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Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy (MA)
Our Master of Arts (MA) in Theology is an exceptional program of theological studies designed for students not preparing for ordained ministry. Some of the required courses for this program are offered in the evening and during the spring term, making it an excellent choice for commuting or part-time students.
The Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field is a unique form of therapy that integrates spiritual/religious resources as well as counselling theory into clinical practice. Graduates of this field of study may be able to pursue professional accreditation with external accrediting bodies once both academic and other criteria required by the accrediting bodies are completed. The Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field is a program recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. The student is responsible to manage their course selection and application for accreditation. This program provides academic preparation but not professional certification.
Our ecumenical, multifaith and inclusive practice creates a diverse and vibrant community. Students from all backgrounds and faiths are welcome to apply.
Our multifaith and inclusive practice creates a diverse and vibrant community. Students from all backgrounds and faiths are welcome to apply.
- Flexible and wide-ranging course of study that includes sacred texts, systematic and historical theology, ethics and practical community relations
- Develop community leadership skills through higher education and applied practice
- Study diverse spiritualities and engage in community service-related initiatives
Graduates of this field of study may be able to pursue further academic work or a career or vocation in community sectors influenced by theological/spiritual/religious visions.
Some of the required courses for this program are offered in the evening and during the spring term, making it an excellent choice for commuting, full-time or part-time students.
An honours bachelor’s degree with minimum B average.
Applications are reviewed by the Martin Luther University College Admissions Committee, which considers:
- All prior university grades
- A personal statement
- Current CV
- 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 Process
- Fill out the OUAC application
- Receive email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca with your LORIS (Laurier’s Online Registration & Information System) login information
- Upload the following to LORIS
- Your OUAC application summary, log back into OUAC to retrieve
- Digital unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work for every postsecondary educational institution you have attended. Unofficial Transcripts should be dated within the last six month.
- Completed statement of intent
- Resume of your academic and work experience (include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other relevant information)
- 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.
- Two reference forms, indicate two individuals to provide academic reference letters. 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.*
NOTE: Casper tests are no longer required to apply to Luther programs.
*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.
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.
- Recognize spirituality as the integrating force that motivates and shapes the physical, psychological, and emotional functioning of all human beings and is able to integrate into clinical practice.
- Critically articulate their beliefs and values and how these impacts their clinical practice.
- Critically examine relevant literature related to their clinical practice.
- Critically evaluate and integrate current research into clinical practice.
- Develop a guiding theoretical foundation for their clinical work.
- Recognize the implications of working within a specialized field of psychotherapy and the impact on clinical practice.
- Integrate knowledge of the impact of the therapist’s self on the therapeutic process.
- Recognize the need for self-care and develop ways to maintain physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and relational wellness.
- Assess clinical effectiveness and modify practice to enhance effectiveness.
- Recognize potential ethical issues or situations and identify responses.
- Integrate knowledge of human diversity, including cultural, religious/spiritual, gender, socio-economic, age, differing abilities etc. including the ability to adapt the therapeutic approach in response to diverse clients.
- Use clear and concise written and verbal communication.
Program Courses
Students you will take 16 required courses (including a two-term practicum placement) and two counselling elective courses.
- RequiredRequiClick this tab to view content pertaining to Required
- ElectivesElectClick this tab to view content pertaining to Electives
- PracticumPractClick this tab to view content pertaining to Practicum
Sacred Scriptures Area
2 of the following 4 courses:
- TH503A Survey of Hebrew Scriptures
- TH503C Survey of the New Testament
- TH503E Reading and Interpreting the Qur’an
- TH503H - Buddhist Discourses on Human Care
Theology/Wisdom Traditions Area:
All 3 of the following courses:
- TH530A Introduction to God and Theological Reflection
- TH644A Indigenous Wisdom and Methodology
- TH645A Intersectionality: Interfaith and Intercultural Perspectives
1 of the following 3 courses:
- TH530B Introduction to Jesus and Salvation
- TH530C Introduction to Spirit and Community
- TH503F Survey of Sources in Asian Wisdom Traditions
Psychotherapy/Counselling Theory Area:
1 of the 4 following courses:
- TH663L Clinical Applications of Queer Theory
- TH663M Family Therapy Overview
- TH663Z Theory of Change
- TH664O The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy
Human Development Area:
1 of the following course:
- TH663V Human Development
Counselling Theory Electives
One of the following counselling theory courses below, or an additional course from the Counselling/Psychotherapy Theory options:
- TH663C Cognitive and Dialectic Behaviour Therapy
- TH663O Therapeutic Modalities for Working with Children
- TH663R Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy (pre-requisite is TH663W)
- TH663S Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy
- TH663W Couple Therapy: Intervention from an Emotionally Focused Perspective (spring intensive – pre-requisite for TH663R)
- TH664A Introduction to Art Therapy (spring intensive)
- TH664D Post-Modern Family Therapy (intensive format)
- TH664P Mindfulness and Psychotherapy
Additional Counselling Electives
Two of the following courses: These can be selected as an additional course from the Required Counselling Theory List, or Additional Theory Elective categories above, or from the following options below:
Luther graduate students are eligible for some Laurier bursaries and awards. To be considered, fill out the General Profile on the Student Awards tab on LORIS. (Visit Student Awards for more information about the General Profile.)
To apply for the annual financial-aid bursaries, you must have completed the General Profile in the Student Awards tab on LORIS. Please see below for more information.
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. It may take several weeks to appear on your student account, so don’t worry if you don’t see it right away.
Over the years, we’ve collected several bursaries in the form of financial endowments. (Please consider contributing when you are able.) Annual financial-aid bursaries are issued on the basis of financial need.
We issue these bursaries only once per year. Your application is not complete unless you have followed all three of the following steps by the deadline:
- Be fully registered with a full-time course load for both fall and winter terms.
- Complete the Annual Bursaries Application Form.
- Complete the General Profile in the Student Awards tab on LORIS.
We follow our donors’ stipulations. In some cases, that means asking you about your faith tradition. If you are successful in receiving an annual financial-aid bursary, we may ask you to write a note of thanks to your benefactor.
You need to complete both forms in order for your application to be reviewed.
Late applications will not be considered.
Students in the Master of Divinity program are required to complete one unit of Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE). We are especially grateful for the generosity of the Martin Luther University College Auxiliary (formerly Women's Auxiliary) for providing bursaries to MDiv students completing the SPE portion of their degree program.
MDiv students may apply for this bursary once they have received an acceptance letter from the SPE site. To apply for this bursary, contact lutherfinance@wlu.ca
The Serenia Life Financial Scholarship program is available to members of Serenia Life Financial. One-time scholarships are awarded each year to a limited number of members pursuing a full-time undergraduate or graduate university degree, or college diploma at any accredited institution in, or outside of, Canada.
Luther graduate students are members of the Wilfrid Laurier University Graduate Students’ Association (GSA). The GSA provides a slate of services to graduate students including an extended health and dental insurance plan, career counselling, and discounts through a variety of resources. It also administers a number of different funds, including funds that can help you pay for attending professional development workshops, new technology, or many other grad-student expenses. You should definitely check them out!
External scholarship competitions awarded on the basis of academic merit are listed by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS). Normally Luther students are eligible for social science competitions. Students with a psychotherapy focus could also consider applying under health categories.
Contact Graduate Studies for more information.