Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality (MPS)


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The Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality (MPS) program is an academic-professional degree that develops spiritually-integrated counselors, psychotherapists, and art therapists. The program enables students to integrate psychological and spiritual knowledge for effective therapeutic practice. Students in the MPS program will have the ability to integrate diverse learning with their own personal growth, awareness, and spirituality.

The program is 60-credits and can be taken as either a Counselling stream or an Art Therapy stream, both of which are delivered through a blend of academic coursework, supervised clinical experience in community settings, and a final research project. Academic instruction includes a combination of intensive week-long courses and traditional semester long online courses. This blend provides students the opportunity to develop strong cohort groups and learn from the experiences and backgrounds of their peers.

As with all St. Stephen's programs, the MPS is open to people from all faith traditions, spiritual practices, and/or worldviews.

Learning objectives

The learning objectives for the MPS degree are:

1)   Develop a mature professional identity as a psychotherapist, which includes an ongoing process of spiritual discovery, growth, and integration;

2)   Develop critical reflection and competence in the delivery of psychotherapy by understanding history, theory, assessment, and intervention, and apply these to psychotherapy practice;

3)   Integrate spirituality into professional psychotherapy practice;

4)   Develop and maintain a culturally competent, ethical, and anti-oppressive professional practice; and

5)   Contribute to knowledge and field advancement through a capstone or thesis project.

Additionally, for those who choose the Art Therapy stream:

6)   Developing competence in the delivery of art therapy by understanding art therapy history, theory, and intervention, and applying both of these to art therapy practice; and

7)   Recognize the inherently spiritual nature of the creative process in clinical practice.

MPS Counselling Stream

The MPS Counselling Stream blends theoretical knowledge and clinical skills with particular emphasis on the individual student's ability to integrate spiritual awareness and perspectives in their therapeutic understanding and skills development. The program is designed for those who see professional counselling as both an aptitude and calling.

The MPS Counselling program offers a blend of academic coursework with supervised clinical experience in community settings. Students complete a minimum of 300 hours of supervised counselling training, and they have the choice of completing either a master’s thesis or final capstone project. Personal therapy and/or Spiritual Direction is also a component of the program to allow students to explore their personal, spiritual, and professional development.

MPS Art Therapy stream

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The MPS Art Therapy program enables students to develop competence in the delivery of art therapy as well as recognize the inherently spiritual nature of creative practice. The Art Therapy stream blends theoretical knowledge and clinical skills with particular emphasis on the individual student’s ability to integrate spiritual awareness and perspectives in their therapeutic understanding and skills development.

The MPS Art Therapy program offers a blend of academic course work, arts-based course work, and experience in community settings. Students complete a minimum of 300 hours of supervised counselling training (clinical art therapy supervision fees apply and vary depending on required supervisory credentials).  Students also have the choice of completing either a master’s thesis or final capstone project. Personal therapy and/or spiritual direction is also a component of the program to allow students to explore their personal, spiritual, and professional development.

Since 2008, St. Stephen’s Art Therapy programs have met the Educational Standards of the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA); the College is actively working to ensure the new 2023 program meets this same standard.

Length of Program

Students taking a full course load can complete the MPS in two years, though students can take longer if they desire.  Students entering the program without all the required pre-requisite courses should expect to complete the program in three or more years.  Students must complete all requirements within seven years from their start date. 

After Graduation

Graduates of the MPS program go on to work in contexts of professional counselling, psychotherapy, art therapy, spiritual care, chaplaincy, pastoral counselling, and other therapeutic and ministry contexts. Graduates may apply to become professional, certified and registered members of various professional counselling, psychotherapy, and art therapy associations (including CCPA and CATA) and are prepared to qualify for provincial regulatory colleges including the CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario).

The MPS program is designed to assist students in acquiring professional counselling credentials in several counselling associations and regulatory bodies. Although the curriculum is designed accordingly, please note that students are not guaranteed licensure or professional registration upon graduation. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that their course and practicum work meets the requirements for the licensing or registration body relevant to the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice. The program does not meet requirements to pursue registration as a psychologist in Alberta.

General Program Information

Incoming students can expect to take their first course in early June of their starting year.

MPS (Counselling) Program Requirements (60 Credits)
PSYCHOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE CONTENT (18 credits) Credits
PPSYC585 Basic Psychotherapy Skills 3
PPSYC583 Professional Ethics for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care 3
PPSYC587 Life Span Development 3
PPSYC5812 Psychopathology 3
PPSYC584 Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy 3
PPSYC5869 Systems Psychotherapy Skills 3
SPIRITUAL INTEGRATION CONTENT (12 credits)
PPSYC581 Intro to Psychotherapy and Spirituality 3
SSC589 Spiritual and Theological Reflection in Professional Practice: An Introduction 3
Course from Spirituality and Cultural Competency Category 3
PPSYC555 Spiritual Integration Processing Group I 1.5
PPSYC556 Spiritual Integration Processing Group II 1.5
ELECTIVE CONTENT (6 credits)
Two 3-credit counselling electives in areas of student interest or as required by the student's desired Professional Association. 6
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CONTENT (9 credits)
Personal therapy (40 hours) 0
PPSYC5870 Counselling Practicum 6
PPSYC5844 Topics in Professional Practice Seminar Series 3
ACADEMIC CONTENT (15 credits)
SSC579 Graduate Academic Skills 3
SSC5710 Inquiry, Research and Evaluation 3

THESIS or CAPSTONE PROJECT (9 credits)

THESIS

Prerequisite: 'Thesis or Capstone' Seminar, and permission of Department Chair. The thesis is an option for students who can demonstrate their readiness and ability to work independently after advisement. The thesis is an extended piece of scholarly research, largely conducted independently, along with an appropriately credentialed supervisor. It is usually between 100-150 pages in length, and summarizes a student's research of a stated question. The thesis integrates an introduction, a thorough literature review, explication of methodology, data presentation and analysis, and a summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It is intended to address not only the candidate's research interest, but to make a contribution to the body of knowledge in that field. Research must be within the field of a student's professional interest. Upon approval of the thesis proposal, students pay the thesis fee.

CAPSTONE PROJECT

Prerequisite: 'Thesis or Capstone' Seminar. MPS students have the option of completing a capstone project instead of a thesis. See Capstone Project in Psychotherapy [PPSYC5892] course description for prerequisites and details. Students must attend the 'Thesis or Capstone' seminar (non-credit, half-day) prior to considering the capstone project option. Students meeting the pre-requisites register and pay a 9-credit course fee. 

OPTIONS EQUIVALENT TO CREDIT

The following options are considered equivalent to credit in the MPS Core Program. Students must consult with a Department Chair prior to applying for equivalency; acceptance of equivalencies will be in accordance with program and course requirements, and will be at the discretion of the Department Chair. Equivalencies granted for work done prior to entry into the MPS program will apply to work no older than five years. Original certificate of completion must be presented to the Registrar's Office.

Academic Work Equivalency
One Unit Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE) 6 elective credits [for CPE completed outside of a College/ University; CPE completed at a College/University would be considered transfer credit]
Spiritual Direction Programs (I & II) (eg. Jubilee Programs, PRC Presence Program) 3 elective credits
MPS (Art Therapy) Program Requirements (60 credits)
PSYCHOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE CONTENT (18 credits) Credits
PPSYC585 Basic Psychotherapy Skills 3
PPSYC583 Professional Ethics for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Care 3
PPSYC587 Life Span Development 3
PPSYC5812 Psychopathology 3
PPSYC5841 Introduction to Art Therapy: Theories of Counselling and Historical Foundations 3
PPSYC5880 Professional Issues in Art Therapy: Group, Family, and Diversity 3
SPIRITUAL INTEGRATION CONTENT (12 credits)
PPSYC581 Intro to Psychotherapy and Spirituality 3
SSC589 Spiritual and Theological Reflection in Professional Practice: An Introduction 3
Course from Spirituality and Cultural Competency Category 3
PPSYC557 Art Therapy Spiritual Integration Processing Group I 1.5
PPSYC558 Art Therapy Spiritual Integration Processing Group II 1.5
ELECTIVE AND ADDITIONAL ART THERAPY CORE CONTENT (6 credits)
ARTST586 Art Therapy Studio: Assessment and Application 3
Art Therapy elective 3
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CONTENT (9 credits)
Personal therapy (40 hours) 0
PPSYC5878 Counselling Practicum (Art Therapy) 6
PPSYC5843 Topics in Art Therapy Professional Practice Seminar Series 3
ACADEMIC CONTENT (15 credits)
SSC579 Graduate Academic Skills 3
SSC5710 Inquiry, Research and Evaluation 3

THESIS or CAPSTONE PROJECT (9 credits)

THESIS

Prerequisite: 'Thesis or Capstone' Seminar, and permission of Department Chair The thesis is an option for students who can demonstrate their readiness and ability to work independently after advisement. The thesis is an extended piece of scholarly research, largely conducted independently, along with an appropriately credentialed supervisor. It is usually between 100-150 pages in length, and summarizes a student's research of a stated question. The thesis integrates an introduction, a thorough literature review, explication of methodology, data presentation and analysis, and a summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It is intended to address not only the candidate's research interest, but to make a contribution to the body of knowledge in that field. Research must be within the field of a student's professional interest. Students must attend the 'Thesis or Capstone' seminar (non-credit, half-day) prior to considering the thesis option. Upon approval of the thesis proposal, students will pay a thesis fee.

CAPSTONE PROJECT

Prerequisite: 'Thesis or Capstone' Seminar MPS-AT students have the option of completing a capstone project instead of a thesis. See Capstone Project in Psychotherapy (Art Therapy) [PPSYC5893] course description for pre-requisites and details. Students must attend the 'Thesis or Capstone' seminar (non-credit, half-day) prior to considering the capstone project option. Students meeting the pre-requisites register and pay a 9-credit course fee.

MPS Admission Requirements

1.            Academic Requirements: Baccalaureate Degree from an institution of higher education approved by a Canadian provincial authority, or the demonstrated educational equivalent. Grade average minimum must be 72%/B/3.0 during last 60 credits of course weight. Applicants who hold a degree other than psychology must have either completed a minimum of 9 undergraduate credits in psychology, or, if they are offered admission to the program, must have completed 3 undergraduate credits in psychology and commit to complete an additional 6 undergraduate credits as co-requisites within the first year of the program. Additional course work in religious studies, theology, and/or spirituality will be a benefit. Students who are required to complete co-requisite courses should expect to complete the program in a longer timeframe.
2.            Personal Requirements: Evidence of commitment and ability to integrate spiritually-informed training into professional practice. This will be assessed through the applicant’s written statements and admissions interview.
3.            Professional Requirements: All applicants should be able to demonstrate work or volunteer experience in a humanities and/or social services field.  For applicants to the Art Therapy Stream, demonstration of skill and experience in visual arts. These will be assessed through the CV, written statements, and (for art therapy applicants) visual art portfolio.
4.            Language Requirements: All applicants must be proficient in English prior to admission. Proficiency is demonstrated by either (a) possession of a prior degree where the primary language of instruction was English, (b) demonstration of sufficient coursework completed in English, or (c) a satisfactory score on an approved English language examination (either TOEFL iBT, IELTS, CAEL, or PTE Academic). For full details, see the “English Language Proficiency” section of the St. Stephen’s College Academic Calendar.

Application deadline:

February 1 for Canadian and Permanent Resident applicants. November 1 for international applicants and applicants applying for a Baccalaureate equivalency review (equivalency fee $225); if equivalency is granted, applicants then pay the normal application fee.

Interview:

Applicants will attend an admission interview as part of the application process. Intake interviews will reflect on the applicant's learning goals and determine the applicant's appropriateness for admission to the program.

Orientation and first core course:

Upon admission, students are expected to register for the St. Stephen's College Orientation Day (in May). 

Examples of Practicum Partners

The following are examples of sites in which St. Stephen's students have secured practicum placements in the past. Please note that sites change over time and are subject to placement availability:

Non-Profit Organization Description
Abbott School An inclusive learning community that creates a trauma sensitive environment that provides a safe place for learning and promotes academic achievement.
Actionmarguerite (St. Boniface) - Manitoba A community-based, non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the elderly and persons with complex care needs by delivering care and programs in the Winnipeg area.
ASSIST Community Services Cetre Provides diversified services to Canadian immigrants and their families, helping them to integrate into mainstream society and actively contribute.
Body and Soul Counselling and Consulting Services Ltd. Counselling and consulting services specializing in drama-therapy.
Boyle Street Community Centre (ArtSpace)

A non-profit Edmonton agency which assists individuals and families challenged by homelessness and poverty.

Calgary Catholic School Board
Canadian Mental Health Association (Kootenays) - British Columbia A nation-wide, voluntary organization that promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.
CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Delivers innovative mental health services for infants, children, adolescents and their families and is an effective advocate for children's mental health.
Centre High Campus A blended-learning campus focused on preparing students for post-secondary studies and/or the world of work.
Chrysalis Provides personalized services to assist individuals with disabilities achieve their employment, volunteer and recreation goals.
Community Counselling Centre Guides and facilitates clients through the process of healthy healing and growth, specializing in a relational, client focused approach to counselling.
Cornerstone Counselling Provides professional counselling services to children, families, and individuals in Edmonton believing that all those who need help, irrespective of faith, cree, race, gender, lifestyle, or financial ability have access to that help.
Creative Works Studio (St. Michael's Hospital) - Ontario Provides a fully-equipped, safe and accepting community-based arts studio for people living with sever and persistent mental illness and/or addictions.
EPSB: Inclusive Learning Provides inclusive learning strategies and support through School Service teams, in consultation with staff in schools, to understand how to best meet the unique needs of a student or groups of students.
Excel Society - Grand Manor Supporting and advocating for people with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities in both Edmonton and Calgary. Grand Manor supports clients with health care needs with a risk of homelessness.
Families First Society - Fort Saskatchewan Serving families through early childhood development, parenting programs and family support.
Family and Community Services Spruce Grove Providing locally-driven, preventative, social initiatives to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and the community. The programs enable people of all ages to improve their quality of life and their ability to prevent and/or deal with crisis situations should they arise.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver A community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counselling and other essential services to the most vulnerable people in their community.
Fraser Health Authority (South Fraser Eating Disorder Clinic) - British Columbia Providing a range of services in a safe and supportive environment to both youth and adults, and their families, who are dealing with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa.
Fresh Start - Edmonton Catholic School Board Student centered programs for high school students who are not attending a regular high school and may need a smaller site, flexible schedule with a self-directed delivery.
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital A health-care facility unique to Alberta, devoted primarily to high-level rehabilitation care of both adults (including the elderly) and children.
Families First Society - Fort Saskatchewan Serving families through early childhood development, parenting programs and family support.
Highlands School An Arts Core School, providing students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge of curricular outcomes through a variety of creative mediums.
HIV Edmonton Dedicated to making life better for people living with, or affected by HIV and AIDS.
iHuman Youth Society Working with traumatized youth who exhibit high-risk lifestyles; promoting their reintegration in the community through social support, engagement and outreach programs.
Jericho Counselling - British Columbia Providing counselling services that establishes warm, compassionate, and therapeutic relationship in which the client's experience is understood, respected, and validated.
Jewish Family Services Providing various services including counselling, to all people regardless of culture or faith
Little Warriors - Be Brave Ranch A specialized, trauma-informed evidence based, treatment centre focused on helping children who have been sexually abused, as well as their families.
Lurana Shelter Society Offering services including safe refuge and life changing services to women and children who were victims of domestic violence in the community.
Matheson Seniors Housing Providing affordable housing to low income seniors who are capable of independent living.
Mercy Counselling A psychological counselling and assessment service for the greater Edmonton area and Wetaskiwin.
Mustard Seed Helping to meet the basic needs of shelter, food, clothing and acceptance for men and women experiencing poverty, and works with them to find sustainable housing and employment.
Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre Working with families to help them reach their full potential and to make Edmonton's communities stronger and more vibrant.
Parkinson Alberta Helping to support Albertans affected by Parkinson disease through support services, education, advocacy and funds for research.
Providence Renewal Centre An ecumenical retreat and conference centre.
River's Edge Counselling Centre Committed to providing counselling and psychological services to individuals, couples and families from a holistic perspective that helps people live their lives with a greater sense of purpose, peace, connection to others and understanding of self.
Robertson Wesley United Church Providing art therapy to the congregation and surrounding community.
Saffron Centre Providing counselling services to persons who have suffered from sexual assault, abuse and sexual violence, as well as advocacy and education regarding sexual assault, abuse and sexual violence.
SAIF Socitey Provides services to those who have experience and/or witnessed family violence or abuse.
Schizophrenia Society of Alberta Working towards improving the quality of life for those affected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support programs, public policy and research.
St. Basil / St. Boniface Providing support to students through Art Therapy.
Surrey Hospice Society A volunteer based, non-profit organization offering support for those facing an end-of-life experience, as well as grief programs for children, teens, and adults.
The Family Centre Believes that, with the right opportunities and tools, people can make choices that lead to success. They work to strengthen family wellness and build community capacity through innovative services and collaborative partnerships to engage the communities most vulnerable families in caring for their children.
The Pride Centre of Edmonton Offering a wide range of programs such as support groups, social events, and educational seminars to help improve the social, mental, and physical health of the LGBTQ community.
The Salvation Army Provides life-changing social services and programs to those in need.
Victoria School of the Arts Providing support to the students through Art Therapy.
Welling Centre A holistic health clinic offering psychological and other mental health services, message therapy, homeopathy, and more.
Winnifred Stewart Association Helping to facilitate meaningful relationships in order to build natural supports for individuals with disabilities so they can actualize their goals and dreams.

**Note: The Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality degree is conferred by St. Stephen's College, not by the University of Alberta. For more information, see our About Graduate Studies at SSC and Institutional Charter pages.

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