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 lets students complete the 60-semester-hour program in three years by taking three courses per semester.
The campus-based cohort, which features a mixture of 8-, 10-, and 16-week in-person classes, begins each August. The online cohort, which features a mixture of 8-week synchronous and asynchronous courses, begins each January.
Three-Year Plan
| Format | Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Term 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 | ||
| Year 1, Term 2 | |||
| 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 | ||
| Year 1, Term 3 | |||
| COU503 | Lifespan Development | 10 weeks | 3 |
| Elective (Optional) | 10 weeks | (3) | |
| Total | 3 to 6 | ||
| Year 2, Term 1 | |||
| 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 | ||
| Year 2, Term 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 | ||
| Year 2, Term 3 | |||
| COU701 | Advanced Techniques & Practicum (min. 120 hours) | 10 weeks | 3 |
| COU704 | Psychopharmacology & Substance Abuse | 10 weeks | 3 |
| Total | 6 | ||
| Year 3, Term 1 | |||
| 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 | ||
| Year 3, Term 2 | |||
| 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 coursework necessary to be eligible to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor while also offering 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
CONTACT INFO
Katherine Nyczak
Graduate Admissions Counselor
(616) 632-2859
NyczakK@aquinas.edu