Diploma in Christian Counseling

Focus Highlights

Gateway diploma programs allow a person lacking an undergraduate degree to gain access to curriculum providing ministry preparation but without admission into a master’s degree program. The Diploma in Christian Counseling (Dp.C.C.) equips church leaders with a high degree of competence in counseling ministries. Christian counseling involves caring for people in the deepest and most profound aspects of their lives. The Dp.C.C. provides more than just counseling theory; it promotes ministry discernment within the counseling context based on the leadership of the Holy Spirit. In addition, students will learn to demonstrate compassion, mediate grace, and bring others into direct personal contact with God. The Dp.C.C. distinguishes itself from the typical secular counseling program by including coursework which assists the student in developing a Christian biblical and theological framework from which to deliver effective Christian counseling. This is accomplished by core coursework in biblical and theological studies and experiential courses aimed at cultivating self-awareness and clinical competency.

Ministry Path

The Dp.C.C. will prepare students to serve as Christian counselors in a variety of church-related settings. It is a non-licensure 2-year professional diploma. This degree is not designed to fulfill the California state requirements that allow a person to seek credentialing as a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (L.M.F.T.).

Prerequisites

High school diploma or GED.