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About the Program

Counseling to the Congregation

One of the region's only programs of its kind offered by a university, the Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry at California Baptist University (CBU) prepares individuals to provide an expanded and professional level of Christian counseling in a congregational setting. This unique program emphasizes a solid theological perspective and a sound understanding of the behavioral sciences approach to counseling in the context of church-based counseling. Equipped with this training, graduates are qualified to counsel church members on relational and interpersonal issues, as well as build effective counseling ministry programs within the congregation.

The Church as a Holistic Community

A highly innovative program, the MA in Counseling Ministry at CBU is guided by a philosophy that views the congregation as a holistic community. Students who enroll in CBU’s MA in Counseling Ministry are trained to support and promote the health of their congregational communities, as invested members as well as knowledgeable counselors.

While developing students’ skills as counselors to their congregations, CBU’s MA in Counseling Ministry is one of the few programs that also formally prepares graduates to establish, direct, coordinate and strengthen counseling ministries that play an increasingly important role in today’s churches.

M.A. Counseling Ministry Course Requirements & Descriptions

MACM_Course_Rotations_in_table-form_3-13.pdf

Dual Masters

Option CBU offers a special dual masters program for those who wish to obtain both the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and the Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry. This dual degree option prepares graduates for licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) working in a clinical as well as congregational setting. Students pursing this option may be concurrently enrolled in Counseling Psychology and Counseling Ministry courses. The following links provide a detail of the Counseling Ministry courses needed in addition to the courses in the 60-unit Master of Science in Counseling Psychology curriculum.

M.A. Dual Degree Course Requirements & Descriptions

Compl._Masters_Course_Rotations_in_table-form_3-13.pdf

Balancing the Spiritual with the Psychological

Graduates come away from the program with a solid foundation in clinical approaches to counseling, supplemented with extensive knowledge of relational counseling in a congregational community setting. The specialized curriculum draws from core marriage and family therapy courses offered in the MS Program and integrates them with corresponding courses in Christian Behavioral Sciences with a focus on church-based counseling.

Through the Christian Behavioral Sciences coursework students gain a strong understanding of relational issues from a theological as well as psychological perspective. In keeping with the university’s spiritual mission, CBU’s MA in Counseling Ministry prepares students to address the whole person — mind, body and soul.

Take the Next Step

To learn more about the MA in Counseling Ministry program you may contact the program director, Dr. Nathan Lewis at nlewis@calbaptist.edu. For information about admission requirements and the application process please contact Graduate Admissions at 951.343.4249 or graduateadmissions@calbaptist.edu. If you’re ready to advance your knowledge and skills in the service of others, start by applying online. We look forward to helping you reach your professional, personal and spiritual goals.