Professional Counseling/Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Program (BS/MA)
Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies; Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling
Majors: Biblical Studies, Professional Counseling, Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling
Program Description: The BS/MA Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling program is a five-year program that will allow students obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling. This program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities within marriage, couple and family counseling, eligibility to apply for state licensure in PA (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certification. For this degree, graduates will also be prepared to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Although not yet accredited through CACREP, the structure and content of the MA in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling program is aligned with the CACREP 2016 Standards.
Major Mission: The program will provide training that will give entry level qualifications for opportunities in marriage, couple & family counseling field, eligibility to apply for state licensure in PA (Licensed Professional Counselor), and professional certifications.
Major Outcomes - Students will:
- Recognize the history, development, legislation, government policy, ethics, professional identity development of counselors within the context of marriage, couple, and family counseling.
- Evaluate family phenomenology, family of origin theories, models, techniques, and interventions related to marriage, couple, and family counseling, in order to foster family wellness through a biblical perspective.
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Learn the application of theories and models in developing case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic process, and referral within family systems and dynamics.
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Comprehend assessments, including diagnostic interviews, genograms, family mapping, mental diagnostic status examinations, symptom inventories, and psychoeducational and personality assessments.
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Develop an understanding of scholarly literature and its application of the structures of marriage, couples, and families, within the realms of human sexuality and its effect on couple and family functioning, aging and intergenerational influences, immigration, and related family concerns.
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Enhance skills necessary to conduct competent cultural treatment relevant to marriage, couple, and family functioning, at various delivery modalities within the continuum of care.
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Understand the etiology of trauma and crisis as well as the impact of interpersonal violence, mental health, and addiction on marriages, couples, and families.
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Acquire strategies for interfacing with the legal system while understanding ethical principles and application to prospective marriage, couple, and family counseling.
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Demonstrate understanding regarding the impact of life, gender roles, career, unemployment, under-employment, and changes in socioeconomic standing on marriages, couples, and families.
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Synthesize information and knowledge into practice through supervised counseling experiences.
Additional Requirements are needed for Pennsylvania Licensure
Program Purpose and Goals:
The Educational Philosophy of the BA/MA Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling Program is:
- To provide clinical training such that students are well-versed in research-based theoretical orientations and able to articulate and apply such views.
- To provide ample clinical experiences (in vivo and case study) such that students are able to grasp and deliver individual psychotherapy.
- To provide a framework of learning that promotes critical thinking so that students are able to demonstrate professional evaluation of theoretical content in light of a biblical worldview.
- To provide robust clinical supervision for students as they practice/apply clinical skills taught in the classroom.
- To provide experiences in which students can transition their knowledge of scholarly publications and foundational, research-based clinical theories into future research endeavors.
The curriculum sheet identifies the courses for this program. Professional Counseling/Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (BA/MA) Curriculum Sheet
For the course descriptions related to this program, see the courses section of the catalog.
Degree Requirements
Program Director:
Ryan M. Kuehner PhD (Associate Professor, Chair, Counseling & Social Work Dept. and M.A. in Professional Counseling Program Director)
Holding a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Kuehner considers himself fortunate to serve students as Associate Professor, Director of the MA Professional Counseling Program, and Chair of the Counseling & Social Work Department. Whether through ongoing research projects, student instruction and advisement, clinical practice, curriculum development, admissions management, or accreditation endeavors, Dr. Kuehner brings a wealth of scholarly and practical knowledge toward the goal of maintaining and growing premier undergraduate and graduate programs. Surrounded by extremely gifted colleagues, Dr. Kuehner is enthused to collectively forge ahead in training students in both the art and the science of professional psychotherapy undergirded by Integrationist Theory. Areas of instruction for Dr. Kuehner encompass psychopharmacology, abnormal psychology, biopsychology, professional ethics, applied counseling techniques, theories of personality, specialized therapies, and advanced applied research practicum. Dr. Kuehner has been married for 17 years; he and his wife have three children.
Faculty:
Resident Faculty:
Ryan M. Kuehner, PhD
Jon Shacklett, MA, LPC, CAADC, ACS
Melissa Boas, MEd
Praveen Rudra, MA
Adjunct and Visiting Faculty:
Arwa Nye, MEd
Brittany Ober, MA
Daniel Grubb, MA
Day Butcher, Ph.D.
Faith Ann Day, MA
James Johnson, DMin
Jonathan Reese, MA
Joshua Irvine, MA, LPC
Justin D. Charles, PsyD
Justin Steele, PsyD
Kimberly Blest, MA, LPC
Olivia Murrin, MA, LPC
Sean Dougherty, MS, MEd