Counselling
The MDiv in Counselling provides educational preparation for students interested in counselling ministries in congregational settings or in the marketplace. A hallmark of the counselling program is a dual focus on theological and psychological understanding of human personhood and the therapeutic process.
Applicants who sense a call to counselling ministries are advised to investigate the accreditation requirements in their area of professional interest (e.g., type of degree, accreditation required, clinical experience needed, registration with a particular professional association, etc.) before enrolling in the MDiv counselling major. Public and private counselling agencies, as well as denominational pastoral counsellors and chaplains, often have credentialing standards that must be met.
The Counseling major has two tracks: The Clinical Track and the Pastoral Care and Counselling Track. The tracks are designed to prepare students for differing ministry specialization. Students will need to choose their track by the end of first year.
Clinical Track
The Clinical Track is intended for those who are seeking to become credentialed in the Province of Ontario to offer psychotherapy in agencies (secular or Christian) or in private practice. The training would lead towards preparing graduates to practice psychotherapy with clients who are struggling with internal and interpersonal issues that require in-depth, longer-term therapy.
Tyndale Seminary's Counselling program provides educational preparation, but not certification, as a counsellor/therapist. Further clinical experience and supervision will be required post-graduation to obtain professional accreditation with a certifying body.
Students who plan to pursue certification with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) should consult with Dr. Scuse early in their program regarding membership criteria.
Any inquiries related to the Counselling major may be directed to Susan Ellfeldt through e-mail at sellfeldt [at] tyndale [dot] ca, or by phone (416) 226-6620 ext. 6787.
Program Requirements for Clinical Track:
Biblical Studies (4)
- Biblical Interpretation: Interpreting and Applying the Biblical Text [BIBL 0501]
- Old Testament Theology and History [OLDT 0511]
- New Testament Theology and History [NEWT 0522]
- One Old Testament or New Testament Elective
Theology (3)
- Systematic Theology I [THEO 0531]
- Systematic Theology II [THEO 0532]
- Theology of the Human Person [THEO 0646]
Christian History (2)
Ministry Formation (3)
- Leadership Development [LEAD 0510]
- Gospel, Church, and Culture [MISS 0782]
- Spiritual Formation [SPIR 0700]
Courses for Major in Counselling (10)
- Foundational Perspectives of Christian Counselling [COUN 0574]
- Personality Theories [COUN 0674]
- Therapeutic Relationship [COUN 0676]
- Family Systems Theory [COUN 0677]
- Theories and Methods of Family Therapy [COUN 0772]
- Theories and Methods of Family Therapy II [COUN 0774]
- Professional Ethics [COUN 0775]
- Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab I [COUN 0601]
- Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab II [COUN 0602]
- Counselling Major Internship [COUN 0701]
Counselling Electives (5)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
Pastoral Care and Counselling Track
This track will focus on short term pastoral counselling around issues such as family and life crisis and other difficult life circumstances and transitions. Deeper psychotherapy would not be part of this work. Students in this track will have the flexibility to select electives to prepare them for leadership in congregational care and counselling ministries or chaplaincy.
Program Requirements for Pastoral Care and Counselling Track are the same as the Clinical Track in the Biblical Studies, Theology, Christian History and Ministry Formation.
Courses for Major in Pastoral Care and Counselling Track (8)
- Foundational Perspectives of Christian Counselling [COUN 0574]
- Therapeutic Relationship [COUN 0676]
- Family Systems Theory [COUN 0677]
- Professional Ethics [COUN 0775]
- Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab I [COUN 0601]
- Pre-Internship Counselling Skills Lab II [COUN 0602]
- Pastoral Counselling and Crisis Intervention [COUN 0683]
- Counselling Major Internship [COUN 0701]
Free Electives (7)
(Electives to be chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.)
Total MDiv Courses: 27
All applications to the MDiv counselling major (both new and transfer students) must be received by May 1st of each year. Admission criteria include relevant academic training, vocational goals that align with the program, and any counselling-related experience. All applicants will be interviewed by the Major Coordinator and/or a counselling faculty member in May and June. Acceptance notifications will be released by the end of June.
This program does not allow for Winter term admissions. Students who are accepted to the Seminary during other times in the year may take courses in Bible, History and Theology and those counseling courses which are open to the entire community. Students wishing to transfer into the counselling major must follow the same application procedures as new students.
A two-semester internship in a counselling setting (approximately 15 hours per week) is required in the third year of the program. Second-year students prepare for the internship by taking a counselling skills lab, three hours per week, in both semesters of the academic year.