2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

Professional Counseling/Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Program (BS/MA)

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

Majors: Biblical Studies, Professional Counseling, Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

Major Mission: The Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in marriage and family counseling and state licensure.

Major Outcomes - Students will:

  1. Evaluate marriage and family theory and use formal measurements to accurately assess human relationships, gender, sexuality, and communication in the context of marriage and family therapy.
  2. Develop clinical skill necessary to conduct marriage and family therapy.
  3. Integrate specific knowledge and skill necessary to counsel effectively those with various diagnoses, vocational need, and diverse cultural backgrounds.
  4. Conduct critical thinking skills to evaluate theory and practice from a biblical perspective.
  5. Synthesize information and knowledge by means of supervised counseling experiences.
  6. Acquire sufficient knowledge of scientific research and literature to be prepared to investigate specific areas of need in marriage and family counseling.
  7. Apply ethical principles to prospective clinical situations that reflect an open and collaborative approach to resolve ethical dilemmas.

Electives may be taken at other times: fall semester, winter term, spring semester, or summer

Additional Requirements needed for Pennsylvania Licensure

Curriculum

 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

LBC 101Engaging Faith & Life

3

THE 105Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies

3

LAN 101College Composition and Research

3

PCN 122_Group Experience & Self-Evaluation_AUD

3

PCN 123Introduction to the Counseling Profession

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring Semester

BIB 106Interpreting the Bible

3

____ ____
Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE)

3

LAN 104Public Speaking

3

LIT ____
LIT Core (100/200 Level)

3

SOC 101General Psychology

3

PCN 201Systems of Counseling I: Christian

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Winterim/Summer

____ ____
Arts & Sciences Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

CSV 201Christian Service I

0

BIB 103Creation & Covenants: OT I

3

THE 223Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall

3

____ ____
Arts & Sciences Elective (300 Level)

3

PHE ____
PHE Elective

1

SOC 228Principles & Techniques of Counseling

3

PCN 212Systems of Counseling II: Psychology

3

PCN 351Therapy Lab I

1

Total Credit Hours:17

Spring Semester

CSV 202Christian Service II

0

BIB 104Israel's Life & Literature: OT II

3

THE 224Christian Narrative II: Redemption

3

HIS ____
HIS Core (100/200 Level)

3

MAT 216Statistics for the Social Sciences

3

SCI ____
SCI____ Science with Lab 4 credits

4

PHE ____
PHE Elective

1

PCN 352Therapy Lab II

1

Total Credit Hours:18

Winterim/Summer

____ ____
Arts & Sciences Elective (400 Level)

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Junior Year

Fall Semester

BIB 203Life of Christ: NT I

3

SOC 203Principles of Sociology

3

PCN 4585-Year PCN Field Seminar

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring Semester

BIB 204Early Church: NT II

3

BOT ____
Bible Old Testament Exegetical Elective

3

PCN 422Intercultural Counseling Experience

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Winterim/Summer

Total Credit Hours:3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

BNT ____
Bible New Testament Exegetical Elective

3

PHI 201Introduction to Philosophy

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring Semester

THE 320

____ ____
Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE)

3

____ ____
Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE)

3

____ ____
Counseling Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Winterim/Summer

____ ____
Counseling Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:6

5th Year

Notes:

CPS 501, CPS 508, CPS 510, CPS 530, CPS 541, CPS 525, CPS 515, CPS 531, CPS 572, CPS 505, CPS 546, CPS 583, CPS 514, CPS 573, CPS 601, CPS 602, CPS 603, Counseling Elective: Graduate School Course

Electives may be taken at other times: fall semester, winter term, spring semester, or summer term.

Fall Semester

Total Credit Hours:9

Spring Semester

Total Credit Hours:9

Summer

Total Credit Hours:3

Notes:

CPS 501, CPS 505, CPS 508, CPS 510, CPS 515, CPS 525, CPS 530, CPS 531, CPS 540, CPS 541, CPS 550, CPS 552, CPS 572, CPS, CPS 575, CPS 583, CPS 588, CPS 601, CPS 602, CPS 603, Counseling Elective: Graduate School Course

Electives may be taken at other times: fall semester, winter term, spring semester, or summer

Counseling Admissions and Candidacy Process

Program Admission Criteria

The application process for the M.A counseling programs has four phases: Initial application phase (IAP), interview phase (IP; parts 1-3), preliminary acceptance phase (PAP), and candidacy phase (CP).

Initial Application Phase (IAP) requires submission of the following items:

  • Online application form with $40 application fee.
  • Personal statement of spiritual journey and statement of faith
  • Two professional references completed online by their applicant’s supervisor(s) and their pastor
  • Transcript of an accredited Bachelor’s degree (and grad. transcripts if seeking transfer credit approval).
  • The TOEFL examination is required only if English is not the applicant's native language or if the applicant has not completed a degree program taught in English. TOEFL scores must be from tests administered within two years of the application deadline. The official TOEFL score report must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service.
  • Individuals seeking admission to the MA program must complete each step of the application process by submitting a complete application by:

Fall Semester Start

August 1

Spring Semester Start

December 1

Summer Semester Start

April 1

To apply online, go to the following link: https://www.LBC | Capital.edu/capital/admissions/

Current LBC | CAPITAL undergraduate students who are pursuing Counseling Majors and wish to apply for the 5-year grad school program will go through a similar process the semester immediately following their completion of 45 credits. Applications for these students must be completed and submitted by:

Fall Semester Start

April 19

Spring Semester Start

November 11

Upon review of application materials, prospective students will be contacted by the Counseling Department within one week for the application interview.

IAP Grading Rubric:

20 possible points

  • Professional Reference 1 completed online (max 5 points)
  • Professional Reference 2 completed online (max 5 points)
  • Undergraduate GPA - (max 5 points) –

4.0-3.75 = 5

3.5-3.74 = 4

3.25-3.49 = 3

3.0-3.24 = 2

2.75-2.99 = 1

  • Autobiographical Statement of Faith (max 5 points)

Those accepted at this phase will be welcomed to the campus for the interview phase.

Interview Phase Part 1 (IP1):

The prospective student is invited for an on-campus interview with the admission committee. Before the meeting, the applicant is asked to type a 1-page scholarly paper using APA format in Microsoft Word reviewing articles given to them that day. Writing samples help us assess for graduate-level skills related to comprehension, adaptability, critical thinking, and scholarly writing (max 10 points).

Interview Phase Part 2 (IP2):

 After completion of the writing sample, the student has to appear before the admission committee for a face-to-face interview. During the interview process, the committee assesses interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and self-awareness (max 5 points). 

IP Grading Rubric:

15 possible points

Part 1 (max 10 points)

Part 2 (max 5 points)

-A score of 11 or higher is required for admission. Those who have met the interview criteria will be welcomed to the preliminary acceptance phase.

Preliminary Acceptance Phase (PAP):

This phase enables provisional acceptance to the graduate program. During this phase, the new MA Counseling student will need to take the following four courses:

  • CPS 501: Orientation to Professional Counseling Identity, Function & Ethics
  • CPS 508: Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships
  • CPS 515: Counseling Theory & Techniques
  • CPS 530: Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CPS 541: Group Counseling Leadership Skills.

In addition to the requirement of a grade of B or higher, each student will be rated by their professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards. The student will then meet with their academic advisor under being deemed academically and interpersonally fit to continue to the candidacy phase. Should the student not meet the above expectations, an individual remediation plan tailored to the student’s growth needs will be developed. If the student does not satisfy the requirements of the remediation plan, they will be dismissed from the program.

Candidacy Process:

In addition to the requirement of a grade of B or higher, each student will be rated by their professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards in each of the Tier 1 courses. Students have to complete the following requirements before scheduling the candidacy meeting.

Students’ academic performance, interpersonal characteristics, and behavior are monitored throughout the program.

New students begin the program in the Preliminary Acceptance Phase (PAP). During this phase, the new MA Counseling student will need to display academic fitness and interpersonal fitness through the following four 1st Tier courses:

  • CPS 501 Orientation to Professional CNS Identity, Function, & Ethics
  • CPS 508 Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships
  • CPS 515 Counseling Theories and Methodologies
  • CPS 530 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
  • CPS 541 Group Counseling and Leadership Skills

Students are required to earn a grade of B or higher in each of the five PAP courses. Each student will also be rated by their PAP course professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards via the Critical Competencies Review form. The student will then meet with their academic advisor under being deemed academically and interpersonally fit to continue to the candidacy phase. Should the student not meet the above expectations, an individual remediation plan tailored to the student’s growth needs will be developed. If the student does not satisfy the requirements of the remediation plan, they will be not permitted to move forward in the program.

Students who complete the PAP portion of the program move on to the candidacy phase.

Candidacy Phase (CP)

To ensure the student’s socio-emotional and behavioral fitness for the profession, they will be required to take the MMPI-2 and the 16PF no later than the semester following approval of academic and interpersonal competence as noted above. The student will also be interviewed by a faculty member, and test results will be interpreted collaboratively by full-time faculty. Recommendations germane to findings will be generated and the advisor will meet with the student to communicate this information. Examples of recommendations include but are not limited to:

Clearances

Two (2) background checks are required prior to your candidacy interview (more information below) and are necessary for approval for field placement in an educational setting.

  • PA Child Abuse Clearance (ACT 151)
  • PA Criminal Background Check (ACT 34)
  • Proof of completed Mandated Reporter Training

Personality and Career Assessment: These assessments are required and reviewed in order to ensure the student is at a socio-emotional and behavioral level fit for the profession.

  1. MMPI-2: Before exiting the Pre-Candidacy phase, the student will need to obtain a personality evaluation, comprising of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory – 2nd Edition Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF).  The student’s advisor will review the results of this assessment and discussed at the Candidacy interview.   The results of the personality evaluation may verify the student’s continuation within the program and/or evidence a need for additional counseling, or it may show evidence that another area of pursuit would be in the student’s best interest.  Failure to complete this requirement will result in the student’s inability to take additional courses. 
  2. 16-PF:  The student is also required to take the 16-Personality Factors Assessment. The assessment is reviewed with the student during the candidacy interview.  We utilize the Human Resource Development Report that will assess your personality and the associated relationship with common workplace factors to ensure that your chosen career path correlates with common counseling environments. 

After the required assessments are completed and all materials received by the Department Assistant, the student will be allowed to schedule an appointment to be interviewed for Candidacy. This meeting is an intentional pause to assess academic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal fitness to continue in the program. During the Candidacy meeting, the student will be interviewed by the Program Director. The interview will consist of review current grades in the core courses, review of interpersonal and academic rating (via a standardized form) completed by all four professors, overall program fit, and the results of the MMPI-2 and the 16 PF.

Based on the results of the Candidacy meeting, recommendations germane to findings will be generated. Examples of recommendations include but are not limited to:

  • Formal approval as socio-emotionally, academically, and behaviorally fit for advancement to Candidacy.
  • Provisionally fit for Candidacy IF various recommendations are followed
  • Temporary hiatus from additional classes until requirements have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
  • Unfit for candidacy and dismissal from the program.

CPS 501, CPS 508, CPS 510, CPS 530, CPS 541, CPS 525, CPS 515, CPS 531, CPS 572, CPS 505, CPS 575, CPS 552, CPS 550, CPS 601, CPS 583, CPS 540, CPS 588, CPS 602, counseling elective: Graduate Class