Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling

Oversight/Location of the Program within the Seminary: School of Practical Theology

Introductory Statement of Program Goal: The purpose of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (M.A.P.C.) is to prepare students to pursue vocations which emphasize the ministry of pastoral care in the local church and other ministry settings (i.e., chaplaincy in hospitals or the military). It meets the academic requirements for recognition by the AAPC (American Association of Pastoral Counselors). Certification by the AAPC requires that one pass their standard exam. The M.A.P.C. is not designed to meet the academic standards necessary for certification and/or licensing as professional counselors. The M.A.P.C. degree meets the educational requirement for fee-based Pastoral Counseling certification in Kentucky.

DEGREE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Having successfully completed the Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling Degree Program, graduates should be able to:

Understand and use scripture and theology as foundational for the practice of pastoral counseling.
Apply self-understanding, personal faith, and moral reflection to facilitate working with others.
Articulate an understanding of the foundational elements of the pastoral counseling process.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate for counseling in church and para-church settings.
Demonstrate enhanced understanding and commitment to personal and social holiness through practices of moral, personal, and spiritual formation, in a context of accountability to a community of faith, and dependence of the Spirit of Christ.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

For admission requirements, see the section on Academic Information. In addition, students applying to the M.A.P.C. must:

Submitted materials that give evidence of a potential to develop the personal and professional skills necessary for counseling, and an intention to engage in counseling as a significant part of one's chosen vocation.
Completion of tests and inventories for evaluation by the Faculty of the Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care ($40 fee).
A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.00/4.00 at graduate or undergraduate level. Entry requirement may also be met by completion of 9 hours at graduate level with
G.P.A. of 3.0 or above.
A personal interview with a member of the Faculty of the Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care.
Due to limited enrollment, not all applicants can be accepted into the program. The screening process will be as follows:
- Applications will normally be processed for both fall and spring semesters following the application deadline of February 1 and the deadline for spring or J-term is August 1. Hence, all application materials must be submitted and all supplementary required inventories must be completed by February 1 prior to the academic year for which admission and enrollment is sought. Interviews will be given for applications whose materials are completed after the February 1 deadline at the discretion of the Faculty of the Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care and if space in the program is available.
- The Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions, will develop a list (in proportion to the number of expected openings) of persons who are admitted to the program for the fall and January/spring semesters, or who are alternates. Applicants for the fall will be notified by April 1 of their admission, alternate status, and/or not being admitted. Applicants for the spring will be notified by November 1 of their admission, alternate status, and/or not being admitted.
- Persons who have been admitted to the program for the fall must notify the Office of Admissions of their intent to enroll and send in a $100 matriculation fee by July
The matriculation fee for spring is November 15. If by those dates, an admitted student has not notified the Seminary of his or her intent to enroll by sending the matriculation fee, that person's place in the fall class will be forfeited and an alternate will be admitted.

If an admitted student confirms his/her intent to enroll, but then is unable to attend, that person's place in the class will be given to the next alternate.

Students in the M.A.P.C. are encouraged, but not required, to enroll in the August course CO601 Counseling Theories and Techniques. (Contact the Office of the Registrar for specific dates and times. This course may also be available through the ExL program.)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Satisfactory completion of 60 semester hours, including all required courses;
Completion of at least 30 hours on a geophysical campus of Asbury Theological Seminary. At least 6 semester hours of work should be taken within the 24 months preceding the date of graduation;
Attainment of a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00/4.00;
Satisfactory completion of all degree requirements in not more than seven academic years from the first term of matriculation.
Apply for graduation online.

GRADUATION CLOSURE PROCEDURES

In order to exit the M.A.P.C. program, the following, two-part closure procedure is required:

A comprehensive objective exam covering the core courses comprising the M.A.P.C. degree program.
- This exam is computer administered.
- The exam shall ordinarily be completed in the last semester of the student's program.
- To pass the exam, students must achieve a minimum score on the exam of 70 percent.
In cases where students do not achieve the minimum score, they shall complete a second exam (oral or written), a paper, or some other form of remediation as determined by the Faculty of the Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care.
A paper, 4-5 pages in length (typed, double-spaced, with a 12-point font like Times New Roman), that integrates biblical/theological issues with psychology and counseling.

DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

M.A. Core (18)

Counseling Core (18)

Counseling Core Electives (12)

Human Development (Choose 3 units):

Advanced Counseling Skills (Choose 6 units):

Counseling Practicum (Choose 3 units):

General Electives (12)