Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling
Discover pastoral and psychological counseling methods grounded in biblical truth, and learn to apply current counseling principles through a Christ-centered worldview.
Counseling Formation for Ministry Contexts
Central’s Christian Counseling program prepares students to care for people with biblical conviction, emotional maturity, and practical counseling skills. Students study human development, counseling theories, pastoral counseling, interviewing skills, abnormal psychology, multicultural counseling, and specialized counseling electives.
The program is especially distinct because students do not only study counseling ideas in theory. Practicum, seminar, and internship experiences help students apply counseling principles in ministry-oriented settings while remaining anchored in Central’s biblical and theological core.
Prepare for a future in:
- Pastoral or counseling ministry
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Graduate school
What Sets This Program Apart
Biblical
Integration
Counseling preparation is built on Central’s biblical and theological core, helping students connect care for people with faithful Christian conviction.
Counseling
Skill
Courses in pastoral counseling, interviewing skills, counseling theories, and abnormal psychology build practical ministry care skills.
Specialized
Electives
Students can choose from child and adolescent counseling, crisis counseling, marriage and family counseling, substance use counseling, and human sexuality.
Hands-On
Formation
Counseling Practicum I & II and Counseling Internship provide supervised opportunities to apply classroom learning.
Featured Courses
- CCO 201 Community Health
- PSY 201 Human Growth and Development
- CCO 202 Pastoral Counseling
- CCO 301 Counseling and Interviewing Skills
- CCO 302 Introduction to Counseling Theories
- PSY 401 Abnormal Psychology
- CCO 401 Multicultural Counseling
- CCO 311 Child and Adolescent Counseling
- CCO 312 Crisis Counseling
- CCO 313 Marriage and Family Counseling
- CCO 314 Substance Use Counseling
- CCO 391/392 Counseling Practicum and CCO 491 Counseling Internship
Community Health Worker Certification
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have a close understanding of the communities served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison, link, or intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.
A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
Program Notes
- Agencies in the community are looking to employ CHWs to meet these needs.
- Potential employers will be met during service learning opportunities in the program.
- Online course in Fall semesters.
- In-seat/hybrid course Fall only.
- Space is limited.
Cost of the CHW course is $1,600, plus additional fees where indicated. Checks will be payable to Central Bible University. Inquire if grant funding for a scholarship is available.
CHW Core Competencies Gained
- Self-awareness
- Service coordination and system navigation
- Educating to promote healthy behavior change
- Advocacy
- Individual and community capacity building
- Effective communication strategies
- Cultural responsiveness
- Documentation and reporting
- Professionalism and conduct
- Use of public health/community health concepts and approaches
- Individual assessment
- Community assessment
- Identifying barriers and resources