Master of Arts in Counseling

DR. KRISTEN WHITE, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program utilizes a practitioner/scholar model that merges biblical faith integration and academic quality, and offers practical training with and under the direct supervision of practicing mental health professionals.

Program Outcomes

The Masters of Arts in Counseling program strives to create a Christ-centered community where students can excel as professional clinicians. To achieve this, we infuse the following core values throughout the program: Spiritual integration (S), Healing presence (H), Advocacy and diversity (A), Professional identity (P), Educational excellence (E).

More specifically, the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program seeks to:

Integrate Christian theology and practice on conceptual, clinical, and personal levels throughout the coursework. (Spiritual integration)
Emphasize the development of strong clinical skills, building from a Rogerian foundation and integrating additional models as skill develops. (Healing presence)
Promote the understanding and awareness of diversity issues on theoretical, professional, and personal levels such that students can work in a culturally inclusive way. (Advocacy and diversity)
Cultivate student dispositions such that they can interact ethically, professionally, competently, and comfortably in the counseling field. (Professional identity)
Foster student learning around essential knowledge in the field ranging from counseling theories to evidence-based practices to assessment tools. (Educational Excellence)

The Masters of Arts in Counseling degree is designed to help students gain the following outcomes:

Articulate a view of human nature and transformation that integrates counseling theory and Christian theology, while recognizing the impact of these spiritual beliefs on the counselors' worldview and engaging them in an ethical and professional manner. (MAC.S1)
Practice spiritual assessment and clinical integration in an ethical and professional manner. (MAC.S2)
Pursue ongoing personal and spiritual development, demonstrating self-care strategies appropriate to the counselor role. (MAC.S3)
Demonstrate essential interviewing and counseling skills, building from a Person-Centered model. (MAC.H1)
Utilize a variety of techniques and interventions for the prevention and treatment of a broad range of mental disorders, stemming from a variety of modalities. (MAC.H2)
Demonstrate appropriate procedures for assessing risk of aggression or danger to others, self-inflicted harm, or suicide. (MAC.H3)
Apply clinical skills to facilitating client skill development for career, educational, and life-work planning and management. (MAC.H4)
Identify and embody characteristics and functions of an effective group leader. (MAC.H5)
Understand and utilize multicultural counseling competencies, such as providing culturally inclusive services with people from diverse backgrounds. (MAC.A1)
Understand differential diagnosis with sensitivity to clients' culture and diversity factors. (MAC.A2)
Articulate strategies for advocating for diverse clients' career and educational development and employment opportunities. (MAC.A3)
Articulate a variety of theories related to individual and family development across the lifespan, and apply them to conceptualizing clients. (MAC.E1)
Articulate multiple theories and models of counseling to create effective treatment plans for clients. (MAC.E2)
Utilize research to identify evidence-based counseling practices for various diagnoses and disorders, and critically evaluate their application to actual clients. (MAC.E3)
Identify assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes. (MAC.E4)
Articulate dynamics associated with group process and development. (MAC.E5)
Articulate and abide by ethical standards of the profession via the ACA code of ethics and applicable legal standards. (MAC.P1)
Demonstrate professional dispositions consistent with the profession. (MAC.P2)
Articulate and make reasonable progress toward a plan for their professional career in terms of work setting(s), licensure (if desired), membership in professional organizations, ongoing training, etc. (MAC.P3)

Application Procedure

The priority deadline to apply for MAC admission is March 1 for the Fall Semester and November 1 for the Spring Semester. Applications are welcome after that time and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis as space allows. The Admission Committee generally makes decisions on application files upon receipt of a signed MAC Application for Admission, including the admission essay and $40 application fee, two reference forms, official academic transcripts for all postsecondary coursework, a criminal background check, and completion of an admission interview.

Admission Requirements

Possess a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or a nationally accredited program that has the academic breadth required to ensure success academically in graduate studies at MU), with an overall minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Evidence of a personal faith, having committed his/her life to Jesus Christ as personal Savior, and of a commitment to the mission and values of Multnomah University.
Evidence of capability to succeed academically and professionally.