The Minister Certification program is designed for individuals who presently serve as pastors or ministers in their local church.
In this training program, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and expand upon your skills to provide effective, biblically-based pastoral care to your church body and the surrounding community. You’ll help your church family find freedom from issues like anxiety, depression, addiction, marriage and relationship problems, and more.
This certification program teaches a biblical counseling model called Creation Therapy, which includes the most in-depth Christian trait analysis available, the Arno Profile System (APS). This model instantly gives the minister an in-depth look at the client’s unique, inborn strengths, weaknesses and needs. It then provides a step-by-step model for counseling.
The Minister Certification program is a 100% online distance learning program that fully equips you as a Certified Pastoral Counselor via the National Christian Counselors Association**.
This program is intended for individuals who currently serve as a pastor, minister, elder, deacon, or other ministry leader in their local church.
Program Overview
The Minister Certification program is completed via distance-learning at the student’s own pace. Students may enroll in the program at any time. The program is completed in two phases.
Program Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Commissioning, Licensure or Ordination as a Christian minister (can be obtained during the degree program)
- Professing Christian and actively serving as a pastor, minister, elder, deacon or other ministry leader within a local church body.
Additional Note
Ministers who complete this program may apply their coursework to Christian Counseling Degree programs at CBC.
The Minister Certification program is completed in two phases:
PHASE I
COURSEWORK
Candidates must complete the following courses:
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must complete the following:
- Complete a practicum, consisting of administering the APS report to 10 individuals.
- Complete three (3) hours of clinical supervision.
- Submit responses to the NCCA’s National Licensing Board of Examiners.
- Submit a headshot or photo.
- Submit a resume detailing ministry & vocational experience.
- Submit three reference forms from individuals who can speak to the candidate's character and Christian witness.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from an individual who oversees and/or can attest to the individual's service in their local church as a ministry leader, such as: a church elder, the head deacon, the head of the church's board, a church trustee, etc. on church letterhead.
- Apply for Membership to the National Christian Counselors Association.
- Apply for Membership to the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling.
Following the candidate's completion of Phase I, he or she will earn:
- Membership in the National Christian Counselors Association
- Membership in the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling
PHASE II
COURSES
Candidates must complete the following courses:
- PSY105: Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
- PSY106: Temperament Case Studies
- PSY107: Counseling the Codependent
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must complete the following:
- Complete a practicum, consisting of administering the APS to 15 more individuals.
- Complete three (3) additional hours of clinical supervision.
- Complete an application for NCCA licensure as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor.
- Complete a background check for licensure.
- Provide (or complete and earn) ministerial credentials.
Following the candidate's completion of Phase II, he or she will earn:
- Certification as a Pastoral Counselor from the National Christian Counselors Association
Important Note:
Ministers who complete this program may apply their coursework to Christian Counseling Degree programs at CBC.
Total Program Cost
The following costs constitute the entire program for Minister Certification:
(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars ($ USD)
Total Program Cost: $3,300
Flexible payment options for the Minister Certification program is available to candidates, including payment plans, paid-in-full discounts, and pay-as-you-go options. Limited scholarships are available. Visit our Tuition & Fees Page here.
Program Enrollment:
Enrollment at CrossPointe Bible College takes place on a rolling basis, meaning you can begin your coursework as soon as your application is approved. Once you’ve completed a course, you may move on to the next course.
**This program does not lead to state licensure as a Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist, or Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor, but rather to certification as a Certified Pastoral Counselor with the National Christian Counselors Association, a non-profit para-church Christian Organization.