This program is no longer accepting applications.

Candidates

Applicants for a master's degree in either pastoral counseling or spiritual and pastoral care must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates with a college degree and a GPA that is less than 3.000 may be admitted on a probationary status. Candidates are evaluated more in terms of their overall readiness to take advantage of the learning opportunities of the program and less in terms of specific course preparation.

Spiritual Direction and Mentoring Requirement

All M.A. in Spiritual and Pastoral Care students in the Chaplaincy, Spiritual Direction, and Pastoral Ministry tracks are required to engage in a minimum of 10 sessions of spiritual direction before the completion of Group Spiritual Guidance (PC 704 ). The 10 sessions may be completed concurrently with the PC 703-704 series of classes or may have been completed within the last three years prior to taking this course sequence.

The M.A. in Spiritual and Pastoral Care invites the student into practical theological reflection in applied ministry settings for the purpose of developing persons who are formed for cutting edge leadership in local congregations, hospitals, prisons, non-profit organizations, retreat settings, and institutions of social change. Integrating theology and the social sciences, students learn the art of pastoral conversation and develop an awareness of God found in the stories of individuals, institutions, and culture.

M.A. students in the Faith and Social Justice Track are required to complete 10 sessions of professional mentoring prior to enrolling in PC708.

Learning Aims

As a result of successfully completing the program, students will be able to:

• exhibit a pastoral presence marked by excellent listening and responding skills, comfort with silence, nonjudgmental acceptance of recipients, and the ability to display empathy and compassion, as well as to be present to another's grief and anger;
• practice effective crisis intervention skills, including assessment, intervention, and referral;
• evaluate ministry situations using classical and contemporary methods of theological reflection that lead to an understanding of the "heart of the matter";
• create and execute a plan for professional identity through lifelong learning comprised of continuing education, participation in professional organizations, critical self-examination, and appropriate self-care;
• exhibit sensitivity to an awareness of multicultural issues, interfaith issues, social justice issues, ethical issues, and the importance of securing appropriate boundaries.