This program is for students seeking to enter vocations in religious leadership with skills both in theology and counseling. Students enrolled in the dual degree program can complete the requirements for both the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling degrees in four years instead of the five years needed if each program is undertaken separately. The curriculum meets the accrediting standards for each degree program. The dual degree program is designed to ensure that students meet the educational requirements for licensure as professional counselors in North Carolina and most other states.
Plan of Study and Requirements
Students in the dual degree program spend the first two years of the four year program enrolled in courses in the School of Divinity. During these first two years, students complete on average 50-53 credit hours of required courses, required electives, and general electives. Dual degree students are required to complete a basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through an ACPE accredited program. Students generally meet the CPE requirement in a summer session during their first two years of the program. Guidelines for applying CPE credit toward the degree can be obtained through the Office of Academic Affairs. The introductory CPE unit and CNS 738A/CNS 738B, the counseling practicum, satisfy the MDiv internship placement requirements.
Students spend the second two years of the dual program satisfying requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling.
As part of the dual degree program, students are required to complete a series of one-hour capstone courses that emphasize intersections between theology and counseling. Dual degree students are expected to complete these courses beginning in their third year of the four year program. The capstone courses are offered through the School of Divinity.
Upon successful completion of the dual degree requirements, students receive both the Master of Divinity and the Master of Arts in Counseling degrees.
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete 53 hours toward the Master of Divinity Degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | ||
| BIB 521 | Old Testament Interpretation I | 3 |
| BIB 522 | Old Testament Interpretation II | 3 |
| BIB 541 | Introduction to New Testament | 3 |
| BIB 542 | Interpreting New Testament Letters | 3 |
| or BIB 543 | Interpreting New Testament Gospels | |
| Biblical Studies elective | 3 | |
| Historical and Theological Studies | ||
| HIS 501 | History of Christianity | 3 |
| HIS 502 | History of Christianity II | 3 |
| THS 501 | Christian Theology | 3 |
| Theology elective | 3 | |
| THS 521 | Foundations of Christian Ethics | 3 |
| or THS 522 | History of Theological Ethics | |
| Ministerial Studies | ||
| MIN 501 | Art of Ministry I: Introduction to the Life and Work of Ministry | 2 |
| Relational Care | 3 | |
| Capstone Requirement: | ||
| MIN 710 | Topics in Psychology of Religion | 1 |
| MIN 711 | Topics in Spiritual Development | 1 |
| MIN 712 | Topics in Pastoral Theology | 1 |
| Clinical Pastoral Education | 5 | |
| Choose any 4 credit hours from the following: | 4 | |
Proclamation (1-3h) | ||
Community Building (1-3h) | ||
Formation (1-3h) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select at least 6 hours of divinity electives | 6 | |
| Counseling (CNS) Required Courses | ||
| CNS 721 | Research and Statistical Analysis in Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 736 | Appraisal Procedures for Counselors | 3 |
| CNS 737 | Basic Counseling Skills and Techniques | 3 |
| CNS 739 | Advanced Counseling Skills and Crisis Management | 3 |
| CNS 740 | Professional Orientation to Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 741 | Theories and Models of Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 742 | Group Procedures in Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 743 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 747 | Cultures and Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 748 | Life Span Development: Implications for Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 750 | The Vienna Theorists-Freud, Adler, Moreno and Frankl | 3 |
| CNS 773 | Family Counseling | 3 |
| CNS 780 | Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling | 2 |
| CNS 786 | Consultation and Program Development in Counseling | 2 |
| CNS 790 | Professional Identity Capstone Course | 2 |
| Clinical Courses | ||
| CNS 738A | Counseling Practicum - School | 3 |
| or CNS 738B | Counseling Practicum - Clinical Mental Health | |
| CNS 744A | Counseling Internship I A. School | 2,3 |
| or CNS 744B | Counseling Internship I: Clinical Mental Health | |
| CNS 745A | Counseling Internship II A. School | 2,3 |
| or CNS 745B | Counseling Internship II: Clinical Mental Health | |
| Program Specialty Courses | ||
| Select 9 hours of Community Counseling Program Specialty Courses: | 9 | |
| Counseling Children | ||
| School Guidance and Counseling | ||
| Issues in School Counseling | ||
| Case Formulation and Treatment Planning in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | ||
| Classification of Mental and Emotional Disorders | ||
| Clinical Mental Health Counseling | ||
Continuing Eligibility
Satisfactory academic progress in the Master of Arts in Counseling portion of the program is defined as maintaining a B or better grade point average. Expectations of personal and professional behaviors and/or attitudes are outlined in the Department of Counseling “Evaluation and Continuation Policy.” Continuing eligibility in the Master of Divinity program is outlined in the School of Divinity’s Continuing Eligibility Policy.