Requirements for Master of Arts in Counseling
The M.A. in Counseling program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure outlined by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (OBLPCT). Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) may seek employment in counseling agencies, private practice, hospitals, para-church organizations, educational settings, human service agencies, or may go on to pursue a doctorate in a mental health field.
The MAC program is offered in a cohort format with 8-25 students in each cohort. Students may opt for a high or low residency cohort.
- High residency students typically meet one evening a week on-campus from 6-9 pm, with Friday/Saturday classes one or two times a semester. Students in this track may have the option to complete a trauma specialty and can complete the program requirements in a little more than two years, attending classes year-round and allowing sufficient time to complete practicum and internship, personal growth requirements, and the oral exam.
- Low residency students typically meet one evening a week on Zoom for a shorter time period with a variety of asynchronous course requirements each week (in addition to typical reading and writing homework). Students in this track may have the option to complete an addictions specialty and can complete the program requirements in three years, attending classes year-round at a slightly slower pace and still completing other requirements.
All students have additional weekly attendance required during Practicum and Internship.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete required 60 program credits (below) with at least 30 credits earned at Multnomah.
- Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
- Satisfactorily complete all required courses with a grade of C- or higher.
- Complete 700 hours of practicum and internship experience over a period of at least 12 months.
- Complete a minimum of 20 hours of personal counseling.
- Pass Oral Exam.
- Normally complete the program within a four-year period from the date of matriculation.
- Complete all general graduation requirements as listed earlier in this section.
Required: 60 semester hours; minimum 3.0 GPA.
| COU 500 | Professional Orientation | 1 |
| COU 515 | Spiritual Formation & Integration | 2 |
| COU 520 | Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| COU 525 | Foundational Counseling Skills | 3 |
| COU 535 | Religion, Spirituality and Counseling | 1 |
| COU 555 | Diagnosis & Psychopathology | 3 |
| COU 560 | Counseling Theory | 3 |
| COU 575 | Research I | 1 |
| COU 620 | Advanced Counseling Skills & Treatment Planning | 3 |
| COU 640 | Group Dynamics and Counseling | 3 |
| COU 643 | Social & Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| COU 650 | Couples, Families and Other Systems | 2 |
| COU 653 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COU 655 | Addictions (Treatment) | 2 |
| COU 657 | Research II | 2 |
| COU 660 | Tests and Appraisal in Counseling | 3 |
| COU 662 | Neurobiology & Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COU 665 | Trauma | 2 |
| COU 680 | Lifestyle, Career, and Advocacy | 3 |
| COU 595 | Pre-Practicum | 1 |
| COU 545 | Practicum | 2 |
| COU 605 | Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| COU 645 | Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| COU 690 | Integ Case Conceptualization & Comp Oral Exam | 1 |
| | Counseling Electives | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 61 |
Click here to download recommended program layout.