Program Purpose

To prepare Christian counselors for professional and non-professional ministry who love people in all their God-given diversity, who engage science and culture with wisdom and discernment, and who skillfully apply the grace and truth of the Gospel first to their own lives and then to their counselees.

• Demonstrate a commitment to humble, learner-oriented ministry in a world marked by cultural, theological, and philosophical diversity.
• Grow in knowledge of the Bible and ability to humbly interpret & apply it in light of history, culture, and genre.
• Demonstrate effective counseling skills in light of student's gifting, call, and context.

Program Distinctives

• Wise Counsel

Effective people-helping combines the knowledge (the "what" about the nature of problems and change), the skill (the "how" of helping others find healing), and the self-awareness (a mature understanding of the "who" doing the counseling) needed to practice what the Bible calls wisdom (Proverbs 2:2).

• Biblical Anthropology

Every model of counseling begins with assumptions about the nature of persons. Christians look to the biblical story to best understand God's design for human life, the impact of the fall on all of creation, and God's redemptive work among his people. Biblical Seminary's counseling program trains students to see life through the lens of Scripture.

• Counseling Skills and Practice

In addition to a wide diversity of learning methods both online and in the classroom, students at Biblical also gain valuable experience through hands on counseling practice.  Through a practicum the first year and a full year of internship the second year, students complete over 700 supervised hours to hone their own counseling skill and style.

• Critique and Use of Contemporary Science of Counseling

One of the greatest challenges in providing a graduate -level education in counseling from a Christian perspective is the temptation to either uncritically reject all the discipline has to offer or to uncritically accept all claims made in the name of psychology or counseling. At Biblical we seek to avoid presenting the disciplines as stand-alone systems (and thus immune to critique except from within). Rather we seek to critique everything in light of our commitment and submission to Christ.

• Cohort-Based

Full-time students in Biblical's counseling program enter the program with a cohort of students. This cohort travels together through a planned course of classes and fieldwork experiences. The cohort format enables students to develop deep and lasting relationships among like-minded peers as well as find support during the rigors of graduate study.

• Generalist Program

It is Biblical's desire to train Christians for a broad spectrum of service in God's kingdom. This may include, but is not limited to, pastoral or professional ministry.  Students receive a broad and solid foundation for a wide variety of callings. For those who feel led to pursue professional licensure, Biblical offers an array of advanced courses, geared to meet the academic requirements for license in the state of PA.

• Bible & Theology Developed for Counselors

We combine a thorough understanding of the biblical text and theology and use it specifically in a counseling context that proves extremely helpful for our students.

"Counseling classes at Biblical Seminary have helped us bring hope to those who are in this broken world."

Wendy Chou, MA in Counseling

Program Core Values

• Christ Centered
  We value counseling that recognizes and demonstrates the supremacy of Christ and the Word of God for faith and life.

• Redemptive
  We have confidence in the power of Christ's redemptive work as it provides comfort for suffering and hope for real change in the midst of this broken world.

• Spirit Guided
  We value the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching and guiding counselors.
• Culturally Engaged
  We value counseling that critically engages, learns from, and ministers to contemporary culture and the sciences.
• Interdependent
  We value counseling that promotes ongoing learning and ministry within a community characterized by mutual love, respect, support, and accountability.
• Interpersonally and Professionally Competent
  We value counseling that demonstrates wise love for people by building trusting relationships and offering effective interventions.