“From Doctrinal to Pastoral Curriculum Orientation”

Survey: This study was conducted on the basis of information, provided on the websites of the institutions, analyzed in this data-based assessment of the size of faculty and the number of faculty teaching in the field of pastoral care and counseling.

Purpose: The intent of this study of the top dozen theological schools in the U.S. was to determine the place of pastoral care and counseling within the full curricular context of theological education as determined by each institution studied.

Caveat: Though the focus was specifically upon the teaching field of Pastoral Care and Counseling, sub-sets within each are noted including categories of Pastoral Care (PC), Practical Theology, Care and Counseling (PT, C & C), Preaching and Pastoral Care (P & PC) and Practical Theology and Care (PT & C).

Observation: Given the documented national trends which are indicating a decline in interest in the traditional fields of Scripture, Theology, and Church History with, on the other hand, a growing interest in the field of Pastoral Care and Counseling, it should prove interesting to observe how seminary curricular development responds to this apparent shift from a doctrinal orientation to a pastoral one.

This survey was conducted by Dr. John H. Morgan, Karl Mannheim Professor of the History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences at the GTF.