Program Overview

The Doctor of Christian Counseling (Ph.D.) program is designed for experienced Christian counselors who desire advanced training, research-based practice, and deeper integration of biblical truth with professional counseling skills. This doctoral program emphasizes applied counseling, ethical excellence, and ministry effectiveness, preparing graduates for leadership, teaching, supervision, and advanced Christian counseling within churches and faith-based organizations.

The program places strong emphasis on temperament-based counseling, clinical case analysis, and ethical accountability, ensuring that graduates are both academically prepared and spiritually grounded.

Doctoral Program Requirements

Thesis Requirement

Each doctoral candidate must submit one written doctoral thesis, consisting of a minimum of 100 pages. The thesis is typically composed of 25 individual case studies, developed from the candidate’s counseling work with 25 different individuals, utilizing APS (Arno Profile System) reports.

A standardized format for the case studies is provided through the Temperament Case Studies course to ensure consistency and academic quality.

Academic & Administrative Requirements

Each candidate must also submit:

• A letter authorizing the NCCA to transfer academic records to the approved college
• Matriculation and transfer fees totaling $1,500, payable to the NCCA (credit card      payments may include a surcharge)
• A $50 fee payable to the NCCA to upgrade the candidate’s designation to Licensed      Clinical Pastoral Counselor (MA level)
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Licensure & Ethics Requirements (Upon Course Completion)

After completing all required coursework, candidates must submit the following:

• Written responses to 50 ethical questions issued by the NCCA Licensing Board of Examiners
• A signed NCCA Code of Ethical Standards
• A copy of the highest earned degree, diploma, or official transcript
• A current photo, professional résumé, and required references
• A signed NCCA licensure application, if not previously submitted
• A completed Notification and Release Form authorizing a national background screening
  • (Candidates  with felony convictions do not qualify for NCCA licensure)
• Proof of current ministerial credentials
• A certification/licensing fee of $100

Tuition & Payment Information

The tuition for each advanced doctoral course is $193 per course, plus a $5 processing fee per course and applicable shipping costs. Courses are paid for individually at the time of shipment. Accepted payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Purpose of the Degree

The Doctor of Christian Counseling degree is designed for Christian and vocational ministry and does not qualify graduates for state license or state board examinations. Graduates are prepared to serve as advanced Christian counselors, educators, supervisors, and ministry leaders within faith-based and nonprofit settings.

VRMC 600 Counseling Families

George A Rekers, Ph.D.

Numerous case studies are provided to aid in this course. Each case study is a real situation from the author’s repertoire. He furnishes the student with numerous charts and lists to aid in practical applications of more effective family counseling.

VRMC 601 Counseling and Children

Walter Byrd, M.D. / Paul Warren, M.D.

In order to effectively help children, a counselor must be equipped with an understanding of the basic principles of child development. The two authors provide instruction and encouragement to the Christian counselor who seeks to minister to the developmental, emotional and spiritual needs of children.

VRMC 602 Counseling Those With Eating Disorders

Raymond E. Vath, M.D.

The student will discover that there is a complicated interplay of dynamics found in eating disorders. Some issues contain other issues that overlap and recur. Some of the areas addressed in this course are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.

VRMC 603 Counseling for Sexual Disorders

Joyce J. Penner, R.N., M.N. / Clifford L. Penner, Ph.D.

Sexual therapy goals discussed in this course are to distract from anxiety, remove demands, and eliminate negative or failure experiences and feelings. Forms are provided to assist in sexual therapy counseling: physical history, background history, sexual evaluation, sexual assessment feedback, sexual therapy plan, and assignments.

VRMC 604 Counseling and Homosexuality

Earl D. Wilson, Ph.D.

The author writes this course from the heart of compassion and love, with a true Christian viewpoint, and includes numerous stories of his clients. The student will learn that change IS possible and that lives are transformed by miracles and by hard work. The challenge is to help the counselee keep an open mind while he/she gains in self-understanding and moves forward in new patterns of behavior.

VRMC 605 Counseling the Sick and Terminally Ill

Gregg R. Alders, M.D.

The author of this course writes from the perspective of a physician, a Christian, and a counselor. Frequent case histories and relevant biblical references illustrate this course. It builds on a creative counseling model and is written in a clear, understandable language. It will prepare the student with the skills needed to minister to the sick and terminally ill.

VRMC 606 Counseling Families of Children with Disabilities

Rosemarie S. Cook, Ph.D.

In this course, the student will discover that it is difficult to define disability. Also, he/she will learn that it is hard to determine when a disability becomes a handicap. The focus is on families whose children developed problems before birth, during birth, as young children, or as teenagers.

VRMC 607 Cognitive Therapy Techniques

Mark. R. McMinn, Ph.D.

This course is technique-oriented. The emphasis is on cognitive therapy methods rather than problems such as depression, marital conflicts, anger, etc. This course provides the student with some useful tools to make his/her counseling more effective.

VRMC 608 Counseling in Times of Crisis

Judson J. Swihart, Ph.D. / Gerald C. Richardson, D. Min.

The authors present the dynamics and Scriptural view of crisis, with one a pastor and the other a professional counselor. The student will learn how to understand better the issues in a crisis situation as well as the principles that can help one face a crisis.

VRMC 609 Counseling for Unplanned Pregnancy & Infertility

Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Ph.D.

This course is divided into three sections: 1) it explains how to conceptualize the problem and ways to help the family; 2) how to deal with pregnancies that are too early, i.e., teenage pregnancies, pregnancies before marriage, and pregnancies too soon after another birth; 3) births that are too late or that never occur.

VRMC 610 Counseling Using Inner Healing Prayer

Counseling Using Inner Healing Prayer is an advanced NCCA course designed to equip Christian counselors with a biblically grounded approach to helping individuals experience emotional and spiritual healing through prayer. This course focuses on guiding counselees to invite the Holy Spirit into areas of unresolved pain, trauma, and wounded memories, allowing Christ to bring truth, comfort, and restoration. 

VRMC 611 Counseling and The Search for Meaning

Paul R. Welter, Ed.D.

The student will benefit from the author’s thoughtful examples, theory mixed with practical directions, and biblical conclusions. The course is provided in short, easy-to-understand chapters that cover most situations a counselor will encounter when helping a person seeking meaning in life.

VRMC 612 Counseling for Substance Abuse and Addiction

Stephen VanCleve, M.D. / Walter Byrd, M.D. / Kathy Revell, R.N.

The authors will provide answers to important questions about drugs and why people use them. Drug abuse is a complex problem, and no one can claim to have all the answers. However, this course presents fundamental principles that will aid the student in preparing to counsel those who suffer from addiction.

VRMC 613 Counseling Adult Children of Alcoholics

Sandra D. Wilson, Ph.D.

ACOA is a relatively new term, but an age-old problem. This course provides information about the family background, personal characteristics, and common problems that face the adult children of alcoholics.

VRMC 614 Counseling for Anger

Mark P. Cosgrove, Ph.D.

Proper methods of addressing the problem of anger are provided in this course. The student will also be provided with help in understanding the factors of anger, the basis for counseling anger, and learn how to control and express anger.

VRMC 615 Counseling for Family Violence/Abuse

Grant L. Martin, Ph.D.

The student will learn the basic components of family violence. Also, the definition and history of each type of abuse are provided along with instructions for giving help to both the victim and the abuser. The course is divided into three sections: Spousal abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse.