Pastoral Care & Counselling
Many people in our churches and communities are carrying complex burdens, including mental health concerns, addictions, grief, trauma, relationship struggles, and spiritual distress.
The Pastoral Care and Counselling specialization will prepare you to offer thoughtful, compassionate, and theologically grounded care in ministry settings. While this specialization does not, by itself, lead to the professional counselling designation, it provides strong preparation for pastoral care, helping ministries, and preparing for further training in counselling and care.
Through a variety of courses in pastoral care, you will develop practical tools for supporting others while attending to your own formation, boundaries, and resilience as a caregiver.
The Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, a centre of excellence at ADC, fosters and promotes clinical and theological excellence in Pastoral Care through personal growth, the building of professional capacities, and rigorous theological reflection.
For admission requirements and tuition information visit the Master of Divinity page.
Program Overview
Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
IDTH 5001 Seminary Orientation 1
Sciptures
BIBL 5023 Old Testament Foundations 2
BIBL 5032 New Testament Foundations 2
BIBL 6042 Hermeneutics Lab 2
GREE 5013 Foundations of New Testament Greek 3
HEBR 5013 Foundations of Biblical Hebrew 3
Christian Thought
CHUR 5013 Introduction to Christian History 3
CHUR 6013 Baptist Identity (or CHUR Elective) 3
THEO 5013 Christian Theology 1 3
THEO 5023 Christian Theology 2 3
THEO 6013 Christian Ethics 3
CHUR or THEO Christian History elective or Theology elective 3
Character and Vocation
PACC 5013 Pastoral Care Strategies 3
PAST 5011 Ministry Integration 1 - Pastoral Identity 1
PAST 5021 Ministry Integration 2 - Pastoral Reflection 1
SPFM 5013 Christian Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders 3
Integral Mission and Justice
EVAN 5013 Evangelism and Mission in Contemporary Society 3
LEDR 5113 Theology and Practice of Racial Justice 3
LEDR 5123 Ministry Across Difference 3
Ministry Practice
DISP 5013 Transformational Discipleship 3
PACC 5043 Pastoral Care Skills 3
PAST 5053 Introduction to Preaching 3
PAST 5063 Leading Worshiping Communities 3
PAST 6013 Organizational Leadership and Adminstration 3
PAST 701a Mentored Ministry 1 2.5
PAST 702a Mentored Ministry 2 2.5
PAST 702a Mentored Ministry 3 2.5
PAST 702a Mentored Ministry 4 2.5
Context and Future Readiness
LEDR 501a-501b Leadership Labs 1 - Digital Literacies 1
LEDR 502a-502b Leadership Labs 2 - Adaptive Leadership 1
LEDR 6013 Theo-Futures for Ministry Innovation 3
Area of Specialization
PACC 6013 Professional and Personal Ethics 3
PACC (elective) Pastoral Care and Counselling Elective 3
PACC (elective) Pastoral Care and Counselling Elective 3
PACC (elective) Pastoral Care and Counselling Elective 3
Total Credit Hours 90
- Students with previous equivalent academic credit may apply for advanced standing in the same general area (i.e. Biblical Studies, Christian Thought, or Ministry).
- Those seeking ordination within a Baptist context take Baptist Identity (CHUR 6013). Those seeking ordination within another denominational family should contact the Academic Dean regarding a Directed Study or alternate option for meeting denominational studies requirements within their tradition.