Best Christian Colleges for a Counseling Degree
Updated February 13, 2024
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If you value your Christian faith, consider choosing a college that embraces Christian principles. Christian colleges allow students to integrate spirituality into their education and engage in service projects off campus.
The best schools for Christian counseling prepare students to become licensed counselors while honoring their commitment to God. Discover what it takes to apply to top Christian counseling schools and what to expect.
Popular Online Master's in Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Christian Colleges for a Counseling Degree
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Moody Bible InstituteLocation
Chicago, IL
Graduation Rate58%
Moody Bible Institute is the top Christian college for a counseling degree. As part of the graduate/seminary department, Moody's master of arts in counseling uses a Christian servant-leadership philosophy to shape graduates who serve individuals, couples, and communities. This program gives students a clear understanding of the academic and spiritual basis of counseling.
Moody's master's in counseling program offers concentrations in psychology and clinical mental health. Both concentrations are available at Moody's Michigan campus. The Chicago campus only offers the clinical mental health track.
The counseling psychology option focuses on biblical insight, clinical training, and spiritual integration in counseling. In 12-15 months, this track prepares students for professional licensure. Prospective students must submit a completed online application, an agreement to the doctrinal qualifications, two references, an autobiographical essay, and transcripts.
Courses Include
- Biblical spiritual formation
- Marriage and family dynamics
- Hermeneutics
- Human development
- Substance abuse and addictive behaviors
Unique Features
Cost: $460/credit
Credits Required: 60-64 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission -
William Jessup UniversityLocation
Rocklin, CA
Graduation Rate59%
William Jessup University's master of arts in counseling psychology prepares students to apply for designation as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) or a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in California. This program's curriculum blends biblical principles with contemporary psychological theory to help students become effective mental health professionals.
This top-rated master's in Christian counseling operates on a cohort model, which fosters networking and relationship-building among students and faculty members. Most students graduate in 26 months. This Christian counseling degree can lead to careers in education counseling, career counseling, marriage and family counseling, or clinical counseling.
Applicants must present a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, an official transcript demonstrating a 3.0 GPA, a resume, two reference letters, and a personal essay.
Courses Include
- Family systems therapy
- Human diversity
- Psychopharmacology
- Human sexuality
- Crisis, trauma, and community mental health
Unique Features
Cost: $660/credit
Credits Required: 63 credits
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission -
Loyola University ChicagoLocation
Chicago, IL
Graduation Rate74%
Loyola offers a master of arts in counseling for ministry. Placed in the Institute of Pastoral Studies, this Christian counseling degree trains pastors to provide ministry-based caregiving to those in need. This degree does not lead to clinical counseling licensure in Illinois. Rather, the curriculum takes a multidisciplinary, peer-learning-group approach ot promote students' spiritual and academic growth.
This master's in Christian counseling program blends contemporary theology and psychological theories to give students a broader perspective when counseling individuals, couples, groups, and children. Part-time students can complete the program in 4-5 years. Potential students must provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, a completed online application, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Courses Include
- Foundations of pastoral care
- Theology of the developing person
- Advanced human relation skills
- Family therapy and personal transformation
- Introduction to spirituality praxis
Unique Features
Cost: $788/credit
Credits Required: 36 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission -
John Brown UniversityLocation
Siloam Springs, AR
Graduation Rate66%
From its Department of Christian Ministry, John Brown University offers a bachelor of science in Christian ministry and formation with a concentration in care and counseling. JBU produces counseling graduates who can solve ministry dilemmas with theoretical and biblical solutions. This degree can transform students into biblically oriented leaders in churches, camps, business, and overseas missions.
Graduates of this Christian counseling degree program qualify for master's-level studies and subsequent certification or licensure. Throughout the four-year program, the curriculum focuses on three core areas: intellectual cultivation, spiritual formation, and world impact. Students must complete 30 hours of fieldwork and a senior capstone course in Christian ministry.
Prospective students must submit a high school transcript with a minimum 2.5 GPA or a GED certificate with minimum 1020 SAT or 20 ACT scores.
Courses Include
- Abnormal psychology
- Family communication
- Ministry to families
- The church in a global context
- Church leadership and service
Unique Features
Cost: $451/credit
Credits Required: 120 credits
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission -
William Carey UniversityLocation
Hattiesburg, MS
Graduation Rate47%
William Carey University's master of science in clinical psychology with a concentration in Christian counseling helps maintain the university's position as one of the top Christian counseling colleges.
Located in the psychology and counseling department, this program appeals to students intending to practice in religious settings as professional counselors. Graduates find work in religious counseling centers, private practice, and pastoral care environments.
This master's in Christian counseling offers two tracks: licensure and non-licensure for ordained ministers. The non-licensure track takes much less time to complete, but both options require a practicum and internship. Aspiring students must complete the online application and upload the required documents.
Courses Include
- Psychology of religion
- Dynamics of personality
- Analysis of the individual
- Organization and administration of senior services
- Advanced developmental psychology
Unique Features
Cost: $430/credit
Credits Required: 36-60 credits
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Applying to a Christian College for a Counseling Degree
Colleges and universities maintain distinct admission requirements, so applicants must research each prospective school. Typical requirements include:
- Bachelor's degree in counseling or a related field
- Official transcripts
- At least a 2.5 GPA
- GRE scores, if required
- Statement of purpose or personal essay
- A resume
- A criminal background check
- An application and application fee
- Multiple letters of recommendation
- An admissions interview, if invited
Schools offer admissions interviews to applicants to learn more about them and their potential to succeed in the program. Employers or professors usually write your letters of recommendation, but Christian colleges may require a personal reference or a reference from a spiritual leader.
Some programs waive the GRE requirement for individuals with GPAs of 3.5 or higher. You may qualify for some programs with a bachelor's degree in a field besides mental health. A master's in Christian counseling from an accredited program prepares you to obtain licensure in the field, so you do not need a license or certification to apply.
What to Expect from a Counseling Degree at a Christian College
The top Christian counseling schools are evaluated by accrediting agencies, such as CACREP. CACREP evaluates a program's quality to ensure it meets minimum benchmarks. CACREP accreditation helps ensure that students receive a quality education, qualify for licensure, and maintain standards of excellence when they become counselors.
Accredited programs have the discretion to set clinical requirements. However, CACREP-accredited programs require at least 100 clinical practicum and 600 internship hours. These requirements ensure that students meet the qualifications for licensure. Additionally, CACREP-accredited programs require at least 60 credits.
Christian College Counseling FAQs
What Is the Difference Between a Christian College and a Regular College?
Christian colleges offer the same fundamental coursework as regular colleges and often hold the same regional and programmatic accreditations. However, Christian colleges may require religious coursework. Professors typically teach courses from a Christian perspective.
What Is Accreditation and Why Is it Important?
Institutional accreditation ensures that you attend a quality school. You must attend an accredited college to be eligible for federal financial aid. Employers and state agencies often require programmatic accreditation by agencies such as CACREP. Programmatic accreditation ensures that you can qualify for state licensure.
What Can You Do With a Counseling Degree from a Christian College?
Graduates with online Christian counseling degrees from CACREP-accredited programs qualify for the same jobs as graduates from accredited regular programs. Potential career fields include behavioral, marriage and family, mental health, grief, and school counseling. However, a degree with a Christian worldview may also allow practitioners to work in religious institutions.
What Degree Is Needed for Christian Counseling?
Most states require a counselor to hold a master's degree from an accredited institution to qualify for licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or marriage and family therapist. Graduates can pursue an optional spiritual certification.
Faith-based organizations can set their own standards for counselors. Some faith-based organizations may allow you to become a Christian counselor without a license or a master's degree. They may require a seminary degree or certification instead. You'll need a state license to practice outside of a faith-based organization.
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Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Best Counseling Degrees. Page last reviewed February 12, 2024.
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