Spiritual counseling programs provide a dual
focus in psychology and spirituality. Typically offered through private
schools, online master's degree programs in spiritual counseling are
relatively rare. A master's program in spiritual counseling may provide
career opportunities to graduates in several areas of therapy and
advocacy.
Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Spiritual Counseling
Spiritual counseling programs are generally geared toward ministers
and clergical members of a church or religious organization. An online
master's degree program in spiritual counseling develops an approach to
providing therapeutic services that draws concepts from psychology,
spirituality and the various religious traditions. Students develop
their listening and communication skills, and learn to draw on their
capacity for empathy. Enrollment in a master's degree program requires a
bachelor's degree, preferably in psychology, and a 3.0 or better grade
point average in undergraduate studies.
Courses in an online master's degree program in spiritual counseling
can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format. Fully online
options often allow open enrollment at any time during the year. Course
readings, lectures, presentations and other materials are accessible
through a school's website. Students interact with instructors and other
students via online forums and email. A master's degree is typically
earned in two years.
Participation in an online program requires a relatively new personal
computer, productivity software, such as Microsoft Office, and Internet
access. Schools may use a proprietary content management system or a
commercial system, such as Blackboard.
List of Common Spiritual Counseling Courses
Master's degree programs in spiritual counseling are likely to offer
the topic as a specialty or concentration within a master's degree
program in counseling. Under this structure, students will have to
complete a core set of counseling courses.
Counseling Theory Course
Students examine the major theories and models of psychological
therapy in use today. Course work focuses on applying therapeutic
techniques and developing sensitivity, insight, compassion and other
qualities essential to effective counseling.
Religious History Course
This course reviews the history and influences of Buddhism,
Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism and various
pagan religions. Religious origins, vocabulary, concepts of God or
gods, rituals, main teachings and values are among the topics
considered.
Spiritual Counseling Introductory Course
In this course, preliminary work begins toward integrating concepts
from psychology and spirituality, combining them into a whole that has
professional applications in counseling. Culture, religious traditions,
stages of development and theories of mind are among the topics covered.
Human Mortality Course
Students consider the psychological impact of loss and death as it
manifests in the grieving process. Coursework surveys historical and
current attitudes towards death and prepares students for the stress of
counseling families and individuals who have experienced a loss.
Graduates of a master's degree program in spiritual counseling are
prepared to work as mental health counselors who bring a religious or
spiritual dimension to their work. Counselors who have established
careers as spiritual leaders may work in a variety of medical and
religious institutions, such as hospitals, churches and synagogues.
Spiritual counselors typically offer marital and metal
health counseling
services to a diverse group of people. The U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics projected employment of marriage and family therapists to
grow 14%, and employment of mental health counselors to increase 24%
from 2008-2018. In 2009, mental health counselors earned a median salary
of $38,010, marriage and family therapists' wages were $46,920 and
clergy members made approximately $42,950 per year.
Spiritual counselors working within a church or religious
organization may face different certification and licensure requirements
than public therapists. Most states require a minimum of a master's
degree, and licensing often varies by occupation. Students wishing to
extend studies or conduct specific research may find that doctoral
programs in spiritual counseling are widely available. However, schools
generally do not offer spiritual counseling doctoral programs online.
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