Our Fall 2026 cohort is full. We are currently accepting applications for the Spring 2027 cohort.
MA in Christian Counseling (MACC)
Full-Time: 2 Years | Part-Time 3-4 Years
Charlotte Campus or Primarily Online
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MA in Christian Counseling (MACC)
Clinical Mental Health (CMH) Program
The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling — Clinical Mental Health (MACC-CMH) program is a CACREP accredited counseling program integrating clinical counseling practice with Christian theological foundations. Our program focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health issues for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
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Learn more about our MACC-CMH program:
Accreditation
The MACC-CMH offered digitally and through our Charlotte, NC campus is both nationally and regionally accredited:
Maximum Flexibility
Our innovative approach allows both in-person and digital attendance.
Program Distinctives
- Convenient, economical, and innovative model of education designed to accommodate students already engaged in work and ministry
- Rigorous courses offered in various formats (evenings, weekends, week intensives and hybrid-online)
- 100% of coursework available in a hybrid-online format
- Three-day residency on campus each year for collaborating and networking with professors and students
- Supervised clinical practicum and internship experience
- Professional and integrative seminars designed to incorporate theological studies with counseling theories and practices
- Renowned, highly qualified and experienced faculty
- Enhanced library services with capability to access theological databases from your home
- Access to library resources and classes at other top-tier institutions through the Carolina Theological Consortium
Typical Students
MA in Christian Counseling students are a diverse group who display essential qualities of wisdom, maturity and skills necessary for excellence in the field of counseling. Most have an undergraduate background in psychology, counseling, education, or sociology, a strong interest in behavioral science, or significant life experience in the field. Whether you’re seasoned in the field or moving into a second career, the MA in Christian Counseling degree will provide excellent preparation for Christian and/or secular employment opportunities.
Potential Counseling Careers
Agencies
Private Practice
Schools
Hospitals
Churches
Group Homes
Chemical dependency/
substance abuse settings
Pregnancy Centers
Behavioral health care organizations
Para-church ministry
Missions
Alumni Experiences
Courses
66 Credit Hours
Course List
Biblical Studies: 3 Courses / 9 Credit Hours
- Exploring the Old Testament 1 (OT500)
- Exploring the New Testament 1 (NT500)
- Interpreting the Bible 1 (NT/OT517)
Christian Thought: 2 Courses / 6 Credit Hours
- Theology Survey I (TH501)
- Theology Survey II (TH502)
Integrative Counseling: 14 Courses / 42 Credit Hours
- Introduction to Counseling & Systems Theory (CO502)
- Helping Relationships (CO540)
- Lifespan Development: Implications for Counseling (CO/SF610)
- Research Methods & Design (CO699)
- Psychopathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning (CO710)
- Multicultural Diversity in Counseling (CO712)
- Group Dynamics (CO/PC718)
- Assessment in Counseling (CO735)
- Counseling for Crisis & Addiction (CO750)
- Career Counseling (CO770)
- Professional Standards and Ethics (CO790)
- Advanced Models in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Practice (CO850)
- Counseling Elective (Choose from below)
- Counseling Elective (Choose from below)
Counseling Electives
- Family Counseling Theory (CO614)
- Foundations in Play Therapy (CO713)
- Couples Counseling (CO716)
- Human Sexuality (CO719)
- Counseling Adolescents (CO725)
- Advanced Trauma Counseling: Diagnosis & Treatment (CO726)
- Global Mental Health (CO606)
Integrative Studies: 9 Credit Hours
- Clinical Group Supervision (CO875) Credits: 0
- Clinical Counseling Practicum (CO867) Credits: 3
- Clinical Counseling Internship I (CO868) Credits: 3
- Clinical Counseling Internship II (CO869) Credits: 3
- MACC Counseling Residency (CO575) Credits: 0
- Exit Evaluation (CO851) Credits: 0
This list is provided for you convenience. It seeks to be accurate and up-to-date but does not replace your graduation check sheet as the authoritative statement of degree requirements per your admission. That check sheet provides a fuller list of alternative courses and potential exceptions.
Counseling Faculty
Dr. Eun Ah Cho
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies, Dean of the Gordon-Conwell Institute, Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Dave Currie
Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Dean of the Anglican Formation Program, Professor of Pastoral Theology
Dr. Brad Howell
Adjunct Professor, Vice President of Academic Operations
Dr. Scott W. Sunquist
President and Professor of Missiology
Dr. Virginia Ward
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Dr. Daniel Flores
Senior Librarian, Associate Professor of Wesleyan Studies
Dr. Gerry Wheaton
Academic Dean, Associate Professor of New Testament
Dr. Mateus de Campos
George F. Bennett Associate Professor of New Testament
Dr. Alvin Padilla
Professor of New Testament, Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Sean McDonough
Mary French Rockefeller Distinguished Professor of New Testament
Dr. Seong Hyun Park
Provost and Assistant Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Donna Petter
Professor of Old Testament, Director of the Hebrew Language Program
Dr. Thomas Petter
Senior Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Eckhard J. Schnabel
Emeritus Professor of New Testament
Dr. Gwenfair Walters Adams
Professor of Church History and Spiritual Formation, Director of Christian Formation
Dr. John Jefferson Davis
Senior Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics
Dr. Brent H. Burdick
Adjunct Professor of Missions
Dr. Todd Johnson
Eva B. and Paul E. Toms Distinguished Professor of Mission and Global Christianity
Dr. Adonis Vidu
Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology
Dr. Kevin Xiyi Yao
Professor of World Christianity and Asian Studies
Dr. Kenneth Barnes
Mockler-Phillips Professor of Workplace Theology and Business Ethics, Director of the Mockler Center
Dr. Angie H. Kim
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Karen Mason
Professor of Counseling and Psychology
Dr. Jim Singleton, Jr.
Senior Professor of Ministry
Dr. Quonekuia Day
Assistant Professor of Old Testament
Dr. E. Carolina Benitez
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Rodney Cooper
Senior Professor of Ministry, Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Pam Davis
Associate Professor of Counseling, Director of the Counseling Department at Charlotte
Dr. Donald Fairbairn
Robert E. Cooley Distinguished Professor of Early Christianity
Dr. Vickey Maclin
Associate Professor of Counseling
Dr. Robert Mayer
Senior Professor of Church History
Mr. Dean Borgman
Emeritus Professor of Youth Ministry
Dr. Dennis Hollinger
Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics
Dr. Gordon Hugenberger
Senior Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Edward Keazirian
Senior Professor of Greek and New Testament, Director of the Greek Language Program
Dr. Peter Kuzmic
Senior Distinguished Professor of World Missions and European Studies
Dr. Richard Lints
Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology
Dr. Alice Mathews
Lois E. Bennett Distinguished Associate Professor Emerita of Educational Ministries and Women’s Ministries
Dr. Jeffrey J. Niehaus
Senior Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Pablo Polischuk
Senior Professor of Pastoral Counseling & Psychology
Dr. Garth Rosell
Senior Research Professor of Church History
Dr. Aída Besançon Spencer
Senior Professor of New Testament
Dr. Douglas Stuart
Senior Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Eldin Villafane
Distinguished Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Emeritus
Dr. Tim Laniak
Senior Professor of Biblical Studies
Dr. Patricia Batten
Assistant Professor of Preaching, Director of Chapel
Dr. Katherine Horvath
Assistant Professor of Ministry
Dr. Christine Palmer
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament
Dr. Carolynne Hitter Brown
Adjunct Professor of Church History
Dr. David Palmer
Adjunct Professor of New Testament
Dr. Justin M. Young
Program Faculty (Old Testament) of Special Programs
Dr. Annette Wright
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Carlot D. Celestin
Adjunct Professor of Counseling
Dr. Francis Morgan Enright
Visiting Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Kelly Breen Boyce
Adjunct Professor of Counseling
Dr. Carol Kaminski
Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies
Dr. Erin Crider
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Church Planting
Dr. J. Anthony Lloyd
Adjunct Professor
Mr. Jeff Bass
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Jim Critchlow
Assistant Professor of Biblical Languages
Dr. Jimmy Long
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Dr. Justin S. Holcomb
Adjunct Professor of Christian Thought
Dr. Laura Miguélez Quay
Adjunct Professor of Christian Thought and Greek
Dr. Ryan Jackson
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Phillip R. Thorne
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Ronald J. Bouthillette
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Dr. Thomas Price
Adjunct Professor of Christian Thought
Dr. Viacheslav V. Lytvynenko
Adjunct Professor of Theology and Christian Thought
Dr. Jana Holiday
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology, Dean of Students
Dr. Lindsay McMillan
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Wes Vander Lugt
Adjunct Professor of Theology and Acting Director of the Leighton Ford Initiative in Theology, the Arts, and Gospel Witness; Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Mary Ho
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. JC Morales
Adjunct Professor of Christian Thought, Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Michael Moses
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology,
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Claude Alexander
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Dr. Nick Gatzke
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Timothy Beougher
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Awilda Gonzalez-Babb
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies
Dr. Jenny John
Assistant Professor of Counseling, Director of the Hamilton Counseling Department
Dr. Autumn Ridenour
Mockler Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
Dr. William Spencer
Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Theology and the Arts
Dr. Steve Macchia
Adjunct Professor, Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Christian Cuthbert
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Ray Pendleton
Senior Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Psychology
Dr. Victor Price
Adjunct Professor
Dr. David Wright
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Mark Arnold
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Paul Biswas
Adjunct Professor of Christian Thought
Benjamin Espinoza
Adjunct Professor of Church and Culture
Dr. Davi Lin Ribeiro
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry
Dr. Fred Foy Strang
Adjunct Professor of Christian Thought
Dr. Ruy Costa
Adjunct Professor of Christian Social Ethics
Dr. Nicholas Rowe
Kenneth and Jean Hansen Associate Professor of Leadership
Dr. Doug Carver
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Ingo Tophoven
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Herb Rhedrick
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Ms. Kara Martin
Adjunct Professor
Dr. Chuck Colson
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Dr. Sarah Lebhar Hall
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies
Dr. Jason R. McConnell
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology and Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. David Horn
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Tsu-Kung Chuang
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology (LMP), Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Calvin W. Choi
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Peter G. James
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Dr. David "Duffy" Robbins
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Mr. Neil Binette
Adjunct Professor of Counseling
Dr. Cynthia Fisher
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Benjamin Grant White
Adjunct Professor of New Testament
Dr. Walt Mueller
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Tom Herrick
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Robert Crosby
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Roy Ciampa
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies, Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Glenn Butner Jr.
Associate Professor of Theology
Dr. Trey (William) F. Nation III
Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
Dr. Drew Thompson
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
Mr. Valter De Souza Jr.
Adjunct Professor of Counseling
Dr. Jinsung Seok
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Tae-Geun Song
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. David Ryoo
Co-Mentor (DMin)
Dr. Paul Domigan
Adjunct Professor of Counseling
Requirements
Vocational Requirements
Applicants must have (and articulate) a vocational goal requiring the specialized preparation available in the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling program.
Academic Requirements
Required Degree: Applicants must have completed an undergraduate or prior graduate degree program
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
English Language Requirements (International Students)
Gordon-Conwell requires a TOEFL score of 92 or better (IBT). We also accept IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher, or a Duolingo score of 115. Students who have completed an undergraduate degree through an English-language university may request a TOEFL waiver.
Application Requirements
Visit our application page to learn more about the requirements and process.
Faculty Interview
After meeting general admissions requirements, candidates will interview with members of the Counseling faculty as an assessment of their academic and personal readiness to participate in the program. Applicants should check the published interview dates to ensure continuing in the admissions process. MACC applicants will not receive an admissions decision until they have completed this second stage interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) at Gordon-Conwell.
What is the difference between the MACC and the MACO programs?
The main difference between the MACO (MA) and MACC (NC) programs is when classes are offered. MACO courses meet on weekdays during the day, while MACC courses meet Friday evenings (6:30–9:30 p.m. EST) and Saturdays (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EST). Both programs include in-person requirements, are –CACREP accredited, and lead to LMHC licensure. The MACO is designed for Massachusetts standards; the MACC aligns with North Carolina standards. The MACC also uses a cohort model with flexible pacing options (2.5, 3, 4, or 5 years), while the MACO is not cohort-based. See our counseling degree comparison sheet to explore specific details about each program.
Can I complete the MACC fully online?
Although all counseling classes for MACC are in the digital live format, the degree requires attendance at an in-person, 3-day residency at our Charlotte campus every year students are in the program.
When are the classes offered?
Counseling classes are offered in a digital live format, with the professor teaching from the Charlotte campus while students join online or in person. Weekend classes meet once a month for three months each fall and spring—Fridays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There’s– also a weekly counseling class, usually on Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Do you help me find internship and practicum places?
Students are responsible for finding their own practicum sites, which gives them the freedom to choose a setting that fits their gifts and calling. Once they identify a site, they work with the program administrator to confirm it meets practicum and internship requirements. See the MACC Student Handbook and MACC Practicum & Internship Manual for more information.
Can I change my cohort pace after I have started?
Students can slow down their program timeline but cannot speed it up. For example, someone on a 2.5-year plan can extend to a longer schedule, but a 4-year plan can’t– be shortened to 2.5 years. This is due to course prerequisites and the order in which classes are offered.
How does Gordon-Conwell's multidenominational identity shape the classroom?
Gordon-Conwell professors and students come from a variety of Christian traditions, including Baptist, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Pentecostal, Anglican, and more. Yet we’re united around the authority of Scripture, as outlined in our Statement of Faith. In the classroom, you’ll encounter a range of theological perspectives, all explored with openness while staying rooted in the essential truths of the Christian faith. It’s an environment where you’ll be challenged to examine and deepen your own convictions, not change them—and to grow in community with believers from traditions different from your own. Learn more about this in a video by our academic dean and alumnus, Dr. Gerry Wheaton (MAOT & MANT ’03).
Have Questions?
Someone from our friendly admissions team would be happy to reach out to you.
You Can Afford Seminary!
Scholarships and financial assistance are available.