Dual Degree: Master of Divinity
and the MA in Counseling

Practice effectively and ethically; value diversity, diligence and life-long learning; excel as a culturally competent practitioner, community leader, and advocate; and engage in the compassionate service of humanity to foster the wellness of people everywhere.

This Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling dual degree is for students seeking to enter vocations in religious leadership with skills both in theology and counseling. Students enrolled in the dual degree program can complete the requirements for both the Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling degrees in four years instead of the five years needed if each program is undertaken separately. The curriculum meets the accrediting standards for each degree program.

The dual degree program is designed to ensure that students meet the educational requirements for licensure as professional counselors in North Carolina and most other states.

Plan of Study and Requirements

Students in the dual degree program will spend the first two years of the four-year program in the Divinity School. The second two years of the dual degree program will be spent satisfying the requirements of the Masters in Counseling full-time Reynolda Campus program.

Divinity Requirements

First Two Years.  During these first two years, students complete on average 50-53 credit hours of required courses, required electives, and general electives

Counseling Requirements

Second Two Years. The Department of Counseling’s Program of Study requires 60 hours of coursework. The program of study for dual degree students would be the same as those students in the Counseling Program.

Upon successful completion of the counseling program, students will receive both the Masters of Divinity and the Masters of Arts in Counseling degrees.

 

Policies and Procedures

Satisfactory academic progress in the Master of Arts in Counseling portion of the program is defined as maintaining a B or better grade point average. Expectations of personal and professional behaviors and/or attitudes are outlined in the Department of Counseling’s “Evaluation and Continuation Policy.” Continuing eligibility in the Master of Divinity program is outlined in the School of Divinity’s Continuation Policy.

Rationale

Meets the demand from consumers and employers.

  • The dual degree will meet an increasing demand from students for such a program. Both the school and the department are receiving increasing numbers of inquiries from those who are interested in obtaining both Divinity and Counseling degrees. Several persons in the application pools for the Counseling degree had Master’s of Divinity degrees. Six of thirty current counseling students are graduates of divinity schools.
  • Graduates will meet the licensure requirements of managed care panels. In order to receive reimbursement for most mental health care services, providers must be admitted to managed care panels. Graduates of the dual degree program will be very valuable to churches and other spiritually-based counseling providers because they are licensable and well-educated.
  • Increasingly ministers and other church personnel are called upon to attend to the mental, emotional and relational needs of their members in addition to their spiritual needs. According to a 2000 national political survey, 75 percent of respondents say it is important to see a professional counselor who integrates their values and beliefs into the counseling process.
  • Douglas Ronsheim, the executive director of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, cites a growing need for the trained, licensed professionals that a program like ours would produce in his letter of support.
  • Rev. R.J. Ross, President of the Samaritan Institute, in his letter applauded our efforts to establish the dual degree and says there is a significant need for a program that meets the academic requirements for state licensing and provides its students with a basic understanding of major faith groups.
  • Steve Scoggin, President of Baptist Hospital CareNet Counseling Centers, wrote that “a combined professional degree program could fill a current need in CareNet for staffing our next generation of clinical staff. Nationally, there will shortages of dually trained clinical counselors.”

Supports Pro Humanitate and fosters cross-campus collaboration.

  • The dual MDiv/MA degree provides an opportunity for the university to act according to its clearest value: Pro Humanitate. Those graduates will be well prepared to serve humanity in many settings. The mission and program statements in Divinity and in Counseling share many common objectives with the university. Both programs foster academic excellence; acknowledge the importance of understanding diverse religious, cultural and ethnic perspectives; and strive to promote personal growth.
  • A major study released in March 2000 concluded that “Wake Forest should concentrate its graduate study resources on doctoral and “carefully selected” masters programs that reflect the research strengths of the faculty, involve cross-campus collaboration and are of the highest quality.” This collaborative degree program will utilize the best of the existing curricula in Divinity and Counseling to prepare students for careers in ministry and in mental health. It would also partner with counseling entities at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, such as Pastoral Care and CareNet.
  • The dual degree program would offer opportunities for collaboration in research and course offerings. A collaborative undertaking of this nature will create opportunities for funding, research, and faculty development. Possibilities for shared courses and lectureships that benefit Divinity, Counseling, and the broader university may also grow from the combined effort

Offers a distinctive program of high quality at a low cost.

  • Uniqueness. There are no MDiv/MA in Counseling dual degree programs at universities with the academic credentials of Wake Forest. The closest model is a dual social work/divinity degree program at Duke and at UNC-Chapel Hill. Wake Forest is a leader with this dual degree.
  • The dual degree program utilizes courses, facilities and faculties already in place.

In summary, the faculties of the School of Divinity and the Department of Counseling believe the Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Counseling degree will be a distinctive program that would utilize the strengths of both departments to produce marketable and valued graduates.

 

How to Apply

Up to three students per year will be admitted to the dual degree program. Applicants must be accepted for admission by both the Department of Counseling and by the School of Divinity, and are required to submit applications to both schools by January 15.

Apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

 Apply to the School of Divinity

Accreditation Information

Wake Forest University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Wake Forest University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website https://www.sacscoc.org.

Wake Forest University School of Divinity is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved:

The graduate counseling program is accredited by CACREP (Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs).