Christian Counseling Degree Guide and Directory

Do you have a heart to help the hurting? Are you ready to answer God’s call to set captives free (Isaiah 61:1)? Are you gifted at guiding others through the challenges of life? If so, a degree in Christian counseling may be a great fit for you!

In this guide, explore the arena of Christian counseling, along with the general cost, admission requirements, and types of curricula you’ll study in pursuit of this degree. Or, if you’re ready to find your place, jump to the bottom and peruse our directory of Christian counseling degree programs across the US.

What Are Christian Counseling Degree Programs?

Christian counseling programs train students in biblical truth, psychological theory, and Christian values. They also encourage counselors to apply these principles to assist people in personal and spiritual growth by the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. Students become equipped to minister to a wide variety of persons, including those

• hurting, lost, and broken
• seeking guidance for decisions or navigating the complexities of life
• wrestling with deeper spiritual questions
• struggling with family or relational issues

These 3.5- to 4-year undergraduate degree programs prepare students for higher education and licensure as a counselor/therapist, or even for direct entry into service with Christian ministries, churches, or nonprofits. Because of the religious nature of this degree, primarily seminaries, Bible colleges, and private universities offer this program.

Students desiring to enter service directly upon graduation have many vocational options, including

• Pastoral or lay church counseling
• Community service and social work
• Nonprofit or parachurch work
• Missions (especially in areas with disenfranchised or vulnerable groups)

Types of Christian Counseling Degree Programs

A Christian counseling degree generally prepares students for graduate studies and licensure or direct entry into a job utilizing counseling skills. Some programs distinguish themselves from strict “biblical counseling,” which relies solely on Scripture as a springboard for counseling vs. the combination of Scripture and psychological theory/practice. But many schools use these terms interchangeably. As you search specific programs, you may find this degree listed in varying ways:

• BA/BS in Biblical Christian Counseling
• BA/BS in Christian Counseling
• BA/BS in Psychology (from a Christian institution)
• BS in Bible – Christian Counseling

Many schools, particularly those with degrees in psychology, only offer concentrations or emphases in Christian counseling. For example, The King’s University provides two concentration paths: Church and Community Care, for those seeking positions that don’t require licensure (e.g., lay counseling), and Professional Counseling, for those wanting to eventually seek licensure by a state board. Research carefully to find a program that fits your specific goals.

Christian Counseling Degree Overview

Want a quick rundown of all that’s involved in obtaining a degree in Christian counseling? Read on for the basics of this degree program, including general facts about the length, curriculum, admission requirements, and costs.

Length and Structure of Degree Programs

Most programs require around 120–124 credits hours for completion, typically over four years. This includes general education credits such as math, English composition, history, and science, as well as elective and core credits specific to the counseling major. Many programs also require five credit hours of practical experience in the field in the form of a practicum (where it gets real!).

Schools often give the option to study on campus or online, for those who prefer distance learning.

Curriculum and Coursework

Coursework varies from program to program, but most offer these basic psychology or counseling courses (or similar variants), as seen in the curriculum for Asbury University’s BA in Psychology (with concentrations in Christian Counseling or Clinical Counseling) and The King’s University’s Bachelor of Biblical Counseling:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Christian Counseling Methods
• Clinical Counseling Practicum
• Psychology of Personality
• Psychological Assessment
• Child & School Psychology
• Adolescence & Emerging Adult Psychology
• Healthy Family Dynamics
• Substance Abuse & Addiction
• Crisis Counseling
• Family Counseling

From the theological side, most programs offer these types of courses as well, also seen in The King’s curriculum:

• Pastoral Theology
• Biblical Counseling
• Christian Worldview
• Old Testament Survey
• New Testament Survey
• Spirit Formed Ministry
• Biblical Background and Interpretation

Admission Requirements

Similar to most undergraduate programs, admittance to a counseling program requires the following:

• High school or homeschool transcript, or a GED completion certificate with scores
• College transcript (if you’ve already earned some college credits)
• Minimum GPA (usually 2.5 or above)
• Sufficient SAT, ACT, or CLT scores (although some schools still waive this since the pandemic)
• Letters of reference, leadership, or community involvement/service (sometimes required, but nearly always helpful for acceptance)

Cost of a Christian Counseling Degree Program

The cost varies widely by school, but Christian counseling programs are generally priced less than other degree programs. Data from the Education Data Initiative (in the US, 2023) showed a $36,436 average annual cost for an undergraduate degree program. However, many accredited schools display lower estimates. City Vision University, for example, offers a faith-based BA in Addiction Counseling program for $8,000 annual tuition.

Private schools tend to cost more than public, but online degree options and scholarships can often substantially lower student tuition costs for this degree. Liberty University’s online BS in Bible–Christian Counseling takes only 3.5 years on average to complete, costing around $14,000 per year. And while Asbury University estimates undergraduate costs at $33,072 annually, 100 percent of their students receive scholarships or financial aid in one form or another to offset this expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a Christian counseling degree?

A wide variety of options await graduates with a Christian counseling degree, but often the agency you work for will set their own conditions for employment. Consider these and many other possibilities as you weigh your career options:

• School counselor
• Substance abuse/addictions counselor
• Mental health and wellness coach
• Spiritual advisor/counselor
• Pastoral or ministry-based counselor
• Hospice counselor
• Prison minister
• Chaplain
• Church outreach coordinator

Do Christian counseling degrees lead to licensure?

A bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling alone will not lead to licensure. Some career paths require further education (such as a master’s degree or even doctorate), supervised work in the field, then an exam to obtain a license, such as those listed below. Check your state to see if any legal requirements apply to your career aspirations.

• Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC)
• Online Mental Health Coach/Therapist

What does an average day look like for a Christian counselor?

In a church setting, a peek behind a fictional “daily curtain” might yield the following view:

• Review client notes in preparation for counseling sessions
• Meet with clients
• Document session notes
• Prepare notes and agenda to conduct a weekly support group for grief, trauma healing, single motherhood, life after divorce, or healthy relationships
• Prepare lesson and activities to teach a weekly class on healthy family dynamics, parenting, biblical foundations for dating, or ministry to the hurting

Of course, various roles will look quite different from one another. Consider speaking to someone who already works in your area of interest for insight into the tasks, activities, and responsibilities that make up a typical day.

What is the difference between biblical counseling and Christian counseling?

While these terms are often used interchangeably, some schools and organizations apply specific definitions to them. In this case, strict “biblical counselors” use only Scripture to inform and direct their counseling methods, while Christian counselors would apply both Scripture and psychological principles in tandem.