Best Online Masters in Christian Counseling Program

A Christian Counseling master’s program is a combination of counseling practices based on Christian text, beliefs, and values. A recipient of this master’s degree can move on to pursue careers helping people overcome Family Crises, Marital Challenges, mental health issues, substance abuse, etc.

An online master’s in Christian Counseling program equips its graduates with advising skills, compassion, and biblical knowledge.

The program requires 30-45 credits and it takes about 2-3 years to complete, year of completion depends on whether the student is a full-time student or a part-time student.

Students who graduate from this program qualify for state licensure as professional counselors in different areas, these areas include Mental  Health Counseling, School Counseling, Marriage, and family therapy. This program helps students to develop caring, faith-driven, compassionate characteristics.

If you are a Christian whose faith is important to you and you have the hunger to serve/help others, then a master’s degree in Christian Counseling is just the program for you. Keep reading this article to get insight into the best online colleges for a Christian Counseling Program.

Best Online Masters in Christian Counseling Program

1. Liberty University

Liberty University is an evangelical Christian university is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The School is recognized for its large online offerings, it enrolls upwards of 100,000 students across the country and around the globe.

Liberty University also offers an online master’s degree in pastoral counseling which is offered in an asynchronous and accelerated format. The program features 36 credits which typically take about 18 months to complete. There are three areas of concentration including Leadership, Marriage, Family studies, and life coaching.

Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation and personal essays are also not required.

2. Regent University 

Regent University is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the college enrolls approximately 11,000 students each year. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, and associate programs in more than 135 areas of study.

The school’s online master’s in human services department offers 11 concentration areas, including  Christian Counseling.

Graduates of the master’s in Christian counseling online complete a minimum of 30 credits to graduate, including courses in behavioral science, professional ethics, and counseling models and strategies — all from a Christian perspective.

Students are required to complete a capstone project and field experience are also required as part of their graduation requirements

Applicants with a bachelor’s in counseling, psychology, or related fields are preferred by Regent university, but all undergraduate programs will be considered. Applicants should hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, they are also required to submit a resume and three contactable references.

3. Northwest Nazarene University

Northwest Nazarene University is a Christian university located in Nampa, Idaho. It was originally established as an elementary school in 1913,  it was later transformed into a comprehensive, four-year liberal arts college.  The university enrolls over 1,300 undergraduates and 700 graduates enroll each year.

NNU offers quite a few master’s degree programs to remote learners, one of such program is the online master in pastoral ministry program.  The online programs are offered in an asynchronous format for increased engagement and flexibility.

While admission is open to laypersons and non-ministry professionals, prospective students should have some ministry experience in a volunteer or professional capacity.

Applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum  2.5  GPA. Tuition discounts are available for members of the Church of the Nazarene.

4. Loyola University

Loyola University is one of the largest Jesuit Catholic universities in the country. The college enrolls  17,000 students each year.

The college operates three campuses across the metropolitan area, it also has one in Rome, Italy. Loyola university’s online master’s degree in pastoral studies that features  36 credits that can be completed in 4 semesters.

Students can choose from five concentrations, depending on their professional goals: healthcare chaplaincy, religious education general, church management, and digital communication. The online courses at Loyola can either be taken in an asynchronous or synchronous schedule. Before graduation, a field learning experience provides mentorship and ministry practice in a local placement.

Applicants are required to submit a minimum 3.0 GPA, applicants should also provide official undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

5. Trevecca Nazarene University 

Trevecca Nazarene University enrolls about 4,000 traditional, graduate, and continuing education students in Nashville, Tennessee.

This Christian university offers a large variety master’s degree programs, including a 33-credit master of arts in religion which can also be earned online. The two concentrations that are available are pastoral counseling and biblical and theological studies.

Students are given a strong foundation in biblical counseling through courses on Christian doctrine; pastoral intervention in crisis; and counseling methods for specific issues like addiction, human sexuality, and marriage and family. Coursework is available 24/7  online, and it is offered in an asynchronous format.

Online applicants are required to submit a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA,  and one letter of recommendation. All students pay the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of residency.

6. Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University was founded in 1898 as the first junior college in the state of Texas, Dallas Baptist University has since then morphed into a 386-acre campus with about 5,000 students.

The university offers about 85 bachelor’s, 32 master’s, and two doctoral tracks, including several ministry-related master’s programs. The school offers a 36-credit  master’s in Christian Counseling which can be completed online.

The program provides a strong theological and counseling foundation that is well-suited for those interested in serving in a denominational agency, a local church, or a ministry-based organization. Courses covered include lifespan development, group counseling methods, and ministry mentorship.

Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Accepted students can complete their Christian counseling degree online, through a hybrid format, or through evening classes.

7. Maranatha Baptist University

Maranatha Baptist University is a private institution in Watertown, Wisconsin. Over 1,000 students attend the school, and about 280 of them study entirely online. The university has a seminar attached to it, and both schools combined offer 39 bachelor’s degrees and 10 master’s degrees, including an online master’s in biblical counseling.

This 33-credit program offers multiple delivery options, with classes available through eight-week, asynchronous sessions or synchronous, full-semester courses. Core courses cover topics like crisis counseling, addiction counseling, and abuse counseling.

A one-week biblical counseling seminar requires in-person attendance. Participants also complete an approved counseling internship in a local setting.

Applicants to the Maranatha Baptist Seminary are required to submit a completed application and submit their medical history and reference documents.

8. The Apex School of Theology

The Apex School of Theology was founded in 1995, it is currently operating out of Durham, North Carolina.

The Apex School of Theology is a small college that offers a total of seven programs, including an online master’s in Christian Counseling.

This program features a 69-credit curriculum, this Christian counseling degree includes courses that cover topics like cross-cultural counseling, theories of personality, and abnormal psychology.

Prior to graduation, students are required to complete a pre-practicum counseling course, a clinical practicum, and an internship each lasting 15 weeks. State licensure or certification is not guaranteed.

Applicants are required to submit two letters of reference, a written spiritual autobiography, transcripts, and a health form completed by a physician.

The Apex School of Theology holds national accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

9. Amridge University 

Amridge University was founded in 1967, it has its establishment been a leader in distance learning the school’s primary instructional delivery format.

This Christian institution is committed to expanding educational accessibility, the college offers a variety of master’s programs including a master of arts in professional counseling which is available online.

The professional counseling program features 60 credits, with courses on human development, marital and family systems, and counseling methods.

The degree program aims to prepare students for professional counseling licensure in their state of residence, students are required to take a minimum of 600 hours of supervised clinical experience prior to graduation.

Applicants to a graduate program at Amridge are required to submit their official transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

10. Grace College

Grace College was founded in 1937, Grace College has seen thousands of graduates go on to serve in ministries throughout the U.S. and around the world. This college offers about 90 academic options, including an online master’s in ministry studies.

This program features  36 credits and requires the completion of a dozen eight-week courses, including Bible study methods, ministry preaching and teaching, and principles and practice of prayer.

There are three available concentrations in counseling, ministry studies, and women’s leadership studies — that provide focused educational opportunities.

Prospective students are required to submit an online application, spiritual reference forms, and official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.