Program Overview & Requirements

The Master of Christian Counseling (MA) program is designed for students who desire advanced training in Christ-centered counseling and pastoral care. This program equips individuals to serve effectively in churches, ministries, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based counseling settings. Emphasis is placed on biblical counseling principles, temperament analysis, ethical practice, and applied counseling experience.

The program integrates academic study with practical counseling application, preparing graduates to minister with wisdom, compassion, and professional integrity.

Each candidate is required to submit one written master’s thesis, with a minimum length of 100 pages. The thesis typically consists 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 these case studies is provided through the course Temperament Case Studies, ensuring academic consistency and quality.

Each candidate must 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 be subject to a surcharge)
• A $50 fee payable to the NCCA to upgrade the candidate’s designation to the MA level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor
   

Upon completing all required coursework, candidates must submit the following to the NCCA:

• Written responses to 50 ethical questions issued by the NCCA Licensing Board of Examiners
• A signed copy of the NCCA Code of Ethical Standards
• A copy of the highest earned degree, diploma, or official transcript
• Additional documentation, including a current photo, résumé, and 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 are not eligible for NCCA licensure)
• Proof of current ministerial credentials
• A certification/licensing fee of $100
   

Tuition for each advanced 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 forms of payment include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

The Master of Christian Counseling degree prepares graduates for Christian and vocational ministry and does not qualify individuals for state licensure or state board examinations. Graduates are equipped to provide counseling services within churches, ministries, and faith-based organizations while operating ethically and biblically.

VRMC 500 Pre-Marriage Counseling with Temperament

Dr. J. Terry Twerell

 This course is a specific reference for the pastoral counselor and develops a pre-marriage technique using the tools of modern System Family counseling and Temperament Therapy. The course consists of four units. The course develops a specific six (6) week plan for pre-marriage counseling using the tools provided in the course.  

VRMC 501 Marriage and Family Counseling – Integrated Approach

 Dr. J. Terry Twerell 

This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of Marriage and Family counseling with specific emphasis on systems and Structural therapy techniques. A specific study of the use of genograms and family of origin work is emphasized. The course integrates Temperament and System/Structure in family counseling. 

VRMC 502 Integrated Temperament Couple Therapy 

Dr. J. Terry Twerell 

This course is designed for the pastoral counseling of couples. The emphasis is on understanding the stress factors in a dyadic relationship and the proper evaluation and therapy for the presented problems of the couple. The student will review the case and provide a final evaluation of the case in written form as part of the study.

VRMC 503 The Father-Daughter Connection 

MariLouise Rust, M.A.

Once a student understands the unique relationship between a father and daughter, it helps him/her to understand all unique relationships. The content of this course provides insight into the father-daughter relationship that is being revealed for the first time with regards to each individual's temperament.

VRMC 504 Counseling Youth 

Michael K. Lea, Ph.D.

This course is approximately 148 pages in length. The candidate will be provided with general information regarding insight into counseling today’s youth. Dr. Lea addresses some of the major problems that face youth today and how to overcome them.

VRMC 505 Life’s Answers Through Counseling with God

Conrad Mershon, Ph.D.

The student will learn firsthand a Christian approach to counseling his or her clients in a Bible based, methodical, professional manner, utilizing a counseling method taught by the N.C.C.A.

VRMC 506 Making Life Healing Changes

Mildred R. Burckley-Frost, Ph.D.

The purpose of this course in to provide a clearer understanding of spiritual warfare to help learn and appreciate the conflicts that take place in the life of the counselee, as well as in our own lives.

VRMC 507 Quality, Ethics, and Legal Issues In Christian Counseling

Mildred R. Burckley, Th.D., Ph.D.

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with information regarding ethical issues in counseling. It will also provide them with a clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality. In addition, this course will provide information regarding referrals, helpful agencies and programs.

VRMC 508 Christ-Centered Mindfulness

Al H. Jones, PhD

The Christ-Centered Mindfulness course is a new advanced offering in the National Christian Counselors Association curriculum designed especially for Christian counselors who want to integrate mindfulness concepts with a biblical, Christ-focused perspective. It is intended to help counselors understand emotional regulation and relational awareness through a compassion-focused, Spirit-centered approach rather than secular mindfulness techniques. 

VRMC 509 Counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Michael K. Lea, Ph.D.

The mental health field is discovering that more and more individuals are suffering from trauma

and PTSD related problems. There is also a greater awareness that the effects of past trauma can

impact an individual’s life for years following the event. The pastoral counselor can offer hope

and healing through the power of Jesus Christ. This course deals with the subjects of trauma,

PTSD and counseling techniques are used to help those who suffer from trauma-related problems.

Information contained in this course is not to be used for the diagnosis of trauma or PTSD.

VRMC 510 Group Therapy

John R. Thompson, Ph.D.

The purpose of this course is to teach the student how to provide proper counsel in a group setting. This course provides a method of relating the understanding of modern psychology to that of religious faith as expressed in the Christian Bible.

VRMC 511 Joy — In The Midst of Mourning

Dorothy M. Dye, Ph.D.

This course is provided in a workbook format and is approximately 70 pages in length. The candidate will be provided with general information on how a Christian handles loss and how they can focus their grief upward.