To receive a master’s degree in Christian counseling, you should first receive a four-year degree in a related field and then apply to graduate schools that offer the program you are looking for. You will want to find a school that offers a specific master’s degree in Christian counseling, which may require that you attend a Christian graduate school, though some other schools do offer a program in Christian counseling. It can also be helpful if you decide on whether you would prefer a Master of Arts or a Master of Science degree, as different schools offer different programs. You will then need to do the necessary coursework and write a master’s thesis before finishing your schooling and receiving your degree.
A master’s degree in Christian counseling can be earned through a program that typically combines elements of religious study and counseling psychology. In order to be best prepared for such a program, you may want to consider receiving a four-year degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, in a related field. While you may be able to find a school that offers a bachelor’s degree in Christian counseling, a bachelor’s in psychology, counseling, or even religious studies may all provide a sufficient background before progressing toward your master’s degree in Christian counseling.
You will want to start looking for schools to attend even while you are still working on your bachelor’s degree, as you should apply to schools during the final year of your bachelor’s program. While some secular graduate schools offer programs in Christian counseling, you should also look at Christian schools that offer the program. You will have to decide what type of school you want to attend, and what program will best serve you as you earn your master’s degree in Christian counseling.
This includes the need for you to decide if you would like a Master of Arts or a Master of Science in Christian counseling. While the differences in the program itself may not be tremendous, you should consider which you would prefer as you are looking at schools. You will also want to take any necessary tests required for admittance to graduate schools, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if you are an international student applying in the United States.
Once you have taken these tests and are nearing the end of your four-year degree program, you should begin applying to the schools you are interested in. Most schools require an application fee and three or more letters of recommendation from professors and other related professionals you know, such as professional counselors or religious officials. Apply to schools you are interested in early, and once you are admitted you can begin the classes and work you will need to complete to receive your master’s degree in Christian counseling.
