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.
Master of Arts in Theology (Christian Studies)
These program requirements are for students admitted prior to Fall 2017. As of this year, the Christian Studies field was renamed Public Faith and Spirituality with revised requirements.
Program Requirements
Sacred Scriptures
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures - this course is offered every other year
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503D - Themes of the New Testament - this course is offered every other year
Theology
- 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 - this course is offered every other year
Research
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
Electives
- Seven elective courses
Master of Arts in Theology (Public Faith and Spirituality)
Program Requirements
Sacred Scripture
You will take courses in one of the following clusters:
Hebrew Scriptures focus
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures - this course is offered every other year
- And take one of the following courses:
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
New Testament focus
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503D - Themes of the New Testament - this course is offered every other year
- And take one of the following courses:
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
Survey of Abrahamic Faiths focus
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
Theology
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- And take two of the following courses:
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH530D - Introduction to Discipleship and Ethics - this course is offered every other year
- TH663N - Counselling and Spirituality in a Multifaith Society
Research
- Take one of the following courses:
- TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
- TH680A - Literature-based Research in Public Faith and Spirituality
Electives
- Take any nine half-credit elective courses or their equivalent. By request, electives may include one of the following options. (Speak with your program director for more information.)
- TH698 – Major Research Paper in Theology (1.0 credit)
- TH699 – Thesis in Theology (2.0 credits)
Master of Arts in Theology (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy)
Program Requirements
Sacred Scriptures
Take two of the following courses:
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E - Reading and Interpreting the Qur'an (in translation)
Theology
- TH530A - Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- And take two of the following courses:
- TH530B - Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C - Introduction to the Spirit and Community
- TH663N - Counselling and Spirituality in a Multifaith Society
Counselling Theory
Take one of the following courses:
- TH663M - Family Therapy Overview
- TH663Z - Theory of Change
- TH664O - The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
- TH663E - Individual Theories
Human Development
Take one of the following courses:
- TH663V - Human Development
- TH663O - Creating Context: Application of Relevant Child Development And Therapeutic Theories to Practice
- TH664A - Introduction to Art Therapy
Required Counselling Courses
All of the following courses are required:
- TH663Y - Assessment
- TH664H - Professional Studies and Ethics
- TH664I - Qualitative Research
- TH664L - Pre-Practicum
- TH664M - Practicum (Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy) - 1.0 credit; this course has prerequisites
Additional Theory Electives
Take one of the following counselling theory courses, or an additional course from the Counselling Theory options above:
- TH663C - Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
- TH663I - Family of Origin
- TH663K - Group Process and Leadership
- TH663P - Peace Within, Peace Between, Peace Among
- TH663S - Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
- TH663W - Couple Therapy: Intervention from an Emotionally Focused Perspective
- TH664D - Post-Modern Family Therapy
- TH664J - Contextual Issues in Couple and Family Therapy
- TH664N - Counselling and Recovery in Addictions - this course has prerequisites
- TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
Open Counselling Electives
Take two elective counselling courses. These can be selected as an additional course from the Counselling Theory, Human Development, or Additional Theory Elective categories above, or from the following options.
- TH663A - Grief
- TH663D - The Aging Process
- TH663F - Couple and Family Dynamics
- TH663L - Gender Development in Marriage and Family Therapy
- TH663Q - Play Therapy from a Holistic Perspective
- TH663T - The Healing Process for Children
- TH663U - Unique Healing Alternatives For Adolescents
- TH663X - Understanding Addiction and Shame
- TH664B - Islamic Spirituality (Sufism) and Psychotherapy
- TH664P - Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
- TH664T - Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Trauma and Recovery
- TH761G - Therapeutic Relationships
Master of Divinity
Program Requirements
Required Courses
- TH502A - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Introduction - offered every other year
- TH502B - Critical Analysis of Biblical Texts: Advanced - offered every other year
- TH503A - Survey of the Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503B - Themes of the Hebrew Scriptures - offered every other year
- TH503C - Survey of the New Testament
- TH503D - Themes of the New Testament - offered every other year
- 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 - offered every other year
- TH560A - Introduction to Worship; offered every other year
- TH560B - Introduction to Spiritual Care - offered every other year
- TH560C - Introduction to Preaching - offered every other year
- TH560D - Introduction to Nurturing Faith - offered every other year
- TH562A - Supervised Pastoral Education - 1.0 credit
- TH621E - Issues in Church History: Study of the Lutheran Confessions - offered every other year
- TH640H - Cross-Cultural Encounter
- TH663A - Grief
Electives
- A Biblical/Ethical elective (normally completed as a TH608 special topics course)
- Theological/Ethical (normally completed as a TH648 special topics course)
- Biblical/Theological (normally completed as either a TH608, TH628, or TH648 special topics course)
- An additional elective course of your choice
Option Courses
If you are seeking ordination and are endorsed by your church, you may complete a one-year internship in the contextual option.
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 - 1.0 credit
- TH665F - Internship Seminar #1
- TH665I - Entry into the Parish
Non-contextual option
- Four elective half-credit courses