The Masters of Arts in Biblical Counseling is a 66-hour program of study designed primarily to equip Christian men and women to minister God’s Word through counseling in the context of the local church or other Christian ministries. The degree includes 29 hours of theological preparation vital for effectively interpreting and ministering the Word of God. The counseling courses (37 hours) will prepare students to apply God’s Word in both formal and informal counseling settings. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is a pre-requisite. Students enrolled in this degree must maintain at least a "C" average for graduation.
|
Course Title
|
Course Number
|
Hours
|
Foundational Studies |
29 |
|
|
Spiritual Formation 1 |
SPFEM 3101 |
1
|
| Spiritual Formation 2 | SPFEM 3111 |
1
|
| Contemporary Evangelism | EVANG 3303 |
3
|
| Personal Evangelism Practicum | EVANG 3000 |
0
|
| Biblical Hermeneutics | BIBST 3203 |
3 |
| Systematic Theology 1 | SYSTH 3003 |
3
|
| Systematic Theology 2 | SYSTH 3013 |
3
|
| Basic Old Testament 1 | OLDTS 3313 |
3
|
| Basic Old Testament 2 | OLDTS 3323 |
3
|
| Basic New Testament 1 | NEWTS 3313 |
3
|
| Basic New Testament 2 | NEWTS 3323 |
3
|
| Baptist Heritage | BPTST 3203 |
3
|
Counseling Studies - Required |
34 |
|
| History of Soul Care and Counseling | CNSLN 3003 | 3 |
| Psychology and Psychotherapy | CNSLN 3103 | 3 |
| Principles of Biblical Counseling | CNSLN 3203 | 3 |
| Principles of Godly Character | CNSLN 3303 | 3 |
| Biblical Wisdom | CNSLN 3403 | 3 |
| Sexuality and Gender | CNSLN 3503 | 3 |
| Pre-Marital and Marriage Counseling* | CNSLN 4003 | 3 |
| Parenting and Family Counseling* | CNSLN 4103 | 3 |
| Counseling for the Marketplace* | CNSLN 4203 | 3 |
| Grief and Crisis Counseling* | CNSLN 4303 | 3 |
| Counseling Practicum I | CNSLN 5002 | 2 |
| Counseling Practicum II | CNSLN 5102 | 2 |
Counseling Studies - Electives - Choose One of the Following Courses |
3 |
|
| Medical and Biomedical Issues in Counseling | CNSLN 4403 | 3 |
| Methods of Testing and Assessment | CNSLN 4413 | 3 |
| Training Counselors in the Church | CNSLN 4503 | 3 |
| Cross Cultural Counseling | CNSLN 4513 | 3 |
| Counseling Children | CNSLN 4603 | 3 |
| Counseling Teens and Young Adults | CNSLN 4613 | 3 |
| Counseling Older Adults and Their Families | CNSLN 4703 | 3 |
| Counseling Prisoners and Their Families | CNSLN 4713 | 3 |
| Counseling Military Personnel and Their Families | CNSLN 4803 | 3 |
| Vocational Counseling | CNSLN 4813 | 3 |
Total |
66 |
|
| * requires observation and assessment of actual or video-recorded counseling sessions | ||
Southwestern Seminary also offers a 12-hour biblical counseling concentration within the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education degrees, designed to prepare you to counsel within the local church and to share the comfort and truth of God's Word with believers and unbelievers alike. The following courses are required for the concentration: Principles of Biblical Counseling (3 hours); Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling (3 hours); Parenting and Family Counseling (3 hours); and three elective hours in counseling.