The Master of Arts in Counseling degree program is designed to prepare students to enter into licensed counseling practice in church, institutional, or private counseling settings by providing training that is biblically, theologically, and clinically focused.
DTS’s unique counseling program integrates best-practices in psychology with deep biblical and theological training enabling you to address the entire person: body, mind, soul, and strength.
The Curriculum
The DTS counseling program includes coursework that covers a variety of psychological, spiritual, emotional, and physical conditions, and integrates it with the same Bible and theology courses taken by pastors and other ministry professionals.
Biblical Exposition
BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics
BE5102 Old Testament History I
BE5103 Old Testament History II & Poetry
BE5104 Old Testament Prophets
BE5105 The Gospels
BE5106 Acts & Pauline Epistles
BE5107 Hebrews, General Epistles, and Revelation
BE5109 Ruth, Psalms, Jonah, and Selected Epistles
Systematic Theology
ST5101 Theological Method and Bibliology
ST5102 Trinitarianism
ST5103 Angelology, Anthropology, and Hamartiology
ST5104 Soteriology
ST5105 Sanctification and Ecclesiology
ST5106 Eschatology
Counseling Theory and Technique
CM5201 Theological and Psychological Foundations of Counseling
CM5210 Counseling Theory
CM5215 Normal Human Growth
CM5220 Counseling Methods & Techniques
CM5225 Abnormal Human Behavior
CM5230 Lifestyle & Career Development
CM5235 Social & Cultural Foundations
CM5240 Research Methods & Statistics
CM5245 Appraisal & Assessment Techniques
Licensure Preparation
CM5250 Professional Orientation and Ethics
CM5255 Addictions and Compulsive Behaviors
CM5260 Psychopharmacology for Therapists
CM5270 Family Systems
CM5280 Group Counseling
CM5300 Professional Skills & Ethics
CM5305 Practicum I
CM5310 Practicum II
CM5315 Practicum III
Spiritual Life and Electives
PM5101 Christian Life and Witness
Counseling Electives – 6 credits
Immersive Learning
See the many ways students are prepared for a lifetime of fruitful ministry
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Financial Aid
Through our donors and Foundation, we are able to offer hundreds of scholarships to students every year.
Stories from our community
God has placed our graduates in a variety of ministry settings including LPC (licensed professional counseling) in clinics, church ministry, recovery and addiction programs, and overseas trauma work.
From Doctor to Counselor: Dr. Wade’s Journey to Houston
Former Addict Starts Half-Way House
Counseling Grads Robert Rowling and Wendy Miller Bring Healing
Program Details
Professional Licensure
Meeting the MA in Counseling program course requirements enables a graduate to apply for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with the appropriate state licensing board of many states. It is important to note that the seminary only grants the degree; the state board grants the license. Earning the MAC degree does not, in itself, guarantee licensure in a particular state. Each state board makes an independent decision based on its state regulations and its determination of the applicant’s completion of those requirements. Students desiring to pursue a license as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in a particular state may view the following list of states/territories about which DTS has made a determination concerning the MAC program’s qualifications for licensure. Contact information for state licensing boards is also listed in order to provide additional assistance for students interested in pursuing professional licensure. Minor program modifications, with the approval of the MAC department, may be made to satisfy some state licensing board requirements. All additional questions concerning the MAC program and qualifications for professional licensure should be directed to the Department of Counseling Ministries.
Common Goals for Professional MA Programs
Students in all of the professional MA programs at DTS will be able to:
- demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible, including a synthetic understanding of the major books;
- evidence an understanding of the historical development of theology, a knowledge of premillennial theology, and an ability to support their theological views and apply them to contemporary issues; and
- evidence an increasing likeness to Christ as manifested in love for God, love for others, and the fruit of the Spirit.
Goals for MA in Counseling
In addition to the goals common to all professional degree programs at the seminary, students in the Master of Arts in Counseling program will be able to:
- understand and explain the issues and problems that people face in life from a thoroughly biblical point of view;
- understand and evaluate secular and Christian psychological theories and practices from a sound biblical and theological point of view in order to develop professional competence within a thoroughly biblical framework focused on ministry;
- develop deep levels of biblical and spiritual integrity in their own personal life, relationships, and ministry;
- possess the personal and spiritual maturity, discernment, and wisdom needed to help people resolve spiritual, relational, and behavioral issues and problems; and
- engage in effective biblically based counseling in the context of a local church, private practice, or mental health institution.
Course Requirements
The MA in Counseling is three years in length, with 90 semester hours of coursework required as a minimum for graduation. Students in the MAC program complete core 3-hour Bible Exposition, Systematic Theology, and Pastoral Ministries courses for 2 credit hours. The reduction in credit hours corresponds to reduced coursework requirements in each of these classes. Of the 90 semester hours required, 16 are in prescribed Bible Exposition courses, 12 are in prescribed Systematic Theology courses, and 2 are in the Christian Life and Witness course. In addition, there are 54 hours in prescribed counseling courses and 6 hours in counseling electives. No thesis is required.
Students move from Stage 1 to Stage 2 of the MAC program on the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 24 hours of coursework, including CM5300 Professional Skills and Ethics. This normally occurs after the student’s third semester in the program. This process involves a Personal, Academic, and Professional Progress Interview with the department faculty and will help determine the appropriate fit for the profession. Students must successfully move to Stage 2 to continue in the program.
Students may take certain specialized counseling courses, other than those that are prescribed and/or offered in the MA in Counseling curriculum, at other accredited schools to fulfill any needed academic requirements for state licensure in other states. Counseling Ministries course transfers are subject to prior department approval and must not exceed 15 hours. Transferring courses during a student’s final term may delay graduation.