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Theology (MA): Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
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.
There are two fields to this program: Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, and Public Faith and Spirituality.
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.
Kate Urquhart, RP (MA 2021) says alumni "are well-prepared for the career."
Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy is a unique approach to therapy. It uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. Graduates of this MA program may be eligible to pursue professional accreditation with external accrediting bodies. You are responsible to manage your course selection and application for accreditation. This program provides academic preparation but not professional certification.
For the Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy field, you will take 14 required courses (including a two-term practicum placement) and two counselling elective courses.
If you are a graduate student taking a full-time course load, you will automatically receive a bursary of about $600 per term (or $150 per term for students receiving the senior’s tuition rate). The exact amount varies slightly from year to year. There’s no need to apply for this bursary. 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.
In addition to the full-time bursary, annual bursaries to a maximum of $1,500 are available based on financial need (typically applied to accounts in the fall term).
- An honours bachelor’s degree with minimum B average.
Test dates available:
- January 26, 2023 (Thursday), 5:00 PM EST
- February 21, 2023 (Tuesday), 8:00 PM EST
Please choose one of the above dates even though the second date is after the application deadline.
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 MA in Theology 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.
- Completion of the CASPer Test. Note: You must take the CASPer Test on a date available to Wilfrid Laurier University applicants.
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.
- registered psychotherapist
- hospital or high school chaplain
- social service worker
- addictions counsellor
- certified play therapist
- mental health worker