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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.
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".
Program Requirements
Students take 9 required core courses and 7 theology electives:
Required Courses
Two of the following
One of the following clusters
A) Hebrew Scriptures
TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures
One of:
B) New Testament
TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
TH503D - Themes of the New Testament
One of:
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:
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).
Students take 14 required courses and 2 counselling elective courses.
Sacred Scriptures
Take two:
Theology/Wisdom Traditions
Take all of:
And one of:
Psychotherapy and Counselling Theory
Take one:
Take all of:
Additional Counselling Theory Elective
Take one:
Additional Counselling Electives
Take two (can include any of the other courses listed above not taken as a required course):
Total 16 Courses
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:
3 electives chosen in consultation with the MDiv Program Advisor.
Electives:
Option Courses
Endorsement from your church is required to complete the contextual option. Students completing the contextual option will complete the following in their final year:
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
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:
For the Coursework Option, students in the Public Faith and Spirituality field will complete:
The following options are available only in consultation with the Program Advisors:
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:
Take all of the following:
Additional Counselling Theory Elective
Take 1:
Additional Counselling Elective
Take 1 (can include any of the other courses listed above not taken as a required course):