Master of Arts in Counseling (M.A.C.)
The goals of the Master of Arts in Counseling are to help students:
- Develop the ability to recognize their specialized ministry within the larger context of the mission of the Church;
- Master the theological disciplines needed to form their specialized ministry;
- Develop, in ministry and under supervision, those skills which enable them to function with theological integrity and professional competence;
- Acquire the ability to communicate their faith so as to elicit commitment and growth from others;
- Learn how to work effectively and harmoniously with other professionals and lay persons in a specific ministry; and
- Become able to effectively evaluate their own performance.
The counseling program track presents the theory, method, and practice of counseling from a Pentecostal perspective. The program emphasizes distinctives of counseling for pastors and church staff members while also preparing those who will be counseling in other arenas, including those preparing for professional certification or state licensure. The degree concentration requires courses in Bible, doctrine, historical theology, missions, Church of God history and Pentecostal Foundations for Christian Ministry and Study, all of which form the substantive core required to integrate faith, spirituality, and counseling. Integration of Pentecostal theology, counseling theory, and practice is critical to the design of this degree. Students may graduate with the 54-hour track, or the counseling and/or marriage and family therapy certification, and/or licensure degree program track of 71 hours. The Degree Program Coordinator for the Master of Arts in Counseling is Dr. Oliver McMahan.
