One of the greatest challenges in providing a graduate level education in counseling from a Christian perspective is that Christians tend to either uncritically accept all claims made in the name of psychology or counseling or uncritically reject these disciplines as anti-biblical. At Biblical we seek to avoid presenting these disciplines as independent systems which are immune to critique except from within. Instead, we seek to critique everything in light of the biblical text, our faith commitments, and effective helping strategies.

Biblical has classes and programs that are custom tailored to assist in preparing you for a career or ministry in the helping field. Our courses and programs train pastors, teachers, mentors, and others who plan to counsel in professional and lay counseling environments

Online classes are offered throughout the year in counseling and continuing education. Courses vary from six to twelve weeks in duration and require weekly interaction with the professor and peers through discussion forums, collaborative activities, and chat. In addition summer courses are offered each year that are designed to aid in the completion of continuing education requirements.

Certificate in Advanced Professional Counseling

The Certificate in Advanced Professional Counseling (CAPC) allows students with a master's degree in counseling to acquire advanced counseling training. Many students who complete the CAPC are interested in licensure. The Certificate is a post-masters program. Students who complete the 52 hour degree program and the 10 credits of the Certificate in Advanced Professional Counseling (CAPC) will acquire 62 graduate hours in counseling training.

Continuing Education

Continuing Education is a requirement for all Professionally Licensed Counselors. Wouldn't it be convenient to attend Continuing Education Classes taught by a local counselor with expertise in your area of interest, that you could interact with beyond the training? We can help! Every year Biblical Seminary offers graduate level counseling and psychology courses that may be of interest to you and your continuing education needs.

Biblical Seminary is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) and may offer NBCC approved clock hours for the events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF)

Biblical Seminary partners with the Christian Counseling &Educational Foundation (CCEF) to provide the best counseling education through distance learning. In addition, Biblical Seminary provides the opportunity for CCEF students to possibly convert their non-accredited CCEF credits to accredited credits. Any courses that have been completed with a grade B or higher within the past five years are eligible.

Counseling Licensure

In order to achieve licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) counselors typically need to fulfill requirements in three areas: academic, national examination, and counseling hours. Our 52-hour master of arts in counseling degree is designed for students who wish to pursue licensure in the Commonwealth of PA. In addition, many of the courses assist students and alumni in other states also pursue licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I simply attend one course?

Yes. An auditor may attend one or more classes for personal enrichment without receiving academic credit. The auditing student may participate in class functions at the discretion of the instructor, but will not be held accountable for tests or assignments.

Students may audit any course at Biblical except Greek and Hebrew language courses and MAC Courses (unless the specific course has already been completed for credit). In addition, students may not audit a class and subsequently pursue advanced standing (with or without credit; e.g., credit by examination) for the same class.

Students may sign up to audit a class at any point in the term (the audit fee remains the same). Those who wish to change from audit to credit must do so before the end of the first week of classes.

Do you offer any courses online?

Yes. Several of the classes within each degree program are offered online. The only exception is the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) degree program, which does not offer any courses online. However, many of the CAPC classes are available online. We also have two online certificates in the following areas:

• Urban Missional Studies: A certificate for students who are seeking to be or who are currently involved in urban ministry and desire graduate level education that will equip them to make an impact in their urban context.
• Missional Theology: A certificate specifically designed for students who want graduate-level studies in missionally theology but are not currently pursuing a seminary degree.