Johnson University

The Master of Arts in Counseling prepares students for service in a variety of professional settings, including community mental health agencies, child and family service agencies, institutional and school settings, churches, and private practice.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration provides a professional therapy education and experience. Graduates are eligible to pursue professional licensure in most states. In Tennessee, graduates may pursue licensure as both marital & family therapists and professional counselors with the mental health service provider designation. Students experience a unique blend of high quality theoretical training and clinical experience in a holistic Christian atmosphere. The program consists of 63 credit hours and maintains a student-faculty ratio less than 10:1, allowing for personal interaction and engagement between faculty and students.

Upon graduation, students will have completed 1000 hours of clinical activity. Practicum and internship opportunities include placements at the Johnson University Counseling Center, as well as various community-based settings. Students are encouraged to pursue and create internship opportunities in the community that match their personal goals and interests.

When students complete this program, they will be able to do the following:

-Embrace a Christian worldview that compels them to respectfully and ethically engage clients both similar to and different from themselves.
-Synthesize a systemic approach, theoretical understanding, and helping skills to address human experience across the lifespan.
– Demonstrate responsible use of research and assessment tools.
– Competently counsel, informed by knowledge and professional best practices.

In accordance with the 2016 CACREP standards, students are also evaluated on the following counselor dispositions, beginning at the admissions process and continuing during their time in the program: self and other awareness, resilient, teachable, integrity, and compassion.