The Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry degree program is designed to prepare students to serve in nonclinical counseling settings such as churches and ministries to provide support for individuals, groups, couples, and families.
DTS’s unique counseling program integrates best-practices in psychology with deep biblical and theological training enabling you to address the entire person: body, mind, soul, and strength.
THE CURRICULUM
The two-year MA programs at DTS have a common core of Bible and theology coursework along with specific training in counseling skills that you can apply in your ministry context.
Biblical Exposition (22 hours)
BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics (3)
BE5102 Old Testament History I (3)
BE5103 Old Testament History II & Poetry (2)
BE5104 Old Testament Prophets (3)
BE5105 The Gospels (2)
BE5106 Acts & Pauline Epistles (3)
BE5107 Hebrews, General Epistles, and Revelation (3)
BE5109 Ruth, Psalms, Jonah, and Selected Epistles (3)
Systematic Theology (18 hours)
ST5101 Theological Method and Bibliology (3)
ST5102 Trinitarianism (3)
ST5103 Angelology, Anthropology, and Hamartiology (3)
ST5104 Soteriology (3)
ST5105 Sanctification and Ecclesiology (3)
ST5106 Eschatology (3)
Counseling and Ministries Care and Electives (21 hours)
CM5101 Pastoral Counseling and Ethics (3)
CM5236 Cultural Competency in Counseling Ministries (3)
CM5256 Recovery Strategies in Counseling Ministries (3)
CM5*** Electives (9)
Ministry and Communications Division Elective (3)
Spiritual Formation and Internship (5 hours)
PM5101 Christian Life and Witness (3)
INT5110 Ministry Formation Internship (Two Credit Hours) (2)
SF5100 Spiritual Formation
Program Details
Program Goals
Students in the MACO program will:
- Evidence a general knowledge of Christian theology, including an ability to support their theological views
- Demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible, including an understanding of the message and arguments of specific books of the Bible
- Display Christlikeness in their pursuit of knowledge and relationships within the seminary community
- Demonstrate effective counseling ministry skills in a chosen specialty track (assessed in track courses and internship)
- Analyze and apply ethical standards in counseling ministry to handle complex situations ethically and effectively in various ministry settings
- Develop culturally competent counseling strategies that address the specific needs of diverse groups
- Apply the principles the recovery process for addictions and compulsive behaviors
Course Requirements
Sixty-six credit hours of coursework are required as a minimum for graduation. Of those hours, 22 are in prescribed Bible Exposition courses, 18 hours are in prescribed Systematic Theology courses, 21 hours are in Counseling Ministry courses and electives, and 5 hours are in spiritual formation and internship. The MACO requires that four courses (i.e., four 3-hour courses for a total of 12 hours) be completed in real-time. For information about the maximum amount of transfer credit available for the degree, see the Graduate Transfer Information page.
Spiritual Formation
The mission of Spiritual Formation at DTS is helping servant-leaders pursue Christlikeness. Because DTS values Christlike character and spiritual maturity, MACO students are required to register for and participate in Spiritual Formation groups for two consecutive fall and spring semesters at the Dallas, Houston, Washington, DC, or Atlanta campuses. (Students who are not planning to be in residence in Dallas, Houston, or Washington, DC, for two consecutive fall and spring semesters must contact the Spiritual Formation Office for other options to meet their Spiritual Formation requirement.)
In the Spiritual Formation curriculum, small groups of four to five students focus on issues of identity, community, integrity, and fidelity. The groups provide an atmosphere for prayer, fellowship, and the integration of learning with life and ministry.
Because students participate with the same group during two consecutive semesters, they should plan their schedules so they may meet on the same day and at the same time each semester. Spiritual Formation is a noncredit, transcripted experience. Internship prerequisites include successful completion of SF5100.
Financial Aid
Through our donors and Foundation, we are able to offer hundreds of scholarships to students every year.
Logos Bible Software
Every student at DTS receives a copy of Logos Bible Software customized with additional commentaries and resources, and DTS courses integrate Logos into assignments and learning.