Curriculum

The curriculum for the Master of Arts in Counseling is designed as a developmental model wherein students begin as novice counselors and progress to become professional counselors by advancing through the program. There is a core set of courses taken by all students (27 credits) and an additional set of courses for each of the specific tracks: clinical mental health counseling (33 credits), school counseling (24 credits), and marriage, couple, and family counseling (33 credits). Upon completion of the program, students will be academically prepared to sit for their professional counselor licensing exam (LPC or MFT) or for their PA school certification exams (PAPA/PRAXIS II).

The program can be completed in as little as two years or as many as six. The majority of the courses are offered in an 8-week, online format throughout the year. Two courses are offered as intensives and require the student to be on Messiah College’s Grantham campus for one week in the summer or during the month of January, as well as complete course assignments before and after the intensive week. Practicum and Internships are completed during a single semester at approved off-campus sites.

We also offer a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) for individuals who have a Master's degree in an appropriate counseling-related field but need to complete additional credits in order to be licensed or certified. Our Program Director will work with each individual student to prepare a plan that is appropriate for the specific needs of that student.

If you have questions after exploring the links on the left, or reviewing the information provided in the Counseling Program Student Handbook, please contact the Director of the Graduate Program in Counseling.