Biblical Counseling

Overview

The 60-credit Biblical Counseling Program is designed to equip students to minister the Word of God wisely and faithfully in the care of souls. Rooted in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture and informed by sound theological reflection, the program provides students with a robust biblical and theological framework for understanding the nature of human problems and the hope of transformation through the gospel. Through focused coursework in biblical counseling, students learn to evaluate counseling situations with spiritual discernment, interact critically with secular counseling theories, and develop practical methodologies for addressing common struggles such as suffering, depression, relational conflict, and patterns of sin. In addition to academic study, the program emphasizes the integration of counseling ministry with the life and mission of the local church, encouraging the cultivation of spiritual maturity, pastoral wisdom, and Christlike character. Through both coursework and the seminary’s mentoring program, graduates are prepared to serve the church through biblically grounded counseling that promotes discipleship, spiritual growth, and the strengthening of Christ’s people.

The MABC student begins by building a biblical and theological foundation at RBS in Exegetical and Systematic Theology. At some point in the program, the student. will also commence Phase 1 and 2 of he certification process provided by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Finally, the student is mentored by observing more experienced counselors and by being evaluated as he counsels others; this takes place through Phase 3 of certification through ACBC. RBS gives the student 3 credits for completing Phases 1–2 (BC601 Fundamentals of Counseling) and 3 credits for Phase 3 (BC630 Counseling Practicum).

This unique program seeks to provide the student with a solid foundation in Reformed theology (RBS), combined with a mentoring process to excel in discipling and counseling others (ACBC). By offering this counseling program in the shorter format of a Master of Arts instead of a Divinity degree, the length is more feasible for “laypeople” and bi-vocational elders. However, our hope is to simultaneously offer a sufficiently robust and flexible enough program to also sharpen busy vocational pastors who want to excel in pastoral counseling and in training counselors in the church.

Program Outcomes

PLO1: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Counseling – Graduates will demonstrate a robust understanding of the biblical and theological foundations that shape the philosophy and practice of biblical counseling.

PLO2: Counseling Discernment and Case Analysis – Graduates will demonstrate the ability to analyze counseling situations and respond with biblically informed discernment and wisdom.

PLO3: Counseling Methodology and Ministry Practice – Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply biblical counseling principles in practical ministry contexts through thoughtful methodology and wise pastoral care.

PLO4: Spiritual Maturity and Faithful Church Service – Graduates will demonstrate growing spiritual maturity and the ability to minister to others through biblically grounded counseling that serves the health and discipleship of the church.

Program Requirements

Individuals with an earned bachelor’s degree are eligible to earn a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) degree. Individuals without a bachelor’s degree are eligible for an Associate of Arts in Biblical Counseling (ACBC) degree. Students who complete at least 50% of the Associate of Arts may apply for an upgrade to Master of Arts if they meet the degree “upgrade criteria” (see below). The student must complete the Counseling program within 7 years. (Please note that ACBC has specific deadlines once you start Phase 1, which is during the Introduction to Counseling course at RBS. Additionally, ACBC has a required reading list in preparation for your exams, and this reading list should be consulted regularly so that students complete most, if not all of their ACBC required reading during their RBS coursework. Please speak with an RBS staff member if you have any questions).

Courses

* Courses presently under development.

STEPS

1. The student begins by taking the courses under Seminary Prep, Exegetical Core, and Theological Core. At this point, BC601 Fundamentals of Counseling (ACBC Phase 1–2) can also be started.

2. The student will finish his degree by completing BC601 Fundamentals of Counseling (ACBC Phase 1–2) and the BC630 Counseling Practicum (ACBC Phase 3) course, which guides them through the final phase of certification with ACBC.
   (Please note that ACBC has specific deadlines once you start Phase 1, which is during the Introduction to Counseling course at RBS. Additionally, ACBC has a required reading list in preparation for your exams, and this reading list should be consulted regularly so that students actually complete most, if not all of their ACBC required reading during their RBS coursework. Please speak with an RBS staff if you have any questions.)

Costs

In addition to the fees for RBS coursework, ACBC has its own fees. These should be taken into account when considering this program.