MA in Counseling (Online Pathway)
Launching Summer 2025!
Western Seminary is launching an online pathway for the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This degree prepares Christian counselors to bring concern and care for the whole person. It equips you to excel in Christian counseling, as well as in church, private practice, agency, clinical mental health, or school settings. As with most counseling degrees, this program offers skill-based coursework, internship experience, as well as a requirement to complete your own personal counseling.
Since this program is offered at a seminary, it also unites biblical and theological studies in order to connect both Christian worldview and compassion to the counseling profession. While the curriculum satisfies Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requirements set forth by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, it is also CACREP accredited, allowing you flexibility to obtain licensure in many other states with minimal additional work.
Credits68 |
Months36 Graduate in three years |
Online?Yes One week of on-campus intensives will be required each summer |
LocationsOnline |
What Sets Our Counseling Training Apart?
- CACREP Accreditation
- Unique integration of Christian theology and counseling in a seminary context
- Mentoring from core faculty who are licensed professional counselors with earned doctorates and years of clinical experience
- Opportunity to complete the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination before graduation - 98% of Western graduates pass on their first attempt
- An emphasis on “learning while doing," serving clients as early as your second semester in the program and completing 700 hours of clinical experience across two sites
- The opportunity to join our online cohorts and complete your degree remotely (see below for more information).
Online Cohort Structure
Each year, Western will admit a small group of students into an online pathways cohort. These cohorts will meet for three years and journey through the same classes together. Students will complete eight credits per semester, mostly via web conference. Each summer, students will be required to complete a one-week intensive on our Portland campus. For more information about the cohort scheduling and eligibility, request info.
Addiction Studies Certificate
The Addiction Studies Certificate program is designed to equip counselors to work with substance abuse, dependency, sexual addiction, and a variety of other addictions. This specialization may be added to the MA in Counseling degree by taking three extra classes and fulfilling practicum hours specializing in addiction treatment. The certificate fulfills all but two requirements of the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO).
Counseling 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: 60 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.
CACREP Accreditation
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) holds member schools to the most rigorous standards of counseling curriculum and training experience in the United States. In the absence of a national counseling licensure standard, a CACREP accredited counseling degree is the best asset you can have to achieve licensure–in many states.
Counseling Education That Keeps Debt Down
We encourage wise financial stewardship as you pay for school. Look into your options for financial aid, and find median pay rates and employability outlook for counselors at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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, followed by a virtual interview.
If you do not meet one of these requirements, contact an Admissions Counselor to explore alternative MA in Counseling admission options.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (MA degree) at Western Seminary Portland Campus.