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Program Requirements
Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.
Graduate Diploma in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
Program Requirements
- Six half-credit elective courses in the field of counselling.
In general, you can identify counselling courses as those with course codes beginning with TH663, TH664, or TH668. Other courses may be available. The Graduate Diploma students are not allowed to take TH664L "Pre-practicum" and "TH664M "Practicum".
Master of Arts in Theology (Public Faith and Spirituality)
Program Requirements
Students take 9 required core courses and 7 theology electives:
Required Courses
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies
- TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
Two of the following
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH530D - Introduction to Discipleship and Ethics
One of the following clusters
A) Hebrew Scriptures
TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures
One of:
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
B) New Testament
TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
TH503D - Themes of the New Testament
One of:
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
C) Survey of Abrahamic Faiths
TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
Research Courses
One of:
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
- TH680A - Literature-based Research in Public Faith and Spirituality
- TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction
Seven electives selected in consultation with the Program Advisor.
In consultation with their Program Advisor, students may also pursue a major research project (TH698) or the thesis option (TH699 - Thesis in Theology), which reduces their seven electives to five (with the major research project) or three (with the thesis).
Master of Arts in Theology (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy)
Program Requirements
Students take 14 required courses and 2 counselling elective courses.
Sacred Scriptures
Take two:
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
Theology/Wisdom Traditions
Take all of:
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies
- TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
And one of:
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH503F - Survey of Sources in Asian Wisdom Traditions
Psychotherapy and Counselling Theory
Take one:
- TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
- TH663Z - Theory of Change
- TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
Take all of:
- TH663V - Human Development
- TH663Y - Assessment
- TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics
- TH664L - Pre-Practicum
- And one of TH664M - Practicum (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) or TH652A - Supervised Pastoral Education: SPE I (both 1.0 credit)
Additional Counselling Theory Elective
Take one:
- TH560B - Introduction to Spiritual Care
- TH663C - Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
- TH663E - Individual Theories
- TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
- TH663I - Family of Origin
- TH663K - Group Process and Leadership
- TH663L - Clinical Applications of Queer Theory: Working with LGBTQQIP2SAA
- TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
- TH663O - Therapeutic Modalities for Working with Children
- TH663P - Peace Within, Peace Between, Peace Among
- TH663R - Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy
- TH663S - Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
- TH663W - Couple Therapy: Intervention from an Emotionally Focused Perspective
- TH663Z - Theory of Change
- TH664A - Introduction to Art Therapy
- TH664D - Post-Modern Family Therapy
- TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
Additional Counselling Electives
Take two (can include any of the other courses listed above not taken as a required course):
- TH663A - Grief
- TH663D - The Aging Process
- TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
- TH663U - Unique Healing Alternatives For Adolescents
- TH663X - Addiction, Mental Health and Spirituality: Clinical Approaches
- TH664B - Islamic Spirituality (Sufism) and Psychotherapy
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
- TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
- TH664T - Trauma and Theodicy
- TH761G - Therapeutic Relationships
Total 16 Courses
Master of Divinity
Program Requirements
Students admitted to the Master of Divinity program must indicate, in their first term of study, whether they are participating in the Contextual or Coursework option.
Graduation requirements for all students (Contextual and Coursework options) include the equivalent of 27 half-credit courses including Supervised Pastoral Education.
Supervised Pastoral Education: The SPE course is taken either as an intensive, 12-week course, during the summer after the first or second academic year, or as a part-time, extended unit, over the course of the Fall and Winter Terms. Students who can demonstrate an equivalency of this requirement may apply to Academic Advisory Committee for the waiver of the SPE requirement.
Contextual Option:
Students in the contextual option (27 courses) are normally preparing for professional ministry. Such students are required to obtain, before the end of their first term, endorsement as acceptable ministry candidates by the church of which they are members. Continuance in the contextual component of the MDiv program after the first term is contingent upon the maintenance of such an endorsement.
Contextual Education: Students enrolled in the contextual option are required to be involved in field placements concurrent with their coursework. Placements are arranged through the supervisor of contextual education.
Internship: Students in the contextual option must complete a 12-month internship that is normally taken after the second year. Interns must also enrol in two, concurrent internship Seminars during their placement.
Coursework Option:
Students in the coursework option (27 courses) are either already working in a ministerial setting or are preparing for non-congregational ministry. This option includes four additional electives (in place of the Internship and Seminars for those in the Contextual option) allowing students to focus coursework in areas of particular interest.
In addition to successfully completing the academic courses, all MDiv students must be deemed capable of assuming the professional responsibilities of the ordained ministry in order to be recommended for ordination by the faculty. Students who do not demonstrate this competence may be required by the principal-dean of Luther to withdraw from the program.
Required Courses:
- TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction
- TH502B - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Advanced
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503D - Themes of the New Testament
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH530D - Introduction to Discipleship and Ethics
- TH560A - Introduction to Worship
- TH560B - Introduction to Spiritual Care
- TH560C - Introduction to Preaching
- TH560D - Introduction to Nurturing Faith
- TH652A - Supervised Pastoral Education: SPE I
- TH621E - Issues in Church History: Study of the Lutheran Confessions
- TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies
- TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
TH663A - Grief
3 electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor.
Electives:
- A Biblical/Ethical elective (Normally completed as a TH608 - Special Topics in Biblical Theology special topics course.)
- Theological/Ethical (Normally completed as a TH648 - Special Topics in Systematic Theology special topics course.)
- Biblical/Theological (Normally completed as either a TH608 - Special Topics in Biblical Theology, TH628 - Special Topics in Historical Theology, or TH648 - Special Topics in Systematic Theology special topics course.)
- An additional half-credit elective course
Option Courses
Contextual Option
Endorsement from your church is required to complete the contextual option. Students completing the contextual option will complete the following in their final year:
- TH681 - Internship
- TH665F - Internship Seminar I
- TH665I - Entry into the Parish
Non-contextual option
- Four half-credit elective courses.
Master of Arts in Theology / Master of Divinity
The MA/MDiv degree program normally involves three years of full-time studies or its equivalent in part-time studies. Each student is required to satisfactorily complete a minimum of 31 half-credit courses or their equivalent.
MDiv Course Requirements for the double degree
- TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction
- TH502B - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Advanced
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503D - Themes of the New Testament
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH530D - Introduction to Discipleship and Ethics
- TH560A - Introduction to Worship
- TH560B - Introduction to Spiritual Care
- TH560C - Introduction to Preaching
- TH560D - Introduction to Nurturing Faith
- TH652A* - Supervised Pastoral Education: SPE I
- TH621E - Issues in Church History: Study of the Lutheran Confessions
- TH644A - Indigenous Wisdom and Methodologies
- TH645A - Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
- TH663A - Grief
3 open electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor.
MA Course Requirements for the double degree: Public Faith and Spirituality field
In addition to the required courses outlined above, students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field must take the equivalent of 8 additional half-credit courses, either within the Contextual Option or Coursework Option.
For the Contextual Option, students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field will complete:
- TH681 - Internship,
- TH665F - Internship Seminar I,
- TH665I - Entry into the Parish and
- four electives selected in consultation with the Program Advisor for the Public Faith and Spirituality field.
For the Coursework Option, students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field will complete:
- eight electives selected in consultation with the Program Advisor for the Public Health and Spirituality field.
The following options are available only in consultation with the Program Advisors:
- TH698 - Major Research Project in Theology (for the Contextual Option, two electives remain; for the Coursework Option, four electives remain)
- TH699 - Thesis in Theology (for the Contextual Option, no electives remain; for the Coursework Option, four electives remain)
MA Course Requirements for the double degree: Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field
In addition to required courses, students in the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field must choose, in consultation with their Program Advisor for Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, 8 courses in the following areas:
Psychotherapy and Counselling Theory
Take 1:
- TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
- TH663Z - Theory of Change
- TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
Take all of the following:
- TH663V - Human Development
- TH663Y - Assessment
- TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics
- TH664L - Pre-Practicum
- And either TH664M - Practicum (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) or TH652A - Supervised Pastoral Education: SPE I (both 1.0 credit)
Additional Counselling Theory Elective
Take 1:
- TH560B - Introduction to Spiritual Care
- TH663C - Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
- TH663E - Individual Theories
- TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
- TH663I - Family of Origin
- TH663K - Group Process and Leadership
- TH663L - Clinical Applications of Queer Theory: Working with LGBTQQIP2SAA
- TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
- TH663O - Therapeutic Modalities for Working with Children
- TH663P - Peace Within, Peace Between, Peace Among
- TH663R - Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy
- TH663S - Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
- TH663W - Couple Therapy: Intervention from an Emotionally Focused Perspective
- TH663Z - Theory of Change
- TH664A - Introduction to Art Therapy
- TH664D - Post-Modern Family Therapy
- TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
Additional Counselling Elective
Take 1 (can include any of the other courses listed above not taken as a required course):
- TH663A - Grief
- TH663D - The Aging Process
- TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
- TH663L - Clinical Applications of Queer Theory: Working with LGBTQQIP2SAA
- TH663U - Unique Healing Alternatives For Adolescents
- TH663X - Addiction, Mental Health and Spirituality: Clinical Approaches
- TH664B - Islamic Spirituality (Sufism) and Psychotherapy
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
- TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
- TH664T - Trauma and Theodicy
- TH761G - Therapeutic Relationships