Why Pair an M.Div. with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?
Unlock your potential to serve your neighbors and community, especially in church and parachurch counseling settings. Pair a deep understanding of Scripture and appreciation for the Christian tradition with robust clinical mental health counseling knowledge and practice, so that you can support and empower individuals. The warm, multicultural, multi-denominational atmosphere at PBA allows you to cultivate meaningful relationships with fellow mission-oriented students and faculty. Equipped with community, knowledge, skills, and character, you’ll become a faithful servant and effective minister in your work and life.
- Become a Shepherd: Develop biblical, historical, theological, and clinical expertise to lead, serve, and grow churches and parachurch counseling ministries.
- Supportive Community: Collaborate in a welcoming environment founded on shared faith and mutual respect.
- Daytime and Evening Courses: Balance your personal and professional priorities through varied course formats. Learn more about PBA’s evening programs.
- Practicum Experiences: Apply your ministry abilities and counseling expertise in mentored fieldwork and internships.
What You’ll Learn
The dual M.Div. and M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is grounded in:
- Evaluating, synthesizing, and applying interpretive methods and traditions to biblical texts
- Applying counseling knowledge, skills, and dispositions in professional practice
- Exploring the broad heritages of the Christian tradition that transcend and situate themselves within social and cultural settings
- Forming professional relationships within the context of clinical mental health counseling
- Identifying ethically, culturally, and developmentally appropriate preventions, interventions, and advocacy for mental health issues
- Integrating theologically informed, spiritually sensitive counseling interventions when desired by clients
- Cultivating your personal faith, emotional maturity, moral integrity, and capacity for ministerial leadership
- Engaging in the Great Commission in your life and mission
Missions at PBA
Lasting transformation unfolds in PBA’s multi-denominational seminary. Here, we empower multicultural followers of Christ with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to flourish in twenty-first-century ministry. Our Kingdom work centers theological reflection and spiritual formation, embodying God’s hope through radical hospitality and meaningful messages of light through the darkness. Join our partnerships with local churches, neighbors, and the global body of Christ as a student and as a counselor, pastor, educator, missionary, and therapist—wherever your degrees take you.
Program Details
Ground your clinical capabilities in the compassionate love and truth of Christ in PBA’s unique dual M.Div. and M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Learn and practice theory, ethics, and techniques in both biblical scholarship and professional counseling.
The M.Div./M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program dives deep into theological tradition and practice, examining Scripture, ethics, worship, and ministry. You’ll specialize in a biblical language—Hebrew or Greek—and complete an apprenticeship in discipleship. At the same time, you’ll explore counseling skills, foundations, theories, and techniques, along with special topics in counseling like substance abuse, marriage and family systems, and career counseling. You’ll gain clinical experience in a practicum and two internship placements in your area of interest.
Earn two degrees on an accelerated timeline.
Apply for and be admitted to both the Master of Divinity and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs to become eligible for earning a dual degree.
Careers
Practice God’s never ending love in your service to individuals and communities. This combination of an M.Div. with a master’s in professional counseling pairs vocational ministry training with the educational and fieldwork requirements to be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) . According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is rapid growth in demand for social workers, community service managers, career advisors, school counselors, and similar roles. Earn $37,000 to $81,000 per year in roles like:
- Pastor
- Associate Pastor of Counseling
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Ministry
- Missionary
- Education
- Leadership
- Counselor
- Therapist
