The Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling* degree equips students to be effective pastoral counselors and help their clients find freedom from issues like anxiety, depression, addiction, marriage and relationship problems, and more.
This 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 counselor 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 Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling degree is a distance learning program that fully equips the Christian Counselor with licensure as a Licensed Pastoral Counselor via the National Christian Counselors Association**.
This degree program is intended for:
– Christians who want to enter the field of counseling as a profession.
– Pastors, church leaders, and ministry leaders who want to learn how to provide faith-based counseling to members of their church and community.
– Christians who want to gain an effective skill-set to use in an area in which they have previous work and life experience, such as human resources, finance, business, education, etc.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Christian Counseling is completed via distance-learning at the student’s own pace. Students may enroll in the program at any time. The degree program is completed in three phases.
Program Requirements
- Previously-earned Bachelor’s Degree
- Commissioning, Licensure or Ordination as a Christian minister (can be obtained during the degree program)
- Professing Christian and active member of a local church body, including a letter of recommendation from the student’s pastor or pastoral oversight
The Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling degree is completed in three phases:
PHASE I
COURSEWORK
Students must complete the following courses:
- PSY301: Creation Therapy [Master's Level]
- PSY302: Basic Christian Counseling [Master's Level]
- PSY303: Christian Psychology & Counseling [Master's Level]
- PSY304: Quality, Ethics & Legal Issues in Christian Counseling [Master's Level]
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students 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 student’s character and Christian witness.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from the student’s pastor and/or pastoral leadership within the student’s local church, on church letterhead.
- Apply for Membership to the National Christian Counselors Association.
- Apply for Membership to the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling.
Following the student’s completion of Phase I, he or she will earn:
- Certification as a Certified Temperament Counselor from the National Christian Counselors Association
- Membership in the National Christian Counselors Association
- Membership in the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling
PHASE II
COURSES
Students must complete the following courses:
- PSY305: Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament [Master's Level]
- PSY306: Temperament Case Studies [Master's Level]
- PSY307: Counseling the Codependent [Master's Level]
- PSY308: Cognitive Therapy Techniques in Christian Counseling [Master's Level]
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students 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 student’s completion of Phase II, he or she will earn:
- Certification as a Certified Pastoral Counselor from the National Christian Counselors Association [Licensure Pending Phase III]
Phase III
COURSES
Students must complete four Advanced Certification (elective) courses. Depending on the courses chosen, students are eligible to receive advanced certification in one of the following areas:
- Integrated Marriage & Family Therapy
- Child & Adolescent Therapy
- Substance Abuse & Addiction Therapy
- Temperament Therapy
- Sexual Therapy
- Death & Grief Therapy
- Cognitive Therapy & Ethics
- Crisis & Abuse Therapy
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the following:
- Complete a Master's Thesis utilizing the Arno Profile System in a real-world, practical setting.
- Complete the matriculation process to award the student’s degree.
Following the student’s completion of Phase III, he or she will earn:
- Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling
- Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor via the National Christian Counselors Association
- Advanced Certification (if applicable)
Total Program Cost
The following costs constitute the entire program for the Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling:
(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars ($ USD)
Total Program Cost: $6,750
Flexible payment options for the Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling degree is available to students, 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.
*The Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling degree is conferred from one of CBC's Educational Partners.
**This degree does not lead to state licensure as a Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist, or Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor, but rather to licensure as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor with the National Christian Counselors Association, a non-profit para-church Christian Organization.