The Master of Arts in Counseling Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Counseling program aims to:

• Equip counselors for clinical mental health counseling positions, relational counseling, and counseling ministry in both church and parachurch settings.
• Integrate biblical and theological foundations with the insights of counseling theory and the use of counseling interventions.
• Promote growth in Christian maturity in students, demonstrated through effective interpersonal relationships.
• Prepare individuals for state licensure and professional practice.

The student learning outcomes for the Master of Arts in Counseling are built upon three basic characteristics that Western Seminary desires for all counseling graduates: Character, Conviction, and Competence. Thus, the Master of Arts in Counseling Program endeavors to prepare students of integrity who demonstrate:

• Spiritual growth: Students demonstrate spiritual maturity by applying biblical truth to life and ministry resulting in gospel-centered spiritual growth and transformation. (Character)
• Theological discernment: Students employ advanced theological thinking that integrates a gospel-centered worldview with best counseling practices. (Conviction)
• Interpersonal skills: Students display authentic, Christ-like, sensitivity toward self and others. (Character)
• Counseling skills: Students demonstrate competence by utilizing a breadth of culturally inclusive skills and techniques consistent with current clinical research. (Competence)
• Professional practice: Students apply their training to internship tasks, engaging cooperatively in the supervision relationship and in accordance with the ethical standards of the profession. (Competence)

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Seminary, applicants for the combined MA and certificate program are expected to present an accredited baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), including a breadth of liberal arts. Applicants who do not meet these general academic requirements may petition the Admissions Committee for consideration. A recommendation from the applicant’s pastor and three personal recommendations regarding the applicant’s Christian character and leadership also are required.

Entering counseling students are expected to bring a foundational knowledge of psychology. Proficiency in this foundational knowledge will be confirmed through a placement exam, required of all incoming counseling students. If deficiencies are indicated, remedial work will be required. Counseling students may satisfy these deficiencies in one of the following two ways: Complete the appropriate undergraduate course(s) at an approved institution, or complete a recommended course of self-study. The student may not begin the second semester of counseling studies without satisfying proficiency requirements.

Applicants must give evidence, by way of application and interview, of personal character, interpersonal relationships, goals, motivation, and potential for future clinical counseling career and ministry. These will include a vital spiritual life, growing and nurturing relationships with people, commitment to a biblical/theological worldview, and vocational aspirations involving the care and nurture of people.

Upon approval by the Center Chair and the registrar’s office, transfer of up to 8 credits of Bible and theology is allowed toward the MA in Counseling program from graduate institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Transfer of up to 40 credits is allowed from a state-approved graduate counseling program. Students must have earned a grade of B or higher for a course to be considered for transfer (courses assigned a passing grade rather than a letter grade will not be considered), and coursework should normally have been completed no more than five years prior to matriculation to Western Seminary. Students may request to be assessed by exam for currency on courses to be transferred that are more than five years old. Transferability of credits earned at Western and transferred to another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution. The clinical course sequence including CN501, CN530, CN531, CN532, and CN533 must be completed at Western Seminary.

Alternatively, students may receive advanced standing of up to 8 credits of Bible and Theology coursework toward their program if they are able to demonstrate current competency in required coursework based on prior study (including parallel undergraduate work or transfer credit that is ineligible for consideration based on age). Consult the registrar’s office for information on eligibility of transfer credit and advanced standing.

Of the 68-71 credits required for the MA in Counseling program, a minimum of 20 credits must be completed through coursework at Western Seminary.

Students may complete their studies in as few as eight semesters with a minimum of 68 credits required as a minimum for graduation from the CMHC specialization in Portland or 71 total credits required to complete the MCFC specialization at the California locations. The program is designed around a common core of 60-63 credits of counseling coursework, 4 credits of biblical studies, and 4 credits of theological studies.

The Master of Arts in Counseling degree is conferred upon the attainment of certain personal and academic requirements. In addition to the general seminary requirements, degree candidates must (1) give evidence of a genuine Christian character, orthodox belief, and conduct consistent with a God-given call to a position of leadership; (2) complete all courses in the prescribed MA curriculum with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; (3) pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam during their final semesters in the program, which is in preparation for national licensure exams; (4) complete a comprehensive integrative paper; (5) provide evidence of 30 hours (20 hours of individual and 10 hours of group) of personal counseling during the program; and (6) complete minimally 700 hours of clinical experience including at least 280 direct contact hours.

All work leading to the Master of Arts in Counseling must be completed within ten years from the time of matriculation. Reinstatement to the program after more than 12 months withdrawal requires reapplication and Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree. All credits applied toward the degree requirements must be earned within ten years of the awarding of the degree. Alternatively, new or re-entering students whose prior coursework exceeds the ten-year limit may request to demonstrate current competency by examination up to the advanced standing credit limitations for each degree program as specified elsewhere in this catalog.

Grading Policy

Students must maintain a 3.0 or above GPA in their counseling courses (including required bible and theology classes). If term or cumulative G.P.A. drops below 3.0, students will receive either academic warning or academic probation as per the Student Handbook. A student has one full semester to protest in writing any grade received.

Exceptions from the School’s Student Handbook, unique to the Counseling program are:

• Grades of “C+” or below in any required counseling course will result in a re-take of the class. If a second attempt does not surpass a “C+” grade, the student will be referred to the Student Development Committee for dismissal from the Counseling program.
• A “C+” or below grade in one of the student’s practicum or internship courses will activate the Professional Assessment of Candidates (PAC) Committee to initiate a remedial plan in addition to requiring a re-take of the course.
• If a student receives a C+ or below in three or more classes, even if a course has been successfully retaken, the student will be referred to the Student Development Committee for dismissal from the Counseling program.

If the Student Development Committee moves to dismiss, the student will be given the opportunity to appeal the referral with the Counseling Faculty and/or Student Development Committee before the action to dismiss is implemented.

Professional Assessment of Candidates (PAC Review)

Western Seminary counseling faculty review each student every six months to ensure progress is made toward professional identity as a mental health professional. Students who are doing well receive encouragement. If concerns are indicated, members of the PAC Review committee meet with the student to discuss plans for strengthening their academic and professional candidacy. In rare situations, the committee may advise students to develop other vocational goals or may make a referral to the Student Development Committee for suspension or dismissal from the program. The PAC Review process is intended to encourage students and support them while they develop as counseling professionals.

Each year the Counseling Department admits a limited number of counseling students at the Portland Campus to an emphasis on Child and Youth Counseling within the MA program. In addition to the 60 required credit hours of counseling courses listed above, Child and Youth Counseling students use their electives toward the following required courses, bringing their total to 73 credit hours. Upon completion of the emphasis, students will receive confirmation of the completion of Child and Youth Counseling coursework. CY531 will also be required for students who do not complete a child/youth emphasis for their program internship class experience.

CY531	Child/Youth Clinical Counseling Internship	3
CY541	Introduction to Play Therapy	2
CY542	Child Assessment and Treatment	1
CY543	Counseling Adolescents	1
CY544	Parent Skill Training	1
CY545	Advanced Child and Youth Counseling	2