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Archive 2013 - 2014 > Graduate studies > Counselling and Spirituality

Counselling and Spirituality

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  • Program requirements
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The MA program requires successful completion of 39 credits (non-thesis option) or 45 credits (thesis option). These credits are distributed between coursework, practica, and research. The number of practicum credits specified for each concentration is the minimum and some students, depending on their profile may be required to do a greater number. Students are evaluated in their practica at the end of each session. A written report of each evaluation is kept in the student's confidential file. The evaluations at the end of the second and third sessions are particularly significant in assessing the student's capacity for continued participation in the program. The practica for each year constitute a single unit and must be taken consecutively.

The Concentrations

Individual Counselling

Compulsory courses (36 credits)

  • IPA5131 METHODOLOGY OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH (3cr.)
  • IPA5134 PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (3cr.)
  • IPA5144 THEOLOGY AND COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA5146 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND ETHICS IN PASTORAL COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA6108 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND TREATMENT (3cr.)
  • IPA6120 THEORIES OF INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA6156 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3cr.)

Professional practice

  • IPA6221 PRACTICUM IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING I (6cr.)
  • IPA6321 PRACTICUM IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING II (3cr.)
  • IPA7221 PRACTICUM IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING III (6cr.)

Optional professional practice

  • IPA7128 EXTERNAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM (0cr.)

One elective (3 cr.)

Couple Counselling

Compulsory courses (36 credits):

  • IPA5131 METHODOLOGY OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH (3cr.)
  • IPA5134 PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (3cr.)
  • IPA5144 THEOLOGY AND COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA5146 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND ETHICS IN PASTORAL COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA6108 PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND TREATMENT (3cr.)
  • IPA7104 THEORIES OF COUPLE COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA6156 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3cr.)

Professional practice

  • IPA6221 PRACTICUM IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING I (6cr.)
  • IPA6321 PRACTICUM IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING II (3cr.)
  • IPA7205 PRACTICUM IN COUPLE COUNSELLING (6cr.)

Optional professional practice

  • IPA7128 EXTERNAL CLINICAL PRACTICUM (0cr.)

One elective (3 cr.)

Spiritual Care

Compulsory courses (36 credits):

  • IPA5131 METHODOLOGY OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH (3cr.)
  • IPA5134 PRACTICAL THEOLOGY (3cr.)
  • IPA5149 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES AND ETHICS IN SPIRITUAL CARE (3cr.)
  • IPA6120 THEORIES OF INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING (3cr.)
  • IPA6152 THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUAL CARE (3cr.)
  • IPA6156 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3cr.)

Professional practice

  • IPA6221 PRACTICUM IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING I (6cr.)
  • IPA6160 CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE) PRACTICUM I (4cr.)
  • IPA6161 CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE) PRACTICUM II (4cr.)
  • IPA7162 CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE) PRACTICUM III (4cr.)

One elective (3 cr.)

All practica and Clinical Pastoral Education units include supervised work with clients at hospital placements or the Counselling Centre at Saint Paul University. Advanced students may be assigned external practica in community settings. 

Thesis Option

To be accepted into the thesis option, students must first be admitted into the MA program and have obtained 9 credits either by completing courses following registration or through advanced standing. They must apply to the faculty research committee, which will reach a decision based on the academic file, the quality of the thesis proposal and the existence of appropriate supervisory arrangements. Students in the thesis option must complete the same program requirements as students in the non-thesis option with two exceptions: they replace IPA 6156 with the thesis and they are exempted from completing the 3 elective credits. 

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits), a 6-credit practicum (or equivalent) or the thesis or whose progress is deemed unsatisfactory must withdraw from the program.

Duration of the Program

Full-time students are expected to complete all requirements within two years. Students in the thesis option may need more time. The maximum time permitted is four years from the date of initial registration in the program, whether studying full- or part-time.