The Master of Arts in Clinical Counselling (Christian Spirituality) (MACC) degree provides a professional course of study that equips students for a vocation in the mental health sector, such as private practice and non-profit organizations, while considering how their faith and values relate. Students will learn a systemic and strength-focused perspective on people and their problems. They will also become skilled in engaging in a client-centred, collaborative therapeutic approach and learn how to engage in ethical clinical practice. Students will discover how to adopt a reflective stance in their clinical work. MACC students are primarily equipped to support individuals through a counselling relationship.
The program is designed to help students meet the academic requirements for gaining professional recognition as a member of the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACCP) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). It should be noted that recognition in each of these associations is independent of Briercrest's program and that it is the student's responsibility to pursue such recognition after graduation.
The application deadlines for the Master of Arts in Clinical Counselling are April 30 and November 30 each year. For details about the application process click apply.
Credit Hours: 54
I. Core (12 credit hours)
CM 600 Spiritual Formation for Ministry
BLST 606 New Testament Survey*
BLST 601 Old Testament Survey*
THEO 601 Christian Theology Overview*
II. Counselling (21 credit hours)
CO 603 Foundations of Systemic Therapy
CO 615 Working with Diverse Populations in Counselling
CO 703 Counselling Skills and Procedures
CO 705 Counselling Ethics
CO 714 Counselling Theories and Systemic Approaches
CO 722 Trauma Theories and Strategies in Counselling
PSY 716 Systemic Approaches to Psychopathology & Psychopharmocology
III. Modality Elective (3 credit hours)
Choose one course from the following:
CO 713 Topics in Couple and Family Therapy: EFT
CO 717 Group Counselling Strategies
CO 830 Motivational Interviewing
CO 899 Independent Study: External Certification
IV. Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
PSY 606 Lifespan Development
V. Practicum and Internship (12 credit hours)
CO 790 Counselling Practicum I
CO 791 Counselling Practicum II
CO 860 Counselling Internship (300 hours)
VI. Counselling or Psychology Elective (3 credit hours)
Any CO or PSY course
VII. Non-Credit Requirements
GSCR 800 Graduating Student Concluding Reflections
* With permission of the program coordinator, a student with sufficient background in New Testament, Old Testament or Theology may replace the specified course with an elective from the respective discipline.
