Be shaped by Scripture and equipped to serve the hurting.
Through training in counseling theories and skills informed by a Christian worldview, Criswell will prepare you to serve individuals, couples, and families in a variety of settings. Small classes with experienced licensed counselors as your professors will provide you a collaborative, hands-on environment for learning how to help those in need.
If you wish to pursue a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor, you can choose the Professional Licensure track which meets the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors requirements for graduates to sit for the National Counselor Examination and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam.
If you wish to apply your counseling skills in a Christian-based ministry where licensure is not a necessary component, you can choose the Counseling Ministries track which provides you with training to further develop your ability to meet the psychological and sociological needs of people.
PROGRAM COURSE INFORMATION – PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE TRACK
Tier 1 (30 hours)
CSL 501 Professional Orientation and Ethics
CSL 505 Counseling Theories
CSL 510 Social, Cultural, and Family Issues
CSL 515 Counseling Methods and Techniques
CSL 520 Human Growth and Development
CSL 530 Lifestyle and Career Development
CSL 535 Marriage and Family Counseling
CSL 602 Counseling Skills and Techniques
CSL 611 Abnormal Human Behavior
CSL 615 Group Counseling
MAC Committee Evaluation & Oral Exam
Students must pass this evaluation and oral exam before proceeding to Tier 2 courses.
Tier 2 (30 hours)
CSL 601 Appraisal and Assessment Techniques
CSL 605 Research
CSL 610 Topics in Counseling
CSL 616 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
CSL 621 Psychopathology
CSL 625 Crisis Counseling
CSL 635 Addictions Counseling
CSL 701 Counseling Practicum I
CSL 702 Counseling Practicum II
CSL 703 Counseling Practicum III
CSL 615 Group
CSL 630 Practicum I
CSL 640 Practicum II
CSL 650 Professional Orientation
CSL 541 Ethics in Counseling
BIB 105 Hermeneutics
CRIS 300 Baptist Faith and Witness
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 410 Integration of Theology and Psychology
PROGRAM COURSE INFORMATION – COUNSELING MINISTRIES TRACK
Tier 1 (30 hours)
CSL 501 Professional Orientation and Ethics
CSL 505 Counseling Theories
CSL 510 Social, Cultural, and Family Issues
CSL 515 Counseling Methods and Techniques
CSL 520 Human Growth and Development
CSL 530 Lifestyle and Career Development
CSL 535 Marriage and Family Counseling
CSL 602 Counseling Skills and Techniques
CSL 611 Abnormal Human Behavior
CSL 615 Group Counseling
Open Electives (6 hours)
BIB 105 Hermeneutics
CRIS 300 Baptist Faith and Witness
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 410 Integration of Theology and Psychology
I appreciate the dedication my professors had in supporting me and challenging me. If it wasn’t for them, I would have taken the safe route and stayed at my private practice and not pushed my limits. They have been a major influence in my life the past three years and I can honestly say that I am better because of it!
CAREERS
Graduates with a M.A. in Counseling (Professional Licensure track) are prepared to step into the following roles:
- Mental health counselor
- School counselor
- Marriage counselor
- Career counselor
- Substance abuse counselor
- Social worker
- Pursue further studies to become a psychologist
Graduates with a M.A. in Counseling (Counseling Ministries track) are prepared to step into the following roles:
- Pastoral counselor
- Academic counselor
- Church counselor
- Life coach
- Career counselor
- Case manager
From 2018—2021, 89% of those who graduated with a M.A. in Counseling are either employed or continuing their education.
PROGRAM STUDIES
Steve Hunter
Professor of Psychology & Counseling; Hope for the Heart Chair of Biblical Counseling; Program Director of B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling
M.A. in Counseling
Why attend Criswell College? For professors like Dr. Hunter, who helps prepare students in the M.A. Counseling program to answer the call for providing professional, ethical, legal, and biblical counseling services.
