Master of Arts in Christian Counseling
The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) equips church leaders with a high degree of competency in counseling ministries. Christian counseling involves caring for people in the deepest and most profound aspects of their lives. The MACC program seeks to guide students to:
- Develop a philosophy of Christian counseling consistent with a Biblical perspective of mental health and mental disorders. (P1512, P1111, L1211)
- Develop a sufficient Christian biblical and theological framework to provide safe and effective counseling ministries in global environments. (S1312, S1112, I2113, P2528)
- Analyze the major theories in psychology and counseling to enhance effectiveness with individuals, marriages, and families. (E1113, P2521, P2523, P2532)
- Apply the Bible to counseling ministries based on a graduate level understanding of the Bible’s content, context, structure, and message. (L1113, S1113, S1313, L1212)
- Apply practical counseling skills within a ministry context that integrates current counseling theories and evidence-based practices with Biblical insights. (P1121, P1122, P2524)
The MACC provides more than just counseling theory; it promotes ministry discernment within the counseling context based on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. In addition, students will learn to demonstrate compassion, mediate grace, and bring others into direct personal contact with God.
Graduates can have an impactful counseling ministry with the MACC
The MACC degree will prepare students to serve as Christian counselors in a variety of church-related settings. It is a non-licensure 2-year professional master's degree. This degree is not designed to fulfill the California state requirements which allow a person to seek credentialing as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
The Golden Gate MACC is unlike any other program
The MACC distinguishes itself from the typical secular counseling program by including coursework which assists the student in developing a Christian biblical and theological framework from which to deliver effective Christian counseling. This is accomplished by core coursework in Biblical and Theological studies and experiential courses aimed at cultivating self-awareness and clinical competency.
Course Requirements
| Theological Core (20 Hours) |
Course # |
Hours |
| Old Testament Introduction I |
S1112 |
3 |
| Old Testament Introduction II |
S1113 |
3 |
| New Testament Introduction I |
S1312 |
3 |
| New Testament Introduction II |
S1313 |
3 |
| Christian Theology I |
L1211 |
3 |
| Christian Theology II |
L1212 |
3 |
| Chose one of the following three courses: |
|
2 |
Baptist Heritage and Practice, L1113 (2 hrs)
Church History I, L1111 (3 hrs)*
Church History II, L1112 (3 hrs)* |
|
|
| Christian Counseling Core (30 Hours) |
|
|
| Foundations for Ministry |
P1111 |
2 |
| Leadership in Ministry Practicum* (Christian Counseling setting) |
P1121-22 |
4 |
| Introduction to Christian Counseling |
P1512 |
3 |
| Psychopathology |
P2524 |
3 |
| Law and Ethics in Christian Counseling |
P2528 |
3 |
| Counseling Theory and Methods |
P2521 |
3 |
| Lifespan Development |
E1112 |
3 |
| Intercultural Counseling |
P1513/I2113 |
3 |
| Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy |
P2523 |
3 |
| Marriage and Family Counseling |
P2532 |
3 |
| Minimum hours to graduate |
50 |
| *Opting for L1111 or L1112 increases hours required to graduate to 51 |
|
*P1121 & P1122 (TFE) must be taken in two consecutive terms in a fall-spring sequence only. A total of 4 semester-hours credit for the courses will be given at the end of the second term. No credit is earned if both courses are not completed. Variable credit is available by contracting with the TFE Office and identified on the TFE Application. Students must remain in the same Peer Reflection Group for the two terms.
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