85 hours of classroom time plus 20 hours in practicum projects

The following classes are required

Students must also complete two practicum projects

1) BC 101: Foundations of Biblical Counseling (10 hours)

An introduction to biblical counseling philosophy, methodology, and the counselor’s role. Students explore what makes counseling “biblical,” the place of counseling in the local church, and basic theological foundations. This course distinguishes biblical counseling from secular approaches and helps students recognize the limitations and scope of lay counseling ministry.

2) BC 102: Essential Counseling Skills (10 hours)

Students develop core counseling basics through practical exercises and role-play scenarios. This course emphasizes active listening, empathic communication, asking effective questions, and creating a safe counseling environment. Students learn how body language, reflective listening, and appropriate non-verbal communication contribute to building trust and rapport with those seeking help.

3) BC 103: The Counseling Process (10 hours)

A practical guide to structuring counseling conversations from initial contact through closure. Students learn to gather information, identify problems from a biblical worldview, develop goals, and implement biblical strategies for change. Other topics include conducting initial assessments, recognizing heart issues and spiritual dynamics, applying Scripture appropriately, and assigning homework that fosters growth between counseling sessions.

4) BC 104: Common Counseling Issues I (10 hours)

Biblical approaches to depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, and more. Students learn to understand common emotional struggles, apply biblical principles to specific problems, recognize when professional intervention is needed, and develop practical strategies for helping others through their difficulties.

5) BC 203: Biblical Ethics and Boundaries (5 hours)

Ethical considerations in counseling ministry including confidentiality, boundaries, dual relationships, and basic legal responsibilities. This foundational course must be completed before Marriage and Family Counseling Basics. Students learn when to maintain confidentiality and when breaking it is legally or ethically required; how to establish appropriate boundaries in counseling relationships; basic mandatory reporting laws, and strategies for self-awareness and avoiding counselor burnout.

6) BC 105: Marriage and Family Counseling Basics (10 hours)

Biblical foundations for marriage and family relationships, addressing common relational conflicts, communication problems, and family dynamics. Students learn how to address communication breakdowns, guide couples through biblical conflict resolution, understand roles and mutual submission in marriage, address basic parenting challenges, and provide foundational premarital counseling.

7) BC 201: Grief and Loss (5 hours)

Walking with those experiencing loss, understanding the grief process, and providing comfort that points to Christ and eternal hope. Students learn theological and practical perspectives on grief, explore common myths about the grief process, develop skills for ministering to the bereaved, and discover how to offer hope grounded in resurrection promises while respecting the reality of sorrow.

8) BC 202: Introduction to Addiction (5 hours)

Understanding addiction from a biblical worldview, including substance abuse, pornography, and other compulsive behaviors. Students explore biblical perspectives on addiction, learn to identify heart idols and enslaving desires underlying addictive patterns, understand first steps in recovery, discover how to provide initial support, and recognize when professional treatment is necessary.

9) BC 204: Counseling Adolescents (5 hours)

Special considerations for ministering to young people, understanding developmental stages, and working with parents to address behavioral and spiritual concerns. This course covers adolescent development stages, effective communication techniques with teenagers, common youth issues including identity formation, peer pressure, and technology challenges, and the vital role parents play in youth counseling.

10) BC 206: Spiritual Disciplines in Counseling (5 hours)

How to incorporate prayer, Scripture meditation, worship, and other spiritual disciplines into the counseling process. Students learn the role of prayer in counseling sessions, how to encourage Scripture memory and meditation, understand biblical perspectives on fasting and spiritual warfare, and cultivate a counseling ministry that remains rooted in the gospel rather than merely therapeutic techniques.

11) BC 207: Crisis Intervention Basics (5 hours)

Responding to individuals in crisis situations with immediate support, safety awareness, and basic intervention skills. Students learn to recognize various crisis situations, provide appropriate immediate support, understand when to call for emergency help, develop basic safety planning skills, and navigate the emotional intensity of crisis counseling while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

12) BC 208: Introduction to Trauma (5 hours)

Understanding how trauma affects individuals and providing initial care with sensitivity and wisdom. This course introduces students to what constitutes trauma, common responses individuals have to traumatic experiences, how to help create safety and stability for trauma survivors, and when to recognize that professional therapeutic help is needed beyond the scope of lay counseling.

Practicum: 10 hours of counseling observation (may be integrated into courses or done independently)

Final Project: Case study analysis (5-7 pages) demonstrating integration of course concepts