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School of Counseling

School of Counseling

School of Counseling

Understanding a pressing need to deal with critical social problems within our society and the church, the School of Counseling (SOC) at TCA College is dedicated to training Christians who have a passion to serve as highly skilled, competent and professional counselors.

Faithful to the Christian ethos, the School of Counseling instills into our students the importance of valuing personhood while appreciating the cultural and religious diversities of Singapore. Our holistic graduate programs are distinctly student-focused.

Besides acquiring theories and clinical skills, you can expect to engage in a process of self-discovery and learn how you can relate to God and others. A hallmark of the programs is a strong emphasis on spirituality as well as the integration of psychology and theology in counseling.

What’s unique about School of Counseling?

  • Faith-based training that meets professional benchmarks set by the Singapore Association for Counseling (SAC) and the International Registry of Counsellor Education Programs (IRCEP).

  • Focused on Christian faith integration – you can expect insightful and thought-provoking discussions on spirituality and spiritual direction and are encouraged to do faith integration independently.
  • A stimulating and creative teaching method and environment where you can develop and master core clinical skills in the counseling practice.

  • It trains and equips you not only to be competent in clinical skills but also ethical in practice while being keenly sensitive to your future counselees in culturally diverse counseling contexts.

  • Focus on relationships – small class sizes to encourage close interaction between students and faculty, so you can develop meaningful relationships between you and your classmates.

What are my career options?

Upon graduation, you can apply to practise as counselors in:

  • community-based and/or faith-based voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs)
  • churches and/or religious organizations
  • government ministries (e.g. Ministry of Education) and/or other institutions
  • private counseling services

Who should apply?

  • If you have a passion to counsel people
  • If you enjoy working closely with families and couples in need of counseling
  • If you desire to develop core clinical skills in counseling practice
  • If you desire higher education in counseling 

Academic Requirements

You will need to complete the following courses in the first year of each program as part of the academic requirements:

  • Christian Ethics (Credit)
  • Introduction to Psychology (Credit)
  • Old Testament Survey/Foundation (Audit)
  • New Testament Survey/Foundation (Audit)

Classes are usually conducted in the weekday evenings and on Saturdays. Special block classes may be scheduled on weekdays from time to time.

What are the programs offered?


  • Master of Arts in Counseling

  • Master of Arts in Pastoral
    Counseling
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    Course Catalog

    Course Catalog

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Overview / Admission Requirements

The Master of Arts in Counseling is a faith-based counselor training program designed to prepare graduate students for the field of counseling both in the public sector and private clinical practice. What sets this program apart is its professionally recognized skill-based curriculum, which is integrated with Christian values, beliefs and worldview. As a student, you will not only acquire and reflect on the knowledge about psychology and theology, but also learn the holistic approach to counseling. This program also provides the opportunity to delve into specific developments and trends in the field of counseling.

Credits 54 credits
Duration Part-time: Up to 5 years
Admission Requirements

You must:

  • be a Christian believer with a genuine desire for Christian service
  • be at least 25 years old on the date of admission
  • have obtained a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university/institution or bible school/college
  • clear an admission interview

If you’re an international applicant you must have obtained a minimum TOEFL score of 80(IBT)/550(PBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5 (or the equivalent).
Anticipated
Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, you should be able to:

  • Apply to be a professional member with the Singapore Association for Counseling (SAC) and be recognised as a Provisional Clinical Members
  • Be competent in core clinical skills in counseling, culturally sensitive to all individuals and ethical in practice
  • Apply for a career as a professional counselor in community-based and faith-based voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs), government ministries (e.g. Ministry of Education) as well as private counseling services
  • Contribute to the counseling fraternity in Singapore

Curriculum

CORE SUBJECTS FOUNDATIONAL

33 credits

Foundations of Counseling 3
Self of the Counselor 3
Human Development 3
Theories and Approaches in Individual Counseling 3
Theories and Approaches in Marital and Family Therapy 3
Theories and Approaches in Group Work 3
Professional Ethics 3
Appraisal, Tests and Assessments 3
Family-based Approaches to Counseling 3
Spirituality and Counseling 3
Psychopathology 3

ELECTIVES (3 OUT OF 4 SUBJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED)

9 credits

Divorce and Remarriage 3
Gender and Sexuality 3
Counseling Children 3
Addiction Counseling 3

SKILLS AND PRACTICUM

12 credits

Core Clinical Skills I 3
Core Clinical Skills II 3
Practicum with Supervision (100 hours) 6

TOTAL

54 credits

Each course is worth three credits unless otherwise stated.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the program, you will need to:

  • complete the following courses at the undergraduate level. Exemptions will be given to those who are able to show transcripts of the same topics or its equivalent taken at the undergraduate level previously.

    – Old Testament Survey (Audit)

    – New Testament Survey (Audit)

    – Christian Ethics (Credit)

    – Introduction to Psychology (Credit)

Overview / Admission Requirements

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling (MAPC) is a graduate program that is intended for those who are currently working in a church or a Christian social agency or desire a career in this field. This is also ideal for you if you are simply keen on developing a set of clinical counseling skills that will enhance your present and future roles in a pastoral ministry. What is distinctive about this program is its emphasis on spiritual formation, through which will learn how to effectively integrate spiritual components such as character formation and discipleship with psychology and theology.

Credits 60 credits
Duration

Part-time: Up to 5 years
Admission Requirements

You must:

  • be a Christian believer with a genuine desire for Christian service
  • be at least 25 years old on the date of admission
  • have obtained a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university/institution or bible school/college
  • clear an admission interview

If you’re an international applicant you must have obtained a minimum TOEFL score of 80(IBT)/550(PBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5 (or the equivalent).
Anticipated
Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, you should be able to:

  • Apply for and practice as a professionally recognized pastoral counselor who is theologically informed and clinically skillful in your service in churches, church-based community services and voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs) and/or Christian organizations
  • Be culturally sensitive and ethical in practice, while being mindful of integrating Christian faith in a professional counseling setting

Curriculum

CORE SUBJECTS

48 credits

Foundations of Counseling 3
Self of the Counselor 3
Human Development 3
Theories and Approaches in Individual Counseling 3
Theories and Approaches in Marital and Family Therapy 3
Theories and Approaches in Group Work 3
Professional Ethics 3
Appraisal, Tests and Assessments 3
Old Testament Foundations 3
New Testament Foundations 3
Hermeneutics 3
Christian Ethics 3
Christian Doctrine 3
Pastoral Counseling 3
Issues in Pastoral Counseling 3
Spiritual Formation and Christian Character 3

SKILLS AND PRACTICUM

12 credits

Core Clinical Skills I 3
Core Clinical Skills II 3
Practicum with Supervision (100 hours) 6

TOTAL

60 credits

Each course is worth three credits unless otherwise stated.

Graduation Requirements

All applicants are required to complete the following course at the undergraduate level. Exemption will be given to applicants who are able to show a transcript of the same topic or its equivalent taken at the undergraduate level.

  • Introduction to Psychology

Any Questions? Contact Us

  • Part-time

    Required

    1. A non-refundable application fee of S$71.20
    2. Application forms should reach the College 2 months before a new term starts
    3. Be a born-again believer who confesses Jesus Christ as your absolute Lord and Savior
    4. Financial commitment for the entire program

    Please provide

    1. One recent passport-sized photograph
    2. Two recommendation forms from:
      1. a pastor/denominational leader/elder (preferably from your church or denomination) and
      2. a friend who is not a relative
    3. Copy of educational certificates and transcripts
    4. Copy of NRIC
    5. For School of Counseling’s applicants ONLY, complete and submit the Additional Declaration form
    Apply NowApplication Form Apply NowRecommendation Form Apply NowDeclaration Form

  • Required

    1. A non-refundable application fee of S$71.20 and Immigration processing fee of S$30 (student pass application). These fees are non-refundable.
    2. Application forms should reach the College minimum 4 months before a new term starts.
    3. Be a born-again believer who confesses Jesus Christ as your absolute Lord and Savior.
    4. Financial commitment for the entire program
    5. A minimum TOEFL score of 80(IBT)/550(PBT) or IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5

    Please provide

    1. One recent passport-sized photograph 
    2. Two recommendation forms from:
      • A pastor/denominational leader/elder (preferably from your church or denomination) and
      • A friend who is not a relative
    3. Copy of educational certificates and transcripts
    4. Copy of passport and birth certificate
    5. For School of Counseling’s applicants ONLY, complete and submit the Additional Declaration form
    6. Copy of marriage certificate, where applicable
    7. *Letter of sponsorship to be submitted together with the application where applicable
    8. Medical check-up is ONLYrequired upon approval of the student pass application

    *International Applicants and full-time local students need to submit “Letter of Sponsorship” with the application. “Letter of Sponsorship” should indicate clearly that all expenses (e.g. tuition fees, hostel fees, etc.) will be covered by the sponsor. The sponsor can be an individual, a church or an organization.

    1. If the sponsor is an individual, please provide: (1) Letter of Sponsorship (2) Copy of Identity (3) Financial Document, e.g. Copy of Bank Statement
    2. If the sponsor is a church or an organization, please provide a “Letter of Sponsorship” printed on the church’s/ organization’s letterhead
    Apply NowApplication Form Apply NowRecommendation Form Apply NowDeclaration Form

  • Scholarship application is not applicable to School of Counseling programs.

  • Apply NowTuition fees and other expenses

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