Distinctives
What makes Messiah’s M.A. in counseling program unique?
Faith commitment and academic excellence
Messiah University's Graduate Program in Counseling has earned a nationally recognized reputation for delivering excellent online counselor education and has been continuously accredited by CACREP since 2012. Our program effectively integrates faith commitments with academic distinction. We value each student as a unique person who deserves respect and encouragement as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Students can expect supportive interaction from our faculty, administration and staff as a part of this commitment to gracious Christianity and our distinct Christian educational mission. In recognition of the important role faith and spirituality plays in our clients’ lives, we offer students the opportunity to be trained in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy while in the program.
Mentoring by experienced faculty
Students in Messiah’s counseling program learn from faculty with different theological perspectives and global experiences who embrace students’ cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. Our faculty, who are experienced counselors, engaging teachers and accomplished scholars, are well equipped to mentor students as they seek to define their counseling specialties. All student advising is done by core faculty who assist students in creating a customized plan of study. This includes choosing elective courses to promote career planning. Courses include trauma assessment and intervention, spiritually integrated psychotherapy, expressive arts in counseling, child and adolescent counseling, anger and forgiveness, and human sexuality.
Online and classroom delivery
We offer a flexible blend of instructional methods, ensuring personalized interaction and support along with student-paced learning. With regular synchronous sessions and optional on-campus intensives, students benefit from both virtual convenience and face-to-face skill development. This approach allows for program completion in students’ desired timelines, empowering them to achieve their academic and professional goals efficiently from wherever they are.
A national network of field placement and support
In Messiah’s counseling program, we prioritize the success of our students by fostering network of alumni and quality field experience sites, built over many years. We offer extensive placement support for field experience, with dedicated full-time and part-time staff guiding students all along the way.
Tele-mental health training
In the Graduate Program in Counseling, students from across the United States and around the world engage through meaningful virtual interaction. We offer structured tele-mental health training as a part of our program to prepare students for technological innovation that works alongside face-to-face counseling.
