MA in Counseling Psychology

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) at Forest Institute St. Louis is offered as a cohort program, which allows for life to continue outside of school. The MACP curriculum is in a non-traditional format with classes held in the evenings so that professionals can continue working. Students in the MACP Cohort start in the fall semester and take most of the required coursework before starting practicum and the Capstone Project. Students take fewer credit hours during the last two semesters, allowing time to focus on Practicum and the Capstone Project. The curriculum requires completion of 48 credit hours. Students who commence the MACP program have the opportunity to focus on two classes at a time and complete each class within eight weeks. Each course is offered once a year and students are expected to follow the curriculum plan, which allows them to complete the program in less than two years.

The program is designed for students who would like to become Licensed Professional Counselors in the State of Missouri. However, our curriculum can be easily adapted to the requirements of your intended state of practice. MACP students have the opportunity to apply for the National Counseling Certification (NCC) credential and sit for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) on campus prior to graduation through our affiliation with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Sitting for the exam on campus prior to graduation benefits students by saving valuable time during the application for licensure process, allows for testing while exam knowledge is at a peak, and provides the opportunity to study with peers.

The faculty, staff, and administration of the program are focused on students and strive to provide the best possible student service and instruction. Program instructors are actively practicing professionals who bring their everyday hands-on experience and expertise to the classroom. For more detailed information about the program requirements for the MACP, please see the MACP section of our Academic Catalog.

Learn more about admission requirements for the MACP Cohort Program or how to apply online.

Program Goals and Objectives

Graduates of the MACP program will demonstrate requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following competency areas to practice effectively as professional counselors:

1. Helping Relationships

a. Demonstrate an ability to form and successfully maintain a therapeutic relationship.
b. Understand and demonstrate successful professional roles, functions and relationships
with other human service providers.
c. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of group work.
d. Understand and use career development theories and decision-making models for planning and counseling.

2. Human Growth and Development

a. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that affect normal and abnormal human behavior.
b. Know and understand theories of individual and family development.

3. Appraisal

a. Understand strategies for selecting, administering and interpreting assessment and evaluation instruments and techniques in counseling.
b. Understand and distinguish different types of testing and assessment.

4. Research

a. Have knowledge of and use methods of research to improve counseling effectiveness.
b. Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate research orally and in writing.

5. Social and Cultural Diversity

a. Demonstrate an understanding of theories of multicultural counseling, theories of identity development and multicultural competencies.
b. Understand and demonstrate strategies for working with diverse populations and ethnic groups.

6. Ethics

a. Demonstrate an understanding and application of ethical standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and related entities.
b. Demonstrate appropriate standards for professional behavior.

* The administration of assessments is limited to those that are appropriate for a Master’s level licensed professional. Assessments should not be administered without appropriate education, training and experience. The Assessment course (MACP 501) within the MACP curriculum is not sufficient to meet the training and experience requirements set forth by the State of Missouri. Rather, its purpose is to provide students with an understanding of commonly used assessment tools. Administering assessments without training and experience is considered practicing outside one’s professional competence boundaries, which is in violation of the ethical standards and principles as specified by the Committee for Professional Counselors (Missouri) in the Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 20, Rule: 20 CSR 2095-3.010.

Curriculum Requirements