MPC Which would you choose?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by eilla05, Jul 5, 2010.

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  1. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    If you wanted to get your Masters in professional counseling online which would you choose?

    Liberty University Academic Programs | Liberty University Online
    Bellevue University Bellevue University | Real Learning for Real Life
    Grand Canyon University Current Students | Student Resources | Grand Canyon University
    Capella Online Education Degree Program - Online Degree Programs - Online University Degrees

    They are pretty equal in price so I thought I would ask what the opinion is on this board of these schools? Which would you choose if it were you?

    I forgot to add the reason I want online is because we move around the US with my husbands job at least for the next 3-4 years. By the time we are done moving I want to be able to have all my education done.

    Thanks in advance!

    Allie
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 5, 2010
  2. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    What are your end goals with this degree?
     
  3. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Just a note: the MA at Liberty is very thoroughly a "Christian counseling" degree.

    If you do not see yourself as a Christian counselor, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
     
  4. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    Well I want to become a professional counselor and eventually want to have my own practice. At some point later on I will probably get some certs in substance abuse and another so I can teach a different subject.
     
  5. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    I was afraid to this. No I would not want to be a Christian counselor.
     
  6. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    You may want to look at Walden's program. It is CACREP-accredited.
     
  7. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    I thought about that but not sure if it is worth the extra 10k plus I know it holds it weight but I can become licensed without it.

    Anyone know about admission requirements at Grand Canyon University? I saw somewhere you must have worked 2 years full time is this true?
     
  8. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    Thanks for the suggestion! I decided to re-look at them after looking at requirements for a few states. Right now its between them, Liberty University, and Grand Canyon University. Walden is winning at this point because of the CACREP.

    But the price tag is scaring me (for all of them)!
     
  9. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Out of those three, if you are going strictly on price, Liberty is your best bet. It's non-profit, and you avoid the for-profit stigma.

    For accreditation, Walden wins because of CACREP accreditation.

    It may be worth the additional 10k, honestly, for the flexibility and the ease of sitting for LPC exams. Sometimes a state will require you to work longer under a licensed counselor if your degree isn't CACREP accredited.
     
  10. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    This is what I am thinking as it seems a lot of states will accept a CACREP program even if it is distance and they require sometime in residence (does that make sense?...lol)

    The only thing I am really worried about is the intensives they require simply because I will have no clue where I will be located (therefore changing the expenses) at the time for them.
     
  11. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    They have two courses out of 20 that have anything to do with theology. While the other courses desire the student to learn with a "Christian worldview" they are the same science based courses that would be taught at any school. You aren't being taught to be a "Christian counselor" but rather a counselor that has an understanding of a Christian society. For example, as a Christian counselor you would use that mindset in dealing with all of your clients. But as a counselor who goes through the program I think you would be able to understand some of the issues that people may face and deal with because of or with religion. Regardless of what anyone believes we do live in a Christian society. I chose this program because of many things when I could have chosen any program. It is a quality school, good tuition rate, quality program that will get me licensed in many states. I definitely don't intend on being a Chrisitan counselor.....

    But to say the program is teaching you to be a "Christian counselor" is like saying their law program is teaching you to be a "Christian lawyer." Of course it is taught with a Christian worldview but I promise they don't speak about Christ in their daily dealings with clients and I assure you that it didn't corrupt the program.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 8, 2010
  12. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    How many classes have you taken in the program?

    I have taken COUN 501, 502, and 506. 506 is an explicit integration class of psychology and theology. 501 specifically prepares you to be a Christian counselor in terms of ethic codes, etc. 502 had frequent integration of theological principles in discussion boards.

    On multiple occasions, the course material specifically states that it is preparing you to be a Christian counselor. A licensed counselor, yes, but a Christian counselor.

    And I beg to differ on speaking about Christ in their daily dealings with clients. This is specifically mentioned (and endorsed) in the program. You are advised to use caution and not to use religious language when inappropriate, but it is most certainly a part of the curriculum.
     
  13. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    What part of my post did you not understand that there are two classes out of twenty that specifically deal with counseling and theology? Thanks for pointing out that you have taken one of them. Are you saying that ethic codes are exclusive to a Christian program? I really don't know what is hard to understand about things being taught from a Christian worldview. How is that any different than teaching something from a liberal or conservative worldview? You are going to take away from the program what you bring into it as far as theology. You don't have to be a Christian to attend the school and aren't going to convert or integrate Christ into your life because of this program.

    I haven't started the program but did extensive research into all of the available programs but chose this program because all of the positive things I heard. I have looked at all of the course programs and know what each one is. You are describing the program as a counseling program you would take at church with everything being related to Christianity. I haven't heard anyone else describe it as such.

    But as I said before, I guess they are producing Christian lawyers, Christian public school teachers, and Christian undergrads as well. This simply isn't the case just as they are just people who got a degree that was taught from a Christian worldview and may not even be Christian themselves.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 8, 2010
  14. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    I'm glad you have done "extensive research" which apparently trumps personal experience.

    One who has actually taken courses in the program might have a better idea of programmatic content than one who has yet to start.

    "Christian counseling" is a subset of professional counseling. Licensed counselors and psychologists practice Christian counseling, although lay helpers and pastors can be involved in some capacity.

    Church-based counseling is generally called pastoral counseling or biblical counseling.

    From the information page at LU:

    "Today you have the opportunity to make an important decision that could significantly improve your career, impact the lives of others, and influence your capacity to shape the future of Christian counseling. "

    MA in Professional Counseling | Liberty University Online

    Regarding ethic codes, COUN 501 specifically reviews differences in ethic codes from secular organizations and the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors).

    Do you have to be a Christian to go to LU? No, but you will have to integrate religious concepts into your papers and discussion boards in many of your classes.

    One of the papers for COUN 501 (Counselor Professional Identity) required me to consult commentaries and biblical scholarship to arrive at a biblical definition of counseling. I had to integrate psychological research for other components of the course, but the biblical requirements were significant.

    One could feasibly graduate from LU without being a Christian. One could not, however, graduate from LU without writing several papers from an explicitly Christian perspective.
     
  15. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    You are correct that you will have a slightly better position but lets be honest you have taken the introduction course, one of the two theology related courses, and one other out of the twenty that are part of the program. You aren't even in the program and are taking them as electives, but yes I value your opinion.

    I think it is a non-issue and even from the way you are describing it is more biblical (ethics, outlooks, ideas) than those specifically relating to Christianity being rammed down your throat. I am not going to discuss my religion but will say that my perspective differs from Liberty's on many issues but I have many of the same values as them which is why I chose the program. I have no problem with them integrating ethics, biblical ideas, and otherwise into the program as long as the program is a quality program where the behavioral science portion is as adequate as other programs.
     
  16. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Then you will probably be ok. That being said, the "target" student for LU's program is an evangelical Christian who wants to practice as a licensed Christian counselor. The program is structured for this purpose. Of course, to meet licensure requirements, the counseling psychology coursework must cover the appropriate material. The biblical material is in addition to this work.

    As long as one knows that these biblical assignments are required, then the LU program can be a good fit. My cautioning is mostly because I have read reviews from former students who were not aware of the Christian perspective presented in the courses. Some people would not be comfortable with this fact, and LU may not be the best program for them.
     
  17. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    Thanks for the discussion. If someone chooses Liberty not knowing the view with which courses will be taught then they probably didn't do too much research before choosing their MA.
     
  18. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    True, but even with research you have differing opinions on how much they base it from the Christian perspective. I have a friend who attends Liberty and she made it out like no big deal. After reading the post on this thread I am not sure if Liberty would be a good fit for me.
     
  19. JBjunior

    JBjunior Active Member

    True, everyone has different tolerances on what they find acceptable in dealing with religion. Run through the "course programs" on luonline and look at the different courses. Every college is going to have a worldview that the program is taught from such as liberal, conservative, or any other view. As long as they are teaching ethical ideas and not tenets of Christianity (Jesus was this or that) I am fine with the program. Christian counseling is simply counseling that uses the bible as the standard for morality. Everyone has a standard for morality and even if you don't agree with the bible the morality taught is desirable.
     
  20. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Some of the tenets of Christianity are taught in courses.

    One of the discussion board posts I had in a human development class asked us to evaluate some topic in development, "in light of Christ's sacrifice for us."
     

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