Dr. Karen Mason
Associate Professor of Counseling and Psychology

One of the courses I teach as a Counseling Professor is called Research Methods and Design. Each year in this class, students conduct a qualitative interview with a fellow student to ask why they chose to study counseling at a seminary. These are obviously focused on Gordon-Conwell in particular; however, many are true of other seminaries as well.

Here are some of the answers that students give:

  1. At seminary, we are required to take Bible and theology courses. This focus demands the integration between theology and psychology. The Gordon-Conwell counseling program is committed to integration; we start with theology and integrate the science of psychology.
  2. Because the science of psychology has the historical reputation of being anti-Christian, seminary students seek to study it within the bounds of an explicitly Christian environment.
  3. The integration model taught in the Gordon-Conwell counseling program is unique and distinct.
  4. Students appreciate that classes include a spiritual component with explicit mention about the work of the Holy Spirit as healer of broken people.
  5. Some students study counseling at a seminary because they want to become pastors and be prepared for the counseling responsibilities of the pastorate. The Gordon-Conwell counseling program offers two tracks: mental health counseling and marriage and family counseling tracks.
  6. Gordon-Conwell is committed to academic excellence. Alumni recommend it because of the rigorous preparation for ministry within a non-denominational evangelical context.

I hope this has been helpful as you consider where to study counseling.

Interested in counseling training? Learn about the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) and the Master of Arts in Counseling (MACO).