MA in Counseling (California)
The Master of Arts in Counseling: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling specialization is a professional graduate degree that equips counselors to offer concern and care for the whole person. It prepares you to excel in counseling in private practice, church, agency, or school settings. As with most counseling degrees, this program offers skill-based coursework and practicum experience. You will be required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of personal counseling as part of your preparation for counseling others.
Since this program is offered at a seminary, it provides foundational biblical and theological studies in order to assist students as they integrate a Christian worldview with their counseling preparation. This curriculum satisfies the requirements to apply with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor and later sit for the exam to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). It also allows you to register as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California and later sit for the exam to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Find median pay rates and employability outlook for counselors at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Credits71 |
Months32 Graduate in as few as two years and 8 months |
Online?Partly 10 credits are available as online courses |
LocationsSan Jose |
A Counseling Program of Distinction*
- BBS Approved since 1992
- Approved for California licensure as an LMFT and/or an LPCC
- Integrates a biblical worldview with current counseling theory and technique
- Instruction from a seasoned faculty who average over 16 years of practice and 10 years teaching
- Enables you to apply what you're learning in the classroom almost immediately by completing a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups
*An optional 5-8 credit Addiction Studies Certificate allows for specialized training for those interested in working with people with substance abuse and chemical dependency issues.
Counseling Program Curriculum
Course List
| Biblical Studies: 4 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| BL506 | Old Testament Literature for Counselors | 2 |
| BL507 | New Testament Literature for Counselors | 2 |
| Theological Studies: 4 credits | ||
| TH506 | Theology I for Counselors | 2 |
| TH507 | Theology II for Counselors | 2 |
| Counseling Studies: 63 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| CN500 | Professional Orientation | 1 |
| CN501 | Clinical Foundations: The Helping Relationship | 2 |
| CN502 | Psychotherapeutic Systems | 3 |
| CN503 | Advanced Counseling: Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| CN504 | Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention | 1 |
| CN505 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| CN506 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CN507 | Human Life Span Development | 3 |
| CN508 | Integrative Issues in Counseling | 1 |
| CN509 | Advanced Integration in Counseling | 2 |
| CN510-PDX | Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | 3 |
| CN511-CA in place of CN510 | Family Systems Therapy | 3 |
| CN512-CA in place of CN510 | Marriage and Couple Counseling | 3 |
| CN513 | Multicultural Counseling: Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| CN514 | Research & Program Evaluation | 3 |
| CN515 | Testing and Assessment | 3 |
| CN517 | Physiology and Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| CN518 | Career Development: Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| CN519 | Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| CN520 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| CN521 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| CN522-CA | Child and Adolescent Therapy | 1 |
| CN523-CA | Human Sexuality | 1 |
| CN530 | Clinical Counseling Practicum | 2 |
| CN531 | Clinical Counseling Internship I | 3 |
| CN532 | Clinical Counseling Internship II | 3 |
| CN533 | Advanced Clinical Counseling Internship | 1 |
| CN5XX | Counseling electives (Consult with department advisor) | 2 (CA students are required to take CN522 and CN523 and do not take electives) |
| CN561 | Comprehensive Clinical Integration Paper | 0 |
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization (Portland Campus) 60 hours counseling studies + 4 hours biblical studies + 4 hours theological studies.
- Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Specialization (Sacramento and San Jose Locations) 63 hours counseling studies + 4 hours biblical studies + 4 hours theological studies.
Accessible Scheduling
You can complete the MA in Counseling degree in two years and eight months' time by enrolling in mid-week evening and weekend courses at our San Jose location. Alternatively, you can take up to 10 credits of online courses through the Western Global. This flexible schedule allows you to minimize travel time and maintain your family, church, and work commitments.
Counseling Education That Keeps Debt Down
We encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. It might surprise you to learn that a minority of our students utilize loans, with most choosing instead to pay out of pocket, with scholarships, or via a monthly payment plan. Look into your options for financial aid.
Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A completed application for admission and all admissions materials, including:
If an applicant does not meet one of these requirements, we invite them to contact an admissions counselor to explore alternative admission options to the MA in Counseling program.
