Theology (MA) and Divinity (MDiv): Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
NOTE: Casper tests are no longer required to apply to this program.
Earn both your Master of Arts (MA) in Theology and Master of Divinity (MDiv) in three years (nine consecutive terms) of full-time study. This double degree can also be completed on a part-time basis.
The MA/MDiv double-degree program is valuable if you are preparing for chaplaincy or congregational ministry, and desire a theological foundation and the coursework necessary to apply for accreditation with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
There are two fields to this program: Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, and Spiritualities and Community Engagement.
Within your first term, you can choose between the contextual and coursework options, and between two specific fields of study: Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy or Spiritualities and Community Engagement.
The Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field of study allows you to undertake advanced studies in spiritual care. This field is particularly suited to those considering careers in chaplaincy or counselling, or seeking accreditation with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Contextual Option
The contextual option is for those preparing for congregational ministry. This option includes congregational placements, community placements and a full-year internship.
Coursework Option
The coursework option is for those who are either already working in a ministerial setting or are preparing for non-congregational ministry. This choice allows students to take additional electives – in place of the internship and seminars being taken by those in the contextual option – and focus on coursework in areas of particular interest.
The MA/MDiv double-degree program normally involves three years of full-time studies, or the equivalent in part-time studies. Each student is required to complete a minimum of 31 half-credit courses or their equivalent.
If you are a graduate student taking a full-time course load, you are eligible to receive a bursary of about $600 per term (students receiving senior tuition exemption are not eligable for this bursary). The exact amount varies slightly from year to year. You will need to apply for this bursary on LORIS. You will receive an email notification that a new application is available, you will be able to access it through the Student Awards and Financial Aid tab on LORIS. We award it based on your registration after the last day to add courses for the term.
- A bachelor's degree (normally with a minimum grade point average of B) from a recognized accredited university or university college.
Applications are reviewed by the Martin Luther University College Admissions Committee, which considers all prior university grades, personal statement, current CV, and two letters of reference.
NOTE: Casper tests are no longer required to apply to Luther programs.
Application Deadline
Feb. 15 for a fall term start (full-time or part-time studies).
Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.
Application Checklist
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration & Information System (LORIS).
An application for admission to our Master of Arts in Theology and Master of Divinity program must include:
- The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
- Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Applicants must upload a digital unofficial copy of each transcript (including graduation certificates where applicable) for every postsecondary educational institution (college or university) they have attended, including those at which a degree or diploma was not completed.
- A completed statement of intent.
- A resume of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
- A sample of your scholarly writing (10-20 pages in length). This may be a chapter of your thesis or a paper written as an assignment at undergraduate level.
- Completed two reference forms. Two academic reference letters are required. If you are no longer a student or have been out of school for a few years, one of the reference letters or both of them could be professional reference letters instead. Please note that the academic referee must be your instructor or supervisor at university and the professional referee must be someone who has supervised you at work or a volunteer position. It cannot be a friend or a relative. Note: Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.
NOTE: Casper tests are no longer required to apply to Luther programs.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.
- ordained minister/pastor
- chaplain
- registered psychotherapist
- religious educator
- teacher of theology
- Christian writer/journalist
- community developer
- international voluntary organization member
- addictions counsellor
- mental health worker