The Practicum Experience (PRAX) is a comprehensive, three-part requirement within the Master of Arts in Counseling. It is built to deliver a holistic biblical counseling education that integrates theological understanding with spiritual formation and clinical skill-building.
Unlike a traditional course completed within a single term, PRAX is designed as a companion to your degree journey. Its assignments are tied to key milestones that occur throughout the program. Understanding these milestones early and tracking your progress along the way is essential for finishing successfully.
Start Date
The start of your program.
Focus
Spiritual maturity, discipleship, and character assessment.
Who
Program Mentor: We highly encourage students to work with pastors or other spiritual leaders to gain a more holistic support system. This person may not be a spouse, family member, roommate, or WTS peer.
Commitment
Typically 1–3 hours of support per term; you meet at least once and submit a confirmation quiz every term you are enrolled.
Deliverables
• Mentor Registration
• Confirmation quizzes
• Mentor Evaluation
• Self Assessment Paper 1 & 2
• Reflection Paper 1 & 2
All deliverables will be submitted through the Canvas PRAX Course.
Start Date
After completion of 5 Pre-requisite courses:
• BT 101- Bible Survey
• PTC 151- Dynamics of Biblical Change
• PTC 178- Helping Relationships
• PTC 261- Applied Theology of the Person
• PTC 301- Everyday Problems in Counseling
Focus
Engaging in real counseling under the care of a trained biblical counselor.
Who
Approved FE supervisor (this is a different person than your mentor). You will find a list of approved supervisors for you to contact when you are ready (found in your Canvas PRAX Field Experience Course). If you prefer someone not on the list, you can ask them to complete the FE Supervisor Application available on the Canvas page.
Commitment
• Average student takes about 8.5 months to complete
• Meeting with at least 3 and no more than 10 distinct discipleship relationships
Deliverables
• 100 total Field Experience hours: 70 direct hours (problem-based discipleship) + 30 indirect hours (preparation, notes, administration time)
• Field Experience Summative Portfolio
- FE Supervisor evaluation
- Progam Mentor evaluation
- FE Hours log
- 2 recorded sessions
- Self Assessment and Reflection Papers
All deliverables will be submitted through the Canvas PRAX Course and Field Experience Course hubs.
Start Date
After completion of all counseling courses, this will be your final counseling course.
All Field Experience deliverables must be submitted before registering for Culminating Seminar.
Focus
CCEF faculty-led capstone course that brings together the work you have done in your courses, your Program Mentorship meetings, and your Field Experience, to equip you for future counseling ministry.
Who
CCEF faculty-led cohorts of 4-6 students each.
Your classmates will also play a key role in shaping your reflections through candid feedback and encouragement.
Commitment
Weekly synchronous meetings with your faculty cohort leader and your classmates for skills development.
This is a personal course with substantial class interaction and minimal reading and lecture requirements.