Online Christian Counseling Degrees
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Counselors work to provide many different services to their patients. The services that they routinely perform will depend both on their training and on their beliefs as members of the Christian faith. Christian Counseling is a branch of counseling that is very different from other types, because the Bible is used as one of the main guidance tools when working with patients and helping them through difficult situations in life. Christian counselors try to teach their patients how to resolve their problems, while following God's will on a daily basis.
Christian counselors look at counseling from a very different perspective, because their religion is not only a source of guidance in their personal lives, but in the professional sphere as well. They work in many different settings to help guide their patients through rough times by recognizing the problems that their patients are dealing with and using experience, intuition, and faith to resolve them. Prayer can be and often is an integral part of the healing process in this field. The work environment of Christian counselors can greatly vary. They may work in a church office, regular counseling office, or even visit patients in their homes. They mostly see patients throughout the day, working a typical 9-5 schedule and forty hours per week. In addition, Christian counselors may do some community work such as different service projects and community counseling outreach.
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Baptist Bible College
Programs:- M.S. in Counseling Ministries
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What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Youth Group Leader: These individuals work specifically with young people in a group setting. They put together religious, fun activities for the local youth for the church that they work at to attend, learn about their religion, and guide the youth. Many times the youth reach out to their youth group leader for one-on-one mentorship through the rough times in their lives.
- Christian Group Counselor: These individuals specialize Christian counseling in a group setting. Most of the people who meet are trying to overcome similar problems find reassurance in the communal aspects of Christian group sessions.
What degree levels are available?
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree: 2-3 years to complete
- Doctorate Degree: 6-7 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
There are many different schools out there that offer degrees ranging from bachelor's to PhDs in Christian counseling. Students also have the option of studying basic counseling, and then achieving a certification in Christian counseling to show that they are willing and able to specialize in that specific area of expertise. Either way, students must complete at least a bachelor's degree in counseling or Christian counseling, which will take about four years to complete. Most jobs require that students achieve their master's degree in counseling, which will take an additional two to three years to complete.
After students graduate from their program of choice, it is important that they fulfill the certification requirements that are set by the state that the student plans to work in. These requirements vary by state and also by place of employment. If a Christian counselor wishes to work in a school, they will most likely need to be certified and keep their certification active through completing continuing education hours. Outside of schools, most states require certification to any other types of counselors as well as the requirement of continuing education hours to maintain the certification. These certifications can be accomplished through the National Board for Certified Counselors. After taking and passing the certification exam, a student would then be considered a National Certified Counselor. (BLS)
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
Christian counseling students need to have a strong mastery of religious principles. This means that they will have to take at least one class that requires studying the Bible; most programs will require multiple classes in biblical studies. Students will learn critical passages and discuss interpretive ideas of biblical content. Similarly, a course in greater religious studies will probably be included in a Christian counseling program. Even though it is geared toward Christianity, graduates of this degree program may also work with those of other religions.
On the other side of the degree is the study of counseling principles. Students will therefore study psychology, which is the exploration of the way people's minds work and how their behavior is affected. It is also common for Christian counseling students to take courses in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, as there are many Christian-oriented drug rehabilitation centers. Students will study the many approaches to drug recovery. Another common counseling course for Christian counseling students is family counseling. Family counselors work with everyone from young children to the elderly, usually in a group setting, helping families work through traumas or other issues.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
In order to obtain counseling licensure, if that is a student's goal, students of Christian counseling will have to complete a practical experience component -- usually in an internship. However, if they so choose, all coursework can be completed in an online format.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
Some students who are interested in Christian counseling ultimately decide that a school counseling degree will be more applicable to their future career interests. School counselors learn how to work with adolescents as they face a wide array of issues, and will usually end up working in public schools. Social work degrees are also similar to Christian counseling degrees, as they lead to careers that are dedicated to helping others. A student who is studying social work will learn how nonprofit organizations work and will, in particular, study sociology and psychology.
A conflict resolution student will take many of the same classes as a counseling student, but conflict resolution experts do not need to have the same licenses and certifications as counselors. Conflict resolution students also study psychology and sociology, as well as the basics of law.
