Counseling, M.A.C.
Students will be prepared to be effective counselors through completion of a common core of courses and experiences. In addition to this core, specializations will be offered in Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, and Marriage and Family Counseling. Persons will be prepared to provide professional service in a variety of public and private settings to individuals, couples and families. In addition, persons completing the program will be well positioned to apply for state licensure in the aforementioned disciplines as well as for the National Counselor Certification (NCC).
Admission Requirements
All of the application materials are to be submitted to the MA in Counseling Office at the same time. Applicants will state their intention to be admitted into a specific specialization offered by the program.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
- Undergraduate course work in Psychology totaling at least 15 hours (courses need to have been taken in the past 5 years). Completed courses will include*:
- Human Growth and Development
- Theories of Personality
- Abnormal Psychology
- Research Methods
- Statistics
- In addition, undergraduate work, completed in the past 5 years in the areas following is preferred*:
- Group facilitation
- Individual interviewing/counseling techniques
- Introduction to Psychology
- Official Transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all undergraduate and graduate work.
- Three letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional).
- 350-500 word essay describing: (a) vocational goals, (b) personal worldview and values, and (c) how your developmental history has contributed to the construction of your identified goals and worldview.
- A personal interview.
- A TOEFL score of 540 or higher on the paper version, 207 or higher on the computer version, if English is not your native language.
*Conditional admission may be granted in specific cases when deficiencies exist. A plan of action to remove deficiencies is devised upon admission. Students failing to remove deficiencies in accordance with the plan of action will lose conditional admission status and will not be able to register for any additional courses until such time as deficiencies are removed.
Qualified candidates will be considered for admission without regard to gender, religion, race or national origin. Persons from underrepresented groups will be especially encouraged to apply.
Admission into the specific program depends on several factors. First, due to the limited number of students allowed in each program, students will be fully admitted only as available slots permit. Second, admission also depends on the student having met the above criteria. Provisional Admission will be granted when at least two of the three classes above have been completed with a minimum grade of "C" in each. Students with Provisional Admission status are allowed to complete one class (3 credit hours) for full admission, if all other admission requirements have been met. Students who have maintained a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.0, demonstrated character that is in line with the program objectives, and show potential in the counseling professions will be granted full admission. Achievement of this status will serve as a prerequisite for participation in the practicum experiences. Successful performance in the practicum experiences, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and continued demonstration of character ensure the retention of the student in the program.
Academic Information
Nine semester hours of academic work is the minimum for full-time enrollment. Fulltime graduate enrollment may be necessary for certain kinds of student financial aid. A student who has full-time employment often finds that a maximum of 6semester hours (1 course every 7 weeks) of study is advisable.
Students who fall below a cumulative GPA of 3.0 are placed on academic probation. Failure to raise the semester average to 3.0 or higher the following semester will lead to dismissal from the program. In addition, specific behaviors that are in violation of the professional standards and ethics of the profession will lead to dismissal from the program. Viable academic progress needs to be demonstrated and a student will have no more than 4 years to complete the program.
Graduation Requirements
Program expectations for a Master of Arts in Counseling include:
- Completion of the 60 hours of core course work including 24 hours of specialized course work, 3 hours of practicum and 6 hours of internship.
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Courses for which a grade below “C” is received may not count as hours earned toward the degree.
- The last 30 hours must be completed at Bethel University immediately prior to graduation.
- All financial accounts must be fully paid to the university. Academic credit, transcript, and diploma are withheld if the account is not paid in full.
Program Requirements
Required Counseling Core
| COUN 501 | Human Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| COUN 511 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 521 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 552 | Social and Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| COUN 573 | Evidence Based Practices and Outcomes Management | 3 |
| COUN 613 | Research Methods and Statistical Applications | |
| COUN 614 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 615 | Psychometric Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| COUN 645 | Practice Management and Consultation | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Select one of the following tracks:
Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy Track
| COUN 531 | Personality | 3 |
| COUN 542 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 562 | Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| MFCT 541 | Family Systems Theory | 3 |
| MFCT 552 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFCT 587 | Practicum in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy | 1-3 |
| MFCT 601 | Family Development | 3 |
| MFCT 623 | Family Assessment | 3 |
| MFCT 654 | Family Stress and Transitions | 3 |
| MFCT 687 | Internship in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Mental Health Counseling Track
| COUN 531 | Personality | 3 |
| COUN 542 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 562 | Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| COUN 663 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| MHC 541 | Foundations in Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| MHC 553 | Delivery systems in Mental Health | 3 |
| MHC 587 | Practicum in Mental Health Counseling | 1-3 |
| MHC 624 | Application of Mental Health Practices | 3 |
| MHC 654 | Brief Therapy Strategies in Mental Health | 3 |
| MHC 687 | Internship in Mental Health Counseling | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Addictions Counseling
| COUN 531 | Personality | 3 |
| COUN 542 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN 562 | Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| COUN 663 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| ADC 501 | Foundations of Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| ADC 510 | Intake, Assessment and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| ADC 515 | Prevention and Intervention | 3 |
| ADC 520 | Addiction Treatment Modalities | 3 |
| ADC 587 | Practicum in Addiction Counseling | 1-3 |
| ADC 687 | Internship in Addiction Counseling | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Total Credit Hours: 60