Mission & Objectives - Gordon Conwell

Program Mission Statement

The aim of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary—Charlotte is to train students to become competent professional counselors who advance Christ’s Kingdom in various clinical, educational, and ministry settings by equipping them to think theologically, live biblically, and engage globally. This means that:

  • Students who think theologically will develop a professional counselor identity that is grounded in orthodox Christian theology and sound clinical practice.
  • Students who live biblically will demonstrate congruence between their faith and their actions in their personal and professional lives by maintaining a commitment to the process of ongoing spiritual formation.
  • Students who engage globally will fulfill their call to serve others by being sensitive and response to the needs of diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations.

Program Objectives

Within the MACC-CMH program, our goals are informed by Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s mission statement and anchored in the CACREP common core curriculum for counseling programs. These five program priorities with 16 corresponding goals highlight the primary areas we emphasize for the development of students in our counseling programs.

Professional Identity

We expect that students will demonstrate:

  • A basic understanding of the roles and functions of professional counselors. (Counselor Identity)
  • An ongoing commitment to professional, interpersonal, and spiritual growth. (Personal Growth)

Knowledge and Skills for Competent Counseling Practice

We expect that students will demonstrate:

  • Understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels, including theories of wellness and development over the lifespan. (Human Growth and Development)
  • Basic professional dispositions necessary for effective counseling. Students should be aware of self and others, teachable, ethical, multiculturally sensitive, and relationally adept. (Professional Dispositions)
  • Understanding of the primary theoretical orientations and evidence-based interventions shaping the counseling field today. (Theory and Interventions)
  • Skills necessary for assessment in counseling, including basic interviewing and observation skills, differential diagnosis, assessment of suicide risk, and the selection and administration of tests appropriate to counseling. (Assessment)
  • Understanding of research and program evaluation methodology and skills and their application in counseling contexts. (Research and Program Evaluation)
  • Development of a personal, theologically integrated theoretical model that facilitates counseling diverse populations. (Integration of Faith and Counseling)

Respect for Human Diversity within a Multicultural Perspective

We expect that students will demonstrate:

  • Understanding, sensitivity and respect of persons pertaining to culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, values, beliefs and other contextual factors. (Social and Cultural Diversity)
  • Understanding how issues of discrimination, racism, oppression, sexism, power and privilege impact the practice of professional counseling, including the counselor’s role in promoting justice in a variety of human domains and reducing intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination. (Advocacy)
  • Awareness of self as a person of culture and how this impacts others. (Cultural Self-Awareness)

Adherence to Ethical & Legal Standards of the Profession

We expect that students will demonstrate:

  • Understanding of the legal and ethical standards of the counseling profession, including those of the American Counseling Association. (Professional Standards)
  • Basic skills in ethical decision making, including the ethical dilemmas encountered by Christian counselors. (Professional Ethics)

Christian Leadership

We expect that students will demonstrate:

  • Leadership skills including personal and professional integrity, honesty, maturity, responsibility, and respect for diversity. (Leadership)
  • A commitment to competent professional practice within the church, the community, and other mental health settings. (Servant Leadership)
  • Advocacy for Christian values within the professional community. (Christian leadership)

You Can Afford Seminary!

Scholarships and financial assistance are available.