Master of Arts in Pastoral Psychotherapy
Overview
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Psychotherapy prepares graduates for initial registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario (CRPO).
With the aim of integrating expertise in psychotherapy with a biblical worldview, the degree offers counselling and psychotherapy courses and practicums alongside biblical and theological studies.
This 54 credit-hour degree program focuses on four aspects of preparation for pastoral psychotherapy:
- Psychotherapy Theory – Acquisition of knowledge required for competent practice of psychotherapy.
- Biblical and Theological Literacy – Provision of the biblical and theological foundation for effective pastoral psychotherapy.
- Practicums – Application of pastoral psychotherapy skills in supervised settings designed to achieve students’ vocational goals.*
- Spiritual Formation – Integration of spiritual development throughout the program.
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Psychotherapy program is not available for international applicants. Applicants must be able to produce a Canadian Criminal Record and Vulnerable Search Check for a continuous 3-year period.
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Psychotherapy requires 250 hours of supervised practicum experience. To qualify for registration with the CRPO, graduates will need to complete an additional 200 hours of supervised practicum experience, which may be completed after the student graduates with their degree.
Courses
Total Credits Required: 54
Bible & Theology
18 credit hours
Old Testament Elective
BI / TS
3 credits
New Testament Elective
BI / TS
3 credits
Bible, Theology or Church History Elective
BI / TS
6 credits
Bible, Theology or Church History Elective
BI / TS
6 credits
Counselling & Psychotherapy
30 credit hours
Research Methods
CP5301
3 credits
Psychotherapy Elective
CP
3 credits
Psychotherapy Elective
CP
3 credits
Practica
6 credit hours
Psychotherapy Practicum I 5
CP7601
125 Hours | 3 credits
Psychotherapy Practicum II 6
CP7602
125 Hours | 3 credits
Psychotherapy Electives: (3 credits each)
- CP5103 Marriage & Family Counselling
- CP5108 Addictions Counselling
- CP5113 Crisis, Trauma & Grief Counselling
- CP5211 Group Dynamics & Counselling
- CP5221 Counselling Across Cultures8
1 Students who already have an advanced undergraduate course in hermeneutics should choose a different elective in any area related to this degree.
2 Students who have a similar course from their undergraduate degree should choose a different elective in any area related to this degree.
3 Pre-requisites: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling; Counselling Theory and Techniques.
4 Pre-requisites: Theological Foundations; Counselling Theory and Techniques.
5 Pre-requisites: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling; Counselling Theory and Techniques; Counselling Skills Lab. Students must complete at least 36
credit hours in their program (12/18 courses) before being eligible to apply for practicum.
6 Pre-requisites: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling; Counselling Theory and Techniques; Counselling Skills Lab; Psychotherapy Practicum I.
7 Students must complete the Summative Assessment to complete their program and graduate. This requirement will be documented as a Pass/Fail.
8 Students are strongly encouraged to complete this elective.
NOTE: The MAPP is restricted to students residing in Canada.
FAQ
What’s the difference between practicing as a psychotherapist vs. a counsellor?
Psychotherapy and counselling are closely related fields. In some instances, there is no difference between the two terms; however, the term “psychotherapy” has a narrower meaning than “counsellor.” A key difference is that psychotherapy often addresses deep-rooted, long-term psychological issues or diagnosed mental illnesses, while counselling typically focuses on short-term, specific problems and everyday life challenges. In some Canadian provinces (e.g., Ontario), the title “psychotherapist” is a term regulated by the provincial government and can only be used legally by those who have graduate-level training in psychotherapy and who are registered with CRPO. Psychotherapy is a type of counselling; however, in some provinces the titles of “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” are not yet regulated titles.
What’s the difference between the MA in Clinical Pastoral Counselling and the MA in Pastoral Psychotherapy?
| MA in Clinical Pastoral Counselling | MA in Pastoral Psychotherapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Requirements | For those who have not completed an undergraduate degree, degree or professional equivalency might qualify one for admission. See the Seminary admissions requirements for details. | Completed undergraduate degree required, as per CRPO requirements. |
| Courses required to graduate | 16 courses, including 8 in counselling | 18 courses, including 10 in counselling |
| Time to completion (if full-time) | ~2 years | ~2.3 years |
| Professional Membership possibilities for graduates | – Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACCP) – Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) |
– PACCP – CCPA – College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario (CRPO), upon the completion of additional hours of supervised practice post-graduation. |
| Likely places of ministry for graduates | Churches, ministry settings, clinical practice | Primarily clinical practice |
Why might students from provinces outside of Ontario want to take this degree?
Students might like to take the ten counselling courses required in this degree. In addition, other provinces in Canada are moving in the direction of creating regulatory bodies or colleges of counselling and psychotherapy, and they generally look to the CRPO as an example of what would be required for registration.
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