Overview
CIU’s Clinical Counseling program, in conjunction with the Psychology major of the College of Arts and Sciences, offers an integrated program of study that allows academically-gifted, mission-quality students who have a clear sense of calling to become licensed professional counselors to complete both a Bachelor of Science degree with a Psychology major and a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling degree in as few as five years.
During their first year, students take courses in the standard undergraduate core. During their second year, they complete the core and begin taking courses in their Psychology major. During their third year, they complete courses in their Psychology major and begin taking foundational counseling courses at the graduate level, which allows them to demonstrate their ability to succeed at that level of study.
Students apply to the Master of Arts degree during the second semester of their third year of study. If they are accepted, they complete the requirements for their B.S. and continue course work for the M.A. during their fourth year. They graduate with the B.S. at the end of that year.
Students complete their graduate-level requirements, including an internship, during their fifth year and graduate with their M.A. at the end of that year. The following table provides a basic overview of the integrated program.
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Bachelor of Arts
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Master of Arts
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Year 1
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Undergraduate Core
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Year 2
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Undergraduate Core and Major
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Year 3
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Undergraduate Major
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Foundational Core
Apply for admission to the M.A.
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Year 4
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Complete B.S.
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Counseling Core
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Year 5
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Complete M.A.
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Purpose and Objectives
The Psychology major provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to research and address the mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual growth needs of people in clinical, academic, and church/mission settings. The Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling provides students with professional training in clinical mental health counseling within a biblical worldview in order to provide Christ-like therapeutic relationships for healing and growth. The training model focuses on the heart (personal and spiritual development), the head (professional knowledge and research), and the hands (effective interpersonal and clinical skills).
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Application fee
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard
- Official transcript for highest earned degree and any master’s level credits earned
- A minimum 3.0 GPA for the most recent degree obtained.
- Students whose GPA falls between 2.8 and 3.0 may be considered for admission on a conditional basis if they submit their requests in writing accompanied by appropriate rationale.
- Prerequisites: Have completed the following undergraduate courses with a minimum 2.0 (“C”) grade (or a score of 50 on the CLEP or 55 on the DANTES examinations)
- Introduction to Psychology or General Psychology
- Developmental, Lifespan Developmental, or Human Growth and Developmental Psychology within a social science or educational program
- Applicants without these courses can be conditionally accepted pending successful completion of the courses.
- Essay (800 words total)
- Professional Reference
- Online Interview
See Undergraduate Core for B.S. graduation requirements and the Completion Requirements for the Counseling program.
