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 The addition of CACREP accreditation does not change
the purpose of LCU’s MA in Counseling program, which is to help
students integrate a Biblical worldview with current and historical
psychological theories and evidence-based, developmentally sound
counseling methods in order to assist students to grow in counseling
competencies, spiritual well-being, interpersonal relationships and
personal awareness.
At this time, it appears that Lincoln Christian Seminary’s MAC is
the only faith-based program in Illinois to be CACREP accredited. It
is also one of very few schools in the nation with a Clinical Mental
Health program that has both accreditation by the Association of
Theological Schools (ATS) and CACREP. This is a significant
milestone, signaling LCU’s excellent quality of graduate-level
education to both students and their future employers.
According to LCU the MAC Program Director and Assistant Professor of
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Dr. Nolan Thomas, “Some of the
gains include recognition as a school whose program meets national
standards, quicker access to testing after graduation, a program
that practices self-evaluation, development and self-directed
improvement and a program that is recognized by its peers.”
Research has demonstrated that students who graduate from a CACREP
school score higher on the National Counselor Exam than those who
come from a non-CACREP school and are less likely to be involved in
ethical violations.
Dr. Thomas explains, “CACREP accreditation is becoming the standard
for entrance into future academic work.”
There are currently approximately 60 students enrolled in the
program at Lincoln Christian Seminary. Students come primarily from
Illinois and Indiana as well as from LCU’s School of Undergraduate
Studies and other Bible colleges. The program is for a 60-hour
master’s degree with classes presented in on-campus, online and
intensive formats.
The path to CACREP accreditation began under former professors Dr.
Paul Boatman and Tom Ewald and was passed on to current Clinical
Mental Health Professors Dr. Nolan Thomas, Dr. Kim Baldwin and Dr.
Tara Samples. Two years of course review and revisions led to an
application followed by a site visit this past January. The CACREP
approval letter states, "The faculty members deserve to be
congratulated for the time, energy, and commitment that they have
given throughout this accreditation process."
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 CACREP standards are divided into three categories covering
The Learning Environment, Professional Identity and Professional
Practice. There is an additional set of standards for a clinical
mental health counseling program. The accreditation is for a
two-year period. At the end of that time, LCU’s Clinical Mental
Health Counseling faculty will need to address the conditions upon
which the program accreditation was given and will be in a position
to be awarded another six years of accredited status before the next
review.
Dr. Thomas wanted to recognize those who helped in this process,
“Our thanks are shared to CACREP for the vision they have for the
counseling community and those who worked with them, including our
site visitors. Thanks are given to the administration at Lincoln
Christian University for their support of this process. Thanks are
given to the MAC faculty for their work in building, processing,
writing, reviewing, developing and living the process. Thanks also
are given to those who came before us and began developing the
accreditation vision for the MAC program at Lincoln Christian
University.”
Lincoln Christian University’s mission is to equip Christians to
serve and lead in the church, the workplace, and the world. This
year they are celebrating their 70th anniversary of preparing more
than 16,000 alumni who have gone on to serve across the U.S. and in
167 countries. LCU offers a variety of degree programs for
undergraduate, graduate and seminary students. Classes are offered
on campus, at extension sites and online. To learn more visit
www.lincolnchristian.edu
[Text received; CHRIS THOMAS, LINCOLN
CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY]
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