Master of Arts in Professional Counseling

The Master of Arts (MA) in Professional Counseling is a degree program for professionals.  Experiences provide the foundation in psychology theory, scientific research, and clinical practice.  In this context, students learn the different approaches and clinical techniques required for today’s practitioners offering therapeutic services to individuals and groups.  Also, a major goal of this program is to help prepare stu­dents for licensure in Professional Counseling in their resident state.  Students who graduate from the MA in Professional Counseling Degree program will be prepared to do therapy in a church setting, private practice, governmental agency, and community agency.  This program also prepares students for advanced studies in related fields.

Students may also consider taking additional courses for a dual licensure in Professional Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.  Students interested in a dual licensure should consult with the Dean of the School of Human Services.

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Synthesize and utilize major theories recognized by Professional Counselors;
2. Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity needs of clients;
3. Demonstrate a practical, working knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues bearing directly on the practice of counseling as promoted by the American Counseling Association (ACA);
4. Practice counseling through comprehensive Clinical Training
5. Delineate systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior.
6. Evaluate the reliability and validity of specified assessment tools.

TIME NORMALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM

The Master of Arts in Professional Counseling may be completed in seven semesters.  A student may take the courses on a part-time or full-time basis.

Practicums and Clinicals

Students, not Amridge University, are responsible for locating and making arrangements for their practicum and clinical experiences and courses.  As such, students should begin making the required arrangements several semesters before the semester of the respective student’s first practicum or clinical experiences courses.

All Practicum and Clinical Training courses require face-to-face, on-site clinical practice with the client(s).  The experience must be performed under the face-to-face supervision of an approved licensed supervisor.  This experience should be conducted in the state where the student will seek licensure.  The student must apply to the Dean of the School of Human Services at least one semester prior to beginning a Practicum or a Clinical course.  Students should contact the dean via email to receive the Practicum and Clinical Course Form.

Email address is:  clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu

Also, during practicum and clinical training, each student will accumulate a minimum of 700 total clock hours, consisting of a minimum of 105 hours of supervision with an approved supervisor. Normally, clinical training requires one full year (3 semesters) to complete. Students who do not satisfy the minimum requirements in three semesters may take an additional semester of clinical training.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING

Before being graduated with the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

1.    A total of 60 graduate semester hours of the required course work;

2.    At least 33 of the graduate semester hours must be from Amridge University;

3.  Complete all required coursework, including the specified practicum and clinical courses. This requirement includes the accumulation and documentation of at least a minimum of 700 total clock hours. Of these 700 total clock hours, a minimum of 280 must be direct client contact, and a minimum of 105 hours must be concurrent supervision of that direct client contact with an approved supervisor, for a minimum ratio of 1 hour of supervision for each 5 hours of direct client contact;

4.  Students in the Master of Arts in the Professional Counseling program are required to earn at least a grade of a B- (3.0) in each course. A course with a grade below a B- must be repeated. Licensure Boards may refuse to grant credit for a course in which the student received a grade of B-. Students should review the grading policy of their respective states. Questions about licensure can be directed to clinicals@amridgeuniversity.edu.

5.   Complete an Amridge University Degree Completion Application. The properly completed and signed application must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the semester prior to the semester the student plans to graduate.  Following this schedule permits the University to conduct a full audit of the respective student’s records to make sure that all courses, programs, and respective graduation requirements have been met.  Students having any questions regarding the Degree Completion Application should contact the Registrar’s Office.