The Master of Arts in Counseling Program (MAC) prepares professionals with the theoretical foundations and skills necessary for advanced positions in the fields of individual, couple, and family counseling. Built on a philosophy of service, intellectual hunger, fundamental respect, social justice, and a focus on the person of the counselor, the MAC program strives to embody spirit, empathic care, intellect, and wisdom. The MAC program is characterized by personal, social, and professional transformation, liberation, and enrichment.

Why Saint Martin's University?

Position statement

Our work strives to embody social justice through the continuous cultivation of ethical and culturally relevant methodologies. In resonance with the values of the American Counseling Association, the National Board for Certified Counselors, accrediting organizations for counseling programs, and our Catholic Benedictine framework, we recognize the dominance of white/euro-centric norms and teach cultural humility by rejecting anti-immigrant rhetoric and action.

We affirm the self-determination of indigenous and native communities by hearing their stories and supporting decolonization. We work to deconstruct the walls of sexism and transphobia by integrating feminist and trans-valuing theories into our practice. We actively counter ageism, ableism, classism, racism, and heterosexism in our communities by admitting their pervasiveness and implementing corrective actions. In the spirit of Benedictine's sincere hospitality, we extend a welcome to members of all faiths and to those who do not identify as having a religious membership.

Program Highlights And Resources

• All required courses are offered at least once per year during evening hours. All courses are offered on a schedule of one meeting per week. Courses are offered both in the afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday, with internship classes held on Saturdays.
• Coursework in the MAC program supports counseling careers and licensure in the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) field and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) field.
• Counselors are trained and licensed to work with individuals, couples, relationships, family systems, and groups.
• Teaching methods include dyad, small-group work, lectures, media, presentations, and discussions as well as supervised role playing, psychodrama, and introspective exercises.
• A required 600-hour internship complements coursework by providing students with a supervised, in-depth opportunity to work in a variety of counseling settings.

Mac Faculty Areas Of Interest

Anti-oppression, appreciative inquiry, access and technology, authentic leadership, collaboration, conflict as opportunity, decolonization, depth work, faith and community, indigenous wisdom, love, military families, professional identity, relational approaches to research, social change, spontaneity and creativity, subtle activism, and vulnerability.

Specialty Areas

Our program specializes in both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. Students in our program are trained to work with individuals, couples, relationships, families, and groups from a systemic and contextually sensitive perspective. The program prepares students for dual licensure in the State of Washington as Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) and Marriage and Family Counselors (LMFT).

Methods Of Instruction

Teaching methods include use of dyads, small-group work, lectures, media, presentations and discussions as well as supervised role playing, psychodrama and introspective exercises. A required 100-hour practicum opportunity takes place in the fall of the second year, and a 600-hour internship during the fall and spring of the third year.