A transformational journey of discipleship focused on helping you develop vocational excellence in your current or desired context – all on your time and from wherever you are.
Please note: Work is taking place to enhance this degree program over the next few years, and the program will be changing. Additional details will be made available in the future. In the interim, we are partnering with Evangelical Seminary for program course offerings. Please contact us with any questions.
The Master of Arts in Counseling is an integrative academic and clinical program. Your learning in the program will be guided by mentorship of faculty and enhanced by spiritual direction. You’ll gain knowledge of concepts and practically apply theory and techniques in clinical work with supervision and mentorship.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to pursue licensure^ to work as a qualified therapist and counselor in a variety of settings, including private practice, community mental health agencies, and hospitals as mental health practitioners, as well as schools, chemical dependency agencies, and ministry settings. Students pursuing clinical work after graduation must complete additional requirements. Additional details are provided below.
By inviting Kairos to walk on this journey with you, you’re seizing a unique opportunity to engage in spiritual formation for personal and professional spiritual development while simultaneously learning about the integration of psychology and Christian theology and gaining clinical experience under the supervision of approved supervisors.
The Master of Arts in Counseling is 61 credit hours and consists of the following courses:
Orientation to the Profession (1)
Introduction to Family Systems (3)
Research and Professional Writing for MFT
& MH Counseling (3)
Theories of MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Professional, Legal, Ethical Issues for MFT,
MH & Addictions Counseling (3)
Crisis & Trauma for MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Assessment/DX I for MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Multicultural Foundations for MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Human Sexuality for MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Human Development for MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Psychopharmacology for MH Counseling (3
Addictions Counseling: Theories and Techniques (3)
Group Counseling (3)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (3)
Marriage & Couples Counseling (for LMFT~)
OR (3)
Career Counseling (for LPC*)
Child & Adolescent Therapy (3)
Assessment/DX II: Co-Occurring Disorders and
Personality Pathology (3)
Pre-Practicum for MFT & MH Counseling (3)
Practicum I: Case Management in Clinical Practice (3)
Practicum II: Treatment Planning in Clinical Practice (3)
Internship: Professional Practice and Clinical Supervision (3)
~For those planning to pursue licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
*For those planning to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
^Prepares students to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota. Students may also be eligible in other states that allow for “equivalent coursework.”
The Master of Arts in Counseling program encompasses academic, clinical, and personal achievement and development. Full-time commitment entails approximately two years for completion of approximately 3,000 hours of academic and clinical work.
Professional mental health practitioners are held to high standards of care and professionalism. As such, Master of Arts in Counseling students pursuing clinical work after graduation must complete additional requirements. Requirements for licensure are set forth by statutory laws and regulations and vary from state to state. Subsequent requirements include, but are not limited to, application to a state licensing regulatory board, post-graduate direct clinical hours, plan and approval of a supervisor, and successful passage of a national licensure examination. Students will create a plan for academic, clinical, and post-graduate licensure with the guidance of faculty.
Supervised Clinical Experience
Kairos offers a unique setting for clinical development. On-site clinical training and supervision are provided by faculty who are licensed, mental health professionals with full-time practices at Sioux Falls Psychological Services, which is owned and operated by the seminary and houses the Community Counseling Clinic (CCC). The clinic provides supervised, student-therapy to uninsured and/or under-insured individuals, couples, and families.
In addition to meeting outcome standards set forth by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and MFT and counseling standards, all targets and coursework meet Kairos standards and will develop you in these core areas:
We’d love to help you discern if this is the next best step for you. Start a conversation with us today or check out our “Discerning Your Calling” step-by-step guide.
Ready to move forward? Here are a few things you’ll need to get started (more details in the catalog).