Master of Arts in Counseling

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.

Students in the MAC program will:

• Evidence a general knowledge of Christian theology, including an ability to support their theological views
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible, including an understanding of the message and arguments of specific books of the Bible
• Display Christlikeness in their pursuit of knowledge and relationships within the seminary community
• 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
• Engage in effective biblically based counseling in the context of a local church, private practice, or mental health institution
• Develop deep levels of biblical and spiritual integrity in their own personal life, relationships, and ministry

The MA in Counseling is three years in length, with 90 semester hours of coursework required as a minimum for graduation. The MAC requires 30 credit hours of counseling courses be completed in real-time. 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.