Professional School Counseling Major Curriculum (BS/MEd)
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| LBC 101 | Engaging Faith & Life | 3 |
| THE 105 | Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies | 3 |
| LAN 101 | College Composition and Research | 3 |
| PCN 122_ | Group Experience & Self-Evaluation_AUD | 3 |
| PCN 123 | Introduction to the Counseling Profession | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
____ ____
| Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE) | 3 |
| BIB 106 | Interpreting the Bible | 3 |
| LAN 104 | Public Speaking | 3 |
LIT ____
| LIT Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
| SOC 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PCN 201 | Systems of Counseling I: Christian | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Winterim/Summer
____ ____
| Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE) | 3 |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
| CSV 201 | Christian Service I | 0 |
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
PHE ____
| PHE Elective | 1 |
| SOC 228 | Principles & Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| PCN 212 | Systems of Counseling II: Psychology | 3 |
| PCN 351 | Therapy Lab I | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring Semester
| CSV 202 | Christian Service II | 0 |
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption | 3 |
HIS ____
| HIS Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
____ ____
| Bible/Theology Focused Elective (BIB, BOT, BNT, THE) | 3 |
PHE ____
| PHE Elective | 1 |
LIT ____
| LIT Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
SCI ____
| SCI____ Science with Lab 4 credits | 4 |
| PCN 352 | Therapy Lab II | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Winterim/Summer
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Junior Year
Fall Semester
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
BOT ____
| Bible Old Testament Exegetical Elective | 3 |
| SOC 203 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring Semester
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
| PCN 422 | Intercultural Counseling Experience | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Winterim/Summer
Senior Year
Fall Semester
BNT ____
| Bible New Testament Exegetical Elective | 3 |
| MAT 216 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| PHI 201 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring Semester
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Winterim/Summer
Fifth Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Notes:
CPS 501, CPS 508, PSC 555, CPS 510, CPS 530, CPS 583, PSC 521, CPS 531, CPS 515, PSC 526, PCS 504, CPS 575, CPS 546, PSC 556, CPS 525, CPS 572, PSC 535, PSC 601, PSC 523, PSC 602: Graduate School Course
Electives may be taken at other times: 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:
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Fall Semester Start
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August 1
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Spring Semester Start
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December 1
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Summer Semester Start
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April 1
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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:
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Fall Semester Start
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April 19
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Spring Semester Start
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November 11
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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) –
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4.0-3.75 = 5
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3.5-3.74 = 4
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3.25-3.49 = 3
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3.0-3.24 = 2
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2.75-2.99 = 1
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.