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Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Professional Counseling is a professional-level degree program for individuals planning to enter or continue careers in full-time ministry. A major element of this program provides students with extensive studies in the biblical text and thorough preparation in theology and various areas of practical ministry. Another major element provides students with a foundation for psychology theory, scientific research, and clinical practice. In this context, students learn the different approaches and clinical techniques required for today’s practitioners offering therapeutic services to individuals and groups. Also, a major goal of this program is to help prepare students for licensure in Professional Counseling in their resident state. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) will be able to provide counseling to individuals and groups through their ministry.
Upon completion of the Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to lead/counsel others through an advanced understanding of biblical texts;
- Practice counseling through comprehensive Clinical Training;
- Evaluate the ethical principles, professional issues, and laws inherent in given clinical case situations, ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling;
- Synthesize and utilize the major theories recognized by Professional Counselors;
- Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity needs of clients;
- Delineate systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior.
Practicums and Clinicals
Students, not Amridge University, are responsible for locating and making arrangements for their practicum and clinical experiences and courses. As such, students should begin making the required arrangements several semesters before the semester of the respective student’s first practicum or clinical experiences courses.
All Practicum and Clinical Training courses require face-to-face on-site clinical practice with the client(s). The experience must be performed under face-to-face supervision of an approved licensed supervisor. This experience should be conducted in the state in which the student will seek licensure. The student must apply to the Dean of the School of Human Services, at least one semester prior to beginning a Practicum or a Clinical course. Students should contact the dean via email to receive the Practicum and Clinical Course Form.
Email address is: clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu
Also, during practicum and clinical training, each student will accumulate a minimum of 700 total clock hours, consisting of a minimum of 105 hours of supervision with an approved supervisor. Normally, clinical training requires one full year (3 semesters) to complete. Students who do not satisfy the minimum requirements in three semesters may take an additional semester of clinical training.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF DIVINITY IN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
Before being graduated with the Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling, a student must satisfy the following requirements:
1. A total of 96 graduate semester hours of which at least 51 semester hours must be taken at Amridge University.
2. Complete all required coursework including the specified practicum and clinical courses. This requirement includes the accumulation and documentation of at least a minimum of 700 total clock hours. Of these 700 total clock hours, a minimum of 280 must be direct client contact, and a minimum of 105 hours must be concurrent supervision of that direct client contact with an approved supervisor, for a minimum ratio of 1 hour of supervision for each 5 hours of direct client contact;
3. Students in the Master of Divinity in the Professional Counseling program are required to earn at least a grade of a B- (3.0) in each course. A course with a grade below a B- must be repeated. Licensure Boards may refuse to grant credit for a course in which the student received a grade of B-. Students should review the grading policy of their respective states. Questions about licensure can be directed to clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu.
4. Pass the respective Comprehensive Examination as specified within this publication. The Comprehensive Examination serves as the Program Exit Examination.
5. Complete an Amridge University Degree Completion Application. The properly completed and signed application must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the semester prior to the semester the student plans to graduate. Following this schedule permits the University to conduct a full audit of the respective student’s records to make sure that all courses, programs, and respective graduation requirements have been met. Students having any questions regarding the Degree Completion Application should contact the Registrar’s Office.
Contact Admissions
Important Licensure Details
In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Amridge University provides information pertaining to the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Divinity in Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, and Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling degree programs as it relates to licensure within each state.
In order to become licensed as a professional counselor, professional clinical counselor, or mental health counselor, candidates must complete the degree, program, and/or coursework required by their chosen state. States also have licensing requirements beyond a program’s graduation requirements that include post-master’s supervised clinical experience, examination(s), background check, and application for a license. Professional licensure requirements vary by state. If you are considering an academic program that leads to professional licensure, we recommend you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your home state for information and guidance prior to starting a program outside your state. The National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates provides a listing of state licensure boards on its website: https://www.nbcc.org/search/stateboarddirectory
As of July 1, 2020, the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling degree programs meet the degree and coursework requirements in Alabama (Note: Applicants must officially begin the application process by December 31, 2023), Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,
Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Washington, DC.
Modifications to the practicum and clinical training portion of the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and Master of Divinity in Professional degree programs must be made in order to meet the requirements in Louisiana, Maine, Oregon, and Utah. Contact the University’s Clinical Training Director at clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu for additional information.
Amridge University’s Master of Arts in Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling degree programs do not meet the licensure requirements of Alabama (After December 31, 2023), Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
A determination has not been made as to whether or not the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling degree programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in New York.
While Amridge University strives to ensure the information contained here within is current and accurate, human error may occur, and state requirements may change or be updated without our knowledge. We recommend that you regularly check your state’s licensure requirements throughout your studies to ensure ongoing eligibility.
For more information, contact clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu or 800.351.4040, extension 7802.
The Course Requirements of 96 semester credit hours for the degree program Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Professional Counseling consists of program specific courses.
Required Courses | Sem. Hrs. |
The Course Requirements of 96 semester credit hours for the degree program Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling consists of Non-Counseling courses (15 semester hours), Professional Counseling courses (60 semester hours), elective Non-Counseling courses (18 semester hours), and a Comprehensive Examination (3 semester hours). |
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Required Non-Counseling Courses for the Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling |
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FD 6312 Hermeneutics LD 6362 Spiritual Leadership NT 6301 Critical Introduction to the New Testament OT 6301 Critical Introduction to the Old Testament PS 6302 Homiletics |
3 3 3 3 3 |
Total Required Non-Counseling Hours for Masters Degree | 15 |
Required Professional Counseling (PC) Courses for the Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling |
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FT 7306 Community and Social Systems FT 7310 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy FT 7320 Human Development FT 7321 Human Sexual Development FT 7322 Theories of Personality Development FT 7323 Marriage and Family Development FT 7326 Social and Multicultural Diversity FT 7331 Marital and Family Systems FT 7332 Counseling for Abusive Relationships -OR- FT 7333 Systemic Treatment of Substance Related Disorders FT 7335 Advanced Therapy FT 7336 Basic Counseling Techniques/Helping Relationships FT 7337 Group Counseling FT 7340 Assessment of Individuals and Families FT 7355 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology PT 7300 PC Ethics and Professional Identity PT 7350 Lifestyle and Career Development PT 7370 PC Practicum PT 7371 PC Clinical Training I PT 7372 PC Clinical Training II RS 6339 Research and Evaluation |
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 |
Total Required PC Hours for Masters Degree | 60 |
Elective Non-Counseling Courses for the Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling |
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Textual Courses Foundation Studies Theological Studies |
12 3 3 |
Total Elective Non-Counseling Hours for Masters Degree | 18 |
Comprehensive Examination for the Master of Divinity Professional Counseling |
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FD 7323 Synthesis of Theological Curriculum II (Comprehensive Examination) |
3 |
Total Comprehensive Examination Hours for Masters Degree | 3 |
Total Hours for Masters Degree | 96 |
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