Christian Counseling

Examines the use of Christian and biblical truths in counseling. The goals and techniques used to reach those goals are examined, as well as the differences between secular and Christian counseling.

Degree Information

Guarded Heart’s four year degree program is designed for Christian adults of any age and background who desire to serve in the local church at any level. All graduates of each degree program will:

• Know the Bible thoroughly.
• Interpret the Bible with sound exegesis.
• Understand the major doctrines of the Bible.
• Evangelize and disciple others at home and around the world.
• Counsel themselves and others from the Bible alone.
• Teach and preach for life-change.
• Think critically, according to a Biblical world view.
• Read, write, speak, and research with basic, college-level competencies.
• Recognize God’s unfolding plan of redemption in Church and world history.

Days & Times Of Classes

Classes for this program are offered during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms for both Undergraduate and Graduate students.

Classes typically meet weekly through each term on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm and 8:10 pm to 9:40 pm. 

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for exceptions related to the observance of holidays.

Academic Requirements

All degrees are earned through students meeting the expected course requirements.  The trimester hours required to earn our degrees may be earned through a combination of studies offered at GHBC and the credit we allow for our religious training and religious life work experience.

adult woman with tablet sitting in a chair across from another person

Academic Calendar

Fall 2024-2025

  • Enrollment/Registration: July 15th-August 9th
  • Late Registration: August 12th-August 16th
  • Term: August 20th-November 21st
  • Classes Begin: August 20th & August 22nd
  • Last Day to Add/Drop a Class: September 6th
  • Last Day to Withdraw with “VWD”: September 13th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): September 2nd & November 28-29

  • Enrollment/Registration: October 28th-November 22nd
  • Late Registration: November 25th-November 29th
  • Term: December 3rd-March 20th, 2025
  • Classes Begin: December 3rd & December 5th
  • Last Day to Add/Drop a Class: December 20th
  • Last Day to Withdraw with “VWD”: December 27th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): December 23, 2024-January 3, 2025

Spring 2024-2025

  • Enrollment/Registration: February 3rd-February 28th
  • Late Registration: March 24th-March 28th
  • Term: April 1st-July 3rd
  • Classes Begin: April 1st & April 3rd
  • Last Day to Add/Drop a Class: April 18th
  • Last Day to Withdraw with “VWD”: April 25th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): May 26th & July 4th

  • Enrollment/Registration: June 2nd-June 27th
  • Term: July 17-August 7th
  • Classes Begin: July 17th
  • School Office Closings (Holiday Observation): July 4th

Bachelor of Christian Counseling (B.C.C.) – 120 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

  • Grasping God’s Word  BS
  • Evangelism and Discipleship MIN
  • Bible Doctrine 1  TH
  • Old Testament Survey 2  OT
  • New Testament Survey 2  NT
  • Introduction to Biblical Counseling  CC
  • Holy Spirit in Counseling CC
  • Counseled By God  CC
  • Counseling Skills 1  CC
  • Fruit of the Spirit (Life in the Spirit by Robertson McQuilkin)  MIN
  • Bible Doctrine 2  TH
  • Interpreting Isaiah  OT
  • Romans (by Kevin Conner)  NT
  • Discovering The Blood Covenant (Book: The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread)  BS
  • Contemporary Error  CPH
  • Church History 2 CH
  • Introducing Christian Education  CE
  • Public Speaking  GE
  • Christian Ethics (An Introduction to Biblical Ethics by Robertson McQuilkin)  Elective
  • Crisis Counseling  Elective

Master of Christian Counseling (M.C.C.) – 45 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

Biblical Studies

  • Old Testament Survey 2
  • Old Testament Survey 3
  • New Testament Survey 1
  • New Testament Survey 2

Counseling

  • Survey of Counseling Ministries
  • Pastoral Counseling for Marriage and Family
  • Counseling Skills Training
  • Group Counseling
  • Crisis Counseling
  • Issues in Counseling Ministry
  • Addiction Counseling
  • Child and Adolescent Counseling
  • Human Sexuality

NCCA Courses

  • BCC500 Temperament Theory
  • BCC501 Testing/Measurements
  • BCC502 Temperament Therapy
  • BCC503 Temperament Case Studies
  • BCC101 Basic Christian Counseling
  • BCC504 Christian Psychology and Counseling
  • BCC505 Mastering Pastoral Counseling
  • BCC506 Counseling the Co-Dependent

Electives

  • Christian Ethics
  • Introduction to Christian Apologetics
  • Christian Formation
  • Christian Counseling Practicum

Doctor of Christian Counseling (D.C.C.) – 105 Credit Hours Required

Courses include:

  • Psychology of Counseling
  • CC-701 Psychological Research
  • CC-602 Effective Biblical Counseling
  • CC-603 Listening and Human Personality
  • CC-604 Counseling and Addiction
  • CC-606 Christian Counseling
  • CC-702 Psychology and Counseling
  • CC-801 Counseling Internship
  • CC-512 Directed Reading
  • REL-701 History of Christianity
  • REL-704 Life and Times of Christ
  • BI-601 Expositional Methods
  • BI-701 NT Exposition (Matt-Mk)
  • LS-601 Computer Skills (E-sword)
  • PH-601 Advanced Apologetics I
  • PH-602 Advanced Apologetics II
  • LS-602 Research and Methodology
  • RES-802 Thesis

The required total amount of credits stated for the doctorate degrees is inclusive of credits from the Master’s degree.

A maximum of 16 credit hours can be transferred into the doctorate program from outside schools.