Master of Arts in Professional Counseling

The Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree program effectively prepares graduates to earn licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Texas. Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) allows graduates to render counseling services in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, community counseling agencies, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, college and university counseling centers, Christian counseling centers, private psychiatric hospitals, domestic violence shelters, churches, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. 

DBU's faculty and staff members guide students in developing a professional counseling identity and effective counseling dispositions founded on a Christian worldview and guided by the profession. Students are provided appropriate coursework and clinical opportunities to expand the skills and disciplines necessary to excel in the counseling field. Courses are offered in a flexible format consisting of in-person, hybrid, and asynchronous delivery options. Afternoon and evening course offerings are available.

More than an Education

The Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree includes three semesters of experiential clinical practice under the supervision of core counseling faculty members and on-site supervisors. During the three-course, 700-hour practicum/internship experience, students receive valuable training and the opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners in the counseling field. Counseling faculty members provide real-world applications by sharing their own professional and personal experiences.

Marked by Service

The counseling field is a profession founded on the principle of service to others. As students develop a professional counseling identity through the lens of a Christian perspective, they are guided by faculty who are passionate about DBU’s mission to produce Christ-centered servant leaders who will impact the world through their calling to help others through the ministry of professional counseling. 

Meet the M.A. in Professional Counseling Program Director

"The Master of Arts in Professional Counseling is a 60-hour graduate program that integrates faith with clinical mental health counseling theory and practice from a Christ-centered worldview to produce servant leaders for work as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in various clinical settings in Texas and for ministry to a diverse world."

- Dr. Steven Hunter, Program Director
(214) 333-6830 | steveh@dbu.edu

Get Connected with your Program Director

Program Details

Our M.A. in Professional Counseling program provides options to customize your master's degree with dual degrees to help you pursue a career that is personally and professionally rewarding.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Additional M.A. in Professional Counseling Program Information

Syllabi and Practicum

The Practicum/Internship experience consists of three courses, COUN 6317 Counseling Practicum (S-L), COUN 6318 Counseling Internship I (S-L), and COUN 6319 Counseling Internship II (S-L), completed sequentially. The Practicum/Internship is the culmination of the M.A. in Professional Counseling degree program and is intended to provide practical experience for students as they make plans to enter the counseling profession. The 3 (three) courses include supervised delivery of direct counseling services in an approved agency or institution. Students are evaluated on a wide range of personal and professional criteria which includes analysis of video-recorded counseling sessions and seminar discussions of counseling theories, methods, and techniques. 

(S-L) = Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

Students should enroll in the 3 (three) Practicum/Internship courses sequentially. In order to progress through the 3 (three) courses, a grade of “B” or higher must be earned. In the event of any grade below at “B,” the course will have to be repeated until at least a “B” is earned. The student is responsible for any remedial work that may be suggested by the faculty in order to successfully complete the Practicum/Internship course.

In order to proceed to Practicum/Internship, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Student must have completed the 8 required personal counseling sessions.
  • Student must have completed the 12 hours of undergraduate prerequisite courses.
  • Student must have a current GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Student must secure a practicum site before enrolling in Practicum. 
  • Student must have completed the 10 candidacy courses, and most MAPC courses, student must have completed at least Psychopathology I. Please be mindful that students are usually more prepared and capable for working with clients if they have completed more than the minimum of coursework.
  • Students must apply for candidacy and be approved to enroll in Practicum, including passing the Candidacy Exam with a score of at least 75.
  • Students must purchase liability insurance through TCA or ACA. 
Admission Requirements

View DBU Graduate School’s admission requirements.

Admission to one graduate program does not guarantee admission to another. Applicants who show potential for graduate study but do not meet the criteria for Full Admission may be admitted for up to 12 hours under provisional status. Students admitted under Provisional Admission will be granted Full Admission upon successful completion of 12 credit hours and fulfillment of the conditions of their admission as determined by the Master’s Degrees Admission Committee.

Full Admission Requirements | International Admissions | Transfer Admissions

MAPC Student Handbook

MAPC Student Handbook

Graduate Alumni Testimonials

Elodia Garcia 

headshot of Elodia Garcia

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Dallas Baptist University MAPC program. The guidance and instruction I received from each professor have been invaluable in preparing me for my counseling journey. The program directors' and professors' support and encouragement have been a constant source of inspiration. I am now ready to start my counseling career, thanks to the rich education and guidance offered in DBU's Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program."

Arri Evans

headshot of Arri Evans

"I am beyond grateful to be a part of the Master of Professional Counseling Program. I have felt equipped intellectually and encouraged spiritually not just to become a Licensed Counselor but to grow deeper in my faith as well. The material has challenged me to grow professionally and wholeheartedly in every area of my life. The faculty have become lifelong mentors. Each class is a warm and safe setting to grow. I have met some incredible friends who will be strong counselors in the future. I have had the opportunity to study in several departments at DBU, this is by far one of the best!"

Who Should Consider a MA in Professional Counseling?

  • An ardent desire or calling to serve others
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to listen and fully focus attention on a client to seek understanding of their issues and values
  • Able to show empathy and compassion towards clients who are navigating difficult situations, including substance abuse and behavioral disorders
  • Remaining calm and patient when working with clients who may be distressed or angry about their circumstances

Careers You Can Pursue with an MA in Professional Counseling

  • Counselor
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • School counselor
  • Christian marriage counselor
  • Career counselor
  • Clinical therapist
  • Family therapist
  • Residential counselor
  • Community health worker

Read more about Why You Should Consider an MA in Professional Counseling.