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102 CHRISTIAN STUDIES The exigencies and contexts of ministry are constantly changing. This rises the need for leaders who are not narrowly trained, but instead are broadly equipped. The Master of Arts (Christian Studies) program is designed to meet this need. Students are provided a strong foundation in biblical and theological studies, along with an introduction to the theory and methodology of various forms of ministry. Options and choice are key to this degree, yet the rigor and depth of a Denver Seminary education are not sacrificed. All courses except for the summative paper are taken from other academic departments. CS 790 Christian Studies Summative Paper This course enables students to draw together some of the elements of their experience in the Christian Studies program to address a specific topic, problem, or issue that is relevant to their life and ministry. Prerequisite: instructor permission. Two hours. COUNSELING The counseling division at Denver Seminary encompasses courses from a range of programs. Courses described below are part of programs in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, counseling ministries, pastoral care and counseling, and chaplaincy. The common threads are the focus on developing practical skills for helping people, understanding the nature of human growth and change, and personal reflection and growth in professional identity. The courses emphasize that God is the ultimate source of all truth and that he reveals his divine purpose in scripture. Students are taught to understand scriptural truth through sound exegesis and to seek additional truth through scientific investigation, thoughtful observation, and scholarly research. CO 500 Pastoral Care and Counseling Relationships Centering on the role of the pastor as an agent of spiritual care, this course considers the common spiritual, emotional, and relational difficulties which people experience, along with the basic skills needed to provide pastoral care to individuals and families within church and parachurch contexts. Three hours. CO 501 Theological Foundations for Counseling This course explores the foundations of Christian theology, how these topics can inform counseling interventions, and the issues that are presented for counselors working in faith-based environments and with clients for whom faith is a critical resource. Ethical considerations concerning spiritual issues and interventions in counseling, along with ASERVIC standards, are addressed. Three hours. CO 502 Counseling Theories Equips students with foundational theoretical concepts, clinical skills, and techniques needed for the clinical training sequence (practicum and internship). Reviews the major counseling theories and how each relates to biblical and theological perspectives. Students are exposed to models of counseling consistent with current professional research and practice in the field, so they begin to develop a personal model of counseling. Three hours. CO 503 Human Development and Counseling Addresses the theoretical underpinnings of the counseling professions by looking at the major theories of human development and growth span. The course explores how major approaches to human growth and development compare to and contrast with related biblical teaching. Three hours.