Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

M.A.C.P. Overview
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Description
The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology is a 58-hour* program designed for students planning to minister in a local church or parachurch organization through a counseling program, or who plan to pursue a career as a counselor, clinical therapist or teaching professional, often choose to study for a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. The program is founded on the educational disciplines of clinical psychology and counseling, and on the scholarly fields of social science, biblical studies, and theology. Students are required to complete 58 graduate credits. They complete the degree with a master’s thesis.

*Advanced standing, validation and transfer credit are available; see Special Credit Options.

Goals
The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology seeks to integrate judiciously the field of psychology within a Christian theological and philosophical worldview. The program seeks to attain three types of outcomes in the life of the student: academic, professional and relational.

Academic
The outcomes from this program are first, that the student will be able to understand and articulate essential theological and philosophical doctrines, to integrate psychological truths within a theistic worldview, and to engage in personal application of spiritual development via formal study of spiritual disciplines

Professional
Second, the program equips the students to begin professional development and credentialing by studying psychology theory, assessment, and therapeutic processes. All students will also participate in a supervised 500-hour clinical practicum to advance counseling skills. Students will cultivate analytical skills via the study of statistics, research methods and thesis writing, and integrate independent scholarly research within a theistic worldview.

Relational
Third, the student will be able to embrace a lifestyle of obedience to Jesus Christ and a ministry style modeled after the servanthood of Christ, and engage in the practice of professional psychology respecting cultural, theological and denominational diversity.