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.
Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Faculty
Adam Ghali, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Autumn Lindberg, LMFT
Visalia Center Program Director and Adjunct Faculty of Marriage and Family Therapy Program
Mary Shamshoian, LMFT
Director of the On-Site Counseling Program, Adjunct Faculty of Marriage and Family Therapy
Admission requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Completion of FPBS application materials
Course listing
Required Courses (30 Units)
Biblical And Theological Studies
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB 720 | The Church and God's Mission in the World | 3 |
| BIB 725 | Biblical Interpretation I * | 2 |
| THEO 730 | Discipleship and Ethics * | 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 * | 3 |
| COUN 728 | Family Violence * | 1.5 |
| COUN 760 | Substance Abuse | 1 |
| MIN 744 | Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| MIN 770 | Ministry Discernment | 0 |
Personal and Social Formation
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 724 | Interpersonal Communication * | 3 |
| MIN 705 | Mentoring/Connecting | 1 |
| MIN 710 | Spiritual Formation | 2 |
| MIN 750A or MIN 750D | Cross-Cultural Encounter: Los Angeles or Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco | 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 | 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 | Basic Institute in Conflict Management And Mediation * | 2 |
* Course must be taken as number of units listed here
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Program details
Fresno 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