Academics
Master of Arts in Counseling
Master of Arts in Counseling
Overview
The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program equips Christians with the essential knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to practice effectively as counselors in clinical environments within churches, social services, education institutions, community counseling services, and private practice.
The program curriculum combines Christian principles and values with biblical, psychological, and counseling theories, fostering personal spiritual growth alongside professional expertise. Students are also encouraged to undergo personal counseling* to support their own development. The MAC has been recognized by Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) since November 2013. The Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling (PDC) which preceded the MAC was recognized by SAC in January 2011. However, with effect from 2016, the PDC was discontinued and no longer offered.
The MAC at TCA College was approved for inclusion on the International Registry of Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP) – an international affiliate of The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) – from July 2014.
SOC offers this academic program as a master’s degree for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from other universities or institutions of higher learning.
* Students may approach the Lecturers for referrals to practitioners for personal counseling.
Candidature Period
Part-time: Up to five years
Total Credits
60 Credits / 20 Courses
Tuition Fees
SGD 25,179
General Aims
- Provide students with specialized, professional training to be counseling practitioners and contribute to the counseling fraternity in Singapore.
- Provide a stimulating and creative learning environment where students learn from faculty and counseling professionals beyond core clinical skills.
- Train and equip practitioners who will be competent in skills, culturally sensitive and ethical in practice.
- Train and equip counseling practitioners to be more skillful and competent counselors in churches and Christian organizations in the postmodern context.
Admission Requirements
The applicant should fulfil the following requirements:
- Be at least 25 years old on the date of admission.
- Possess personal and spiritual maturity.
- Be water baptized and involved in Christian ministry.
- Have obtained a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university/institution or Bible School/College.
- Applicants who graduated from institutions where English is not the medium of instruction, and/or are from non-English speaking backgrounds, should submit a TOEFL score of 80 (IBT)/550 (PBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5 (or the equivalent).
- Applicants who wish to transfer credits from courses completed in a postgraduate degree in a related field will go through a matriculation process. Upon the approval to transfer credits, applicants need to complete a minimum of ten courses offered by SOC in order to graduate with the MAC.
- Clear the admission interview.
Academic Requirements
Students are required to progress through the courses listed in the MAC curriculum and achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 in order to graduate.
Anticipated Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, you should be able to:
- Apply to be a Student Member of the Singapore Association for Counselling and the Association for Christian Counselling (Singapore) while they are students with TCA College.
- Apply to be a Professional Member with the Association for Christian Counselling (Singapore) upon graduation.
- Apply to be a professional member with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) and be recognized 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.
Employment Opportunities
Our graduates pursue professional counseling careers in the following areas:
- Social services
- Education institutions
- Community counseling
- Private practice
- Church-based counseling
- Pastoral counseling
Curriculum
Term 1
Applied Psychology in Helping Relationships
Self of the Counselor
Term 2
Faith Foundation 1: How to Read the Bible
Human Development
Term 3
Faith Foundation 2: Exploring Christian Doctrine
Theories of Individual Counseling
Term 1
Theories of Group Work
Research and Assessment Procedures
Term 2
Theories of Marital and Family Counseling
Professional Ethics
Term 3
Psychopathology
Spirituality and Multicultural Counseling
Term 1
Gender and Sexuality
Divorce and Remarriage (Elective)
Term 2
Core Clinical Skills I
Counseling Children (Elective)
Term 3
Core Clinical Skills II
Counseling Adolescents and Youth (Elective)
Term 1
Practicum 1
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Term 2
Practicum 2
Addiction Counseling (Elective)
Term 3
New Course (Elective)
Candidates are accepted into the courses offered by SOC as a cohort at the start of every academic year in Term 1.
Students are required to progress through the courses listed in the curriculum and achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 to graduate.
Financial Information
For a detailed listing of fees involved, please refer to the Financial Information.
Part-Time
$25,179
for max of 5 years
Notes
- Fees are payable each term based on the number of courses taken for the term.
- Fees quoted above are estimated based on 2026 rates and inclusive of 9% GST. Cost of textbooks and Non-Tuition fees are not included here.
- Fees are revised annually.
Admission Calendar
The MAC program runs on a cohort basis. Each cohort begins in January of each year.
Application Closing Dates:
2026 Cohort
International Applicants
Aug 31, 2025
Local applicants
Oct 31, 2025
2027 Cohort
International Applicants
Aug 31, 2026
Local applicants
Oct 31, 2026
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