Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The best of soul care meets the best of trauma research.

Prepare for a career in licensed clinical mental health counseling.

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An in-person program at your pace

Learning happens best in community, so WTS has two paths to make an in-person experience accessible to all.

Part Time

For the student juggling family, work, and school, our part-time track offers a path to licensure that fits within your schedule.

Sample Course Sequence PDF

Full Time

For the student who wants to complete the program in three years, our full-time program provides you with a fully structured path to graduation.

Sample Course Sequence PDF

Master of Divinity + MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Students now have the opportunity to pursue both the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA in CMHC) through a dual degree program that can be completed in as few as four years.

This innovative program combines theological training with clinical counseling expertise, preparing graduates to serve effectively in both ministry and mental health contexts.

If you have any questions about how the dual degree option will be implemented, please don’t hesitate to contact the admissions team for more information.

You may also click below to download the course sequence.

Course Sequence

Why is this program unique?

Be licensed and have an education fully integrated with your faith.

Dr. Felix Theonugraha and Dr. Chuck DeGroat share the vision behind the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary.

We need programs that offer a Christian worldview, framing trauma, abuse, and addiction within a Christian context.

Pastors and therapists can help navigate these cultural waters by anchoring them in God and God's story.

- Dr. Chuck DeGroat

Professor of Pastoral Care and Christian Spirituality

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the MA in Clinical Mental Health be CACREP Accredited?

Western Theological Seminary is seeking accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Have more questions about CACREP and how this is important?

Contact admissions at admissions@westernsem.edu for more information.

Will this degree meet all educational requirements for licensed professional counselors in the State of Michigan?

Yes, the MA in Clinical Mental Health meets all educational requirements for licensed professional counselors in the State of Michigan.

What prerequisites are required to apply?

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required to apply for the MA in Clinical Mental Health.

Contact admissions at admissions@westernsem.edu to learn more.

What will this degree cost?

Tuition rates are set annually, and based on credit hours, and the same for all Masters programs at WTS.

View current tuition rates here >

How long will it take to complete the MA in Clinical Mental Health?

The MA in Clinical Mental Health degree will take three years for full-time students and five years for part-time students.

Will this degree be available online?

The MA in Clinical Mental Health will be offered in residence at our campus in Holland, Michigan.

While the program is not available online, it is available in either a part-time or full-time course load.

Will getting a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepare me to get a state license outside of Michigan?

Western Theological Seminary's MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program meets Michigan’s state requirements for licensure.

Please check the requirements of the state and country where you plan to practice.

Have questions about how to check licensing requirements?

How many credit hours is this program?

Students will complete a total of 69 credit hours.

How to Apply

The application process will include an online application as well as an interview.
Applications for the Fall semester of 2025 are now open!

Apply Now

Dr. Elizabeth Pennock, Director of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Meet the Program Director

Dr. Elizabeth Pennock’s areas of expertise include trauma and trauma-informed care, counselor education and supervision, and spirituality and counseling. The dissertation she completed for her PhD in Counselor Education was titled “Trauma-Informed Clergy: An Investigation of Factors Predicting the Trauma-Related Attitudes and Beliefs of Christian Clergy in Florida” (University of Central Florida). She has specialized training in trauma therapy that informs her research, teaching, and counseling practice.

Of all US adults have suffered from a mental illness in 2020*

30-40%

Michiganders delayed treatment for depression during the pandemic*

*From the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Western Theological Seminary

101 E 13th Street, Holland, MI 49423
616.392.8555
admissions@westernsem.edu