Course-Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Aim and Objectives of Theological Education

Theological education has the broad goal of equipping the people of God and the congregations, in their respective contexts, to live out the doxological-liturgical, koinonial, reflective, diakonal and missional dimensions of their existence, with a strong commitment to the liberation of the down-trodden (Dalit, Adivasi, Tribal, Women, the disabled, persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, etc.). Reconciliation among all human beings (particularly in the multi-religious and pluralistic contexts), and integration and renewal of God’s wider creation (particularly in the context of ecological crises) are also a part of it. Hence, the aim of theological education is to cultivate an integral and holistic spirituality that would enable the students to be sustained in their commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and be committed to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their living out the truth and values of the Gospel, thereby helping them become faithful and effective ministers/ teachers/servant leaders in and through the Church and society.

Therefore the academic, professional and personal/communitarian and vocational formation of candidates are taken seriously under the Serampore theological education system. Serampore also emphasizes the importance of cultivating an ecumenical perspective, which it believes must be informed by one’s own inherited ecclesiastical tradition as well as by other traditions in the Indian religious context, and developing an open-minded and respectful attitude towards others, without giving up one’s own beliefs and traditions and at the same time be constructively critical to both one’s beliefs and traditions and those of others.

Nature of the MCP Course

Master in Counselling and Psychotherapy (MCP) is a post-Graduate program for those who hold a Bachelor degree in secular disciplines/ B.C.S/B.D from the Senate of Serampore College (University). It is primarily meant for all, both laity as well as Christian ministers who are interested in Counselling. It is designed to provide Christian professionals, Church workers and laity with in-depth knowledge and skills in Counselling to serve the church and society. A substantial period of their studies will be provided for supervised counselling. Later in 2015, it was opened up for candidates from other religions as well. It is a two year residential program equivalent to any Master degrees. However for the purpose of teaching at a theological college, it is not equivalent to M.Th, hence MCP graduates cannot teach at BD level. The prerequisite for MCP and the very design and objective of the course is different than that of M.Th.

Objectives

Theological education in India has been focusing on the training of ordained ministers. In recent years there has been greater attention paid to the theological education in specialized areas. Training in specialized ministries are important needs and they create ministerial opportunities. The MCP program allows a person even without previous theological training to become a trainer and practioner of Counselling and Psychotherapy by gaining requisite professional competence. The admission can also be opened to the ordained/theological graduates recognized by the Senate of Serampore College (University) and people of other faiths, who wish to become full time counsellors and trainers.

The objectives of the program are:

  1. To provide an opportunity for acquiring knowledge and skills as professional counsellors as well as developing counselling as vocation for the ministry of the church and society. This degree is geared towards the specialized placement services in hospitals and counselling centres.
  2. To develop necessary skills and tools to understand and cater to different needs of the counsellee from their own socio-religio-cultural context and to assist them in their needs.
  3. To equip the candidates for rendering services to the Church and society through counselling ministries.
  4. To provide an opportunity to bring about integration between secular counselling and Christian counselling for the ministry of the church.
  5. To enable people of different faiths to become trainer and practitioner of Counselling and Psychotherapy

Admission Requirements for the MCP degree

  1. A candidate at the time of admission to the MCP degree course must be a graduate from a recognized university or B.Th/ B.Miss/ BD from the Senate of Serampore College (University). Any other degree must have prior approval from the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College (University).
  2. ATA M.Div. graduates (with HSLC (+2) and above) on completing of Senate DCPC program shall be eligible to do MCP (require second class marks (B grade-57.5%) or above average throughout their theological degrees and diplomas)

MASTER IN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (MCP) – GENERAL SCHEMA

Sl No

Paper Code

Paper Title

Paper Type

Credit

Total Marks

First Year of Study
1

MCP001

Foundations of Counselling and
Psychotherapy

S

4

100

2

MCP002

Developmental Psychology

S

4

100

3

MCP003

Personalities Theories

S

4

100

4

MCP004

Crisis Intervention

S

4

100

5

MCP010

Introduction to Psychology

C

2

100
6 MCP011

Introduction to Schools of
Counselling and Psychotherapy

 C 2 100

7

MCP012

Research Methods in Counselling and Psychotherapy

C

4

100

Second Year of Study

8

MCP005

Marriage and Family Therapy

S

4

100

9

MCP006

Detailed       Study       on       Major Psychotherapies

S

4

100

10

MCP007

Dissertation (Internal & Senate
Examined)

S

8

200

11

MCP008

 Viva Voce

C

2

100

12

MCP009

Supervised Counselling and
Psychotherapy Practice

C

8

100

13

 MCP013

Introduction to Psychometric
Testing for Assessment

C

2

100

14

MCP014

Psychopathology and Mental Health

C

4

100

Optional Courses (2 Courses Required)

15

MCP015

Healing in the Indian Religious and Spiritual Traditions

C

2

100

16

MCP016

Counselling and Psychotherapy with the Aged

C

2

100

17

MCP017

Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and De-addiction Counselling

C

2

100

18

MCP018

Counselling and Psychotherapy for Children with Special Problems

C

2

100

19

MCP019

Foundations of Palliative Care & Counselling

C

2

100