Grand Rapids Theological SeminaryBringing Healing
to Those in Need

COU-503 Intro to Clinical Mental Health

COU-501 Counseling Theories

COU-502 Counseling Ethics and Issues

COU-525 Multicultural Counseling

COU-602 Clinical Assessments

COU-610 Counseling Techniques

COU-611 Career Development

COU-612 Group Techniques

COU-661 Psychopathology & Diagnosis

COU-662 Human Growth and Development

COU-672 Treatment of Mental & Emotional Disorders

COU-700 Research Methodology

COU-782 Counseling Practicum

COU-784 Internship I: Counseling

COU-785 Internship II: Counseling

BBL-501 Biblical Hermeneutics

BBL-508 Biblical Theology

BBL-EL   Bible Elective

THE-550 Theology for Counseling I

THE-551 Theology for Counseling II

MIN-500 Christian Spiritual Formation

The Addictions Counseling Concentration provides you the ability to seek the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) credential from the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP). The combination of the courses prepares you for the academic and practical components needed to partially fulfill the requirements for certification.

• COU-651 Clinical Diagnostic Assessment of Addictions
• COU-652 Sociology of Addictions
• COU-653 Addictions Counseling: Treatment and Intervention
• One course in ethics (e.g., COU-502 Counseling Ethics and Issues).
• One 300-hour internship that provides experience in counseling people with addictive and compulsive conditions (i.e., COU 784/785).

The addictions courses are administered in a 7-week online format. The training received will allow graduates greater marketability as it addresses a core struggle for many people (substance and non-substance addictions). The program also helps to prepare graduates for LPC Licensure in other states that may require an addictions course.
Upon completion of the three addictions courses and the ethics course, you will need to do the following in order to receive the full certification:

• Fill out the Developmental Plan through the Michigan Certification Board before you begin your practicum.
• Find a practicum site that allows you to gain experience in the 12 core functions of alcohol and drug abuse counseling. The Michigan Certification Board has a list of approved sites. You do not have to be signed up for an official practicum course at an institution to gain the practicum experience in this area.
• Pass the IC&RC/AAODA examination.
• Complete 2,000 hours of counseling experience working with AODA clients at a program licensed by the State of Michigan.
• Apply for the certification.
• Have already obtained your master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology or a related field.

For more detailed requirements and additional information on the certification process, see the Michigan Certification Board’s website. The CAADC application and materials are helpful as well.

Our interdisciplinary studies concentration is intended to offer you the most flexibility as you pursue your professional goals. The three courses that make up this concentration include Marriage and Family Counseling, a counseling elective, and a general elective. The requirements for licensure vary by state. Our interdisciplinary concentration allows students to prepare for licensure out of the state of Michigan by ensuring that their elective credits meet the criteria for licensure in other states. An admissions counselor can work with you to make an individualized program plan. Additionally, the interdisciplinary studies concentration offers the most flexibility for students to take advantage of a variety of counseling courses to prepare for clinical practice.

The thesis track concentration is for students who intend to pursue Ph.D. work. You will take two courses that focus on the research, reading and writing of a 60-80 page thesis for Ph.D. applications.

This concentration requires nine credit hours and includes these courses:

• COU-584 Thesis Readings: Counseling (3 credit hours).
• COU-792 M.A. Thesis: Counseling (6 credit hours).

The trauma concentration was created to provide you with the skills necessary to help those who have experienced or been affected by traumatic events and environments. Each required class addresses this highly specialized and rapidly growing field of study from a Christian worldview.

This concentration requires nine credit hours and includes these courses:

• COU-642 Sociology of Trauma (3 credit hours).
• COU-643 Trauma Informed Advocacy and Crisis Intervention (3 credit hours).
• COU-644 Trauma Counseling and Recovery (3 credit hours).

Internships and practicum experiences help you build a network of contacts and resources for future job opportunities. Here, we’ve listed specific and general sites in Grand Rapids to consider for your internship; most of these sites have accepted Grand Rapids Theological Seminary students in the past.

• The Well, Cornerstone University’s Counseling Center
• Bethany Christian Services
• Beacon of Hope
• Gilda’s Club
• Mel Trotter Ministries
• Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
• Wedgwood Christian Services
• Private Counseling Agencies
• Social Service Agencies
• Public and Christian Schools
• Human Resource Departments
• Group Practices
• Addictions and Rehab Facilities

However, you do not have to choose a site from this list. We allow students at GRTS to find their area of passion and pursue a site that provides the most hands-on experience for their needs. You must fill out and submit a Site Proposal Form to ensure that the site you have chosen fulfills our guidelines for approval.

Practicum Hours

Practicum will include 100 hours of experience in which you will gain a greater understanding of the work of a counselor. You will complete at least 40 direct client contact hours as you begin working with clients. The other 60 hours of practicum will include supplemental work (e.g., research, reading, case notes, supervision).

Internship Hours

Your internship will include 600 hours of experience in which you will be doing the work of a counselor. You will complete at least 240 direct client hours (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy, assessments). The other 360 hours will include supplemental work (e.g., research, reading, case notes, supervision).

Liability Insurance

For practicum and internship experiences, you must have your own student professional liability insurance in place before you can register for these classes. You must maintain insurance coverage from the semester you register for your practicum or internship until the completion of your program.

Below are links to sample mental health insurance organizations. We do not endorse any one company, and you are free to secure insurance from other providers.

• Healthcare Providers Service Organization
• National Board for Certified Counselors Insurance Center
• CPH and Associates
• American Professional Agency Inc.