Master of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling
This program is designed to train the Christian worker use biblical principles and develop skill in helping people navigate through life.
First Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermeneutics | 3 | Basic Counseling | 3 | Creative Teaching Methods | 3 |
| Old Testament I | 3 | Homiletics | 3 | Old Testament III | 3 |
| Research Methods | 3 | Old Testament II | 3 | Preaching Practicum I | 3 |
| Foundations of Christian Counseling | 3 | Basic Counseling: Principles & Practices | 3 | Solution Focused Brief Therapy | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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Hermeneutics – 3 Units
A study of the principles and methods of biblical interpretation. Particular emphasis is given to the development of skills in interpreting the various types of literary genres found in the Bible and applying the Scriptures in daily life and in the Christian ministries of preaching and teaching.
Old Testament I: Torah – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Torah the Hebrew Bible (Genesis trough Deuteronomy), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, literary structure, and key theological themes
Research Methods – 3 Units
A study of key concepts and procedures of basic research with special attention to the preparation and writing of a research paper applicable to biblical, theological, education, counseling, and intercultural studies.
Foundations in Christian Counseling – 3 Units
A look into the foundation of counseling that takes into consideration the research and contribution from theology, psychology and spirituality, and seeks to understand an integration of such disciplines toward the Christian counseling approach. The course would try to provide a balanced input of counseling theories, coupled with classroom practice and skills for students to experience the process of the Christian helping profession.
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Basic Counseling – 3 Units
Homiletics – 3 Units
A study of the principles and process involved in the preparation of expositional and other varieties of sermons. This include proper extraction of the central idea from an exegetical study of the text and moving from the central idea to sermon outline.
Old Testament II: Former and Latter Prophets – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the Former and Latter Prophets of the Hebrew Bible (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, literary structure, and key theological themes. The office and work of the prophet is also briefly examined.
Basic Counseling: Principles & Practices – 3 Units
This course is designed to demonstrate the use of biblical truth, psychological concepts and counseling skills in carrying out the basic counseling principles and practice in class as well as in real life situation.
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Creative Teaching Methods – 3 Units
A Study of various creative methods in Christian educational ministries in non-formal and formal settings.
Old Testament III: Poetic Books – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the Writings of the Hebrew Bible (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Esther, Daniel, Ezra – Nehemiah, 1 – 2 Chronicles), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical context, literary structure, and key theological themes.
Preaching Practicum I – 3 Units
Application of homiletical principles and actual preaching of selected texts from the Old Testament.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy – 3 Units
This course deals with foundational principles and some preliminary skills with the use of SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy) in pastoral counseling.
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Second Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Testament I | 3 | New Testament II | 3 | New Testament III | 3 |
| Pastoral Ministry I | 3 | Pastoral Ministry II | 3 | Pastoral Ministry Elective | 3 |
| Preaching Practicum II | 3 | Global Mission | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Family Ministry in Asian Setting | 3 | Pre-marital Counseling | 3 | Youth & Children Counseling | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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New Testament I: Gospels and Acts – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of the historical books of the New Testament (Matthew through Acts), with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry I/Pastor’s Spiritual Formation – 3 Units
A study of the spiritual formation of the pastor with special attention to the minister’s call, the cultivation of spiritual discipline, the pastor’s family, pastoral ethics, and spiritual leadership.
Preaching II – 2 Units
A workshop which focuses on the methods and skills learned in Preaching I and applying them in the preparation and preaching of sermons based on historical and narrative genres.
Family Ministry in Asian Setting – 3 Units
This course looks into the contemporary issues and problems surrounding families in the Asian setting, as well as examines the theological foundations for building a Christian home. Ways and principles of Christian education in the family setting will be discussed and formulated to help the Christian home survive.
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New Testament II: Acts and Early Epistles – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of Acts and the early epistles with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry II/Pastoral Ministries – 3 Units
A study of the nature of pastoral ministry with emphasis to the role of the pastor. Attention is given to the minister’s spiritual leadership among the congregation and the minister’s various pastoral ministries such as preparation for preaching and worship, administration, home-visitation, teaching and other ministries.
Global Missions – 3 Units
A study of the history and strategy of world missions with special attention tot he “un-reached peoples” group and the challenge and task of world evangelization.
Counseling Methods in Courtship and Marriage (Pre-Marital Counseling) – 3 Units
This course is designed to allow the students to understand and to demonstrate the use of effective biblical counseling methods with problems in courtship and marriage. A hands-on experience in classroom set-up as well as actual exposure in the real life-setting, dealing with premarital and marital problems/case studies, would ensure a review of counseling theories balanced with biblical principles, as one envisions becoming a people-helper both to those contemplating marriage and those struggling with marital issues.
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New Testament III: Later Epistles and Revelation – 3 Units (Pre-requisite: Hermeneutics)
A study of later epistles and Revelation with attention to introductory and critical issues, historical and geographical context, and key theological themes.
Pastoral Ministry III/Pastoral Counseling – 3 Units
A study of the principles and practice of various aspects of pastoral counseling and care. Special attention is given to the skills necessary for a pastoral counseling ministry and the general issues Chinese-Filipino and Filipino parishioners face today.
Youth & Children Counseling – 3 Units
The course provides an overview of adolescent developmental and contemporary issues affecting youth (about 12 to 20 years old) and children (below 12). It employs biblical guidelines as well as counseling theories/techniques in giving care and counsel to youth (and children), in this transitional stage of human growth.
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Third Year
| First Quarter | Units | Second Quarter | Units | Third Quarter | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Christianity I | 3 | Global Christianity II | 3 | Global Christianity III | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | 3 | Systematic Theology II | 3 | Systematic Theology III | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 | Urban Mission | 3 |
| Counseling on Grief & Loss | 3 | Psychological Tests & Assessment | 3 | Special Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 | Field Education | 1 |
| Summer Practicum | 3 | ||||
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Global Christian History I: Apostolic and Medieval Church History – 3 Units
A study of the history of the church from the apostolic to the medieval periods dealing with its establishment, development, theological movements, and liturgy.
Systematic Theology I: Foundation of Theology: Introduction, The Bible and God – 3 Units
This course studies the methodology and philosophy of theology, the doctrine of the Bible and God. Prolegomena is an examination of reality, truth, language, meaning, value, and source of Christian theology. Bibliology is the study of the revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, canonicity, and authority of the Bible. Theology Proper deals with the existence, nature, attributes and works of God and His relationships to His creation and creatures.
Counseling on Grief & Loss – 3 Units
A study of physio-psycho-social and spiritual aspects of people undergoing grief or loss in life such as prolonged illness, separation, loss and even death, and how to minister to them with biblical and practical interventions toward healing and wholeness.
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Global Christian History II: Reformation and Modern Church History – 3 Units
A study of the history of the church covering the Reformation, Counter-reformation, modern and contemporary periods dealing with biographical, theological, and liturgical developments. Special topics include revivalism, denominationalism, missions, ecumenism, evangelism, and Pentecostal/charismatic/third wave movements.
Systematic Theology II: Anthropology, Hamartiology, Pneumatology, Angelology: Humans, Sin, The Holy Spirit and The Spirit World – 3 Units
A study of the biblical doctrines of man, sin, the Holy Spirit and the spiritual world. Anthropology deals with the origin and nature of human beings. Hamartiology deals with the origin, nature, extent, and effects of sin in creation, in human relationships to God. Pneumatology deals with person and work of the Holy Spirit with attention given to the current Pentecostal-charismatic movements. Angelology deals with the doctrines of evil, angels and demons with attention to their origin, personality, works, and views of the Filipino and Chinese spirit world.
Psychological Tests & Assessment – 3 Units
This is a 3-unit lecture / laboratory course that aims to introduce the basic principles underlying psychological tests, including standardized tests, observations interviews and other authentic measures used in counseling. Students are equipped with skills through hands-on writing experience in selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting tests, culmination with a sample of writing up a psychological report for a chosen person / client.
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Global Christian History III: Historical Theological of Asian Churches – 3 Units
A study of the history and theological trends of the Asian churches, with particular focus on the Chinese and Filipino settings. The historical survey covers the early up to the modern periods. Emphasis will be given to missiological, Christological, and other contemporary issues in theology.
Systematic Theology III: Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology: Christ, Salvation, The Church and The End Times – 3 Units
A study of the biblical doctrines of Christ, salvation, the church, and end times. Christology deals with the person and work of Jesus Christ. Soteriology examines the themes of propitiation, redemption, adoption, reconciliation, atonement, election, justification, sanctification, perseverance, and glorification of the believer. Ecclesiology examines the nature, government ordinances officers, and mission of the church. Eschatology deals with the Second Coming, the resurrection, judgement, and the eternal state.
Urban Missions – 3 Units
A Study of the nature and methods of missions in the urban context with special attention to the problems, opportunities and challenges of urban evangelism and the development and implementation of a mission strategy for urban outreach. Field trips to selected places are include.
Special Issues in Counseling – 3 Units
A study of selected contemporary issues (even controversial ones) surrounding Christian counseling, from theological, cultural, ethical, ideological, and social aspects, with a clear understanding on how they are dealt with.
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Counseling Practicum – 3 Units
This provides the professional internship of 90 to 100 hours in a tear that would engage the students in actual counseling experience inside and outside the school premises. Valuable training under professional supervision in different settings and issues would help the student connect theories with actual practice for future ministry in pastoral ministry.
Psychology of the Asian Family – 3 Units
A study of the psychological relationship as they apply in love, marriage, and family living in an Asian setting. Particular attention is given to the Filipino and Chinese familial relationship.
Group Dynamics – 3 Units
The understanding of group dynamics at work in various kinds of groups.
Theories of Personality – 3 Units
This course is designed to understand the theories of personality with implications for the vocational religious worker.
Family Systems in Asian Setting – 3 Units
The course is designed to strengthen an understanding of systems theory in Asian family.
Abnormal Psychology – 3 Units
An understanding of psychopathology with major classifications of abnormal behavior and their etiology leading to methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Therapy with Children – 3 Units
A review of the psychological development of children, study of children in family system, and survey of major approaches to therapy with children.
The Counselor as a Professional – 3 Units
A course designed to explore ways to develop a professional attitude and identity.
Counseling Adolescents and Their Family – 3 Units
A study of major issues in counseling adolescents and their family.
Counseling in Cross-Cultural Settings – 3 Units
A course designed to understand various ways in which counseling techniques are impacted by cultural roots, social structures, values and religious expression.
Psychology of Religion and Personality – 3 Units
This course relates areas of psychological thought to religious beliefs and states the agreements and differences of these two unlike discipline as they apply to the growth and development of personality.
Church Growth and Mobilization – 3 Units
A study of the basic biblical principles of church growth and mobilization of lay members and the application in the local church in its outreach and evangelism programs and task of discipleship making.
Principles and Practice of Worship – 3 Units
A study of the biblical and theological foundations of worship, including an examination of the meaning and means of worship, and an exploration of principles that guide the planning and practice of worship.
Psychology of the Asian Family – 3 Units
Leadership Development – 3 Units
Contemporary Issues in Faith and Practice – 3 Units
Music Ministry – 3 Units
Church Polity – 3 Units
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Field Education – 1 Unit
Actual field work is an integral part of the training of students. During weekends each quarter, students are assigned to local churches in Metro Manila where they learn to minister to various age groups and develop the right outlook toward ministry. Students are supervised by resident pastors or church leaders in these local churches.
During the quarter recess or summer vacations, evangelistic and mission teams are formed and sent out to areas for exposure. Students also undergo one-month internship at different provincial churches where on-the-job training in church planting and pastoral works are provided. Other ministries include counseling in organized camps, conferences, conducting Daily Vacation Bible Schools, church planting, and teaching in training seminars.
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