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This program equips students to understand and integrate foundational counseling theories with their faith, while gaining practical counseling experience. In doing so, students become qualified to pursue licensure along with a career path that may involve the mental health community, private practice, the local church or international relief work. Students have the option to specialize their training to meet either state or national licensure requirements. To decide which direction is best for you, speak with an enrollment counselor.
CONTENT AREA CREDITS
Biblical Studies 8
Theological Studies 5
Counseling Studies 43
Counseling Electives 5
Total 61
CONTENT AREA CREDITS
Biblical Studies 8
Theological Studies 5
Counseling Studies 56
Counseling Electives 4
Total 73
The Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Divinity dual degree program (115-127 credits) or Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership (103-115 credits) offer means of combining professional counseling training with diverse ministry skill development. In completing a dual degree program, graduates increase their opportunities for specialization as a counselor.
We dedicate significant time to biblical training in order to integrate a Christian worldview with the field of counseling. As a result, students graduate with an awareness of their Christian worldview and the ability to articulate their beliefs as they interact with clients and other professionals in the field.
From this foundation, we seek to provide you with the necessary tools, knowledge and experience needed to grow as a therapist, counselor or mental health worker with strategic influence for the Kingdom.
Students will complete five semesters of internship as clinicians before graduation. These hands-on internships enhance students’ learning while giving them a breadth of experience unmatched in other M.A. programs in the Northwest. In doing so, the M.A. in Counseling program meets both the state and national requirements for licensure, depending on which is selected.
All of our counseling courses are offered during the day on Mondays and on Tuesday mornings. The required Bible and theology courses can be completed on Monday evenings, during the week for those with a more flexible schedule, or through distance learning. We have intentionally chosen these scheduling options to provide more opportunities for students to maximize their schedules while managing other life responsibilities.
Capitalizing on their shared knowledge from the classroom and the real world, our professors are able to impart years of pastoral and clinical counseling to equip our graduates for life and ministry.
Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree or its full educational equivalent from a college or university accredited by a United States association holding membership in one of the six regional accrediting associations, that is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, that is a member of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, or from an institution which maintains similar academic requirements and standards.
Admission requirements for this program include a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Western Seminary recommends that an applicant’s undergraduate degree contain a minimum of 35 semester hours of the liberal arts and sciences.
Note: This number represents the total credit hours that can be earned by distance education, transfer and advanced standing.
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