Counselling

Professional Designations

Graduates from the MA Counselling and MA Counselling Psychology programs can apply for membership with the following associations:

• BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
• Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA)
• College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)
• Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists (PACCP)
• The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta

Note: The above associations may change policies and requirements for membership. Although our previous graduates have been able to register with these associations, there is no guarantee that that would be the case. It is the responsibility of the student to conduct research on these associations to ensure that the educational requirements align with our program.

For Entrance into the MA in Counselling Program

Enrollment in this program is restricted to a limited number of students per year. It is strongly recommended that potential students have a solid background in the social sciences, psychology and Bible/theology. Fitness for counselling ministry and practice requires a high level of psychological health, including self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-knowledge, self-confidence, courage, resilience, purpose in life, balance, moderation, and emotional stability. Applicants are required to complete a standardized questionnaire (EQi 2.0), the results of which will be used by the Counselling Department to gauge suitability for the counselling profession. Some applicants may also be required to complete an interview with a member of the department as part of the application process. Applicants whose questionnaire or interview results indicate hindrances to the counselling profession may be denied entrance to the program. Entrance into this program is also conditional on the completion of the “Foundations of Counselling” course.

International students with English as a second language are required to provide an official iBT TOEFL score with the following minimum iBT scores: Reading Skills: 20; Listening Skills: 22; Speaking Skills: 26; and Writing Skills: 24. At the discretion of the Counselling Department, other students may also be required to take this test.

Students who do not achieve an AGPA of 3.00 in their first semester may be required to complete additional course work in the area of their weakness.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Start: April 15th

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please look to the Academic Calendar for full information and course lists. If there are discrepancies between the information listed here and in the Academic Calendar, the Academic Calendar is definitive.

You will be taking courses both in the Department of Counselling and the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies.

Counselling courses:

• Counselling Theory Practicum I and II
• Marriage and Family Counselling
• Ethical and Legal Issues for Counsellors
• Crisis and Trauma Counselling
• Counselling Across Cultures
• Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Psychopathology
• Psychological Assessment
• Counselling Theory Practicum III and IV
• Human Development

Biblical and Theological Studies courses:

• Reading the Church’s Bible
• Integration of Theology and Psychology
• Theology and Practice of Christian Spirituality and Formation
• Theological Foundations
• Old Testament elective
• New Testament elective
• Theology elective

Angelle Arinobu, M.A. D.Min. ABD
Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology

Stephan Bonfield, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

Michelle Gritter, M.Div. M.A. Psy.D. ABD
Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology

Janice Priess, M.A. (Department Chair)
Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology

Laura Vander Velden, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology

Samuel Williams Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Counselling Psychology

Graduates build careers with child & family services, addictions foundations, private practices across Canada, pregnancy crisis care centers and not-for-profit agencies and NGOs world-wide. Others pursue doctoral studies.