91èÏÈÉú

The Counseling faculty employ various methods of instruction including lectures, classroom discussions, role-plays, problem-based learning, instructional videos, guest lecturers, formative and summative assessments, and flipped classrooms.

Residency Experience

All MA in Counseling students will participate in a 5-day residency in late August on 91èÏÈÉú’s main campus in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. We encourage students to complete their residency as they enter the program, but students can postpone their residency until the start of their 2^nd year.  Our residency experience is designed to help students establish a meaningful relationship with faculty and other students. We have discovered that our students are best positioned for academic success when they are joined together into a community of learners for a special time of exploration, growth, and collaboration under Christ.

During this week, students will complete a 3-credit course in professional issues and ethics.  As part of this class, students will receive an orientation to our MA in Counseling program as well as an orientation to online learning at 91èÏÈÉú.  Students will also have opportunities to create their plan of study with their faculty advisor, explore their vocational calling within the counseling profession, and build program camaraderie through social gatherings.  We have learned that students will take these collegial relationships forged during residency with them into the profession long after completing our graduate program.

Lodging, transportation and meals are not provided by 91èÏÈÉú, but students are given an opportunity to connect with each other ahead of time through email chain prior in order to coordinate transportation and other travel logistics if needed. Lunch is available for purchase in the Alexander Dining Hall on the 91èÏÈÉú campus during the week. Students will be given information for lodging with any applicable discounts associated with the 91èÏÈÉú.

What Should I Expect in an Online Counseling Course?

Our online program is structured differently than our on-ground curriculum.  Instead of completing courses over a traditional, 14-week span, online courses run on an 8-week schedule.  As a result, full time students will complete 2-online courses at the same time for the first 8 weeks of the term (Fall A) and then begin 2 new courses for the back half of the same semester (Fall B).  Whether on ground or online, full time students will complete 4 courses per semester.

Given that 14 weeks of content are compressed into an 8-week schedule for online classes, the required level of time investment per week per course is considerably higher.  In order to be successful, students must carve out a sufficient time each week given the accelerated pace.  Prospective students often wonder, “How can I learn to be a professional counselor online?” We have deliberately structured our online program with this concern in mind.  In each course, well thought out methodologies are utilized to help students not only obtain mastery over the course material but also to develop Master’s level counseling skills and interventions.  Some of the most common methods of instruction in our online learning environment include audio-embedded PowerPoint presentations, video reviews, role plays, student presentations, clinical demonstrations, guest panels, reflection journals, meditative exercises, and examinations.  While much of our online courses are asynchronous, each class has some synchronous elements through videoconferencing technology so that students can engage in professional presentations, practice specific counseling skills, witness panel discussions, and receive live instruction  and feedback from faculty and other students.  Our classes utilize discussion forums to help students engage one another and to internalize course content on a weekly basis. 

In the second year of the program, online students will be supported in identifying a local clinical site to complete their practicum and internship experiences.  In the practicum and internship experiences, students provide master’s level counseling services to clients within their communities under the direction of a site and faculty supervisor.  During practicum and internship, students will receive synchronous (live), weekly faculty supervision through Zoom to help students to refine their counseling skills and prepare you for professional practice.  Our online MA in Counseling program offers students maximum flexibility without compromising the learning process so that students are well prepared to serve God and neighbor as professional counselors.