Beginning fall of 2019, Truett McConnell University’s (TMU) Leonhard Schiemer School of Psychology and Biblical Counseling will begin offering a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree with just 37 hours of courses to complete the program.
The unique courses in this Counseling Ministry (CM) concentration provide students with knowledge about psychological theory, counseling techniques, and assessment to equip students to address real-world issues from a biblical worldview.
“There are often students who want to counsel in a church context who are uninterested in state licensure,” said Dr. Natalie Ford, TMU Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science. “Pastors have expressed frustration over the lack of counseling training in seminary, despite being on the frontlines when it comes to counseling.”
While the program is a non-licensure degree, those in the field of church counseling, pastoral counseling, and ministry-based organizations will benefit from the Christ-centered counseling education. Students will be provided a theological and a counseling foundation, combining biblical principles with sound psychological theory, counseling skills, and techniques. They will learn how to ethically serve others without compromising their Biblical worldview.
“Once in the program,” said Ford, “students who decide they want to pursue licensure have the opportunity to transfer into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMH) concentration. While graduates with a concentration in CM are not able to diagnose or accept insurance payments, they have knowledge and skills to practically assist others in their trials. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop relationships with licensed counselors for referral purposes when professional mental health counseling is needed.”
For more information, email Dr. Natalie Ford at nford@truett.edu, or apply today at truett.edu/degrees.
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Jenny Gregory is the Digital Content Specialist for TMU Marketing and Communications.
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