2023 Best Online Christian Counseling Degrees

Overview of Online Christian Counseling Degrees

Undergraduates in Christian counseling generally learn psychology, ethics, theology, and social sciences from the perspective of a particular faith tradition. Faculty design bachelor's curricula to teach counseling practices that are informed by Christian values so graduates can help treat clients with behavioral, relationship, and substance-use challenges.

As a faith-based discipline, students can only find Christian counseling programs at private religious schools, which limits the number of available online degrees. Most of these online programs feature asynchronous courses, meaning that students log in at convenient times to complete coursework, watch recorded lectures, interact with classmates, and submit assignments.

Program Requirements

To graduate, most Christian counseling students must complete 120-130 credit hours, which usually takes at least four years of full-time study. Most programs culminate in a capstone course requiring students to tie together what they've learned throughout their classes. In addition, some degrees feature an internship, allowing students to put their counseling skills to practical use.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for Christian counseling programs vary depending on the school or university. In most cases, online and in-person programs at the undergraduate level expect students to meet the following prerequisites:

• High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum 2.5 GPA
• SAT or ACT scores in the 50th percentile, although some schools are making this optional
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, and religious leaders describing the student's skills and abilities
• One or more personal essays that demonstrate the student's interest in a Christian counseling degree

Common Courses in a Christian Counseling Program

A Christian counseling degree fuses theology with psychology, so professors seek to increase students' proficiency with biblical principles, mental health diagnosis, empathy, and communication. Some Christian counseling programs offer concentrations, such as marriage and family counseling or substance use counseling, which can also be pursued as bachelor's programs at some schools. Similar programs are also available in psychology, philosophy, theology, or religious studies. Alternatively, students could pair their Christian counseling degree with one of these specializations as minors.

Below, we've listed several common courses to give prospective students a taste of what they might encounter during their Christian counseling studies:

How to Choose a Christian Counseling Program

One of the most important things to look for when selecting any college program is accreditation, which means that an independent agency attests to the quality of the school's instruction, faculty, and services. Many Christian colleges opt for accreditation through the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation qualifies a college to accept federal financial aid. However, regionally accredited schools usually only accept transfer credits from colleges with the same type of accreditation. Students who plan to enroll in graduate studies should keep this in mind.

Individual degree programs in some disciplines can also earn accreditation. However, no agencies accredit bachelor's degrees in Christian counseling. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) accredits graduate-level degrees in several types of counseling but not Christian counseling programs or bachelor's programs of any kind. Students who want to be licensed professional counselors must attend a CACREP-accredited graduate program. However, they should be aware that admissions officers at these schools may not recognize academic credits earned during an undergraduate degree in Christian counseling, even if they come from an accredited school.

For students considering distance education, it may be important to determine whether an online counseling program offers learners sufficient resources. This may include regular check-ins with faculty and advisors, tutoring and library services, and 24/7 support to resolve any technical issues. Given that counseling programs often involve an in-person internship or practicum experience, students may also want to check whether an online program helps them identify and apply for programs at healthcare facilities to gain the required hours of clinical experience.

Funding an Online Christian Counseling Degree

Bachelor's degree students can pursue many forms of financial aid to help ease the burden of paying for college. The most important types — scholarships, grants, and work-study programs — are called gift aid because students don't need to repay them. These can come from the federal government, state governments, or private sources, most of which don't distinguish between online and on-campus learners. Most students take out loans to fund at least part of their degree, giving preference to lower interest federal and state loans.

Students who plan to enroll at an accredited school can begin their financial aid search by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal government, as well as most states and colleges, use a completed FAFSA form to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid. Some states have alternate financial aid forms for students with undocumented immigration status because these applicants won't qualify for federal funding.

Careers With a Christian Counseling Bachelor's Degree

Graduates with a bachelor's degree in Christian counseling often seek roles at faith-based organizations, including churches, non-profits, and private firms. But some employers might prefer to hire counseling applicants who are licensed by the National Association of Christian Counselors (NACC), which requires a graduate degree in the subject. Bachelor's graduates may still be able to secure non-counseling roles for these same faith-based employers.

Below, we examine some of the career paths that alumni might take.

Reliable salary and job outlook information is scarce for these jobs because the Bureau of Labor Statistics only collects information on licensed professional counselors.

Becoming a Christian Counselor

There are no set requirements to become a Christian counselor. As a religious discipline, the field isn't regulated by any government bodies, so individual employers can decide which qualifications they prefer.

The NACC offers licenses for Christian counselors who hold at least a master's degree, and this credential may improve a professional's employment prospects. Other organizations that offer Christian counseling certifications don't require candidates to hold a college degree, so their quality control may be less stringent.

FAQs About Christian Counseling Degrees