Procedures and Requirements
Individuals who already hold a Bachelor's degree in counseling or a related/ accepted field may elect to complete the requirements for a license and qualify for an M.A. in Clinical Christian Counseling.
Complete Phase I
Courses
Each candidate must complete the following five courses:
- Basic Christian Counseling
- Temperament Theory
- Testing/Measurements
- Temperament Therapy
- Christian Counseling: Integrating Temperament and Psychology
Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:
- Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 10 individuals and (3) hours of clinical supervision under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
- Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
- Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the N.C.C.A.'s Licensing Board of Examiners.
- $50 for the Phase I administrative fee.
- A signed Application for Certification/Membership form.
- A signed copy of N.C.C.A.'s Code of Ethical Standards.
- A copy of the highest earned degree, diploma, or transcript.
- Additional required documents: photo, resume, and references.
Upon completion of Phase I requirements, subsequent review, and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:
- a Certified Temperament Counselor certificate and
- a Clinical Member (non-clergy) or Professional Clinical Member (clergy) certificate, membership card, and lapel pin
Complete Phase II
Courses
Each candidate must complete the following three courses:
- Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
- Temperament Case Studies
- Counseling the Codependent.
Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:
- Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 15 individuals and (3) hours of clinical supervision under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
- Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
- A signed application for N.C.C.A. license.
- The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening authorizes a national background check to verify each candidate's history. (Candidates with felony convictions do not qualify for licensing with the N.C.C.A.) .
- Submit current ministerial credentials.
- A certification / licensing fee of $100.
Upon completion of Phase II requirements, subsequent review, and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:
- Licensed Pastoral Counselor Certificate (high-school diploma, GED, or Associate's)
- Certified Temperament Pastoral Counselor Certificate (Optional) (additional $39 fee applies)
Annual membership and certification/license renewal are required to maintain valid N.C.C.A. credentials. A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.
The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is currently $292. There is a $5 processing fee per course, plus the actual shipping cost, added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is shipped. Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover cards are accepted.
Clinical Supervisors are to be paid $50 per hour, and every candidate must complete six (6) hours of supervision.
*All candidates are required to have current ministerial credentials to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not already have valid ministerial credentials, we recommend that you speak with your local pastor or church leadership about obtaining them through your local church or denomination.
Complete Phase III
Courses
Each candidate must select and complete four (4) advanced courses.
Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:
- Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
- One copy of a written thesis. This normally consists of 25 individual reports (case studies) developed from the candidate's work with 25 individuals using the A.P.S. reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies. The thesis has a 100-page minimum.
- A letter authorizing N.C.C.A. to transfer the academic records to the approved college.
- Matriculation and transfer fees of $1500 payable to: N.C.C.A. (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply)
- $50 made payable to the N.C.C.A. to upgrade the candidate's designation to the M.A. level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor.
The tuition for each advanced course is currently $193. There is a $5 processing fee per course, plus the actual shipping cost, added to each order. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is shipped. Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover cards are accepted.
After completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:
- a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor certificate, card, and
- The appropriate Advanced Certification certificates for selected specialty areas were completed and
- a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Christian Counseling
Note: Additional documentation may be required depending on the school selected