Details on the Master's of Arts in Counseling

Learning goals

Upon graduation the student will:

  • Exhibit a deep love for the triune God, his word, his truth, and his church; and a Christ-like humility in relation with others.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge in Scripture, Reformed theology, biblical theology, church history and apologetics. 
  • Demonstrate understanding of the broad context of counseling and apply God’s eternal word to a changing world in a counseling context.
  • Demonstrate skill in the practice of biblical counseling. 

Online MAC program length and time limit

Students pursuing full-time study will complete the degree in two years with a varying course load of six to nine credits per term. Part-time students should expect to complete the degree in a minimum of three years with a varying course load of three to six credits per term. The maximum time limit to complete the MAC degree is 10 years (including any leave of absence or withdrawal period).

MAC Degree Requirements

  • 61 Credit Hours
  • MAC Program Mentorship
  • 100 Hours of Field Experience
  • Culminating Seminar Course

MAC Core Courses

The following core courses are required in the MAC:

  • AP 101: Introduction to Apologetics
  • BT 101: Bible Survey
  • BT 173: Principles of Biblical Interpretation
  • NT 143: New Testament Theology for Application
  • OT 141: Old Testament Theology for Application
  • ST 101: Introduction to Systematic Theology
  • ST 113: Doctrine of God
  • ST 611: Union with Christ
  • PTC 151: Dynamics of Biblical Change
  • PTC 178: Helping Relationships
  • PTC 221: Counseling and Physiology
  • PTC 243: Theology and Secular Psychology
  • PTC 251: Marriage Counseling
  • PTC 261: Applied Theology of the Person
  • PTC 301: Everyday Problems in Counseling
  • PTC 372: Counseling Observation
  • PTC 394: Complex Problems in Counseling
  • PTC 523: Counseling in the Local Church
  • PTC 621: Ethics in Biblical Counseling
  • PTC 691: Culminating Seminar
  • 6 credits of theology electives
  • MAC Practicum Experience Course

To review counseling course descriptions, please view this article entitled Counseling Course Descriptions .


As a part of our commitment to providing you the resources you need to know how to plan your degree, students have access to Stellic, an online tool for student degree planning and student-advisor collaboration. Stellic allows you to visualize and chart your path towards graduation and will help your advisors and program administrators get a clearer picture of your plans and how we can best support you during your program.


Should you have further questions about degree planning after using Stellic, reach out to your Student Success team! If you would like to schedule a time to plan out your degree with your advisor, please sign up for a time here.

Program Mentorship

The program mentor model comes out of our value to focus our counseling practice support to CCEF faculty, specifically in the Culminating Seminar, and build more layers of local support for you.  This program mentor would be responsible for helping you process the personal implications of your education in your courses, and to help in evaluating your potential fitness and calling for ministry. You will be responsible for identifying and scheduling all meetings with your program mentor. 


For more details about the MAC Program Mentorship, please view the resources in the MAC Practicum Experience Course in Canvas.

State Licensure

Westminster is unable to provide administrative support to students seeking to satisfy licensure requirements in their state. The degree is not intended to prepare for licensure but rather to prepare for counseling activity in a church or religious setting. For those who are looking to pursue licensure, many of our graduates have gone on to pursue licensure after completing their MAC degrees at further institutions. We recommend connecting with your school of choice to see which courses will transfer in toward licensure programs.