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Master of Arts in Christian Counseling/Master of Arts in Worship Studies

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM

The purpose of the dual Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Master of Arts in Worship Studies degree program is to provide Christ-centered graduate-level education to prepare servant leaders for the practical ministry of Christian counseling and worship by integrating a theological and counseling foundation with a strong foundation in biblical, historical, and practical studies in developing authentic disciples through the ministry of the local church.

ADMISSION

In order to pursue a Dual Master’s Degree program, the applicant must apply to, meet the existing admission requirements for, and be accepted into each of the master’s degrees which comprise the dual degree program.

Admission into the MA in Worship Studies program is by audition only in consultation with the Program Director.

Note:  Church Membership Requirement (for admission into the Master’s Ministry Degrees, Advanced Ministry Certificate Programs, EDD in Educational Leadership—all concentrations, and PHD in Leadership Studies’ Ministry Concentration): Within the last 12 months, the applicant must have been an active member of a Christian church that holds Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who holds solely the Old Testament and the New Testament as sacred Scripture.

PROGRAM REQUISITES

  • Old Testament Survey

  • New Testament Survey

  • General Psychology           

Requisites may be met with equivalent courses from another institution or from a passing grade on the GSOM Old Testament and New Testament equivalency exams and do not count toward degree completion.

REQUIRED SHARED CURRICULUM - 24 hours (excluding requisites)

course

Credit hours

Required Shared Curriculum

24

MINS 5302 - Ministry Research and Writing Across Media

MINS 5303 - Foundations of Spiritual Life

MINS 6305 - Ministry Mentorship (S-L)
THEO 5305 - Christian History and Heritage

THEO 5313 - Applied Hermeneutics
THEO 6306 - Systematic Theology
Electives - Select two courses (6 hours) from the Graduate School of Ministry with approval of Program Director.

MA IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELING REQUIRED CURRICULUM - 18 hours (excluding requisites)

Credit hours

Required Curriculum

18

COUN 5312 - Counseling Theories and Techniques

or

MACC 6304 - Contemporary Christian Counseling Theories

COUN 5314 - Lifespan Human Development
or
MAFM 6316 - Faith Formation in the Life Stages

MACC 6301 - Introduction to Christian Counseling
MACC 6302 - Abnormal Psychology
MACC 6303 - Christian Counseling Skills

Recommended Courses: (Elective - 3 hours)
COUN 5313 - Group Counseling Methods
COUN 6311 - Addictive and Compulsive Disorders
COUN 6314 - Marriage and Family Counseling
COUN 6324 - A Christian Approach to Human Sexuality
MACM 6303 - Conflict Resolution in Ministry
MACM 6304 - Victim Assistance Ministry Training

MAEML 5310 - Small Group Ministry Design and Practice
Or a course from one of the following disciplines:
COUN, MACC, MACM, MAEML, MAFM, THEO, or WORS

MA IN WORSHIP STUDIES REQUIRED CURRICULUM - 18 hours (excluding requisites)

course

Credit hours

Required Curriculum

18

WORS 5308 - History of Christian Worship
WORS 5309 - Worship Life: Education and Administration
WORS 6316 - Worship Theology for Contemporary Ministry
Select three courses (9 hours) from the Worship Praxis Course options listed on the single degree plan and complete the required courses.

TOTAL HOURS

24 hours

Required Shared Curriculum

18 hours

MA in Christian Counseling Required Curriculum

18 hours

MA in Worship Studies Required Curriculum

60 hours

TOTAL Dual Degree (excluding requisites)

(S-L)=Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Find course descriptions by category under the Graduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.