Currently, LIM students may register for up to 6 credits in the counseling department at the discounted LIM tuition rate. All other counseling courses will be taken at the counseling department tuition rate.
Coursework
Please see the two Course Charts for the MPS Courses for the Joint Degree and the MS Courses for the Joint Degree.
Further explanation
LIM students who enter the counseling program should register for Research Methods and Statistics in the counseling program, within the first 12 hours of work in Counseling.
The LIM course, Intro to Practical Theology, should also be taken as early as possible (in lieu of the Counseling Department course called Philosophy in Counseling). LIM students will also take Family Systems (a LIM course) and Group Counseling (a Counseling course) as their two electives. Students enrolled in the joint degree program will substitute the Counseling Practicum for CPE in the MPS degree.