Counseling Programs Available at Judson University
Judson University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACC) program prepares students to become licensed clinical professional counselors. This CACREP-accredited program blends Christian values with academic excellence to meet both individual and group counseling needs.
Students can complete the 60 credit hours program in less than three years. Working professionals find the program’s structure fits their schedule well – classes meet once weekly for four hours, and students dedicate about 15 hours each week to coursework. This setup helps you maintain a healthy balance between education, work, and family life.
The program combines demanding academic work with hands-on practice to promote excellence. Students work with community and private agencies during their studies, which gives them ground experience to improve their counseling skills. Illinois state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) becomes available after program completion.
Program faculty bring more than academic knowledge to the classroom. They actively practice in counseling, human services, and psychology. Their current field experience substantially enriches class discussions and assignments, creating a detailed education that connects theory with practice.
The program’s success shows in its numbers. During the 2022-2023 academic year, 24 students graduated from the program. Students achieved a 100% pass rate on credentialing exams and maintained a 100% program completion rate. The job placement rate reached 79% at graduation.
Psychology undergraduate students can choose a 22-credit hour Counseling concentration. Students study specialized topics like Health Aspects and Chemical Dependency, Trauma and Crisis Intervention, and Counseling Theories. This concentration creates a strong foundation to advance into the master’s program.
Both Elgin and Rockford campuses offer MACC program classes. Small class sizes of about 15 students per cohort ensure personal attention throughout your educational experience.
What counseling programs does Judson University offer?
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACC) program at Judson University builds your counseling expertise through 60 credit hours of core coursework. You’ll get a detailed curriculum that combines rigorous academic training with hands-on field experience to prepare you for licensure as a clinical professional counselor.
The program’s core curriculum follows a carefully planned sequence of courses that cover fundamental counseling competencies. The key courses you’ll take are:
- Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
- Human Growth and Lifespan Development
- Counseling Theory and Techniques
- Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
- Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Multicultural Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Family Dynamics
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment
The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with practical skills. To cite an instance, see “Advanced Individual and Group Counseling” (4 credits) that provides in-depth training in counseling methodologies.
The program’s practical components give you real clinical experience. Students complete a Counseling Practicum requiring 100 hours of supervised experience and four Counseling Internships totaling 600 hours. This hands-on training lets you apply your classroom learning in real clinical settings under professional guidance.
Students pursuing undergraduate Psychology at Judson can choose a 22-credit hour Counseling concentration. This specialized track covers areas like:
- Health Aspects and Chemical Dependency
- Trauma and Crisis Intervention
- Counseling Theories
MACC graduates step into diverse professional roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average employment growth for mental health counselors. Career paths range from youth counselors and behavioral health counselors to addictions therapists, mental health therapists, clinical therapists, and health services coordinators.
The program equips you with everything needed for Illinois licensing requirements as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Your education meets all counseling licensure requirements while building a foundation from a Christian view.
Internships/Practicum at Judson
Judson University’s counseling education emphasizes hands-on experience. You will put theory into practice through well-planned field placements and develop practical counseling skills under professional guidance.
Your field experience starts with a required Counseling Practicum that provides 100 hours of supervised experience in a clinical setting. This first experience lets you watch professional counselors at work and practice basic counseling skills in a supportive environment.
The practicum leads to four Counseling Internships, which total 600 hours of supervised clinical work. These internships help build your clinical skills as you work directly with clients in various settings. You will receive two key types of supervision throughout:
- On-site supervision from experienced professionals at your placement location who provide immediate guidance and feedback
- Faculty supervision through regular group sessions where you’ll discuss cases, receive feedback, and connect classroom learning with field experiences
Judson’s strong ties with many community agencies, hospitals, and counseling centers in the Chicago area give you access to quality placements matching your career goals. These mutually beneficial alliances help you learn about different counseling approaches and client populations.
Your internship involves keeping detailed case notes and treatment planning. You will take on more responsibility under supervision gradually. This step-by-step approach builds confidence as you develop your identity as a professional counselor.
The program’s practical components align with your coursework perfectly. You can apply what you learn in class directly to your field placement. When you study advanced counseling techniques, you practice them right away with real clients.
These extensive field experiences fulfill licensure requirements and improve your job prospects after graduation. Employers value the documented clinical hours and professional references you gain.
What sets Judson University apart?
Judson University’s counseling program has unique features that set it apart from other clinical mental health counseling graduate programs. The program creates a perfect learning environment with small class sizes. Each cohort has about 15 students, which helps build close professional relationships and boosts the learning experience.
The program’s faculty brings something special to the table. With 12 faculty members—3 full-time and 9 part-time instructors—the gender diversity stands at 10 female and 2 male professors. These professors aren’t just academics. They actively work in counseling, human services, and psychology, bringing real-life experience to the classroom.
Research at Judson heads over to groundbreaking areas in counseling:
- Animal assisted therapy
- Domestic violence and trauma
- Supervision best practices
The program structure shows how much they care about accessibility. Most programs need you to attend multiple times per week. Judson’s classes meet once weekly for four-hour sessions. This setup works great for working professionals who want to advance their education.
Students get complete support throughout their educational trip:
- Enrollment specialists help with application and enrollment
- A 24/7 helpdesk provides technical support
- Tutoring and academic support help with coursework challenges
There’s another reason this program stands out – its CACREP Accreditation. This recognition proves the content and quality meet the counseling profession’s standards. Employers and licensing boards value this accreditation highly.
The program also weaves a Christian view into counseling education. Students learn to help individuals and groups while working within this faith-based framework. Graduates emerge with both technical expertise and a unique counseling philosophy that includes spiritual aspects of wellbeing.
Next steps
Ready to join the Judson University counseling program? The application process is quick and simple. You can submit your materials through the official application portal, and the university will process your application within 10 business days.
The Program Chair will review all your submitted materials against Judson’s standards to determine your eligibility. Your official acceptance letter will confirm your place in the program after admission. The Registrar’s Office will then reach out with registration details and program information.
Faculty members will track your progress through regular assessments during your studies. The program faculty meets each spring to review students’ academic performance and professional dispositions. They conduct these reviews mainly through key “gateway” courses including:
- MHC 517: Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Counseling
- MHC 516: Counseling Techniques
- MHC 542: Group Counseling
- MHC 525: Practicum
- MHC 625: Internship
You’ll need to complete an Applied Research Project approved by the Program Chair, Division Chair, and faculty before graduation.