Christian Ministries

Specialization:Counseling

(135 semester hour degree:  Bible - 30 hours; General Studies - 45 hours; and Ministerial Studies - 60 hours)
Purpose:  The Counseling Specialization is designed for the student 1) who desires to function as a discipleship minister, or 2) who desires to pursue graduate work in pastoral counseling, social work, or counseling psychology.   Psychological, communication, and counseling concepts and skills are integrated into a theological framework.
Objectives:   The counseling specialty helps the student to . . .

1. formulate a model for the integration of the principles of the behavioral sciences into a Biblical theology.
2. demonstrate a basic knowledge of the major assumptions and theories of secular systems of psychology, counseling, and communication.
3. develop a basic counseling model with the helping skills necessary for the accomplishment of discipleship ministry through pastoral care and counseling.
4. identify basic behavioral themes of life span development for effective ministry to persons based on their developmental stage.
5. engage in various self-evaluation activities for the assessment and improvement of his/her own helping skills through interpersonal growth.
6. train others in the local church for the pastoral care task.
7. prepare for advanced studies in the behavioral sciences.

Note:  Counseling students are encouraged to take statistics as part of their general studies electives in preparation for graduate school.
Note:  Students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA for courses in the Ministry Major to graduate with this Specialization.

Course Requirements: