Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Christian Counseling

Students interested in Christian counseling can find several convenient online programs that will prepare them for careers in a variety of ministerial roles. To determine top programs in the discipline, Study.com has analyzed data from the Department of Education, and we have also closely examined unique features these schools offer like accelerated formats and one-on-one support services designed to help students succeed. We also took into consideration factors like completion rates, tuition costs, and class sizes. The result is our list of standout bachelor's degree programs in Christian counseling; any of the schools described below would be a great match for students interested in the field.

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University gives students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's degree in Christian ministries and an MA in Christian Counseling through its accelerated joint degree program. Aimed at preparing students to work in a range of ministry-related positions, the program focuses on Christian life and thought in contemporary times. The university proudly maintains its commitment to Christ-centered teaching throughout its online programs and, thanks to its high-quality online courses, maintains a 94% course completion rate. Online students have access to a network of support services like a writing center, and they can even receive personalized library services without visiting campus.

Johnson University

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science specifically in pastoral care and counseling through Johnson University's online program. The program prepares students for both counseling and leadership aspects of ministry work through a curriculum focused on spiritual formation, family dynamics, and communication skills. Students also have the option of rounding out their biblical education by completing a double major in Bible and Theology online. The university places a special emphasis on affordability and boasts tuition rates far below the national average. On top of that, 94% of students receive some form of financial aid.

The Master's University and Seminary

The online Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling program at The Master's University aims to go beyond academic preparation to develop the whole student, helping students develop the character and competence they will need to be successful in their ministry careers. The university's online programs offer top-notch flexibility with courses structured in accelerated, eight-week formats and degree plans that can be completed in as little as two years. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors exam and seek certification.

Oral Roberts University

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Caregiving and Counseling program at Oral Roberts University prepares students to help people handle challenges and develop their potential through coursework in psychology, counseling skills, leadership, and interventions. The university's commitment to its online students shines through in this program's flexible structure. Classes are accessible any time even via mobile devices, and the requirements can be completed in under four years with full-time enrollment. What really sets this option apart is the university's commitment to student success. New students are encouraged to take an introductory course covering useful online learning strategies, and students have continuous access to a group of Success Coaches dedicated to making sure learners meet their academic goals.

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Online Associate Degrees in Christian Counseling

Students can find an online Associate of Arts in Psychology with a focus in Christian counseling as well as an online Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies. These online programs can require about 60 credit hours and may take only a year and a half to complete. Students will learn basic principles of psychology, as well as specified practices in Christian-focused counseling methods. A program like this may prepare students to gain skills in this area, but if they want to work at a private practice, they'll need additional education.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Christian Counseling

For those interested in pursuing an online bachelor's degree in Christian counseling, there are a few options for program pathways. Many of the online programs will be general bachelor's of science programs in psychology, requiring students to focus on Christian counseling as they continue their education in further degree programs. Some psychology programs, however, will include a specific focus on Christian counseling as part of the undergraduate bachelor's degree. Some schools also offer online bachelor's of science in religion with a focus on Christian counseling.

The typical length of these programs is 120 hours, and online courses are generally 7 or 8 weeks in length. While students are pursuing their online bachelor's degree, they will be given comparable instruction to on-campus courses and will also participate in online discussions with their peers. These programs will most likely also require students to complete an in-person internship before they graduate.

Online Master's Degrees in Christian Counseling

There are multiple master's degree programs available online for those wishing to continue their education in Christian counseling. Many of the programs are master of arts programs, requiring about 36-41 credit hours with an average completion time of 1-1.5 years. Programs can also include supervised counseling sessions to allow students completing this online program to still experience in-depth mentoring from professors. Some programs offer specific concentrations in areas like pastoral counseling or Biblical counseling.

It is important for students interested in this field to always research whether or not programs lead to professional licensure. Whether a student wants to work in a professional, private setting as a counselor or work as a member of a church or ministry team may determine whether a program leading to licensure is necessary for them.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Christian Counseling

Online degree programs at the doctorate level in Christian counseling are available in a few different forms. There are Doctor of Education programs that focus on pastoral care and counseling, as well as PhD programs in counseling and psychology with a focus on Biblical counseling. Coursework is usually available fully online, but there could be a certain amount of required clinical or service hours as well. Degrees often require over 50 credit hours, and classes may last from 8 weeks to 16 weeks. The Doctor of Education programs work well for those who are already licensed counselors who want to grow their knowledge, and the PhD programs are well-suited for those in the academic settings, who don't necessarily need accreditation in a professional arena to continue working in their current field.

Online Certificates in Christian Counseling

Several online certificates are available that can be helpful if a student is pursuing a career in Christian counseling. For example, there are online certificates at the graduate level in psychology with a focus on pastoral counseling, or there are online certificates specifically in Christian counseling. While these certificates are not enough to become a licensed counselor, they are beneficial for those interested in one day becoming a Christian counselor or for someone already working in a counseling/church space who wants to broaden their knowledge to better serve others. These certificate programs may require 9-12 credit hours of coursework.

Depending on which area of counseling a student is interested in, there are several concentration areas that can be pursued. Some master's programs in pastoral counseling focus on church ministry which would assist a student in learning more about helping families within a church community or specific groups within the church. Another main area of concentration in Christian counseling is addiction and substance abuse counseling, in which the program enables students to become better trained in helping those struggling with addiction through a Biblical lens.

Undergraduate coursework varies by program and specialty. There are, however, a few courses that can appear in several of the online degree programs:

• Introduction to psychology
• Biblical counseling
• Child psychology
• Christian counseling with focus in family, marriage, and/or children
• Theological focus of Biblical counseling
• Biblical studies
• Ministry in church

There are also several options for students who are interested in free online Christian counseling courses. These courses do not guarantee college credit. They can be beneficial for those interested in continuing their education and eventually planning to complete a degree program, but would need to be followed up with a degree program.

An online bachelor's degree program is ideal for those who need flexibility and possibly the opportunity to continue their day job while completing the degree. Whether a student is completing an online bachelor's degree in psychology with the plan to focus on Christian counseling in their graduate work or they are completing an online bachelor's degree in Christian counseling, the programs typically include 120 credit hours. This can take about three and a half years to complete if taking classes full time. Classes are about 8 weeks in length, but online students also have the ability to transfer in many credits which could impact the length of time it would take to complete the online degree program.

There are various accreditation organizations that approve different programs. It is important for students to research and ensure their program is offered through an accredited school, as that could make an impact when they apply for licensure to practice counseling in specific states. One specific accreditation organization that approves certain bachelor of psychology degrees is the Higher Learning Commission. Another regional organization that approves schools offering online bachelor's of science/religion degrees for Christian counseling is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Some of the higher level, specified degree programs may also have further accreditation particular to their field, such as addiction and substance abuse counseling.

While all Christian counseling programs provide training and knowledge that will enable those who complete the degrees to better serve and counsel those in their work, church, or community, not all programs have a direct path to licensure or certification. If a student wishes to become a licensed, certified counselor, they will need to ensure they take the proper steps to do so. In order to become a certified counselor, one typically needs to follow up their bachelor's degree with the completion of a master's degree. In addition, licensure generally requires the completion of service hours and the passing of an exam and continuing education throughout the course of the career. It is important to understand the licensure and certification requirements by state as there can be some variations from state to state. Also, where a counselor chooses to work may also impact the need for licensure and certification; working in ministry or the mission field may not require the same licensure and certification as would working at a private practice or independently as a counselor.

There are a number of career opportunities for someone with a Christian counseling degree. For example, one could pursue a career in pastoral counseling by blending counseling and ministry. One could also use their degree to become a youth counselor or even find careers in Christian education. There are several other job opportunities as well.

How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselor

Counselors who specialize in substance abuse, behavioral disorder, or mental health work with their patients to identify issues, devise plans for treatment, and even consult with the patient's family members to best assist them. The work environment can vary from hospitals, substance abuse centers, or even private offices for consultation.

While it is dependent on the state one practices in, most counselors in this area are required to have a master's degree in psychology, mental health, or social work. Working in a private practice requires counselors to be licensed as well as have clinical experience and continuing education credits. It is up to the counselor to check with their state's requirement for licensure details.

According to the BLS, the median pay for a counselor in this field as of May 2019 is $46,240, and jobs are projected to increase by 25% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become a Social and Community Service Manager

If someone with a Christian counseling degree decided they wanted to work more in a public field as opposed to working with individuals or small groups, they could transition into a social and community service manager role. In this role, a worker would help to create and lead programs that were for the general good of the public. This job could entail partnering with local officials, analyzing data to understand community trends and areas of need, planning outreach programs, and writing proposals for community programs and initiatives. In this role, a person could work with community officials, government agencies, or for/non profit organizations.

According to the BLS, the current median salary for this position is $67,150 as of May 2019, and the current job outlook is a projected growth of 17% from 2019 to 2029.

For all students planning to pursue a degree, they should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify for grants or loans. Students can also research scholarships that local businesses, organizations, or religious groups offer either to college students in general, or to students pursuing their specific degree.

At some schools there are benefits available for military workers that can include discounts on tuition and military training counting as college credit. Faith-based schools may offer program-specific scholarships that are on a needs-basis, offering up to $13,000 in scholarships.

There are a few factors to consider when choosing an online bachelor's degree program for Christian counseling. First, the degree focus should be considered. For example, some online programs will have bachelor's degrees in psychology with students choosing to focus on Christian counseling in their graduate years, as previously mentioned. Other programs allow students to begin focusing on Christian counseling specifically during their undergraduate time. If a student wants a more generalized scope of knowledge on psychology principles, then they may want to get a general psychology degree. If a student knows they want to only work in Christian counseling, however, then it would make sense for them to begin their journey with the focused Christian counseling bachelor's degree in psychology or a bachelor's degree in religion.

Also, students may want to look at the school they are considering, in general, outside of their specific program. If having a Christian-based education is important to them as they pursue this degree, then they will want to look into online programs from faith-based universities.

There are several organizations for professionals working in Christian counseling. These organizations offer a wide variety of benefits and information for their members. There are both national and international associations for Christian counselors. An example of each type of association is listed below.

• The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC): This association is focused on helping members of the church by growing in their faith. They seek to help those who are working in the ministry, as well as others in the church by providing resources and education to make others ready to serve. On its site, the organization also provides a search tool to find a counselor if someone is in need. There are various levels of membership that include benefits such as online resources and newsletters.
• International Association of Christian Counseling Professionals (IACCP): This organization is made up of members working as pastoral counselors, Christian counselors, psychologists, and others in similar professions. They offer support to one another in their lines of serving, both inside and outside of the church, as well as provide training and education. Some benefits of joining include networking with others in the field, training, access to educational materials, and assistance in developing a ministry focused on counseling. To join, there is a membership fee as well as an application to complete that will be reviewed by a membership committee.