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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.
Faculty
Adam Ghali, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Director, Marriage and Family Therapy
Autumn Lindberg, Ph.D.
Adjunct Faculty of Marriage and Family Therapy Program
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 | 2-3 |
Must be taken as a 2 unit course
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| THEO 730 | Discipleship and Ethics | 2-3 |
Must be taken as a 3 unit course
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB 709 | Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar | 0 |
Bible elective 2 Units
Practical Studies
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 710 | Introduction to Counseling | 1 |
| COUN 721 | Professional Ethics in Counseling | 3 |
Must be taken as a 3 unit course
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 728 | Family Violence | 1.5 |
Must be taken as a 1.5 unit course
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 760 | Substance Abuse | 1 |
| MIN 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 | 2-3 |
Must be taken as a 3 unit course
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 or 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 and Mediation | 2-3 |
Must be taken as a 2 unit course
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Program details
Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary equipped me intellectually and formed me spiritually. I developed into the type of person that could offer the ministry of Christ’s presence in our time and place.
Dustin Maddox
- Seminary Student