Overview

The MDiv in Counselling provides educational preparation for students interested in counselling ministries in congregational settings or in the marketplace. A hallmark of the counselling program is a dual focus on theological and psychological understanding of human personhood and the therapeutic process.

Applicants who sense a call to counselling ministries are advised to investigate the accreditation requirements in their area of professional interest (e.g., type of degree, accreditation required, clinical experience needed, registration with a particular professional association, etc.) before enrolling in the MDiv counselling major. Public and private counselling agencies, as well as denominational pastoral counsellors and chaplains, often have credentialing standards that must be met.

The Counseling major has two tracks: Clinical Track and Pastoral Care and Counselling Track. The tracks are designed to prepare students for differing ministry specialization. Students will need to choose their track upon enrollment

Clinical Track

The Clinical Track is intended for those who are seeking to become credentialed in the Province of Ontario to offer psychotherapy in agencies (secular or Christian) or in private practice. The training would lead towards preparing graduates to practice psychotherapy with clients who are struggling with internal and interpersonal issues that require in-depth, longer-term therapy.

Tyndale Seminary's Counselling program provides educational preparation, but not certification, as a counsellor/therapist. Further clinical experience and supervision will be required post-graduation to obtain professional accreditation with a certifying body.

Students who plan to pursue certification with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) should consult with Dr. Scuse early in their program regarding membership criteria.

Program Requirements for Clinical Track:

Biblical Studies (4):

• [BIBL 0501] Biblical Interpretation: Interpreting and Applying the Biblical Text
• [OLDT 0511] Old Testament Theology and History
• [NEWT 0522] New Testament Theology and History
• One Old Testament or New Testament Elective
   

Theology (3):

• [THEO 0531] Systematic Theology I
• [THEO 0532] Systematic Theology II
• [THEO 0646] Theology of the Human Person
   

Christian History (2):

• [HIST 0561] History of Christianity I
• [HIST 0562] History of Christianity II
   

Ministry Formation (3):

• [SPIR 0700] Spiritual Formation
• [LEAD 0510] Leadership Development
• [MISS 0782] Gospel, Church, and Culture
   

Courses for Major in Counselling (10):

• [COUN 0574] Foundational Perspectives of Christian Counselling
• [COUN 0674] Personality Theories
• [COUN 0676] Therapeutic Relationship
• [COUN 0677] Family Systems Theory
• [COUN 0772] Theories and Methods of Family Therapy
• [COUN 0774] Theories and Methods of Family Therapy II
• [COUN 0775] Professional Ethics
• [COUN 0601] Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab I
• [COUN 0602] Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab II
• [COUN 0701] Counselling Major Internship
   

Counselling Electives (5)

Total MDiv Courses: (27)

Pastoral Care and Counselling Track

This track will focus on short term pastoral counselling around issues such as family and life crisis and other difficult life circumstances and transitions. Deeper psychotherapy would not be part of this work. Students in this track will have the flexibility to select electives to prepare them for leadership in congregational care and counselling ministries or chaplaincy.

Program Requirements for Pastoral Care and Counselling Track

The program requirements for the Pastoral Care and Counselling Track are the same as the Clinical Track in the areas of Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian History and Ministry Formation.

Courses for Major in Pastoral Care and Counselling Track (8)

• [COUN 0574] Foundational Perspectives of Christian Counselling
• [COUN 0676] Therapeutic Relationship
• [COUN 0677] Family Systems Theory
• [THEO 0535] Professional Ethics [COUN 0775] or Christian Ethics 
• [COUN 0601] Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab I
• [COUN 0602] Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab II
• [COUN 0683] Pastoral Counselling and Crisis Intervention
• [COUN 0701] Counselling Major Internship
   

Free Electives (7)
(Electives to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.)

Total MDiv Courses: (27)

All applications to the MDiv counselling major (both new and transfer students) must be received by May 1st of each year. Admission criteria include relevant academic training, vocational goals that align with the program, and any counselling-related experience. All applicants will be interviewed by the Major Coordinator and/or a counselling faculty member in May and June. Acceptance notifications will be released by the end of June.

This program does not allow for Winter term admissions. Students who are accepted to the Seminary during other times in the year may take courses in Bible, History and Theology and those counseling courses which are open to the entire community. Students wishing to transfer into the counselling major must follow the same application procedures as new students.

A two-semester internship in a counselling setting (approximately 15 hours per week) is required in the third year of the program. Second-year students prepare for the internship by taking a counselling skills lab, three hours per week, in both semesters of the academic year.