What Do You Study as a Christian Counseling Student?
A degree in Christian counseling is ideal for anyone who wants to combine the practice of counseling with a love of Christianity and the Bible, using these to bring about healing, joy, and a sense of meaning for people who are suffering. Many colleges offer certificate and degree programs that help you pursue this career. A degree in Christian counseling includes much of the same coursework as a standard counseling degree, with the addition of faith-based classes and teachings.
The Three Foundations of a Christian Counseling Degree
All students studying Christian counseling take courses in the following three general areas:
1. Psychology
Psychology is the science of the mind and behavior. A psychologist examines mental issues like motivation, depression, and emotions, to name a few.
Typical courses include:
- General Psychology
- Psychology and Theology
- Social Psychology
2. Psychotherapy
A counselor puts psychological principles into practice to evaluate, test, and treat a person's mental processes and behaviors. Counselors (often also referred to as psychotherapists) discuss problems and feelings with clients to help them find ways to change unhealthy patterns of thought or behavior.
Typical courses include:
- Counseling Theory and Practice
- Marriage and Family Counseling Christian Perspective
- Ethics and Law for the Christian Counselor
- Crisis Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Cross-Cultural Counseling
- Assessment and Diagnosis
3. The Bible
A substantial portion of the courses you take to earn a degree in Christian counseling relate to the teachings of the Bible. These provide you with a solid grounding in Scripture, and show how you can apply Biblical lessons to improve a person's life.
Typical courses include:
- Introduction to Scripture
- Christian Counseling
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Understanding Emotions Biblically
Higher-Level Courses
Once you have completed your general education courses in these subjects, you can usually undertake further specialty courses. These focus on specific areas within counseling, helping you to become more skilled and knowledgeable. They often hone in on the particular aspects of people's lives for which they are seeking counseling.
Typical courses include:
- Children and Adolescents
- Adult Development and Aging
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Death and Dying
- World Religions
- Human Sexuality
- Family and Relationships
- Marriage
Who Would Enjoy This Degree?
People who want to pursue a degree and a career in Christian counseling often share similar characteristics. You are likely to find this field engaging and fulfilling if:
- You find it easy/comfortable to talk to people about their personal issues.
- You want to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible and God's Word.
- You have felt a call to help people and/or counsel.
- You are drawn to the principles of psychology.
- You want to improve your counseling knowledge/skills.
- You want to help people make use of the lessons provided in the Bible.
- You are interested in understanding (and helping others understand) the world through the Bible.
How to Earn a Christian Counseling Degree
Schools offering Christian counseling degrees are abundant. You can earn a degree in two primary ways: by receiving your education at a traditional campus-based institution, or by taking your coursework online. The major advantage of taking courses at a bricks-and-mortar institution is that you have ample opportunity to interact with your professors and classmates – especially important for a people-based disciple such as Christian counseling. If you choose to take your degree online, though, you will have major flexibility regarding both time and place. For example, you could take classes from your home computer in the evenings while still maintaining a daytime job. Either way, you should seek your diploma from an accredited school that will ultimately award you with a bachelor's or master's degree.
Not Enough?
We do our best to anticipate all the information you need about Christian counseling but we are not perfect. You can ask us a question any time on the Christian Counseling Degree.org Facebook wall. We will respond.
Article Resources:
Breyer State University
Grace Christian Counseling Ministries
National Institute of Mental Health
University of Virginia
Vision International Education Network
