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Graduate

Master of Arts in Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling Program (MAC) prepares professionals in the theoretical foundations and skills necessary for master’s-level positions in the fields of individual, couple, and family counseling. Built on a philosophy of service, intellectual hunger, fundamental respect, social justice, and a focus on the person of the counselor, the MAC program strives to embody spirit, empathic care, intellect, and wisdom. The MAC program is characterized by personal, social, and professional transformation, liberation, and enrichment.

Why Saint Martin's University?

Position statement

We strive to embody social justice through a continuing cultivation of ethical and culturally relevant methodologies. In resonance with the values of the American Counseling Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, accrediting organizations for counseling programs, and the Benedictine framework, we recognize the dominance of white/euro-centric norms and teach cultural humility by rejecting anti-immigrant rhetoric and action.

We affirm the self-determination of Indigenous and Native communities by hearing their stories and supporting decolonization. We work to deconstruct the walls of sexism and transphobia by integrating feminist and trans-valuing theories into our practice. We actively counter ageism, ableism, classism, racism, and heterosexism in our communities by admitting their pervasiveness and implementing corrective actions. In the spirit of Benedictine sincere hospitality, we extend welcome to members of all faiths and to those who do not identify as having a religious membership.

Program Outcomes

As the educators of future Professional Counselors, we strive to create an atmosphere that will encourage and promote:

  • Preparing our graduates for National Certification through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and WA State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
    • Some students may pursue elective coursework that prepares for the WA State LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy) as well. 
  • Supporting the development of self-awareness skills essential to counseling through ongoing emphasis on developing “The Person of the Counselor”   
  • Instilling a sense of commitment to professional ethics including decision making, courses of action, culturally-conscious diagnosis, and delivery of counseling services 
  • Cultivating contextual and discerning thinkers by fostering systemic thinking including the importance of a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach
  • Contributing to the learning community at a program level and within the university as a whole through collaboration, mentorship, dialogue, modeling, curriculum integration, alumni community engagement and training opportunities 
  • Training future counselors in the theoretical foundations and skills necessary for a variety of professional settings and populations served by the MAC program and its graduates 
  • Facilitating understanding of developmental, relational, cultural, and environmental impacts on the human experience, including trauma and grief 

Program Highlights and Resources

  • All required courses are offered at least once per academic year. All courses are offered on a schedule of one meeting per week with on-ground courses being offered in the afternoon, and digital delivery courses offered in the evening. In Summer term, most course are offered via digital delivery, or a combination of on ground and digital delivery (blended) format. During the Admissions process, MAC students are asked to indicate whether they intend to pursue the on-ground or digital delivery, method of instruction. While rare, from time-to-time, based on enrollment needs, courses may be offered exclusively in one format or the other in any given term.
  • Coursework in the MAC program supports counseling careers and licensure in the State of Washington for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) and may also provide preparation for the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), dependent upon electives taken.
  • MAC students are trained to work with individuals, couples, relationships, family systems, and groups. 
  • Teaching methods include dyad, small-group work, lectures, media, presentations, and discussions as well as supervised role playing, and introspective exercises.
  • A required 100-hour practicum, and 600-hour internship complement coursework by providing students with a supervised, in-depth opportunity to work in a variety of counseling settings.

MAC faculty areas of interest

Anti-oppression, access and technology, collaboration, decolonization, community, indigenous wisdom, military and families, professional identity, relational approaches to research, spontaneity and creativity, subtle activism, and vulnerability.

Specialty areas

MAC Students are trained to work with individuals, couples, relationships, families, and groups from a systemic and contextually sensitive perspective. The program prepares students for licensure in the State of Washington as Mental Health Counselors (LMHC); and may prepare students for licensure as Marriage and Family Counselors (LMFT), dependent upon elective choice.

Methods of instruction

Teaching methods include use of dyads, small-group work, lectures, media, presentations and discussions, as well as supervised role playing, and introspective exercises. Students complete a required 100-hour practicum course, after successfully completing the pre-requisite courses, typically in their second spring or third fall of the program. Students complete a 600-hour internship during the fall and spring of the third year.

Advising

All students are assigned an advisor from the core faculty upon admission, and whom they will consult with each Fall and Spring in preparation for the next term. The advisor accompanies MAC students throughout their MAC journey and is often the first contact when students have scheduling and policy questions; provides assistance navigating conflict or misunderstandings; and supports students as they consider academic, clinical, and professional identity development needs. MAC also offers group scheduling meetings in the Fall and Spring semester that may be led by the chair of the program or by the students’ advisor. 

Matriculation Process

Each applicant who is admitted to the MAC program is admitted conditionally. Successful MAC students  maintain a 3.0 grade point average (or above), demonstrate alignment with the ACA Code of Ethics (2014) and the field of counseling, as well as engage in counselor appropriate reflection and analysis of growth opportunities through self-assessment and in collaboration with your advisor and faculty through the MAC 5 Areas of Assessment (in class and programmatically). These skills are reinforced during their Foundation (first year) and through the first half of their Impacts (second year) coursework and then students are given the opportunity to achieve full admission through the Degree Candidacy process (described in the MAC Handbook). Achieving Degree Candidacy status is a prerequisite for beginning MAC 668 Internship 1 and successfully completing the MAC program. 

Looking for handbooks, annual reports, or more resources?

Current students can access syllabi through Moodle and prospective students may contact the department chair to review current syllabi.

MAC Program Information Resources:

Check out MAC Resources

Master of Arts in Counseling Requirements

Admissions criteria

Visit graduate admissions online to find out what it takes to apply for the MAC program.

No GRE is required for entrance.

Application deadlines

Fall semester (late August - December)

  • Priority deadline: March 1st
  • Deadline as additional spots are available: 3rd Monday in June

Spring semester (January - May)

  • Deadline as spots are available: 3rd Monday in October

Program cost

Per credit 2022-2023:

  • $1320 per credit (civilian)
  • $500 per credit (active duty military)

Projected tuition for the three-year MAC program: 
(subject to change as credit cost can fluctuate each year)

  • $79,200 (civilian)
  • $30,000 (active duty military)

Financial aid

Learn more about your financial aid options as a MAC student.

Program candidates must complete the program in three to seven years. The MAC program follows a cohort model: Below is the designed three-year progression, Year One focuses on foundations of counseling, Year Two on impacts, and Year Three on reflective practice. The progression of the program in four to seven years is available for reference below in "Additional Forms."

While the design of the program is for students to complete in three years, under special circumstances the time limit for completing degree requirements is seven years. Students who fail to take courses for more than one academic year will be required to re-apply to the program and re-enter under requirements current at the time the new application is submitted.

The official, most up-to-date class offerings can be found by using Self-Service or the graduate academic catalog. For significant term dates refer to the academic calendar.

Year 1: Foundations (18 semester credits)

Fall (6 credits)

  • MAC 508: Counseling and Helping Relationships
  • MAC 528: Foundations of Counseling
     

Spring (6 credits)

  • MAC 529: Counseling Theories
  • MAC 538: Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics
     

Summer (6 credits)

  • MAC 548: Crisis, Trauma, Violence, Abuse
  • MAC 568: Human Growth and Development
     

Year 2: Impacts (24 semester credits)

Fall (9 credits)

  • MAC 579: Group Counseling
  • MAC 588: Psychopathology and Diagnosing
  • MAC 589: Foundations of Clinical Mental Health 
     

Spring (9 credits)

  • MAC 618: Social and Cultural Diversity
  • MAC 628: Assessment and Appraisal
  • MAC 629: Counseling Practicum
     

Summer (6 credits)

  • MAC 638: Child and Adolescent Counseling
  • MAC 649: Impacts of Addictions
     

Year 3: Reflective practice (18 semester credits)

Fall (6 credits)

  • MAC 659: Research and Program Evaluation
  • MAC 668: Counseling Internship 1
     

Spring (6 credits)

  • MAC 678: Counseling Internship 2
  • MAC 679: Career Development
     

Summer (6 credits) Any 2 of these courses:

  • MAC 695 Special Topics: CMH Elective #1*
  • MAC 695 Special Topics: CMH Elective #2*
  • MAC 689: Human Sexuality and Relationships **
  • MAC 698: Studies in Systemic Counseling **

*Meet LMHC requirements for Washington State                                                          **Meet LMFT or LMHC requirements for Washington State

Counseling must be conducted by a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical psychologist, or an MD psychiatrist. The counselor must be approved prior to beginning counseling.  Faculty advisors can assist students with questions regarding the approval process.

All MAC students will become members of the  American Counseling Association (ACA)

This membership provides students the opportunity to build a sense of professional identity and commitment to the profession. Students are encouraged to attend conferences, events and workshops hosted by the professional counseling organization they become a part of. Faculty advisors may assist students with questions regarding this membership and related activities.

Does the coursework meet the requirements of the Department of Health credentials "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" and/or "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist"?

The coursework is designed to match or exceed the Department of Health requirements which are listed under WAC 246-809-220 (for MHC) and WAC 246-809-120 (for MFT) at their website. Look under Sections 120 and 220 at this link.

Can I work full time and complete the MAC program?

All required courses are offered at least once per year during afternoon or evening hours. All courses are offered on a schedule of one meeting per week. MAC students who work during the day are most often able to join our  evening online cohort and MAC students who have flexible work schedules may be able to join the on-ground afternoon cohort. MAC students also have to option to take between 3 years and 7 years to complete the program.

Are there opportunities for students to work in the program such as assistantships or teaching assistant positions?

Our program does not currently offer teaching assistant positions to students. Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) positions may be available for MAC students. GRAs work in service of program faculty or campus administration 10 hours per week in exchange for a partial tuition waiver. 

MAC full-time students (enrolled in 2-3 credit courses) are eligible for Graduate Assistantships (GA) throughout the university. There is typically one or more GA positions available in the MAC program and others throughout the university. The number of available positions fluctuates each year. 

If either of these positions interests you, please review the process defined here and utilize the link to apply for a position. 

What are my employment options with a MAC degree?

By far, the most common career objective among graduate students is to become an individual, group or family counseling. Students wish to work with a variety of age groups and specific clientele and deal with divergent presenting problems such as anger control, sexual abuse, chemical dependency, and so on. Most of these students hope to work in mental health agencies, treatment facilities, and private practice agencies.

Master of Arts in Counseling at a Glance

Degree
Master
Program Type
Master’s Degree
Campus
Main (Lacey)
Type of Instruction
In Person
Online
School
College of Education and Counseling
Resources
Academic calendar
Library
Financial aid for MAC students
MAC Resources

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Prospective MAC students

Prospective MAC Students should contact the Office of Graduate Studies & Admissions at 360-412-6128 or email them at gradadmissions@stmartin.edu.

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College of Education and Counseling

The College of Education and Counseling is committed to educating dynamic, engaged, and culturally responsive leaders. Our graduates step into their schools, organizations, government agencies and nonprofits ready to engage with their communities in a way that honors and celebrates diversity in the spirit of Benedictine values. Join us in this important work - grounded in mission and driven by a vision of equitable education for all!

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