Denver Seminary

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Updated November 30, 2022 · 3 Min Read

Learn more about the various counseling degree programs available at Denver Seminary.

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Becoming a Counselor at Denver Seminary

Denver Seminary appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the West.

Since 2011, the Counseling Division has admitted 100 Denver Seminary post-grads each year to finish the accredited M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with perfect NCE exam pass rates. Chaired by Dr. Fred Gingrich, the 64-credit master's uses a Biblical worldview to train sound therapists for treating an array of mental illnesses. Professors keep required courses like Psychopathology, New Testament Survey, Addictions Counseling, and Neurological Function small for students ages 21 to 67. Complying with Colorado's LPC requirements for 84 percent job placement, the five-semester program integrates two internships: one on-site at Shepherd's Gate and another at 150+ partners, such as SonderMind, Front Range Counseling, Porter Centre, and Centura Health. The Professional Development (PD) program embedded in the core culminates with a comprehensive exam instead of a thesis.

As one of three ACPE-accredited centers nationally, Denver Seminary also has three other master's options for counselors seeking church-related jobs. Headed by Dr. Monte Hasz, the M.A. in Counseling Ministries is a 50-credit, non-licensure track that builds the theological foundations for curative intervention in Christian settings. The 50-credit M.A. in Chaplaincy is directed by Dr. Janet McCormack to produce holistic mental health advocates who nurture spiritual growth in crises, especially on the battlefield. Lastly, the 78-credit, three-year M.Div. in Pastoral Care & Counseling builds on the biggest Biblical core for aspiring ministers interested in courses like Therapeutic Communication and Family Therapy. Denver students might also take Moodle sessions online, add the School Counseling Certificate, research in Carey S. Thomas Library, serve abroad from Taipei to Tunisia, practice in the Marriage Mentoring Program, or attend the Extension SETECA Program.

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About Denver Seminary

Denver Seminary was opened in September 1951 by the Conservative Baptist Association of Colorado with an inaugural class of 31. Five years later, Dr. Vernon Grounds' historic 24-year tenure of growth began as Denver Seminary acquired ATS approval. Fast forward to the 2010s, Denver is posting record-high enrollment of 950 students from 53 denominations and 40 states. Endowed for $12.2 million, Denver Seminary operates as a private, nonprofit evangelical Christian graduate institution. Publishing Engage Magazine twice yearly, Denver's eight-acre Rockies campus off the Light Rail in Littleton is paired with two U.S. extensions. Given 3.5/5 stars on Niche, Denver is ranked the third best seminary and seventh top Christian apologetics school on TheBestSchools.org. Denver Seminary has produced over 5,300 alumni, including Richard Morthland, Leith Anderson, Bob Beltz, and Brad Meuli.

Denver Seminary Accreditation Details

In May 2012, Denver Seminary had its Level V accreditation reaffirmed for another 10 years without sanctions by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) under president Dr. Mark Young. This regional agency in Chicago is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to assure quality for Denver's 10 master's, one doctoral, and 11 certificate programs from Amarillo to Landover and online. The Christian graduate university has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) since 1971. Denver Seminary also maintains approval from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) as well as the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).

Denver Seminary Application Requirements

Entering the Denver Seminary is "moderately difficult" according to Peterson's because of the Fall 2016 acceptance rate of 76 percent. Starting the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will require finishing a four-year bachelor's unless the Undergraduate Degree Exemption (UDE) route is taken. Post-grads need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their upper-division curriculum. Transferring 15 master's credits from other accredited colleges with a "B" average would suffice too. If grades are lower, taking the GRE for a minimum 146 verbal and 4.0 analytical writing score is mandated. Foreign students without formal English instruction need to pass the TOEFL iBT with at least 22 in reading, 22 in listening, 22 in speaking, and 24 in writing.

Denver Seminary has rolling admission year-round, but the priority deadlines for scholarship consideration are July 1st and December 1st. International students should abide the dates of March 15th for Fall and August 15th for Spring to ensure sufficient time. The four-page, online application takes roughly 15 minutes to complete on Wufoo. If needed, extra materials might be mailed physically to 6399 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, CO 80120. Pose any questions to [email protected] or (800) 922-3040 along the way. Caring counselors are asked to attach the following:

  • Official registrar records from each college
  • Graduate Record Exam scores from the ETS
  • Accounts of one's life and spirituality (500-750 words)
  • One pastoral and two academic references
  • Resumes of work, school, and Church experiences
  • Signed and dated statements of faith in Christ
  • $45 processing fees by check or credit card

Tuition and Financial Aid

Pursuing any Master of Arts or Master of Divinity at Denver Seminary currently costs $590 per credit. Audited courses are discounted to $195 per credit. The Doctor of Ministry Program charges $595 per credit. Full-time tuition is approximately $10,260 annually. Budgets should account for the $175 technology fee, $20 activity fee, and $100 project proofreading fee. Extra costs could include the $150 MA thesis continuation fee, $200 internship fee, and $300 Catalyst Conference fee. It's also suggested to leave $900 for master's-level or $400 for doctoral-level textbooks. In comparison, Denver Seminary is cheaper than Colorado Christian University but more costly than Adams State University and Regis University.

The NCES College Navigator published an average yearly cost of $10,630, but Denver reports that students pay 37 percent less than this price tag. Institutional funds include the Shepherd's Heart Counseling Scholarship, Finish Well Scholarship, Windgate Counseling Scholarship, Kermit & Shirley Ecklebarger Scholarship, Young Life Scholarship, Vernon Grounds Scholarship, Women Engage Scholarship, and Neva Burk Scholarship in Chaplaincy. There's the JR and YK Lee Fund to gift up to $5,000 to students of Korean heritage. Submitting the FAFSA with code 001352 could take out low-interest Federal Direct and Plus loans. Grads could qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program later. Post-9/11 GI Bill tuition benefits are accepted for military veterans. The Ministry Residency Program offers full tuition for part-time apprenticeships. Denver Seminary also created the Church Partnership Discount to lower tuition by 10-40 percent for faithful congregants.

Learn more about Denver Seminary at the Counseling Division website.

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