Master of Arts in Relational Communication and Lifespan Studies
The Master of Arts in Relational Communication and Lifespan Studies (MARCLS) is designed for students seeking to enhance their interpersonal effectiveness and leadership capabilities in diverse work environments. This non-counseling program is ideal for individuals whose roles benefit from advanced communication and human development expertise but do not require clinical licensure. Please note that the MARCLS program is not CACREP-accredited and does not lead to licensure in clinical mental health counseling.
The MARCLS curriculum draws from the core graduate courses offering a strong foundation in areas such as ethics, counseling theory, diversity and inclusion, lifespan development, career development, and interpersonal skill-building. Emphasizing a multicultural and developmental approach, the program fosters a professional identity rooted in social justice, advocacy, and community engagement.
Graduates of the MARCLS program are prepared to work in a wide range of settings where the ability to work with, support, and lead others is essential. The program emphasizes outreach, resilience, and well-being, equipping students with the tools to make a meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.
Grades
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all MARCLS coursework, with no individual course grade lower than C.
Attendance
All graduate students are expected to attend all class meetings. If a student is unable to attend a class, the student must contact the instructor and take responsibility to meet the class objectives. This makeup will ordinarily require additional written work. It is the duty of the student to make arrangements for missed work. If more than one class meeting is missed within a course, the student shall contact the instructor and the MARCLS director in advance to discuss whether the student should enroll in the course at another time.
Transfer Credit
Individual consideration will be granted in the awarding of transfer credits in order to ensure the student meets the licensure requirements as a professional counselor. Up to 15 credits may be transferred from another CACREP-accredited program.
Requirements
All students are required to complete 30 credits and maintain a 3.0 grade point average to be awarded the Master of Arts in Relational Communication and Lifespan Studies degree. Those credits include core courses to be completed by all students, as well as electives to fulfill requirements of one of the program’s focus areas. Contact with one’s academic advisor will focus on developing an academic plan.
All students who earn the MARCLS degree are not eligible to re-enter or complete the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program at Viterbo University. This is due to the overlap in coursework and the need to maintain distinct degree programs.
- Demonstrate professional ethical standards of practice: Students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards and legal considerations relevant to professional counseling by accurately identifying and applying concepts on the final examination.
- Articulate the impact of values, beliefs and cultural diversity perspectives relative to the counseling process: Students will demonstrate knowledge of how values, beliefs, and cultural diversity influence the counseling process by accurately identifying culturally relevant concepts and their implications on the final examination.
- Apply contemporary theories of human development: Students will demonstrate knowledge of contemporary theories of human development by accurately identifying key theoretical concepts and developmental principles on the final examination.
- Demonstrate the application of career counseling theories and skills: Students will demonstrate knowledge of career development theories and decision-making models by accurately identifying and applying these concepts on the final examination.
- Conceptualize counseling theories and utilize in individual counseling skills: Students will demonstrate knowledge of major counseling theories by accurately identifying theoretical principles and their applications on the final examination.