M.A. Master of Arts in Counseling

Sitting at a rectangular table beside her peers, a student looks down and reviews her notes

The Department of Education and Psychology’s goals are to serve those who are interested in a career in psychology and those who wish to pursue advanced degrees in the areas of psychology and counseling. The Master of Arts in Counseling at Southwestern Adventist University is designed to develop and deliver a program that ensures the highest of counseling preparation and performance.

SWAU is a recognized contributor in the field of counseling through effective teaching, quality research, and meaningful service. The University is committed to the advancement of counseling in the mental health and school environments, at all levels, and for all students, especially graduate Christian education within the Adventist system of values.

The objectives of the M.A. in Counseling program are:

To promote excellence in graduate education through exemplary teaching, research, practice, and service.
To prepare competent counselors for both public and private mental health and school settings.
To improve human cognitive, academic, physical, emotional, social development and performance.

Master of Arts in Counseling Programs

School Counseling
Counseling Psychology

Careers

The Master of Arts in Counseling program is aimed at helping those in the psychology field find advancement and further fulfillment in their career.

Professions

Counselor
Therapist
Social Worker
Psychiatrist
Psychoanalyst
Neuropsychology
Clinical Psychologist
Research Psychologist
Human Resources Professional
Guidance Counselor

14%

Expected employment growth of Psychologists between 2018-2028

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Four students stand togther outside of Pechero while they smile at each other.

Three Students sit at a table in Pechero looking through books, two are smiling.

A group of students sit togther smiling and playing guitar on campus on the grass.

Counseling Psychology Requirements
Item #	Title	Credits
EDPY 500	Life Span Development	3
EDPY 505	Professional Ethics	3
EDPY 510	Career Development	3
EDPY 515	Abnormal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents	3
EDPY 520	Trends and Issues in Counseling	3
EDPY 525	Exceptionality and Testing	3
EDPY 530	Multicultural Counseling	3
EDPY 535	Group Counseling	3
EDPY 540	Administration of Counseling and Guidance	3
EDPY 545	Crisis Counseling	3
EDPY 550	Addictive Behaviors	3
EDPY 555	Psychopathology	3
EDPY 560	Personality Theories and Assessment	3
EDPY 565	Psychopharmacology	3
EDPY 575	Psychology Practicum	3
EDPY 580	Counseling Internship I	3
EDPY 581	Counseling Internship II	3
EDUC 525	Psychology of Learning	3
EDUC 535	Educational and Psychological Research	3
EDUC 555	Statistical Methods	3
	Total Credits	60

School Counseling Requirements
Item #	Title	Credits
EDPY 500	Life Span Development	3
EDPY 505	Professional Ethics	3
EDPY 510	Career Development	3
EDPY 515	Abnormal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents	3
EDPY 520	Trends and Issues in Counseling	3
EDPY 525	Exceptionality and Testing	3
EDPY 530	Multicultural Counseling	3
EDPY 535	Group Counseling	3
EDPY 540	Administration of Counseling and Guidance	3
EDPY 555	Psychopathology	3
EDPY 560	Personality Theories and Assessment	3
EDPY 575	Psychology Practicum	3
EDPY 580	Counseling Internship I	3
EDUC 525	Psychology of Learning	3
EDUC 535	Educational and Psychological Research	3
EDUC 555	Statistical Methods	3
	Total Credits	48

What Students Are Saying

“The program is set up so that I could continue working while earning my degree. My teachers were the best aspect - they truly demonstrated how to be an advocate for students and clients. They had intriguing assignments that were relevant and insightful. I was able to do my practicum in a clinical setting and my internship in a school setting. This allowed me to see the various ways that I could use the training I’ve received.”

—Sadie Kennedy, pictured left, is an elementary teacher in Johnson County