2007-2008 Grace University Catalog

Master of Arts/Counseling
State Licensure Concentration

Program Purpose and Description

The Master of Arts in Counseling - Licensure Concentration is designed to meet the standards of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and prepare the student for the Nebraska state licensure exam. The degree enables the graduate to work in a variety of settings where they can apply their training as a mental health professional to help people gain healing and wholeness.

Program Objectives

Students who complete this program should accomplish these objectives:
1.  Demonstrate the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to function effectively as a professional counselor;
2.  Help others through the framework of a Biblical world and life view which integrates their counseling philosophy and methodology;
3.  Continue to grow in professional knowledge and experience while strengthening their own spiritual faith;
4.  Understand and utilize research for competent and effective counseling;
5.  Pursue licensure as a professional counselor;
6.  Continue their education at the doctoral level.

Program Admission and Status

1.  A student must apply for admission to the graduate Counseling Program.  The Admissions Department has the necessary paperwork for prospective students to complete.  To apply to the Counseling Program, prospective students must fill out the Program application, submit three references from individuals who can speak to the student’s academic abilities, submit recent GRE test score and complete a group interview with the Graduate Department faculty.  
2.  Once a student is accepted into the Counseling Program, his/her progress will be reviewed annually by the Counseling Department faculty. Any concerns or issues that are deemed to interfere with the student’s academic progress, interpersonal skills and abilities, or professional development will be addressed in writing to the student. Such concerns or issues will need to be resolved adequately before the student may continue with clinical work.
3. It is highly recommended by the Graduate College that any student planning to complete the Counseling Degree in 2 years not plan to work full-time.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Counseling Licensure Concentration consists of 48 hours of required Counseling course work and 16 hours of Biblical Studies course work.
Students graduating from Grace or another recognized evangelical accredited institution may waive their Biblical Studies program requirements by up to seven hours based on these criteria:
1.  Credits from ABHE accredited undergraduate program.
2.  Credit must be upper division (300/400 level).
3.  Grade for the credits must be “B” or better.
4.  Non ABHE accredited course work will be evaluated by Bible Division Chair.

Graduation Requirements

Students who complete this program should be able to:
1.  Satisfactorily complete 64 semester hours from the curriculum outlined.
2.  At least 30 hours toward the degree must be taken at Grace University. Transfer hours are only accepted with a grade of 3.0 or above. The Program Chair of each specific degree program determines what course work is eligible for transfer, based on GCGS standards.
3.  Complete the degree within five years of the date of matriculation.
4.  Maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 GPA.
5.  Pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) given during the student’s last year.  The CPCE serves as an institutional assessment as well as preparation for the national licensure examination.  The CPCE will be administered two times per academic year on campus.  See Graduate College calendar for testing dates (page 3).  All candidates must pass the examination prior to graduation.  If a student fails to pass the examination, he/she must complete a directed study for those areas in which he/she scored below the average prior to retaking the examination.  The Graduate College will only pay for the first examination.
6.  Demonstrate evidence of strong Christian character and soundness of doctrine.

Counseling - Ministry Concentration

Program Purpose and Description

This concentration is designed for the student who wishes to be involved in counseling and/or educational ministry in the local church or with a Christian organization/program. The concentration seeks to provide an integrated, interdisciplinary focus that emphasizes a Biblical foundation, contemporary learning and counseling strategies and practical experience. The Ministry Concentration in Counseling is not designed to lead to licensure as a professional counselor.

Program Objectives

The Ministry Concentration in Counseling is designed to prepare students who will:
1.  Develop a solid knowledge base and competent counseling skills;
2.  Help others using the framework of a Biblical world and life view which integrates their counseling/educational philosophy and methodology;
3.  Continue to grow in their personal Christian faith;
4.  Apply their training in a variety of contexts;
5.  Be equipped to plan, organize and implement appropriate ministry strategies;
6.  Demonstrate emotional, relational and spiritual maturity as they nurture and care for the needs of others.

Program Admission and Status
1.  A student must apply for admission to the graduate Counseling Program.  The Admissions Department has the necessary paperwork for prospective students to complete.  To apply to the Counseling Program, prospective students must fill out the Program application, submit three references from individuals who can speak to the student’s academic abilities, submit recent GRE test score and complete a group interview with the Graduate Department faculty.  
2. Once a student is accepted into the Counseling Program, his/her progress will be reviewed annually by the Counseling Department faculty. Any concerns or issues that are deemed to interfere with the student’s academic progress, interpersonal skills and abilities, or professional development will be addressed in writing to the student. Such concerns or issues will need to be resolved adequately before the student may continue with clinical work.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Counseling: Ministry concentration consists of a total of 48 hours of study. Ten hours are given to the Core Master of Arts Requirements, 12 to Core Counseling Requirements, 12 hours of Biblical/Theological Requirements, 7 hours of Core Ministry Requirements, and 7 hours of Ministry or Counseling Electives. Students graduating from Grace University or another recognized evangelical accredited institution may waive their Biblical/Theological Studies program requirements by up to seven hours based on these criteria.
1.  Credits from ABHE accredited under-graduate program.
2.  Credit must be upper division (300/400 level).
3.  Grade for the credits must be “B” or better.
4.  Non ABHE accredited course work will be evaluated by Bible Division Chair.

Required Courses
Core Master of Arts Requirements		10
BS 503	Hermeneutics	3
TS 502	Introduction to Theological Studies	2
MS 503	Formation of Spirituality	3
R 500	Research	0
Biblical/Theological Studies Requirements		12
BS/TS xxx	Electives†	12
Core Counseling Studies Requirements		12
CS 512 or 553	Family Counseling or Marriage Counseling	2
CS 524	Crisis Intervention	2
CS 536	Counseling Ministry	3
CS 545	Small Group Experience	2
CS 551	Helping Relationships	3
Core Ministry Skills Requirements		6
MS 526	Family Ministry	2
MS 538	Discipleship	2
CS 595	Counseling Ministry Internship	2
Counseling or Ministry Skills Electives		8
CS or MS xxx	Electives*	8
Total Hours		48
Special Notes: †Those students who do not have a Bible/Theology background (that is, graduate from an accredited institution or Bible school) may choose one of these two possibilities: Accelerated Bible Core or 12 hours of graduate Bible or theology. *For those students planning on vocational pastoral ministry MS 544 Pastoral Counseling 2 hours and MS 545 Conflict Management 2 hours plus an open elective 3 hours in ministry or counseling are recommended. Students planning a counseling ministry should pick seven hours of ministry or counseling electives.

                                                                                
Graduation Requirements

The M.A. in Counseling-Ministry Concentration candidate must:
1.  Satisfactorily complete 48 semester hours from the curriculum outlined.
2.  Take at least 30 hours toward the degree at Grace University. Transfer hours are only accepted with a GPA of 3.0 or above. The Program Chair of each specific degree program determines what course work is eligible for transfer, based on GCGS standards.
3.  Complete the degree within five years from the date of matriculation.
4.  Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5.  Demonstrate evidence of strong Christian character and soundness of doctrine.