Master of Arts In Counseling

Our online Master of Arts in Counseling degree is designed to prepare biblical counselors to work with individuals and families in a variety of counseling settings, such as church ministries, pastoral care ministries, counseling centers, or more informal mentoring partnerships. Become equipped to walk alongside others with love and wisdom.

credits

2-5

years to degree completion

week courses

100%

online program

OPEN

Start date, year round

Program Design

Year 1

In an online community of peers and professors, you will begin studies across topics including introductions to biblical studies, growth and change in the Christian life, counseling models and process, and more. Courses consist of lectures and readings, regular small-group discussions, and assignments designed to grow you in life and ministry.

Year 2

You will continue learning as you move into advanced topics that apply earlier classes and concepts to more complex issues in theology, ministry, and counseling. Deepen your relationships with your peer community and practice applying the principles of biblical counseling in your local ministry. You will also gain more practical experience in real-world ministry under the guidance of a mentor in your local area.

Courses

Dynamics of Biblical Change

Human Personality

Marriage Counseling

Counseling Children & Adolescents

Bible Survey

Introduction to Apologetics

Survey of Reformed Theology

History of Christianity I & II

See the full course list

View Program FAQ

Online Student Course Reviews

4.4

487 reviews

5 Stars55.2%

4 Stars32.4

3 Stars9.9

2 Stars1

1 Star1

Elizabeth O.

Overall the course was wonderful, and I would highly recommend to anyone who is a student interested in ministry. Loved the diversity of meeting with people from around the world.

Juan D.

The Westminster Online Learning team has been the most excellent online help I have yet received in my education. I would like to have more little assignments throughout the term instead of the larger ones in some classes.

Peter L.

I love it! The small group experience is, for me, one of the highlights of this class. Our instructor was also personable, did research to answer our questions, and was quick to respond to email and other student concerns.

Etorré R.

Loved the video lectures. I do wish it were more like Netflix where it goes to the next lecture immediately.

Byron F.

My instructor was very encouraging throughout the course. It seemed he did everything in his power to help us succeed.

Biblical Counseling Training

We offer this degree in partnership with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF), an organization with more than 50 years of biblical counseling and teaching experience. Our degree combines theology and biblical studies courses taught by Westminster faculty with Christian counseling courses taught by CCEF faculty. This program provides students with the opportunity to reflect on the relationship between theology, psychology & physiology while gaining a thorough understanding of people as sufferers, sinners & saints.

Program Schedule

Intro Weeks

Meet your faculty and classmates through video introductions.
Connect with your small group for the first time online face-to-face.

Program Schedule

Typical Weeks

Hear from faculty as they interact with your course’s last small group assignments.
Meet with your small group on your own schedule to process the upcoming week’s content and submit your next assignment.

Program Schedule

Final Weeks

Submit your final projects, exams or papers.
Complete course feedback to help us keep improving your student experience!

Who Will benefit from this degree?

This degree is ideal for anyone interested in exploring a biblical approach to care and relationships. The ways students have used their online biblical counseling degrees is diverse, from professional to informal, but the common thread is that they are bringing practical, biblical wisdom into the lives of those they live and work with every day:

Pastors and campus ministers caring for their congregations
Nurses and doctors providing both urgent and long-term care
High school/K-12 teachers and principals impacting the lives of students
Church members looking to be more involved in small groups and church ministry
Social workers supporting members of the community in vulnerable circumstances
Counselors in the local church and other ministry settings
Family members seeking to love their families through difficult seasons

"As I look at the road ahead of me as a counselor, pastor's wife, and mother, I have confidence that I will have what I need because of my time in the MAC."

Ellie McNeal Residential MAC '13

"CCEF publications stand out among materials. We find ourselves daily recommending and using their books, journal articles, and pamphlets."

MARK DEVER Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

"I love the ministry of CCEF and feel deeply indebted to it. The courses I took during my time in seminary have profoundly shaped my view of self, God, and others.”

BRITTANY AILLS Residential MAC ‘12 and Church Life Coordinator at Downtown Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC

Frequent Questions

Will the MA in Counseling prepare me to become a licensed professional counselor?

No, the MA in Counseling does not provide the training required by state licensing boards or prepare you for licensure exams. It is designed to improve the counsel you are currently offering in your daily relationships and to equip you for the more formal role of counselor in the context of the local church and other ministry and non-profit settings.