Our certificate in congregational care is designed for pastors and lay ministers who desire to provide pastoral counseling and other care ministries for their constituents. You'll gain the essentials for a wide range of ministry roles.
Highlights
- Purposeful community of learners and leaders
- Experienced and published faculty
- Theologically diverse student body
- MFT and ministry students integrated in foundational courses
- Option to study in Israel each summer
- Option to attend the Hispanic Summer Program
- Diverse practicum opportunities
- Online courses available
- Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Career opportunities
This certificate equips students for lay counseling in a church or other community setting.
Program director

David Bruce Rose, Ph.D.
Faculty

Adam Ghali, Ph.D.

Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D.

Autumn Lindberg, Ph.D.

David Bruce Rose, Ph.D.
Admission requirements
- Commitment to and desire for Christian ministry and service
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Online application and fee ($90)
- Personal profile questions
- Three letters of reference
- Writing sample
Download the Admissions Checklist to get started.
Course listing
Required Courses (30-31 Units)
Biblical and Theological Studies
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIB 720 | The Church and God’s Mission in the World | 3 |
BIB 725 | Understanding, Interpreting and Teaching Scripture Must be taken as a 2 unit course | 2 - 3 |
THEO 730 | Discipleship and Ethics Must be taken as a 3 unit course | 2 - 3 |
BIB 709 | Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar | 0 |
Bible elective | 2 |
Practical Studies
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
COUN 710 | Introduction to Counseling | 1 |
COUN 721 | Professional Ethics in Counseling Must be taken as a 3 unit course | 3 |
COUN 728 | Family Violence Must be taken as a 1.5 unit course | 1.5 |
COUN 760 | Substance Abuse | 1 |
COUN 768 | Serving Resiliently Through Crises and Trauma | 2 - 3 |
MIN 770 | Ministry Discernment | 0 |
Personal and Social Formation
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
COUN 724 | Interpersonal Communication Must be taken as a 3 unit course | 2 - 3 |
MIN 704 | Discerning Vocation and Calling | 1 |
MIN 714 | Spirit, Character, and Transformation | 2 - 3 |
MIN 750A MIN 750D | Cross-Cultural Encounter: Los Angeles or Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco | 1.5 1.5 |
Electives
Choose 3 units from the following courses
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
COUN 726 | Human Development | 3 |
COUN 732 | Aging and Long-Term Care | 1 |
COUN 736 | Counseling Children | 2 |
COUN 736L | Counseling Children Lab | 1 |
COUN 752 | Human Sexuality | 1 - 3 |
COUN 747 | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Modern Theories | 2 |
COUN 747L | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Modern Theories Lab | 1 |
COUN 748 | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Postmodern Theories | 1 |
COUN 756 | Grief Counseling | 1 |
PACS 700 | Peacemaking Institute Must be taken as a 2 unit course | 2 – 3 |