The Master of Arts in Counseling Program (MAC) prepares professionals in the theoretical foundations and skills necessary for advanced 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.
Mission statement
MAC faculty areas of interest
Anti-oppression, appreciative inquiry, access and technology, authentic leadership, collaboration, conflict as opportunity, decolonization, depth work, faith and community, indigenous wisdom, love, military families,
professional identity, relational approaches to research, social change, spontaneity and creativity, subtle activism, and vulnerability.
Position statement
Our work strives 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 our Catholic 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 highlights and resources
- All required courses are offered at least once per year during evening hours. All courses are offered on a schedule of one meeting per week. Courses are offered both in the afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday, with internship classes held on Saturdays.
- Coursework in the MAC program supports counseling careers and licensure in the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) field and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) field.
- Counselors are trained and licensed 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, psychodrama, and introspective exercises. - A required 600-hour internship complements coursework by providing students with a supervised,
in-depth opportunity to work in a variety of counseling settings.
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Admission and affordability
Program requirements
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.