Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling (MA)
Credential: Master of Arts
Licensure: Eligibility to apply for state licensure in PA (Licensed Professional Counselor) and professional certifications
Location: Lancaster (hybrid)
Program Mission Statement: The Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling program is focused on preparing Christian students to understand the multifactorial causes and research-based treatments for various issues in the context of relationships and families. The curriculum of this program is centered on biblical truth using the Integrated Psychotherapy Model that combines current industry-proven strategies with biblical principles.
Throughout the Masters in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program, students will examine their own personal experiences and expectations, study the role and importance of marriage and family from a biblical perspective and learn the fundamental skills of effective counseling and therapy rooted in the truth of Scripture. This program equips individuals with theological distinctiveness, contemporary scholarship and professional counseling skills to serve within the local church, para-church organizations, counseling organizations, hospitals, prisons, retirement centers, and a variety of human service settings.
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 are aligned with the CACREP 2016 Standards.
Program Learning Outcomes: The Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling Program will equip students for the field of counseling by helping them to
1. Recognize the history, development, legislation, government policy, ethics, professional identity development of counselors within the context of marriage, couple, and family counseling.
2. 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.
3. Learn the application of theories and models in developing case conceptualization, etiology, treatment planning, diagnostic process, and referral within family systems and dynamics.
4. Comprehend assessments, including diagnostic interviews, genograms, family mapping, mental diagnostic status examinations, symptom inventories, and psychoeducational and personality assessments.
5. 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.
6. Enhance skills necessary to conduct competent cultural treatment relevant to marriage, couple, and family functioning, at various delivery modalities within the continuum of care.
7. Understand the etiology of trauma and crisis as well as the impact of interpersonal violence, mental health, and addiction on marriages, couples, and families.
8. Acquire strategies for interfacing with the legal system while understanding ethical principles and application to prospective marriage, couple, and family counseling.
9. Demonstrate understanding regarding the impact of life, gender roles, career, unemployment, under-employment, and changes in socioeconomic standing on marriages, couples, and families.
10. Synthesize information and knowledge into practice through supervised counseling experiences.
Educational Philosophy: The Educational Philosophy of the MA Marriage, Couple, & Family Program is provide
- Clinical training such that students are well-versed in research-based theoretical orientations and able to articulate and apply such views.
- Ample clinical experiences (in vivo and case study) such that students are able to grasp and deliver individual psychotherapy.
- 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.
- Robust clinical supervision for students as they practice/apply clinical skills taught in the classroom.
- Experiences in which students can transition their knowledge of scholarly publications and foundational, research-based clinical theories into future research endeavors.
Curricular Structure and Degree Requirements
| Curricular Structure |
Credits |
| Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses |
3 |
| Intro to Prof. Counseling Courses - Tier One |
15 |
| Professional Core Courses - Tier Two |
18 |
| Advanced Practice Courses - Tier Three |
12 |
| Professional Practice Courses |
9 |
| Elective Courses |
3 |
| Program Total |
60 |
The Admission Requirements section below contains information about pre-requisite courses that students must complete prior to taking graduate courses in this program.
Biblical and Theological Foundations Courses (3 credits)
This chart outlines how prior college-level credits in Bible and theology, as represented on a transcript, apply to the Biblical and Theological Foundations course requirement.
| 15 or less credits of Bible and theology |
BTC 503 Foundations for Integration |
| 16-29 credits of Bible and theology |
BTC 504 Perspectives on Integration |
| 30 or more credits of Bible and theology |
30 or more credits of Bible and theology |
If students have satisfied the Bible and theology requirement, they must take a CPS elective to meet the 60 credits required for this program and for licensure.
Intro to Prof. Counseling Core Courses- Tier One (15 credits)
These courses must be taken first as part of the Preliminary Acceptance Phase.
| CPS 501 | Orientation to Professional Counseling Identity, Function & Ethics | 3 |
| CPS 508 | Counseling Skills in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CPS 515 | Counseling Theory and Techniques | 3 |
| CPS 530 | Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 541 | Group Counseling Leadership Skills | 3 |
Core Professional Courses - Tier Two (18 credits)
These courses can be taken only after being granted Candidacy.
| CPS 505 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| CPS 510 | Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CPS 525 | Assessment Techniques in Counseling I | 3 |
| CPS 531 | Psychopathology & Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 583 | Multicultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| CPS 588 | Career and Lifestyle Development | 3 |
Advanced Practice Courses - Tier Three (12 credits)
These courses can be taken only after being granted Candidacy and completing Tier Two.
| CPS 540 | Marriage Counseling & Psychotherapy | 3 |
| CPS 550 | Family Counseling & Psychotherapy | 3 |
| CPS 572 | Counseling Addictions | 3 |
| CPS 575 | Counseling Children and Adolescents | 3 |
Professional Practice Courses (9 credits)
These courses can be taken only after completing Tier One and Tier Two courses.
Elective Courses (3 credits)
These courses can be taken only after completing Tier Two.
| CPS 514 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| CPS 517 | Biopsychology | 3 |
| CPS 545 | Counseling the Older Adult | 3 |
| CPS 546 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| CPS 551 | Assessment Techniques in Counseling II | 3 |
| CPS 553 | Counseling & Psychotherapy for the Individual | 3 |
| CPS 573 | Advanced Addictions Treatment Methods | 3 |
| CPS 577 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| CPS 586 | Advanced Applied Research Practicum | 3 |
Practicum and Internships
The Practicum and Internship courses are a critical and integral component in the training of a well-equipped counselor. These courses provide students with the opportunity to utilize their classroom learning in counseling situations under the supervision of professional counselors.
CPS 601 Professional Counseling Practicum
- May be taken after completing a minimum of 33 graduate credits (Tier 1 & Tier 2 courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.0, completion of the candidacy process, and passing the CPCE exam.
- Minimum of 200 hours of field experience is required to complete the practicum - 80 hours of direct client contact, 20 combined hours of individual and group supervision, and 100 hours of administration (ie. Research, writing, training, admin tasks)
- Students are required to participate in a blended classroom component. Each student will be required to record four (4) 50-60 minute therapy sessions and schedule one-hour appointment with the processor for each VCS to review the recordings.
CPS 602 Professional Counseling Internship I
- May be taken after completing a minimum of 36 graduate credits (Tier 1 & 2 courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and successfully completing CPS 601 Practicum.
- Minimum of 300 hours of field experience is required to complete the internship - 130 hours of direct client contact, 20 combined hours of individual and group supervision, and 150 hours of administration (ie. Research, writing, training, admin tasks)
- Students are required to participate in a blended classroom component. Each student will be required to record four (4) 50-60 minute therapy sessions and schedule one-hour appointment with the processor for each VCS to review the recordings.
CPS 603 Professional Counseling Internship II
- May be taken after completing a minimum of 39 graduate credits (Tier 1 & 2 courses) with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and successfully completing CPS 601 Practicum and CPS 602 Internship I.
- Minimum of 300 hours of field experience is required to complete the internship - 130 hours of direct client contact, 20 combined hours of individual and group supervision, and 150 hours of administration (ie. Research, writing, training, admin tasks)
- Students are required to participate in a blended classroom component. Each student will be required to record four (4) 50-60 minute therapy sessions and schedule one-hour appointment with the class professor for each VCS to review the recordings.
Admissions, Retention, and Graduation
Admission Requirements
Admission into a master's degree program is consistent with the general admissions policy and practice of LBC | Capital. Admission criteria is located in the Admissions Information section of the catalog. This program has the following additional admissions requirements.
The application process for the MA in Counseling program has four phases: 1. Initial application phase (IAP), 2. Interview phase (IP; parts 1-2), 3. Preliminary acceptance phase (PAP), and 4. Candidacy phase (CP).
Initial Application Phase (IAP) requires submission of the following items:
- Online Application
- Personal statement of spiritual journey and statement of faith
- Two professional references completed online
- Transcript of an accredited bachelor's degree. Graduate transcripts required 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. If required, their test score must meet the following minimum for admission: Paper Score 550; Computer Score 213; or Internet Score 79. International students must also complete the Duolingo test with a score of 105. The applicant’s skill score in writing will also be considered in the admissions decision. The official TOEFL score report must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service.
Pre-Program Requirements: Students must demonstrate completion of these requirements prior to taking a graduate course.
1. Counseling/Psychology Prerequisites Required before any Classes: PSYC _____ Undergraduate course in counseling/psychology 3 credits
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 |
Application Process
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 scholarly paper using APA (7th edition) format in Microsoft Word reviewing articles provided to them before scheduling the interview. Writing samples help the Counseling Department Admissions Committee assess for graduate-level skills related to comprehension, adaptability, critical thinking, and scholarly writing.
Interview Phase Part 2 (IP2):
After completion of the writing sample, the student has to appear before the admission committee for an interview. During the interview process, the committee assesses interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and self-awareness. 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. Students must satisfy academic requirements of the 1st Tier Professional Core courses and then complete the steps for candidacy to continue in the MA counseling programs.
Application Response
After completion of the Interview Phase 2. The Program Admission Committee will communicate their decision to Global Admissions, and they will communicate the decision of the committee within 7-15 days. One of the three decisions described below are possible.
1. Recommended admission without contingencies: The applicant is fully accepted without any noted concerns.
2. Recommended admission with the prerequisites noted: The applicant is accepted with admission’s academic deficiencies identified. The applicant will be informed as to the required steps toward achieving full acceptance.
3. Do not recommend admission: These applicants will be notified in writing regarding this decision.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credit is awarded in accordance with the general transfer policy in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. Transfer credits are reviewed and approved by the Program Director. This program has the following program specific transfer credit information.
| Graduate Program |
Program Credits |
# of Transfer Credits |
Min. Grade of Transfer Credits |
| Counseling Programs (MA) |
60 cr. |
18 graduate credits |
B |
The course must be relevant to the degree program that the applicant is applying for as determined by the program director. The Counseling and Social Work Department reserves the right to approve or decline the transfer credits, which will be communicated to the students during the interview process.
Program Retention
Academic progress in this program is monitored after each term. The Academic Probation policy and Academic Dismissal policy found in this catalog are applied to all LBC | Capital students. In addition this program has the following program retention requirements:
Candidacy Process: Upon receiving provisional acceptance to the graduate program, new MA counseling students will be required to complete the following steps in order to obtain full candidacy acceptance into the MA program. Students’ academic performance, interpersonal characteristics, and behavior are monitored throughout the program to ensure competency in preparation for the counseling profession.
- Complete all Tier One Professional Core courses (15 credits) to demonstrate academic fitness and interpersonal fitness. Students must obtain a grade of B or higher. Each student will also be rated by their professors on various interpersonal and academic performance standards via the Critical Competencies Review form in each of the Tier 1 courses.
- Obtain two (2) background checks (ACT 151 PA Child Abuse Clearance and ACT 34 PA Criminal Background Check) prior to candidacy interview, along with proof of completion of Mandated Reporter Training. These documents are necessary for approval for field placement. (If living or working in a different state, please review your state requirements for obtaining clearances).
- Complete Personality and Career Assessment 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 discuss 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 personality and the associated relationship with common workplace factors to ensure that the chosen career path correlates with common counseling environments.
- Submit the Candidacy Application to the Counseling & Social Work department for review.
- Schedule and participate in a candidacy interview. 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 Tier I 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.
Upon receiving full candidacy acceptance to the MA program, students can then proceed to enroll in courses from the Tier Two Professional Courses.
Counselor Preparation Comprehension Examination
Prior to practicum and internships, students must take the Counselor Preparation Comprehension Examination (CPCE) after completing Tier 1 and Tier 2 courses. The purpose of the exam is to assess the student’s knowledge of counseling to ensure minimum competence in the field. The CPCE will cover the eight required core areas outlined in CACREP 2016 Standards. Furthermore, the CPCE will also provide collective feedback that can be used by the program in developing/adapting curriculum. The CPCE is offered once each Spring, Summer, and Fall semester. More specifically, students can expect the exam to take place on a weekday between 5:30-10:00pm at Lancaster Bible College’s campus.
Graduation Requirements
The following requirements must be successfully completed in order to receive the Master of Arts degree:
• Satisfactory completion of all course work
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations
• Adherence to biblical standards and ethics in living one's lifestyle
Faculty
Resident Faculty:
Melissa Boas, MEd
Day Butcher, EdD, LPC, LCAT, ATR-BC
Praveen Rudra, MA, LPC
Jon Shacklett, MA, LPC, CAADC, ACS
Adjunct and Visiting Faculty:
Tony Byler, MD
Faith Ann Day, MA, LPC
Lori DeWald, MA, NCC, LBS
Sean Dougherty, MS, MEd
Carol Geiger, MA, Med, LPC
Kevin Gushiken, PhD
Abby Keiser, MS
Karen Mummau, MSW, LCSW
Brittany Ober, MA
Jessica Todorov, MA
Additional information about the Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor is available at http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/SocialWorkersMarriageanFamilyTherapistsandProfessionalCounselors/Pages/default.aspx#.VT7xiCFViko.