Master of Divinity >
M.Div. in Counseling & Family
Degree Purpose
What is the purpose of the Master of Divinity degree?
The Master of Divinity degree is the central degree program at Phoenix Seminary. It provides comprehensive graduate education utilizing the various theological and ministry resources of Phoenix Seminary.
The Master of Divinity degree is designed to equip students for professional, vocational ministry in church and para-church settings. This may include a broad range of occupations, including the pastorate, intercultural service, Christian leadership, pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, evangelism, and youth ministry. In many churches and denominations, the M.Div. degree has been recommended for those preparing for ordination. It can also provide the academic basis for the D.Min., Th.M., or Ph.D. degrees.
Students will engage in the systematic study of the Scriptures and theology while being exposed to current theological issues and positions with the goal of equipping the student to think biblically, independently, and constructively in vital areas of ministry. The student will also be directed by a Seminary mentor or local church mentor during his or her training for personal development of character.
What is the purpose of the Counseling & Family concentration?
The Counseling and Family concentration prepares students to provide biblical guidance, sustenance, healing, and reconciliation to individuals, couples, and families in either church or para-church settings. This degree can provide the basis for further academic study.
The program is designed to prepare graduates for nurturing healthy families and restoring broken relationships. Particular emphasis is given to the development of a personal and biblical understanding of spiritual formation, family life, and the ministry of counseling. This concentration does not provide the course work needed for counselor licensure in the state of Arizona. If you are seeking to be licensed as a professional counselor, please see the cooperative M.A.P.C. program with Ottawa University.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Divinity in Counseling & Family degree program should be able to:
- Know and interpret Scripture according to proper hermeneutical principles;
- Apply Scripture according to proper hermeneutical principles;
- Articulate sound doctrine consistent with the Phoenix Seminary Statement of Faith and the historic doctrines of the Christian church;
- Shepherd God’s people with biblical wisdom, compassion, and justice;
- Communicate biblical and theological truths effectively;
- Demonstrate mature Christian character and purity of life;
- Demonstrate healthy personal relationships with God and neighbor, particularly those marginalized by race, gender, or socio-economic status;
- Articulate the church’s biblical mandate to care for persons;
- Design programs for biblical counsel and care.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Divinity program must have earned an accredited baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) that includes exposure to a breadth of liberal arts. Phoenix Seminary encourages undergraduate course work in philosophy and the history of western civilization. An undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Those who do not meet these academic requirements may petition the Admissions Committee for special consideration. Applicants must have vocational goals consistent with the design of the Master of Divinity. Applicants must demonstrate evidence of mature Christian character and ministry potential.
Degree Requirements (94 Hours)
M.Div. Counseling & Family Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Hours (46) |
|---|---|---|
| BIBLICAL LITERATURE | 16 | |
| BC 499 | Graduate Writing Workshop | Transcripted |
| BL 501 | Principles for Biblical Interpretation | 4 |
| BL 502 | Survey of the Pentateuch | 2 |
| BL 503 | Survey of the Historical & Wisdom Literature | 2 |
| BL 504 | Survey of the Prophets | 2 |
| BL 505 | Survey of the Gospels | 2 |
| BL 506 | Survey of Acts & the Pauline Epistles | 2 |
| BL 507 | Survey of the General Epistles & Revelation | 2 |
| CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT | 4 | |
| CD 501 | Living in God’s Presence | 2 |
| CD 504 | Foundations of Intimacy | 2 |
| CD 530 | 30-hour Faculty Review | Transcripted |
| CD 560 | 60-hour Faculty Review | Transcripted |
| CHURCH HISTORY | 6 | |
| CH 501 | History of World Christianity I | 3 |
| CH 502 | History of World Christianity II | 3 |
| INTERCULTURAL STUDIES | 6 | |
| IS 501 | Cross-cultural & Diversity Competency | 2 |
| IS 502 | Global Outreach | 2 |
| IS 503 | Evangelism & Discipleship | 2 |
| THEOLOGY | 14 | |
| TH 501 | God, Scripture, Revelation, and the Holy Spirit | 4 |
| TH 502 | Humanity, Angels, and the Person & Work of Christ | 4 |
| TH 503 | Salvation, the Church, and the Future | 4 |
| TH 506 | Contemporary Moral Issues | 2 |
| TH 599 | Theological Oral Examination | Transcripted |
M.Div. Counseling & Family Concentration Requirements
| Course | Title | Hours (48) |
|---|---|---|
| COUNSELING & FAMILY | 24 | |
| CF 500 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CF 503 | Counseling Issues & Strategies | 2 |
| CF 506 | Soul Care: The Practice of Spiritual Formation | 2 |
| CF 507 | Marriage & Family Ministry | 2 |
| CF 508 | Marriage & Family Counseling | 3 |
| CF 509 | Integration of Psychology & Christianity | 3 |
| CF 510 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| CF 511 | Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| CF 530 | Counseling Pre-Practicum | 3 |
| BIBLICAL LANGUAGES | 6 | |
| NT 500 | Introduction to Greek | 3 |
| OT 500 | Introduction to Hebrew | 3 |
| MINISTRY SKILLS | 6 | |
| -- 5## | Apologetics Elective: Choose from TH 504, TH 505, IS 509, or IS 510 | 2 |
| -- 5## | Homiletics / Teaching Elective: Choose from BC 501, BC 509, or MS 506 | 2 |
| -- 5## | Ministry Skills Elective: Choose from MS 501, MS 508, LD 501, or LD 509 | 2 |
| GENERAL ELECTIVES* | 12 | |
* Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) may in some cases be undertaken to fulfill requirements for general elective credit.
Note: Courses which list “Transcripted” are recorded on the transcript as S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). No tuition or fees are charged except in the case of BC 499.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 50 percent (47 semester hours) of the course work required for the Master of Divinity may be transferred from another seminary or graduate school when the transfer credits fit the nature of the program and other requirements are met.
Graduation Requirements
Because counseling is a highly interpersonal activity with individuals and groups who are often distressed, it is imperative that students attend to their own emotional health and clinical suitability. Students are required to participate in individual or group counseling while enrolled in the program. Deficits in the skills necessary for clinical practice may require remediation or may result in dismissal from the program. The Master of Divinity requires the completion of 94 semester hours within six years with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Additional Information
Phoenix Seminary takes an integrative approach to Christian Counseling. We believe God is the source of all truth—whether discerned through careful study of special revelation in Scripture, or through systematic examination of general revelation in nature. We consequently believe true scientific findings and accurate interpretation of biblical teaching on the same subject will not ultimately contradict one another. Knowing that both nature and human reason are affected by sin, in cases of apparent conflict, we accept Scripture (correctly interpreted) as the final arbiter. Much can be learned through the observation of creation (in this case human physiology and behavior) and the systemization of those observations. This learning is a rich source of information for those in helping professions as they integrate this knowledge with a comprehensive understanding of Scripture.