The Master of Counselling (MC) program provides a professional course of study that equips students for a vocation in the mental health sector and in specialized counselling ministries in church and parachurch organizations. The Master of Counselling degree program seeks to develop professionals with a capacity for critical and constructive theological reflection on social issues. This will include a strong focus on building skills that can help to improve the lives of others through personal engagement, counselling and human service programs. Core to the program is the engagement of biological, psychological, relational, and theological issues that impact peoples’ lives. The program is designed to help students meet the academic requirements for gaining professional recognition as a member of the Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACCP) and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). It should be noted that recognition in each of these associations is independent of Briercrest's program and that it is the student's responsibility to pursue such recognition after graduation.
Credit Hours: 42
I. Core (12 credit hours)
In consultation with the program coordinator, students will choose one course from each of the following disciplines:
Personal Formation for Ministry *
New Testament
Old Testament
THEO 601 Christian Theology Overview **
II. Counselling (12 credit hours)
CO 603 Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy
CO 703 Counselling Problems and Procedures
CO 705 Counselling Ethics
CO 714 Counselling Systems and Approaches
III. Counselling Elective (3 credit hours)
Choose one course from the following:
CO 606 Marriage and Family Therapy
CO 620 Pastoral Counselling
CO 707 Procedures in Marriage and Family Therapy
CO 710 Crisis and Grief Counselling
CO 711 Addictions Counselling
CO 712 Interpersonal Trauma Counselling
CO 713 Topics in Marriage and Family Therapy
CO 819 Counselling Specialty: Motivational Interviewing
PSY 611 DSM and Psychopharmacology
IV. Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
PSY 606 Lifespan Development
V. Practicum and Internship (3 credit hours)
CO 790 Counselling Practicum I ***
CO 791 Counselling Practicum II ****
CO 801 Counselling Internship (150 clinical hours, non-credit)*****
VI. Open Electives (6 credit hours)
VII. Non-Credit Requirements
PRT 800 Learning Portfolio and Interview
* Must include one of the following: CM 600 Spiritual Formation for Ministry; CM 601 Philosophy and Foundation for Ministry; LE 605 Personal and Service Development.
** With permission of the program coordinator, a student with sufficient background in theology may replace this course with one course in history or theology.
*** Students must have taken CO 603, CO 703 and CO 705 before taking CO 790. Please contact Academic Services to register for CO 790 Counselling Practicum I.
**** Students must have a grade of "B" in CO 790 to proceed to CO 791. Please contact Academic Services to register for CO 791 Counselling Practicum II.
*****Students must have a grade of "B" in both CO 790 and CO 791 and the approval of the Department Head to proceed with CO 801 Counselling Internship.
