Master of Science in Counseling
Master of Science in Counseling – Online or On-Campus
Give Hope to the Hurting
Be prepared for career opportunities in professional positions. You’ll find emphasis on a biblical counseling model and be equipped for state licensure and doctoral work in the fields of counseling or psychology.
Credit Hours
Accessible and PracticalÂ
In the fully accredited Master of Science of Counseling program, you will be equipped with a required counseling core and several credits of elective courses, allowing you to pursue focus areas. You will be prepared to pass the National Certified Counselor (NCC) exam and apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
What Will You Learn?
You were designed by God with specific abilities and interests. At CSU, you can customize your studies to hone in on the areas that will help you reach your individual goals. Select a concentration and choose elective credits that will prepare you for your specific career and ministry ahead.
Learn from a biblical perspective
The Bible is the foundation, focus and filter throughout the entire program, allowing you to competently deal with secular theories without comprising biblical truth.
Get hands-on experience
You will have the chance to watch multiple actual counseling sessions in the on-campus counseling center. Gain valuable experience by working with real clients under the guidance and supervision of a credentialed co-counselor.
Be prepared to pursue professional counseling careers
You’ll learn to competently provide wise biblical counsel in multiple clinical settings, and you’ll be ready to serve in ministry leadership positions.
Your Courses
Each of your courses is taught from a biblical worldview. You’ll interact within small class sizes and with professors who really care about you and your goals.
All courses are 3 credits unless noted.
Course Descriptions can be found in the catalog.
Counseling Core
Introduction to the Profession
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling [CO571]
Biblical CounselingÂ
- Theological Foundations of Change [CO505]
- Biblical Philosophy of Counseling [CO506]
Professional CounselingÂ
- Evaluating Research [CO519]
- Theories and Techniques of Counseling [CO520]
- Human Development [CO530]
- Career Counseling [CO532]
- Introduction to Group Counseling [CO535]
- Marriage and Family Counseling [CO539]
- Abnormal Behavior [CO540]
- Appraisal and Testing in Counseling [CO542]
- The Helping Relationship [CO544]
- Ethics and Professional Orientation [CO550]
- Ethnicity and Counseling [CO565]
- Human Sexuality [CO630]
- Comprehensive Written Exam [CO595] – 0 credits
- Comprehensive Oral Exam [CO597] – 0 credits
Field Experience
Electives
- Research Methods [CO510]
- Statistical Methods and Applications [CO511]
- Counseling Children [CO514]
- Psychology of Grief and Bereavement [CO549]
- Counseling Interventions for Women [CO561]
- Spiritual Interventions in Counseling [CO584]
- Understanding and Treating Addictions [CO617]
- Behavioral Addictions [CO619]
- Evaluation and Consultation of Mental and Mood Disorders [CO701]
- Diagnosis of Mental and Mood Disorders [CO703]
- Methods of Preventions and Intervention of Mental and Emotional Disorders [CO705]
Online Program
Start Dates
January 10, 2022
March 7, 2022
May 9, 2022
June 20, 2022
August 15, 2022
October 17, 2022
Your Education Options
The M.S.C. program can be completed either on-campus or online.
On Campus
Course Schedules
Fall
Odd years
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling [CO571]
- Ethics and Professional Orientation [CO550]
- Human Sexuality [CO630]
Even years
- Theological Foundations of Change [CO505]
- Marriage and Family Counseling [CO539]
- Abnormal Behavior [CO540]
Spring
Odd Years
- Biblical Philosophy of Counseling [CO506]
- Human Development [CO530]
- Career Counseling [CO532]
Even Years
- Theories and Techniques [CO520]
- Ethnicity and Counseling [CO565]
Summer – modules
- Introduction to Group Counseling [CO535] – 1st week
- Appraisal and Testing in Counseling [CO542] – 1st week
- The Helping Relationship [CO544] – 2nd week
Field Experience and Capstone Courses
These courses can start any session after prerequisites are completed.
- Comprehensive Written Exam [CO595] – 0 credits
- Comprehensive Oral Exam [CO597] – 0 credits
- Supervised Counseling Practicum [CO580]
- Supervised Counseling Internship [CO590]
Online
Course Schedules - Required Courses
Fall – Session 1
- Theological Foundations of Change [CO505]
- Evaluating Research [CO519]
- Ethnicity and Counseling [CO565]
- Survey of Doctrine [TH517]
Fall – Session 2
- Biblical Philosophy of counseling [CO506]
- Human Development [CO530]
- Marriage and Family Counseling [CO539]
- Human Sexuality [CO630]
Spring – Session 1
- Survey of Doctrine [TH517]
- Evaluating Research [CO519]
- Theories and Techniques [CO520]
- Abnormal Behavior [CO540]
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling [CO571]
Spring – Session 2
- Theological Foundations of Change [CO505]
- Career Counseling [CO532]
- Ethics and Professional Orientation [CO550]
Summer – online
- Survey of Doctrine [TH517]
- Biblical Philosophy of Counseling [CO506]
- Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling [CO571]
Summer – modules
- Introduction to Group Counseling [CO535] – 1st week
- Appraisal and Testing in Counseling [CO542] – 1st week
- The Helping Relationship [CO544] – 2nd week
Field Experience and Capstone Courses
These courses can start any session after prerequisites are completed.
- Comprehensive Written Exam [CO595] – 0 credits
- Comprehensive Oral Exam [CO597] – 0 credits
- Supervised Counseling Practicum [CO580]
- Supervised Counseling Internship [CO590]
Course Schedules - Electives
Fall – Session 1
- Counseling Interventions for Women [CO561]
- Understanding and Treating Addictions [CO617]
Fall – Session 2
- Substance Addictions [CO627]
Spring – Session 1
- Grief and Bereavement Counseling [CO549]
- Behavioral Addictions [CO619]
Spring – Session 2
- Spiritual Issues in Counseling [CO584]
- Evaluation & Consultation for Mental & Mood Disorders [CO701]
* Other electives are available on a rotating schedule. See Academic Advisor for details.
Your In-Field Experience, Right on Campus
CSU partners with Foundations Christian Counseling Center to host one of their counseling center locations right on CSU’s campus. This provides Counseling students with easy access to observation of professional, biblically-based live counseling sessions.Â
Undergraduate Counseling Students:
All counseling-related majors have the opportunity to observe live counseling sessions at the on-campus counseling center. Undergraduate students can observe and then debrief with a supervisor and counselor to gain insight and fulfill observation requirements.
Graduate Counseling Students:
Graduate students can put what they’re learning in the classroom into practice through co-counseling at CSU’s on-campus counseling center. Foundations Counseling Center also welcomes graduate students to fulfill their field experience requirements as counselors.
Share hope through effective biblical counseling.
Fast Facts
Clarks Summit University’s facts underscore the commitment to your success!
top faith-based online college in Pennsylvania
most affordable online master's in counseling
best online college in Pennsylvania
best small college for a counseling degree
So many times I’m sitting in that counseling room thinking I don’t know what to say to that person. But that’s where the Holy Spirit comes in and I’ll be saying something five minutes later that is totally God directed. That’s my biggest benefit to getting my degree through CSU, that biblical foundation together with the knowledge and tools I needed to be effective in a secular workplace.
                                                    
Program HighlightsÂ
- Earn your degree in under four years.
- Complete your studies entirely online or on campus.
- Transfer in up to 20 credits into the program.
Prepare for licensure.
Since the program’s inception, every graduate of CSU’s Master of Science in Counseling program who went on to take the National Counselor Exam for licensure passed on the first try.
Meet your Professors.
You’ll not only receive quality academics to prepare you for the next steps in your career and ministry, but you’ll also get mentorship to prepare you for life.
Dr. Lynelle Buchanan
After teaching and chairing the undergraduate counseling program since 2002, Buchanan became the chair of the graduate school in 2014. She also speaks regularly at women’s conferences, and she is a National Certified Counselor as well as a Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor. Â
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Bible, Clarks Summit University, 1995
- Master of Science in Counseling, Clarks Summit University, 2001
- Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Northcentral University, 2016
Dr. Heather (Hall) Fornes
Fornes coordinates practicums and internships as the director of the clinical field experience. A National Certified Counselor as well as a Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor, she has experience working with special needs children and the elderly, as well as individuals struggling with anxiety and depression.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Bible, Clarks Summit University
- Master of Science in Counseling, Clarks Summit University
- Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Higher Education Administration, Marywood
University
Dr. Keith Marlett
For 25 years, Marlett served as a church planter and pastor before entering the counselor education field. A licensed professional counselor in Ohio and a licensed mental health counselor in Indiana, he has taught courses at multiple colleges, universities and seminaries.Â
Education:
- Associate of Science in Police Science, Cayuga County Community College
- Bible Diploma, Liberty University
- Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Studies, Liberty University
- Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, Liberty University
- Doctor of Philosophy in Professional Counseling, Liberty University
Christina (Olka) Crain
Crain is the freedom director at South Bay Church of Riverview, Florida. She works with the staff and congregation to help people find freedom in Christ through support groups, discipleship programs and prayer teams. A Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, she maintains a private practice caseload in partnership with a Christian counseling center and assists a domestic violence homeless shelter and an adoption agency as a mental health consultant and counselor. Her clinical background includes working in inpatient units, residential treatment facilities, partial hospitals, schools, prevention programs and outpatient therapy settings.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Bible and Theology, Clarks Summit UniversityÂ
- Master of Science in Counseling, Clarks Summit University
Invest in Your Future
When you earn your master’s degree, you’ll open new doors in your career and ministry. CSU works hard to ensure you receive the best value in education with competitive tuition rates, many ways to qualify for discounts and individualized support.
%
M.S.C. grads who passed the NCE on their first try
credit hours
cost per credit (before any discounts)
%
students who qualify for discounted tuition
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