The Division of Psychology and Counseling provides training for students who are called to a ministry of counseling in a broad spectrum of areas, including the local church, the mission field, denominational agencies, Christian counseling centers, private practice, and social service agencies. The mission of the division is to train men and women to apply the gospel of Jesus Christ to people in need, using the disciplines of psychology and counseling.
Five track options are offered to meet the various ministry interests of students: (1) the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling (M.A.M.F.C.), (2) the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (M.A.C.C.), (3) the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling and Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.M.F.C./M.A.C.E.), (4) the M.A.C.E. with Counseling Concentration, and (5) the M.Div. with Counseling Concentration is available in the School of Theology. Due to the number of courses that are common to both the M.A.C.C. and M.A.M.F.C., it will not be possible for students to earn both degrees.
The M.A.M.F.C., M.A.C.C., and M.A.M.F.C./M.A.C.E. degree plans all provide preparation for counseling licensure. The M.A.M.F.C./M.A.C.E. degree plan will meet the academic entrance requirement for the Ph.D. in psychology and counseling. This means, among other things, that these programs include clinical training as an integral part of their program. The practicum and clinical courses are designed to provide practice and experience in counseling under the direction of the division faculty and other supervisors.
The M.A.C.E. with Counseling Concentration is designed for students who are called to a church staff or educational ministries position requiring limited responsibilities in counseling. This concentration will not prepare a student for state licensure and the practicum and clinical courses are not included in the degree requirements (see M.A.C.E. sections in the catalog for requirements and admission procedures for this counseling concentration).
A counseling concentration for the M.Div. degree is designed for students who are interested in increasing their knowledge in counseling as a part of their call to church staff positions. This track does not prepare students for state licensure in counseling. Practicum and clinical training courses are not included in the degree requirements. More information on the M.Div. with Counseling Concentration may be found in the School of Theology section of the catalog.