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Chapter 1: A brief history of the MAC Program

In the early 1980s, the faculty at Saint Martin's University began to consider developing a master's program in counseling psychology. It was their sense that there was a need for a quality program to service the southern Puget Sound and southwest Washington area. The wheels began to turn.

In the fall of 1984, the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Program was officially launched. From the very start, the program was designed primarily to equip students with the knowledge and professional skills essential to assume responsible positions in counseling-oriented careers.

This was accomplished through requiring a common core of courses. In addition, a series of electives were added to provide the opportunity to study psychological issues and the therapy needs of special populations. Finally, a required 600-hour internship (two semesters) was included to complement the course work and provide a supervised opportunity to work in a counseling facility or program.

Some 30 students enrolled in courses during the first year of the program. Two dozen more students began classes the next fall with more joining each semester thereafter. The program was truly underway!

Between 1985 and the creation of this website, almost 850 students have enrolled in the MAC Program. Approximately 500 of these students have now graduated from the program. These MAC alumni are working in all corners of western Washington in a wide variety of agencies or counseling programs and dealing with a vast array of presenting problems and clientele. In many cases, these MAC graduates have gone on to administrative or supervisory positions in these agencies.