Master of Arts in Christian Counseling

Is This Program for Me?

The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) is designed for those who want to deepen, reinvigorate and extend the work of the local church through the practice of counseling. Amidst the many ways to serve God in ministry, this degree is suited for those who specifically wish to focus on relational ministry and impact. In addition to a variety of church positions (counselor, care coordinator, discipleship leader, etc.), graduates will be prepared to work in outpatient Christian private practices, nonprofit and community resource ministries, Christian recovery ministries and missions organizations.

Why Earn a MACC at Beeson?

Beeson trains those called by God to serve the church of Jesus Christ and is uniquely situated to prepare students to support the church in bringing the good news of the Gospel to those who are suffering.

Graduates will complete courses in biblical and theological studies and in counseling theory, helping them synthesize truths of the Christian faith with practical means to guide struggling people toward robust and lasting faith.
Studying counseling and theology embedded within a community of pastors-in-training will help students develop pastoral sensitivity, biblical depth and insight into Christian community.
In-person learning, denominational diversity and passionate faculty that provide mentorship grant students the opportunity to experience formative relationships. In this context, students’ spiritual and relational growth is as valued as their acquisition of knowledge, and they are shaped to embody the ministry of Jesus Christ through counseling.
Beeson integrates the teaching of theology and church history in a four-course History & Doctrine sequence. Understanding the storyline of God’s relationship with His people, not only in Scripture but also across church history, equips students to promote relational reconciliation with God and others.

Program Objectives

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Think theologically about people and their struggles
Understand counseling theory and practice
Demonstrate counseling skills developed through feedback and supervision
Recognize the importance of vibrant faith in the counseling encounter
Grasp the extent to which human embodiment is shaped by suffering and must be integrated into Gospel healing

Note: This program does not prepare students for counseling licensure in the State of Alabama.

Master's Program Application Process

Admission Requirements

Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, and Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Candidates for the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS), Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) and non-degree programs must possess a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate Christian character and commitment to ministry.

Master of Theology

Candidates for the Master of Theology (ThM) must possess a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited school whose standards are similar to those of Beeson Divinity School and demonstrate Christian character and commitment to ministry. Additionally, ThM candidates should have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all previous graduate coursework and demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew or Greek, as appropriate to research interest.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

There are two application cycles for the MDiv, MATS, MACC and ThM.

Fall Entry Term

Priority Deadline: February 1*
Final Deadline: June 1

Spring Entry Term

Priority Deadline: September 1*
Final Deadline: December 1

*Persons who complete an application by the priority deadline for the respective entry term will be considered first for admission and scholarship. Admission and scholarship decision letters are sent within one month of each priority deadline to those who complete an application by the deadline.

Those who apply after the priority deadline but before the final deadline will receive admission and scholarship decision letters on a rolling basis, typically within one month of completing the application.

Application Requirements

All items on this checklist must be received by the application deadline. Further instruction is given on the online application.

Online Application Form
Essay(s)*
- - Personal Faith and Vocation Essay (required for all degree programs)
  - Apostles' Creed Essay (MDiv applicants applying for tier one scholarships only)
  - Academic Writing Sample (ThM applicants only)
*See the online application for full essay prompts.
Recommendations
- Academic Recommendation (to be completed by a college- or graduate-level instructor)
- Character Recommendation (to be completed by a pastor, church member, campus minister, mentor or employer who can speak to your Christian character and calling to ministry; cannot be a family member or friend)
- Church Endorsement (to be completed by your senior pastor or a full-time church elder or minister; cannot be a family member).
Admission Interview
- MDiv and MATS applicants are responsible for scheduling an interview with the admission staff prior to the application deadline. In-person interviews on Samford's campus are preferred, but Zoom interviews are acceptable. Schedule your interview through the application portal.
- MACC and ThM candidates will not schedule an interview during the application process. Final candidates will be invited to interview later.
Official Transcript(s): Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended since high school graduation are required. Please see the application portal for instructions about how to send the transcripts.
$35 Nonrefundable Application Fee: This fee is to be paid by credit card when submitting an online application. The fee is waived for graduates of Samford University and students who attend a Preview Day or an official campus visit.