DBU REPORT 6 Dallas Baptist University proudly announces that the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling (MAPC) program has been awarded full accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the leading standard of excellence in counseling education. This prestigious accreditation, granted in late July 2025, is valid through October 2033. The accreditation marks the culmination of more than a decade of vision, preparation, and dedication from DBU faculty, staff, and leadership. The MAPC program now joins an elite group of counseling programs nationwide that meet CACREP’s rigorous academic and professional standards, recognized by employers, licensing boards, and professional organizations across the United States. CACREP ACCREDITATION A Journey of Dedication “This achievement affirms the quality and integrity of our program,” said Dr. Steve Hunter, Program Director of the MAPC program. “Our students are being equipped biblically from the truths of God’s Word, trained professionally to meet state requirements for licensure, as well as national standards for CACREP, and being sent globally to serve a hurting world.” The journey toward accreditation began in 2012 and gained momentum in 2015 when Texas raised the academic requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. DBU restructured its curriculum, renamed the program to the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, and aligned its coursework with CACREP standards. By 2019, the program was producing graduates who met these high expectations. Under the leadership of Dr. Kristi Tew, DBU submitted a comprehensive Self-Study Report in December 2023, detailing two years of data and demonstrating full compliance with CACREP standards. A successful site visit in February 2025 confirmed the program’s strengths, culminating in this historic accreditation decision. The benefits of CACREP accreditation are significant for DBU graduates, opening doors to work with the Veterans Administration, state agencies, and other organizations that require or prioritize CACREP credentials. It also enhances licensure portability, allowing graduates to practice in more states across the country. For more information about DBU’s Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program, visit www.dbu.edu/mapc. FROM PAGE TO PREMIERE Keely Boutwell’s Filmmaking Debut Keely Boutwell, Elementary Education major, has been a storyteller for as long as she can remember. As a child, she rewrote Disney princess tales and recruited her sisters for impromptu plays. Lining her shelves today are notebooks filled with worlds of her imagination. Now, she’s stepping into a new chapter: bringing one of her long-envisioned stories to the screen. Her recent piece, Rotten End, is described as a “Western Hamlet” with themes of anger and vengeance. The idea came after she realized Hamlet’s script fit naturally with a Southern drawl. “I tried reading Hamlet in that voice…as I was reading the script, I realized Hamlet includes a lot of old Western movie tropes, and just like that the idea for Rotten End was born.” The story follows Silas, whose pursuit of justice for his father’s death becomes a self-driven quest for revenge. Keely first wrote the story as a creative exercise, never imagining it would evolve. That changed when she heard about the Dear Filmmaker Short Film Competition, hosted by Watershed Motion Pictures, where she had previously worked on two films. The program empowers young filmmakers (ages 17–24) to bring faith-based narratives to life with mentorship and resources. Encouraged by the opportunity, Keely expanded her script to fit the 20-minute limit and submitted it alongside 158 others. Months later, during what she thought was a routine call, she was stunned to learn her script had won. Despite a busy weekend working with DBU media, she rushed to Houston for the celebration. “Like many artists, I have a bit of impostor syndrome,” Keely admits. “I often wonder not only if people will like what I create, but also if they will like me.” Winning provided a huge confidence boost. As the winner, Keely will partner with Watershed Motion Pictures through every stage of production and receive support for film festival submissions and distribution. “I get to have my name under the words written and directed by, and that’s invaluable— especially for a 19-year-old kid like me. The Lord has truly blessed me.” At DBU, Keely has found encouragement and faith. “DBU mentors its students to love the Lord and love others. It raises leaders who will defend their faith against all odds.” Looking ahead, she plans to teach elementary school while pursuing filmmaking on the side, trusting God to direct her steps.
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