Christian Counseling Master's Degree and Ph.D. at a Glance
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Christian counseling integrates therapy and theology and emphasizes the importance of a person's relationship to Christ for psychological health. As a student in a master's or Ph.D. program in Christian counseling, you study Christian thought and learn counseling skills in areas such as marital counseling, ethics, group dynamics, and psychopathology. Graduates work as professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and counselors at church. The demand for family therapists and mental health counselors was projected to grow by 37%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
| Master's | Doctorate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this Degree for? | Students who want to provide counseling to church members or practice as professional Christian counselors | People who want to practice with advanced skills as professional Christian counselors |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Marriage and family therapists, individual and family services ($45,000)* - Mental health counselor, individual and family services ($42,000)* - Clergy ($44,000)* | Those listed under master's, plus - Postsecondary religion or philosophy teacher ($65,000)* - Academic researcher ($49,000)** |
| Time to Completion | Two years full time | 2-8 years full time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - Practicum - Comprehensive exam | - Dissertation |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor's degree | Master's degree |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2011 salary figures, **Salary.com July 2012 salary figure.
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