MASTER OF ARTS IN PASTORAL COUNSELING (MAPC)

This degree prepares students for work as pastoral counselors in multiple settings (agency, clinic, parish, or private practice) by providing solid theological, psychological, and clinical training. Pastoral counseling represents a holistic psychotherapeutic approach to human healing that integrates theological/spiritual and psychological/behavioral insights and principles.

A diverse group of clients seek pastoral counseling, with needs that range from chaotic or trying personal issues to clinically defined mental illness (marital or occupational difficulties, financial distress, drug and alcohol abuse, depression, and other situations requiring everything from help with basic coping skills to hospitalization for treatment of severe trauma). Reflecting the University’s mission of a faith that does justice, the program calls upon students to work in a diverse multicultural context and with underserved and vulnerable populations, including persons with chronic mental illness.The curriculum for the degree assists students in fulfilling the academic coursework required for Washington State mental health licensure and/or certification by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

Degree Requirements

I. Theological Foundations

Twenty-one credits:

STMM 500 Christian Anthropology (3)

STMM 504 Christian Ethics (3)

STMM 526 Hebrew Scriptures (3)

STMM 527 Christian Scriptures (3)

STMM 561 Contemporary Christian Spirituality and Prayer (3)

STMA 570 Spiritual Discernment (3)

Choose one of the following courses (3)

STMM 501 Christology (3)

STMM 503 Theology in an Ecumenical Context (3)

STMM 505 Sacramental and Liturgical Theology (3)

STMM 510 Theology and Practice of Worship (3)

STMA 504 God, Creation and Trinity (3)

STMA 521 Theologies of Liberation (3)

STMA 522 World Religions (3)

II. Clinical Theory

Twenty-seven credits:

STMM 553 Pastoral Care Skills (3)

STMA 561 Psycho-Spiritual Development (3)

STMA 581 Family Systems Theory and Techniques (3)

STMC 552 Individual Counseling Theory/Techniques (3)

STMC 553 Integrating Systemic and Spiritual

Approaches to Couples Therapy (3)

STMC 554 Group Counseling Theory/Techniques (3)

STMC 570 Addiction and Abuse (3)

STMC 571 Psychopathology (3)

STMC 572 Pastoral Diagnosis (3)

III. Pastoral Counseling Integration

Twenty-four credits:

STMC 516 History of Pastoral Care and Counseling (3)

STMC 521 Pastoral Counseling in a Multicultural Context (3)

STMC 555 Pastoral Counseling Practicum I (3)

STMC 556 Pastoral Counseling Practicum II (3)

STMC 557 Pastoral Counseling Practicum III (3)

STMC 558 Pastoral Counseling Practicum IV (3)

STMC 559 Pastoral Counseling Practicum V (3)

STMC 560 Pastoral Counseling Practicum VI (3)

MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE .................. 72