Certificate in Advanced Professional Counseling

The Certificate in Advanced Professional Counseling (CAPC) is designed for any student with a completed master’s-level degree in counseling who desires to pursue licensure and is in need of more credits or courses. Prospective students must have a completed MA in Counseling with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Any person seeking entry into the CAPC must also complete an application that includes an official transcript from an accredited graduate institution. See application for more information.

Application for this certificate is open each term. Please apply using our online application system, or the forms linked on this page.

The design of [Missio’s] Certificate in Advanced Counseling program allows exposure to a variety of counseling topics, with a focus on practical application and higher-order thinking skills. I’m really impressed by the dedication and care for the students, and the way instructors shepherd to teach shepherding, and counsel to teach counseling.

– Beiye Gu CAPC, 2013

All classes and programs are available on-line. The majority of our on-line classes are in a synchronous format. This means that you can engage with your professors and classmates from the comfort of your own home! For more information please contact our admissions department here.

What's Required?

The primary license for master’s-level counselors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential (enacted in 1998). To obtain this license, individuals need to complete 60 graduate hours in a counseling-related program of study and 3000 hours of supervised postgraduate work, and pass a national counseling exam. Details can be found on our Licensure page.

Please note that the practice and testing requirements for licensure will be the student’s responsibility after graduation. While Missio makes every effort to stay abreast of licensing changes, our primary goal is to train and educate wise, godly counselors for kingdom work. Those seeking licensure in their jurisdiction need to take personal responsibility to ensure that Missio’s program meets their needs.

See how the Missio Graduate School of Counseling can help with obtaining licensure in other states:

State Licensure

Additional Requirements for Students Needing Fieldwork Hours:

Should prospective CAPC students also need to enroll in Missio’s fieldwork courses and complete the requisite practicum and internship experiences (i.e., MAC 520, 600, and 610), they will need to provide the following to their admissions counselor:

1. Evidence of completion of a course equivalent

Evidence of completion of a course equivalent to MAC510 Helping Relationships and MAC525A Ethics and Professional Orientation. If you have not taken an equivalent course, you will be required to take it at Missio prior to starting fieldwork.

2. Full-session Video

A full-session video exhibiting your counseling skills. You and your counselee must complete this Video Consent and Evaluation Form and submit it with the video. Please submit the video on a DVD or USB drive.

3. Written Reference from Faculty Member

A written reference by a counseling faculty member from your graduate institution explaining why you did not complete fieldwork at this institution (e.g., none available) and that the faculty member would heartily endorse you as fit for clinical practice. This is in addition to the Academic/Professional Reference Form included in the CAPC application.

4. Background Checks

Criminal and child abuse background checks for your state will need to be submitted. Click here to review the guidelines.

5. Obtain Liability Insurance

Obtain liability insurance (1mil/1mil) or provide a copy of your current personal liability insurance. If you need liability insurance click here and apply for either mental health counselor or clergy/pastoral counselor (your preference based on population you are counseling).

6. Complete an Interview

Complete an interview with the Graduate School of Counseling (Admissions will arrange this for you).

The counseling department may require a live mock counseling session (done with the director) to evaluate further your readiness for fieldwork. Those students with skill deficits may first be required to take MAC510 prior to enrollment in MAC520, 600, and/or 610. Those students accepted into these courses recognize that Missio does not guarantee field placements. All students are responsible for procuring field sites meeting Missio’s minimum criteria.

7. After Acceptance

Once you are accepted into CAPC-Fieldwork you will need to complete internship paperwork. No one is permitted to start accruing hours or start the Fieldwork courses until paperwork is submitted and approved by the MAC Fieldwork Coordinator. You can email the Fieldwork Coordinator for more information.

Courses Available for CAPC During the 2018-19 Academic Year

Online Courses:

  • MAC801A – Psychological Assessment – April 6 to May 18, 2020
  • MAC802A – Research & Assessment – January 7 to February 8, 2020
  • MAC803A – Social/Cultural Diversity – January 7 to February 8; April 6 to May 18, 2020

On Campus Courses:

  • MAC805 – Group Counseling – February 17 to March 23, 2020

Available Fieldwork / Clinical Instruction:

  • MAC520 – Practicum & Professional Orientation – February 17 to May 18, 2020
  • MAC525A – Ethics & Professional Orientation – September 9 to October 14, 2019
  • MAC600 – Counseling Internship 1 – September 9 to December 9, 2019
  • MAC610 – Internship & Professional Seminar II – February 17 to May 18, 2020

Additional Notes:

  • Fieldwork hours done prior to starting fieldwork at Missio will not be accepted.
  • MAC600 and MAC610 include 700 clock hours of internship by completing both fall and winter semesters.
  • Missio welcomes online students from outside of Pennsylvania. Different states have various authorization requirements for institutions offering distance education to their residents. Missio cannot register students in online courses who live in certain states. Please email the Academic Department for more information.

Ready to start your journey?

Whether you are looking for more information regarding a program, scheduling a visit, starting the application process, or just wanting to talk to someone about your dreams, our admissions department is always available to assist you and answer any question that you might have.

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