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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (March 12, 2013) — Milligan College President Dr. Bill Greer and Emmanuel Christian Seminary President Dr. Michael Sweeney signed a cooperative agreement to offer a certificate of graduate study in counseling ministry. This collaborative agreement is part of the schools’ ongoing efforts to work more closely together.
The 19-hour curriculum introduces students to basic knowledge about both secular and Christian perspectives on counseling and how these may be applied in a church-based setting. The certificate program combines existing courses in Milligan’s Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) program with courses in Emmanuel’s Christian care and counseling emphasis within its existing Master of Divinity program.
“This combination of courses offered at Milligan and Emmanuel creates a program uniquely suited for congregational leaders who are interested in applying counseling theory and practice in a ministry setting,” Greer said. “It’s a natural partnership for both institutions, and we’re pleased to be able to work together to offer it.”
Students who complete this program will be prepared to work in churches, mission agencies and other settings in which informal counseling and support groups are often provided.
“At Emmanuel, our mission is to help students create a deep biblical foundation for ministry,” Sweeney said. “We want to prepare students to understand the church as a culture of care and counsel.”
Applications are now being accepted for the certificate program, which begins in fall 2013. Students will enroll at Milligan for all courses, even those offered by and taught at Emmanuel. The certificate will be awarded by Milligan, which also offers an MSC program for students interested in pursuing licensure as a professional counselor or as a school counselor.
For more information about the certificate of graduate study in counseling ministry, contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at 423.461.8424 or email gps@milligan.edu. To find out more, visit www.milligan.edu/counseling. To learn more about Emmanuel, visit www.ecs.edu.
UPDATED: 4/2/2013 – Updated the number of hours in the curriculum from 18 to 19.