Reformed Theological Seminary

The CACREP accredited Master of Arts in Counseling program at RTS exists to train distinctly Christian and exceptionally competent Professional Counselors. The 78-credit curriculum integrates clinical mental health counseling coursework and clinical experience with a Reformed theological foundation, equipping graduates to counsel both churched and non-churched populations in multicultural and pluralistic societies.

Program-directed clinical experience.

Many counseling programs fulfill practicum and internship requirements through unaffiliated off-site internships that students are responsible to secure. All RTS students, however, counsel people in practicum and internship sites closely affiliated and secured by the program. At these sites, students acquire at least 400 face-to-face clinical hours. Students receive supervision as individuals and in groups from professors and other licensed mental health counselors who work in coordination with the program. Students find the clinical experience to be deeply challenging and rewarding, as they work collaboratively with their professors, supervisors and other students.

Cohort-based clinical experience.

MAC students enter the clinical practicum and internship experience together at the same time in the same clinic. By going through this experience together, students have the opportunity to counsel together and consult or pray with each other before and after sessions. Students can also view their counseling sessions via video-recording or live observation and provide input about clients or constructive feedback to help each other develop. Since the MAC program lasts two years, second-year help students mentor first-year students during their practicum.

Academic Excellence

The MAC program provides Clinical Mental Health Counseling training that prepares students for state licensure as Licensed Mental Health Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselors who are qualified to practice in agencies, private practices, church counseling centers, and other settings.

Graduates of the RTS MAC program have become clinical mental health counselors, pastors, missionaries, consultants, doctoral students, and professors. Clinical experience is the heart of the MAC program, even in the classroom. Professors seek to apply all theoretical material directly to the practice of counseling. RTS requires that all counseling professors maintain active private counseling practices, so their clinical skills and insight remain sharp. These clinical skills combined with the professors’ academic knowledge keep our students at the forefront of the field of counseling as Christian professionals.