Western Seminary
M.A. in Counseling: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Specialization
On-Campus and Hybrid
San Jose Campus
1000 South Park Victoria Dr.
Milpitas, California 95035
Sacramento Campus
290 Technology Way, Ste. 200
Rocklin, CA 95765
M.A. in Counseling (California) Program Page
San Jose Program Page
Sacramento Program Page
Program details below are quoted from program websites, supplied here for informational purposes only, and subject to change at any time. Refer to the program website for current information, deadlines, complete admission requirements, etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to verify with program administrators program details and that the program still meets BBS requirements for licensure in the state of California.
Program Snapshot
Accreditation
Western Seminary is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Concentrations/Specializations Offered
Optional 5-8 credit Addiction Studies Certificate allows for specialized training for those interested in working with people with substance abuse and chemical dependency issues.
LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track
LMFT/LPCC dual-track
Length of Program
71 units (can be reduced by 8 credits—Bible, Theology only); Graduate in as few as two years and 8 months
Schedule/Format
You can complete the MA in Counseling degree in two years and eight months' time by enrolling in mid-week evening and weekend courses at our San Jose and Sacramento campuses.
Alternatively, you can take up to 10 credits of online courses through the Western Global. This flexible schedule allows you to minimize travel time and maintain your family, church, and work commitments.
Program Start
Spring, Summer, Fall
Estimated Total Program Tuition
$43,807
Religious Orientation
Since this program is offered at a seminary, it provides foundational biblical and theological studies in order to assist students as they integrate a Christian worldview with their counseling preparation.
Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes
Unknown
Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program
Practicum and three semesters of internship:
Totaling no less than 700 clinical hours, and
At least 280 hours (40 practicum plus 240 internship) of the 700 must be direct client contact, including group facilitation.
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program
During the course of study, complete personal counseling requirements of
20 hours of individual counseling with a professional counselor (up to ten hours may be marriage, couple, or family); and
10 hours of group counseling led by a professional counselor.
Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:
To complete the counseling program students must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (instituted November, 2017).
Application Process
Application Deadline
Summer Semester
Early deadline: Feb. 1
Final deadline: March 1
Fall Semester
Early deadline: June 1
Final deadline: July 1
Spring Semester
Early deadline: Oct. 1
Final deadline: Nov. 1
Undergraduate GPA Required
Applicants to the M.A. in Counseling program must have earned an accredited baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), including a breadth of liberal arts. Applicants who do not meet these general academic requirements may be accepted on a provisional or probationary basis if their previous record indicates a weakness but with promise of greater achievement possible.
GRE Requirement
None
Prerequisite Courses
Entering counseling students are expected to bring a foundational knowledge of psychology. Proficiency in this foundational knowledge will be confirmed through a readiness exam, required of all incoming counseling students. The exam is self-administered via computer and consists of 80 multiple choice questions (see Readiness Exam Information Form on All Sacramento Counseling Students Page). If deficienciesareindicated,remedialworkwillberequired. Counselingstudentsmaysatisfythesedeficienciesinoneofthefollowingtwo ways: completeappropriateundergraduatecourse(s)atanapprovedinstitution,orcompleteaself-guidedinstructionalprogramprovided through the Counseling Program of Western Seminary. The student may not begin the second semester of counseling studies without satisfying proficiency requirements.
Application Highlights
Four references (at least one pastoral) to submit reference forms on your behalf.
Interview Requirement
We'd like to think together with you about whether the role of counselor is a good career/ministry fit for you. We want to know that:
You have time in your schedule for academic work and personal processing.
You are gifted in the necessary characteristics of an effective counselor that, among others may include skills of listening, empathy, ability to challenge others effectively, and sensitivity to work with diverse people.
You have personal stability and ego strength sufficient to withstand the stress of counseling people who have endured severe and disturbing circumstances and life events.
Other people in your life are supportive and encouraging of you in your academic pursuits.
The desire to be a counselor flows out of your walk with God.
Most interviews will be approximately one hour in length. On California campuses, the interview will typically follow a standard interview process.
Program Summary
San Jose
If you are reading this, you most likely are interested in becoming a licensed counselor with a biblical and theological foundation. How exciting!
The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) Program at Western Seminary San Jose is a professional graduate degree that prepares Christian counselors to bring concern and care for the whole person through practice in clinical, church, non-profit, or school settings. The program includes skill-based coursework, practicum and internship experiences, as well as a requirement to complete your own personal therapy. The curriculum is designed to satisfy requirements for graduates to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), including the option to also become a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the State of California.
Our classes are designed to help students integrate a Christian worldview with the latest psychological principals and techniques. We provide a Gospel-centered version of traditional counseling that trains students to help counselees explore areas of personal hurt and struggle so that the transformational love of Christ can shine through to every area of their lives.
We value an environment of spiritual and personal encouragement, which is supported by small class size, small group interactions, Christian professors, personal therapy, and practical hands-on experience in a practicum setting.
Sacramento
Thank you for considering the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program here at Western Seminary, Sacramento Campus. We find great joy in preparing counseling professionals.
Our program is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, which means graduates meet the educational requirements for licensure in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist (L.M.F.T.). And, students meet the educational requirements to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (L.P.C.C.) by taking one additional unit of course work.
Our faculty and staff are truly invested in the personal and professional development of each student. Thus, students experience a collegial environment that nourishes all participants, academically and spiritually. Beyond the campus walls, we partner with over thirty agencies that are also committed to equipping our students by providing a wide variety of experiences in the helping professions as students complete their practicum courses.
As a close-knit community, we maintain alumni relationships through licensure and beyond. We hope you will join us!