What a Masters Christian Counseling Degree Program Looks Like
Masters in Christian Counseling degree programs require a prior Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution before acceptance into a Masters Program.
If you research the curriculum for programs at different seminaries, you will find a wide range of courses available for the field of study.
The typical credit hour requirement is 60. Some programs allow students credit for appropriate courses from other schools
Some will offer specialty degrees. For instance, Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling – Mental Health, or Master of Arts in Marriage and Family
Generally, they can be grouped into five main areas. Typical courses in each area might include (but not include all of) the following:
General Education Courses (Some programs do not require these for Doctoral students)
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Theology
- New testament surveys
- Old testament surveys
- Christian Life and Thought
- Evangelism
- Elements of Christian Life
- Interpreting the Bible
Basic Christian Counseling Courses (Required)
- General psychology/nature of man
- Introduction to Christian Counseling
- Systems and practices
- Christian Counseling for
- Marriage & Families
- Children
- Men/Women
Specialty Christian Counseling Advanced Courses (Students choose)
- Addictions
- Group Counseling
- Crisis / Trauma Counseling
- Counseling the Codependent
- Sexual Disorders
- Dealing with Fear
- Dealing with Anger
- Counseling for Trauma/Abuse
- Grief Counseling
- Counseling the Depressed
- Eating Disorders
Integrative Practicum Requirements
- Clinical Supervisor assigned
- Preparing reports/papers
Thesis Requirements
- There is almost always a thesis requirement, which may include the incorporation of practicum assignments.
Dissertation
- Some schools require that the student deliver a dissertation of their thesis before an approval board.