The degree programs of the SCA University of Theology and Spirituality are designed to assist busy professionals by offering accessible, online courses that work around their schedules and from their location. UTS offers Master’s Degrees and Doctoral Degrees in the following main areas of study:
Master’s Degrees
To complete a master’s degree, a bachelor’s degree is prerequisite and 45 earned credits are required. Master of Theology degrees include:
Doctoral Degrees
To complete a doctoral degree, a master’s degree is prerequisite and 54 earned credits are required. Doctor of Theology degrees include:
Master’s Degrees
M.TH. in CHAPLAINCY
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Chaplaincy
The Master of Theology in Chaplaincy
The Doctor of Theology in Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy degree programs provide students with the skill set and knowledge to serve as a chaplain to individuals seeking religious guidance and faith instruction. This interfaith program is for chaplains who work in hospitals, prisons, first response teams, and with the military. Courses begin in January.
| Master of Theology |
| Chaplaincy |
| (45 Credits) |
| 4 Required Course (12 Credits) |
| CH335 Cultural Competence, Inclusion & Vulnerable Populations |
| CH327 Grief, Loss and Bereavement |
| CH328 Health Care Ethics |
| CH334 Powerful Communication Techniques |
| 4 Elective Courses (12 Credits) |
| CH321 Advanced Directives |
| CH322 Alzheimer’s |
| CH324 Quality Improvement |
| CH325 Counseling Skills |
| CH330 Perinatal Loss |
| CH332 Death Dying |
| CH339 HIPAA |
| CH329 Pediatric Chaplaincy Care |
| 4 UTS Required Courses (21 Credits) |
| MT321 Masters Project and Thesis Writing (3 credits) |
| 2 Units CPE (12 credits) |
| Capstone Thesis Paper (6 credits) |
M.TH. in SPIRITUAL CARE
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Spiritual Care
The Master of Theology in Spiritual Care
The Doctor of Theology in Spiritual Care
Our Spiritual Care degree focus allows professional care providers to expand their education to include working with a person’s spiritual needs as well as the biological, psychological, and sociological needs. It is designed for the multidisciplinary pastor, spiritual director, minister, clergy, chaplain, nursing, physician, counselor, social worker, first responders military, interfaith spiritual care providers and others who would like to expand their knowledge base and skill set in the area.
| Master of Theology |
| Spiritual Care |
| (45 Credits) |
| 3 Required Course (9 Credits) |
| CH335 Cultural Competence, Inclusion & Vulnerable Populations |
| CH334 Powerful Communication Techniques |
| CH328 Health Care Ethics |
| 5 Elective Courses (15 Credits) |
| CH327 Grief, Loss and Bereavement |
| CH339 HIPAA |
| CH322 Alzheimer’s |
| CH324 Quality Improvement |
| CH325 Counseling Skills |
| CH330 Perinatal Loss |
| CH332 Death Dying |
| Anything from Masters in SD, Thanatology, Adult Learning, Satir, Pediatric Chaplaincy |
| 4 UTS Required Courses (21 Credits) |
| MT321 Masters Project and Thesis Writing (3 credits) |
| 2 Units CPE (12 credits) |
| Capstone Thesis Paper (6 credits) |
M.TH. in SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Spiritual Direction
The Master of Theology in Spiritual Direction
The Doctor of Theology in Spiritual Direction
Our Spiritual Direction degrees provide training for individuals starting out in the field, and enable experienced professionals to expand their education to include a degree. The curriculum is interfaith, and multifaith in scope and practice.
| Master of Theology |
| Spiritual Direction |
| (45 Credits) |
| 8 Core Courses (24 Credits) |
| SD321 Introduction to Spiritual Direction |
| SD322 Mystic Traditions |
| SD323 Spiritual disciplines |
| SD324 Dynamics of Transformation |
| SD325 The Self and living a Spiritual Life I |
| SD326 The Self and living a Spiritual Life II |
| SD327 Professional Standards and Practice |
| SD328 Themes |
| 4 UTS Required Courses (21 Credits) |
| MT321 Masters Project and Thesis Writing (3 credits) |
| 2 Units CPE (12 credits) |
| Capstone Thesis Paper (6 credits) |
M.TH. in THANATOLOGY
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Thanatology
The Master of Theology in Thanatology
The Doctor of Theology in Thanatology
Individuals seeking a degree in thanatology, or the study of death, focus on the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual aspects and mechanisms surrounding individuals who are dying and transitioning to the next life. Thanatologists offer insightful assistance to people who are dying and their families and other loved ones, and often are equipped with a plethora of rituals to assist people during these times. They regularly engage with those who have left mainstream religious communities and yet still need a facilitator or companion during this time in their loved one’s life.
| Master of Theology |
| Thanatology |
| (48 Credits) |
| 9 Required Courses (27 Credits) |
| TH321 Fundamentals of Thanatology |
| TH322 Death and Dying |
| TH323 End of Life Decision Making |
| TH324 Assessing Spiritual Needs of the Dying |
| TH325 Grief and Loss |
| TH326 Ethics in End of Life |
| TH327 Cultural Competence |
| TH328 Funeral Practices |
| TH329 Traumatic and Sudden Death |
| 4 UTS Required Courses (21 Credits) |
| MT321 Masters Project and Thesis Writing (3 credits) |
| 2 Units CPE (12 credits) |
| Capstone Thesis Paper (6 credits) |
M.TH. in SPIRITUAL CARE NURSING
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Spiritual Care Nursing
The Master of Theology in Spiritual Care Nursing
UTS has partnered with experts in the fields of nursing and spiritual care – including the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing – to offer those who are interested in parish nursing, or interfaith nursing, a rich and in-depth degree in the art of spiritual care from a nursing vantage point.
| Master of Theology |
| Spiritual Care Nursing |
| (45 Credits) |
| 7 Required Core Courses (21 Credits) |
| SN321 Foundations as a Faith Community Nurse |
| SN322 Wholistic and Holistic Health |
| SC441 Theological Reflection |
| SN323 Spiritual Care Nurse as Collaborator |
| SN324 Health & Wellness-Global Community Nursing Concepts |
| SN325 Transitional Care |
| SN326 Advancing Spiritual Care Nursing |
| 1 Elective Course (3 Credits) |
| CH334 Powerful Communication |
| CH327 Grief, Loss and Bereavement |
| CP420 Fundamentals in Human Interaction Process and Theory |
| 4 UTS Required Courses (21 Credits) |
| MT321 Masters Project and Thesis Writing (3 credits) |
| 2 Units CPE (12 credits) |
| Capstone Thesis Paper (6 credits) |
M.DIV. in PASTORAL MINISTRY
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Pastoral Ministry
The Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry
The Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Ministry is targeted to the professional chaplain, spiritual director, spiritual care provider, thanatologist and other professionals who want to utilize worship, ritual, liturgy, preaching, and theological reflection to assist in their ministry. Often they are interfaith, and would like to perform weddings and funerals in order to facilitate healing in their clientele. We offer this degree to assist them in this process.
| Master of Divinity |
| Pastoral Ministry |
| (45 Credits)-in development |
| 8 Required Courses (24 Credits) |
| MD321Worship 1 |
| Biblical Criticism |
| Liturgy |
| Principles of Preaching |
| Hermeneutics |
| TBA |
| TBA |
| TBA |
| 4 UTS Required Courses (21 Credits) |
| MT321 Masters Project and Thesis Writing (3 credits) |
| 2 Units CPE (12 credits) |
| Capstone Thesis Paper (6 credits) |
Doctoral Degrees
D.TH. in CHAPLAINCY
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Chaplaincy
The Master of Theology in Chaplaincy
The Doctor of Theology in Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy degree programs provide students with the skill set and knowledge to serve as a chaplain to individuals seeking religious guidance and faith instruction. This interfaith program is for chaplains who work in hospitals, prisons, first response teams, and with the military. Courses begin in January.
| Doctor of Theology |
| Chaplaincy |
| (60 Credits) |
| 6 Core Courses (18 Credits) |
| SC441 Theological Reflection |
| SC442 Pastoral Formation |
| SC427 Support of Those Who Grieve |
| CH440 Narrative Theory |
| CH441 Advanced Counseling Skills |
| CP426 Spirituality and Mental Illness |
| 6 UTS Required Courses (42 Credits) |
| DD422 Doctoral Project and Dissertation (3 credits) |
| 4 Units CPE (24 credits) |
| Capstone Dissertation Paper (15 credits) |
D.TH. in SPIRITUAL CARE
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Spiritual Care
The Master of Theology in Spiritual Care
The Doctor of Theology in Spiritual Care
Our Spiritual Care degree focus allows professional care providers to expand their education to include working with a person’s spiritual needs as well as the biological, psychological, and sociological needs. It is designed for the multidisciplinary pastor, spiritual director, minister, clergy, chaplain, nursing, physician, counselor, social worker, first responders military, interfaith spiritual care providers and others who would like to expand their knowledge base and skill set in the area.
| Doctor of Theology |
| Spiritual Care |
| (60 Credits) |
| 2 Core Courses (6 Credits) |
| SC441 Theological Reflection |
| SC442 Pastoral Formation |
| 4 Elective Courses (12 Credits) |
| Any CP, CH, SC or Spiritual Direction 400 Level Course |
| SC445 Pastoral Formation and the Arts |
| SC446 Trauma-Informed Care and Suicide Prevention |
| SC447 Pediatric Palliative Care |
| 6 UTS Required Courses (42 Credits) |
| DD422 Doctoral Project and Dissertation (3 credits) |
| 4 Units CPE (24 credits) |
| Capstone Dissertation Paper (15 credits) |
D.TH. in SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Spiritual Direction
The Master of Theology in Spiritual Direction
The Doctor of Theology in Spiritual Direction
Our Spiritual Direction degrees provide training for individuals starting out in the field, and enable experienced professionals to expand their education to include a degree. The curriculum is interfaith, and multifaith in scope and practice.
| Doctor of Theology |
| Spiritual Direction |
| (66 Credits) |
| 8 Core Courses (24 Credits) |
| SD421Foundations of Multi Faith Spiritual Direction |
| SD423 Perspectives, Ecology and Embodiment |
| SD422 Justice and Liberation |
| SD424 Learning from Mystics |
| SD425 Creativity, Expression, Methods, Tools |
| SD426 Ethics, Boundaries, Self-Care |
| SD427 Spiritual Assessment and Ethics |
| SD428 Creating your Practice |
| 6 UTS Required Courses (42 Credits) |
| DD422 Doctoral Project and Dissertation (3 credits) |
| 4 Units CPE (24 credits) |
| Capstone Dissertation Paper (15 credits) |
D.TH. in THANATOLOGY
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Thanatology
The Master of Theology in Thanatology
The Doctor of Theology in Thanatology
Individuals seeking a degree in thanatology, or the study of death, focus on the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual aspects and mechanisms surrounding individuals who are dying and transitioning to the next life. Thanatologists offer insightful assistance to people who are dying and their families and other loved ones, and often are equipped with a plethora of rituals to assist people during these times. They regularly engage with those who have left mainstream religious communities and yet still need a facilitator or companion during this time in their loved one’s life.
| Doctor of Theology |
| Thanatology |
| (60 Credits)-in development |
| 6 Core Courses (18 Credits) |
| TH421 |
| TH 423 |
| TH 422 |
| TH 424 |
| TH 425 |
| TH 426 |
| 6 UTS Required Courses (42 Credits) |
| DD422 Doctoral Project and Dissertation (3 credits) |
| 4 Units CPE (24 credits) |
| Capstone Dissertation Paper (15 credits) |
D.TH. in CLINICAL PASTORAL PSYCHOTHERAPY
University of Theology and Spirituality
School of Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy
The Doctor of Theology in Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy
Our PsychoSpiritual Counseling degrees focus on allowing professional care providers to expand their education to include working with a person’s spiritual needs. The curriculum supports those in the professional helping industry as well as those that have focused on Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy. Areas covered will be pastoral counseling, and multifaith sacred text counseling.
| Doctor of Theology |
| Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy |
| (72 Credits) |
| 10 Core Courses (30 Credits) |
| CP421 Human Spirituality/Development |
| CP422 Pastoral Counseling for Individuals |
| CP423 Premarital and Family Counseling from a Spiritual Perspective |
| SD424 Learning from Mystics |
| CP424 Spiritual Small Group Ministries |
| CP425 Spiritual Assessment and Evaluation |
| CP426 Spirituality and Mental Illness |
| CP427 Spiritual Competencies in Practice: Research and Evaluation |
| CP428 Spirituality and Care Ethics |
| CP429 Applied Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy |
| CP431 Spiritual Competencies in Practice (theory) |
| 6 UTS Required Courses (42 Credits) |
| DD422 Doctoral Project and Dissertation (3 credits) |
| 4 Units CPE (24 credits) |
| Capstone Dissertation Paper (15 credits) |
