MA in Counseling (MAC)

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) offers graduate training in counseling that integrates theological studies with professional courses in counseling. The two- or three-year curriculum consists of a theological and theoretical foundation followed by a strongly practical orientation. Students are equipped with counseling skills and techniques based on a conceptual framework shaped by Scripture and informed by clinical study.

Distinctives of the MAC

Covenant Seminary’s MAC program is recognized by the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors and uniquely prepares students to serve as counselors in church-related contexts. It also provides excellent preparation for students planning on advanced graduate study, state licensure, and work in other counseling agencies. Covenant Seminary trains counselors with a biblical approach that rigorously examines theories of human nature and counseling techniques in the context of biblical truth. Rather than either dehumanizing or deifying human beings, the Seminary’s counseling program seeks to train students to see every human being as a person made in the image of God, yet affected by the Fall—living both in dignity and depravity. With this Scriptural perspective as a foundation and framework, students are equipped to demonstrate God’s grace and to help hurting people grow and change. The curriculum does more than just provide theory and practice; it helps students to discern what is true and apply that discernment to the counseling setting.

Faculty Involvement

One of the hallmarks of Covenant Seminary’s MAC program is the high level of faculty involvement in the training of future counselors. This is particularly true as students head into their internship year, during which they meet regularly with one of our counseling faculty (in weekly small group settings and regular one-on-one settings) to assess their progress in learning counseling theory and technique. Enrollment in this program is limited so that we can ensure a high level of personal mentoring and provide quality internship sites and placement assistance. Also, due to the nature of faculty and staff involvement in the MAC, it is only available to students taking classes on-campus; there is no distance option.

Placement

Our students have found positions with a wide variety of ministry contexts, including local churches and Christian counseling agencies and non-church related positions. Over the past five years, we have had the privilege of seeing 94 percent of our faculty-recommended graduates placed in counseling positions within six months of graduation. (It is not uncommon, however, for these positions to begin part-time as graduates seek to build their clientele to full-time levels.)

Licensure

The academic and practical training provided through the MAC program at Covenant Seminary has been designed to meet the foundational educational requirements of the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors for state licensure. To meet the remaining state licensure requirements, students must complete study in three areas not required in Covenant Seminary’s core curriculum—career counseling, educational/psychological measurements, and group techniques (all available at Covenant Seminary as elective credit)—as well as additional hours of supervised, post-degree counseling under a licensed professional.

Preparation for Study

While undergraduate work in psychology, counseling, or social work can be helpful in pursuing the MAC, it is not a necessity. Students with some undergraduate work in these areas are usually better equipped to synthesize the psychological training with the biblical foundation that Covenant Seminary presents. Because the biblical foundation is critical to Covenant Seminary’s counseling program, prospective students are strongly encouraged to increase their knowledge of Bible content.

Free Counseling for Students and Community

Free counseling is available at Covenant Seminary for students and members of the community. This service is provided by MAC students who are in the internship portion of their degree program (under the supervision of Counseling faculty), and is offered from June through May of each year. Call the Counseling Center at 314.434.4044, ext. 4240, for details or to arrange an appointment.

Download Map to Counseling Department (pdf, 138.46KB)

Application Process

In order to uphold the relational nature of the program, a limited number of internships are available each year. Applications for the MAC must be completed in full by March 1 for beginning in the Fall semester. To complete application to the MAC program, two on-campus interviews are required in addition to submitting the application form, essays, references, transcripts, and application fee. Application files must be fully completed before interviews are scheduled and applications considered. Because of logistics, we cannot guarantee interviews for applicants who do not have their application paperwork (application form, essays, transcripts, and references) completed by February 1.

If you wish to apply after this time, please call the Admissions Office to find out if we are still accepting applications for the upcoming term.

Master of Arts in Counseling (Two-Year Curriculum)

* OT Core Courses include courses numbered OT200–299.

§ NT Core Courses include courses numbered NT200–299.

# Indicates courses that must be taken concurrently and in sequence during the internship year. Please note that we strongly recommend that students reduce their working hours to 20 or fewer during their internship year. In our experience, students working more than 25 hours per week are in danger of receiving poor grades for their internship (or other courses they are taking at that time) and not being able to sustain the necessary GPA to graduate from the program.

‡ Counseling electives include CO502 Career Counseling (offered each spring), CO503 Educational and Psychological Measurement (offered each fall), and CO555 Group Dynamics (offered each fall and spring). These courses are required for licensure in Missouri.

† Electives in either day or evening program may be taken in any term and may include a specially designed Ministry Project. 

Master of Arts in Counseling (Three-Year Curriculum)

* OT Core Courses for the current academic year include OT 200 Old Testament History and Theology (fall; required), andy 400- or 500-level OT course NT Core Courses for the current academic year include NT200 New Testament History and Theology (spring; required), any 400- or 500-level NT course.

# Indicates courses that must be taken concurrently and in sequence during the internship year. Please note that we strongly recommend that students reduce their working hours to 20 or fewer during their internship year. In our experience, students working more than 25 hours per week are in danger of receiving poor grades for their internship (or other courses they are taking at that time) and not being able to sustain the necessary GPA to graduate from the program.

‡ Counseling electives include CO502 Career Counseling (offered each spring), CO503 Educational and Psychological Measurement (offered each fall), CO555 Group Dynamics (offered each fall and spring).

~ These two elective hours are above and beyond the degree requirements, resulting in a 62 credit hour total curriculum.

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