Master of Arts in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling

The intent of the Marriage, Family and Child Counseling (MFCC) program is to prepare Christian counselors with the knowledge, skill, and insight to practice counseling in the church or clinical settings. The curriculum encourages the integration of theology, theory, personal formation, and professional practice. Students are expected to engage in their own personal counseling for their own growth. The program covers the content areas required for the California Marriage and Family Therapy licensure exams and student membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Our students have close to a 100% passing rate on California licensure exams.
Click here to read stories from current MFCC students.

Click here to view a television interview with Dr. Delores Friesen, Professor of Pastoral Counseling, on KMPH’s Great Day – May 1, 2008. Note: This file is in the WMV format. A program such as Windows Media Player is needed to view this video.

Special admission requirements apply.

Students are required to complete six credit units in supervised counseling. Trainees will counsel in an agency setting under the supervision of a licensed therapist. This involves face-to-face sessions with individuals, children, couples, families and/or small groups. An MFCC trainee may be involved in any of a number of placement sites for approximately 8-10 hours of counseling each week. In the past, the sites have included Fresno Unified School District, Link Care, Fresno Pacific University, Salvation Army, and others. The group supervision at MB Biblical Seminary will provide a context in which students can reflect on their practicum experiences with the help of faculty and other trainees.

In preparation for the training program, students are expected to have developed basic counseling skills and the ability to develop a planned behavior change with an individual and/or family. This focus on counseling skills development in first-year courses provides the necessary foundation for the training program.

As part of their practicum experience, students are expected to participate in approximately 20 sessions of personal counseling. A stipend will be available to practicum students to defray the cost of counseling.

2006-2007 Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Student Handbook

Course Requirements (60 units)

Biblical Studies (10 units)

Practical Studies (33 units)

Personal/Social Formation (11 units)

Senior Seminar/Thesis

Electives (0-3 units)

Additional California Licensure Requirements