Master of Arts in Community Counseling (MACC) Degree

Program Highlights In Brief
Alvernia is a Catholic, Franciscan college dedicated to the ideals of service in the helping professions. Our rich heritage of service is rooted in our strong faith which resonates in contemporary ways in campus life and our academic programs. Alvernia’s graduate programs are designed for the focused working professional who places equal value on intellectual achievement and professional growth. Our faculty and staff are committed to teaching, guiding, and supporting our students in all aspects of their experience at Alvernia, from course selection and scheduling, to connecting with peers and colleagues.

The Master in Arts in Community Counseling degree is designed for students who wish to become professional counselors skilled in treating both mental health and addiction disorders. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be better prepared to: conduct clinical assessments; apply theory to clinical cases; write formal treatment plans; and meet with other professionals in case consultations. Through practicum and clinical internships, graduates will learn how to navigate the local mental health system and how to address the issues within that system. Alvernia’s MACC program offers an educational and training experience which prepares students to work as professional counselors in a variety of settings, including hospitals, residential treatment centers, non-profit agencies, community mental health centers, rehabilitation centers, group homes, government, for-profit organizations and private practice. As graduates of the program, students may choose to focus on working with children, adolescents, or adults.

Academic Quality
Students are admitted to the College and are fully accepted when the following criteria have been met:
     • Successful completion of undergraduate coursework
     • Successful completion of the following three undergraduate courses: Introduction to        Psychology, Statistics or Research, and Psychopathology.
     • Completion of graduate entrance application with supporting documentation
     • Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
     • Upon successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a grade of B or above, three of which        must be MCC 500, a second interview is required before full acceptance.
     • Scores submitted from a graduate entrance exam such as the Graduate Record        Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Career Success
At Alvernia we measure our success by our graduates’ personal and professional satisfaction, and by the many ways they contribute to the greater good in all areas of society. Graduate students are placed at meaningful internship sites and can sit for the National Counselor Exam at Alvernia College. Some internship sites include the Caron Foundation, Reading Hospital Detoxification Unit, the Center for Mental Health, Berks Counseling Center, and Threshold Rehabilitation Services, among others. No matter what your aspirations and dreams, we’ll give you the tools and support to help you thrive.

Career Opportunities
Addictions Counselor (Inpatient/Outpatient)
Adult Therapist
Behavioral Specialist
Case Manager
Crisis Intervention Therapist
Director, Counseling and Advising
Licensed Professional Counselor
Mental Health Counselor (Inpatient/Outpatient)

Click here for curriculum overview.

Alvernia MACC Brochure