Integrating biblical principles with best-practices in psychology for church, or private licensed counseling practices.
Degree Overview
| Total Hours | 90 credit hours |
| Degree Time Limit | 7 years from first DTS class |
| Real-time courses | 10 courses required (i.e. 30 credit hours) |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) | 13 credit hours per academic year |
Priorities
- Refer to the degree plan for your entering catalog as an overall guide.
- Register for core courses: CM5201, CM5210, CM5215, CM5240, CM5245, BE5101, ST5101, PM5101, and CM5300.
- How do non-CM courses (ex. BE5101) get reduced from 3-hours to 2-hours?
- Students in the MABC/MAC program should automatically be registered to take the course for two hours upon initial registration. However, it is the student’s responsibility to verify that their hours and schedule are correct.
- If students have questions about their schedule or need to have their hours adjusted, they should email the Registrar’s Office with their student ID#, course number and section to: registrar@dts.edu
- Familiarize yourself with the Academic Success Resource Center for various tools and links to assist with your courses.
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss:
- What led you to DTS
- Understand prerequisites and timing of BE/ST courses
- When, where, and what courses to take in Real-time in the coming semesters. (See the Real-Time Courses chart for more information.)
- To move from MABC/MAC Stage 1 to Stage 2, students must have:
- Satisfactory completion of 24 credit hours of coursework, including BC/CM5300 Professional Skills and Ethics.
- This process normally occurs after a student’s third semester in the program. (Students who are attending part-time will typically be delayed in progressing to Stage 2.)
- Interview with the department faculty to help determine the student’s appropriate fit for the counseling profession.
How do I select counseling electives?
Students are encouraged to work closely with the Counseling Ministries (CM) department on selecting electives based upon the student’s intended specialization and licensure requirements. Academic advisors are also available to help but with more limited knowledge regarding licensure requirements for states or other counseling specializations.
Can I transfer counseling courses?
Students may transfer no more than 15 hours of counseling courses but this is subject to the Counseling Ministries department’s prior approval using the MABC/MAC Transfer form. If students plan to transfer a course(s), then they should do so earlier in their program. Transferring courses during a student’s final year may delay graduation and licensure exam date. Other information about transfer credit is found on the Registrar’s Office page.
When should I take Practicum courses?
Students should take Practicum courses when they have (1) met the prerequisites and (2) have an approved Practicum site that will help them develop as a counselor. Space is limited in Practicum courses, so students should make sure to register for Practicum courses as soon as possible during registration for that semester.
What are prerequisites for counseling or other courses?
Students should review their plan with an Academic Advisor each year as prerequisites can change. Below are prerequisites or corequisites that students should keep in mind as they plan. Course availability may vary from the Dallas, Houston, and DC campus, so students should review the schedule page and clarify questions with their academic advisor.
*The Practicum numbers below reflect students who began BC/CM5300 Professional Skills and Ethics in Fall 2020 or later.
| Course Number | Prerequisite (Completed Prior to Enrolling) | Corequisite (Taken at the same time or previously completed) |
| CM5201 Theological and Psychological Foundations | All CM52** courses (recommended) | |
| CM5220 Counseling Methods and Techniques | CM5210 Counseling Theory | |
| CM5300 Professional Skills and Ethics | CM5210 Counseling Theory | |
| CM5305 Counseling Practicum | – CM5215 Normal Human Growth – CM5300 Professional Skills and Ethics | – CM5220 Counseling Methods – CM5225 Abnormal Human Behavior |
| CM5310 Counseling Internship I | CM5305 Counseling Practicum | |
| CM5315 Counseling Internship II | CM5310 Internship I | |
| ST5106 Eschatology | ST5101-105 | |
| Counseling Electives | ||
| CM5410 Filial Therapy | CM5405 Introduction to Play Therapy | |
| CM5415 Group Play Activity Therapy | CM5405 Introduction to Play Therapy | |
| CM5615 Basic Issues in Sex Therapy | CM5605 Human Sexuality | |
- Students must submit apply to Graduate in the Student Portal.
- Confirm the Graduation Date listed in the system corresponds to your plan with your Academic Advisor and/or Registrar’s Office.
- Review/Confirm upcoming semester plans with an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements are met.
Licensure
Meeting the MABC/MAC program course requirements enables a graduate to apply for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with the appropriate state licensing board of many states. It is important to note that the seminary only grants the degree; the state board grants the license. Earning the MABC/MAC degree does not, in itself, guarantee licensure in a particular state.
Each state board makes an independent decision based on its state regulations and its determination of the applicant’s completion of those requirements. Students desiring to pursue a license as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in a particular state may view the list of states/territories about which DTS has made a determination concerning the MABC/MAC program’s qualifications for licensure.
Contact information for state licensing boards is also listed in order to provide additional assistance for students interested in pursuing professional licensure. Minor program modifications, with the approval of the Counseling Ministries department, may be made to satisfy some state licensing board requirements.
All additional questions concerning the MABC/MAC program and qualifications for professional licensure should be directed to the Department of Counseling Ministries.
Dallas Location: Walvoord Student Center – 3rd Floor
Phone: 214-887-5075
Email: Roscelee Lubina – rlubina@dts.edu
Events
Counseling Events
Licensure Webinar w/Dr. Michelle Woody (2022)
Resources
The following are degree worksheets specific to students who entered the MABC/MAC or reclassified to the MABC/MAC in the following academic years. If students have questions about their specific degree requirements or degree audit, students should contact their academic advisor.
Master’s level students keep their current Logos Bible Software package. Future Logos updates or upgrades are the responsibility of each person and not done through DTS.
DTS graduates have three options for further training:
- Self-paced learning through Online Videos – All online courses and lectures are available for graduates to access through the Alumni portal. No application is required.
- Alumni nondegree – Graduates may take additional DTS courses as a nondegree student, either for audit or credit at a reduced rate. If students take courses for Alumni nondegree credit and want to use the course(s) toward another Master’s degree, then the student will need to pay the difference of tuition between the Alumni rate and current tuition rate.
- Pursue an additional DTS degree – Graduates may return to DTS to pursue a second Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree. Graduates must reapply through Admissions and previous DTS credits are reevaluated and remaining requirements are evaluated upon readmission. Doctoral degrees may require additional Master’s level work.
