MAC Program at Aquinas College
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MAC): Degree Requirements
The Three-Year Plan is a full-time program that enables students to complete the program with three courses per semester in three years to complete the 60 semester hour program.
Three Year Plan
| Format | Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Year 1 | |||
| COU500 | Orientation to Grad Studies | 1 day seminar | 0 |
| COU502 | Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU504 | Counseling Techniques and Practices | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU505 | Theories of Counseling and Helping | 16 weeks | 3 |
| Total | 9 | ||
| Spring Year 1 | |||
| COU506 | Psychopathology & Diagnosis | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU507 | Assessment in Counseling | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU604 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling | 8 weeks | 3 |
| Total | 9 | ||
| Summer Year 1 | |||
| COU503 | Lifespan Development | 10 weeks | 3 |
| Elective (Optional) | 10 weeks | (3) | |
| Total | 3 to 6 | ||
| Fall Year 2 | |||
| COU602 | Career Development and Counseling | 8 weeks | 3 |
| COU603 | Social Justice & Diversity | 16 weeks | 3 |
| Elective (Optional) | 8 or 16 weeks | (3) | |
| Total | 6 to 9 | ||
| Spring Year 2 | |||
| COU606 | Theory and Practice of Group Counseling | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU706 | Crisis & Trauma Counseling | 8 weeks | 3 |
| Elective (Optional) | 8 or 16 weeks | (3) | |
| Total | 6 to 9 | ||
| Summer Year 2 | |||
| COU701 | Advanced Techniques & Practicum (min. 120 hours) | 10 weeks | 3 |
| COU704 | Psychopharmacology & Substance Abuse | 10 weeks | 3 |
| Total | 6 | ||
| Fall Year 3 | |||
| COU702 | Internship 1 in Clinical Counseling (min. 300 hours) | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU705 | Evaluation of Mental & Emotional Status | 16 weeks | 3 |
| Elective (Optional) | 8 or 16 weeks | (3) | |
| Total | 6 to 9 | ||
| Spring Year 3 | |||
| COU601 | Research Methods and Program Evaluation | 16 weeks | 3 |
| COU703 | Internship 2 in Clinical Counseling (min. 300 hours) | 16 weeks | 3 |
| Elective (Optional) | 8 or 16 weeks | (3) | |
| COU750 | Comprehensive Exam | 0 | |
| Total | 6 to 9 | ||
| Program Total | 60 | ||
Pastoral Counseling Program
Pastoral counselors are increasingly expected to be competent mental health professionals who specialize in providing counseling services in faith based systems. The Pastoral Counseling Program at Aquinas College is a unique program designed ideally to accommodate those who already have training in religion or theology and/or who have been established in their ministry and who would like to gain skill and training in counseling theory and techniques in order to provide competent faith based counseling services in faith based organizations such as churches, hospitals, hospices, or scripture based counseling centers. This program provides all the coursework necessary to be eligible to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor while at the same time providing courses specific to the unique demands of faith based human services.
Candidates for the Pastoral Counseling Program will follow the schedule of courses outlined above. In place of the elective options, candidates will complete the following courses: COU 518 Spirituality & Religion in Counseling; COU 521 Pastoral Counseling, and COU 519 Counseling the Terminally Ill and Bereaved in lieu of elective courses.
Elective Courses
COU516 Marriage, Family & Couples
COU518 Spirituality & Religion in Counseling
COU519 Counseling the Terminally Ill and Bereaved
COU521 Pastoral Counseling
COU605 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COU707 Clinical Supervision