The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the various provincial counselling regulatory bodies provide the certification credentials for their jurisdictions. The MAT specialization in Counselling and Spiritual Care training aligns with the academic and supervised practicum requirements for these organizations, so that students will have met all necessary competencies for credential application. 

This is a 24-month program designed to provide a strong theological training along with the essential courses and practical experience required to apply for certification as a Registered Counselling Therapist across Canada. Some provinces (NS, NB, PEI, ON, QC) have their own regulatory bodies while the rest of the jurisdictions in Canada are governed by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), but the entrance requirements are the same. No matter where you are located in Canada, our training will provide you with all you need to be registered as a counsellor. 

The full-time program is designed to be 24 months beginning in the fall of each year. 

Yes, all courses except for the Supervised Counselling Practicum are available in hybrid format. For most courses this includes approximately 1 ½ hours of asynchronous lectures and learning online, and approximately 1 ½ hours of synchronous meeting times for discussion and skill practice. 

Yes, there are limited spaces for this program which will vary from year to year depending on existing enrolment. It is anticipated that there will be between 8-12 openings per year. 

Top applicants will demonstrate a strong academic aptitude, good interpersonal skills and character, and a calling for theologically based vocation. Related experience will also be considered. 

The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) requires that applicants have completed master’s level training in counselling or related field.  This training must include a minimum of seven counselling courses and a Supervised Clinical Practicum with the Counselling Practicum Seminar. Graduates then apply for credentials from their provincial counselling regulatory body. 

In cooperation with ADC, students must make their own arrangements to secure an appropriate supervisor (a Registered Counsellor) at an accessible location, and with expertise in the student’s intended area of focus. The placement and supervisor must then be approved by ADC and a formal agreement, including expectations of the supervisor, will be signed with them. 

The total time for a Clinical Practicum is 400 hours with a minimum of 150 hours direct service (i.e. face-to-face).  This typically works out to about two days per week for two terms within the normal semester time. 

It depends.  The courses must be from another Association of Theological Schools (ATS) –accredited graduate counselling program and must meet the requirements of the ADC degree and the credentialling process. As people apply, previous graduate level counselling courses will be evaluated. 

Yes.  Many of the Theology courses in the first year of the MAT overlap with the MDiv so typically students will receive advanced standing (potentially up to a maximum of 30 credit hours). 

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Care is an embedded certificate that can only be earned concurrently with this MAT (specialization Counselling and Spiritual Care) or with the MDiv (specialization in Pastoral Care and Counselling).  After (1) completing their degree; (2) satisfying the competency requirements of the CCPA; and (3) demonstrating their readiness to provide effective and ethical counselling to the satisfaction of the faculty, students will be awarded the certificate by Acadia Divinity College. 

The embedded Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Care represents approval from the faculty that academic and training requirements have been genuinely met, and also that there are no reasons for concern about the integrity of graduate’s character and competency. As such, it represents a positive reference from the program.  This is often but not always a requirement for every counselling certification jurisdiction. 

The MDiv (specialization in Pastoral Care and Counselling) prepares people towards ordination in Christian ministry, and includes a strong emphasis on counselling training. Students who have been accepted into this MDiv specialization can apply for the Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Care in consultation with Dr. Glen Berry. Depending on the courses taken during the MDiv, another 9-15 credit hours (which includes the counselling practicum) can be expected. 

The MAT counselling specialization is grounded in theological training and designed for students to develop the competencies required to be certified as a counsellor. There is no pastoral ministry training with the MAT. 

Although there is some level of overlap between every helping profession, chaplaincy and counselling follow different certification processes.  Certification for chaplaincy is governed by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), while counsellors are certified by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) or the various provincial counselling regulatory bodies. Typically, the focus of chaplaincy is on ‘soul care’ where the focus of counselling is on ‘person care’, or with this specific training on ‘mind, body, and spirit’.  

Yes. Many of the graduate courses in our current MDiv and MAT overlap with the MAT specialization in Counselling and Spiritual Care. There is potential to receive up to 30-credit hours of advanced standing for the degree, though this will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.