Counseling

I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” But James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you can be healed.”

From the very beginning, God has instructed us in the power of sharing our hurts, habits, and hang-ups with a Godly counselor so that we might find healing and hope. Christian counseling is meeting an individual right where they are, without judgment or condemnation, and helping them find the path beyond that place to wholeness and peace. We see ourselves as ministers, called by God to listen, to care, and to gently instruct.

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

Pastoral Counseling Non-degree Program

Phase I

Each student must complete the following 4 courses:

  • Basic Christian Counseling
  • Creation Therapy
  • Christian Counseling: Integrating Temp and Psychology
  • Applied Suicide Intervention (Counseling in Times of Crisis for distance students)

Additional Requirements

Each student must:

  1. Complete clinical requirement (APS) with 10 clients under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor. Plus 6 hours of individual supervision.
  2. Upon completion of Creation Therapy, submit $75 for SACC membership.
  3. After completing 1 & 2 and Christian Counseling: Integrating Temperament and Psychology, submit the following to complete initial NCCA certification:
    • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by NCCA National Licensing Board of Examiners
    • $50 payment for NCCA membership dues
    • A signed application for Certification/Membership form and a signed copy of the NCCA’s Code of Ethical Standards

After successfully completing the above steps, the student will qualify to become a Certified Temperament Counselor

Phase II (Students must complete Phase I before moving on to Phase II)

Each student must complete the following 5 courses:

  • Mastering Pastoral Counseling
  • Temperament Case Studies
  • Counseling the Codependent

Additional Requirements

Each student must:

  1. Complete clinical requirement (APS) with 15 clients under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor. Plus 6 hours of group supervision.
  2. After completing #1 and all three courses, you can submit the following to complete NCCA credentialing:
    • A signed application for NCCA license
    • Ministerial credentials
    • The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. This form authorizes a national background check to verify each student’s history.
    • A licensing fee of $100.

After successfully completing all of the above requirements, you will (assuming everything is in order) become a nationally credentialed pastoral counselor with the NCCA.

Pastoral Counseling Degree Program

While it is not the intention of NLU to be a degree conferring institution, we are pleased to offer degree completion programs in partnership with a list of accredited schools.

Phase I

Each student must complete the following 6 courses:

  • Basic Christian Counseling
  • Creation Therapy
  • Temperament Case Studies
  • Christian Counseling: Integrating Temp and Psychology
  • Applied Suicide Intervention (Counseling in Times of Crisis for distance students)
  • Helping Children with Grief (Cognitive Therapy Techniques for distance students)

Additional Requirements

Each student must:

  1. Complete clinical requirement (APS) with 10 clients under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor. Plus 6 hours of individual supervision.
  2. Upon completion of Creation Therapy, submit $75 for SACC membership.
  3. After completing 1 & 2 and Christian Counseling: Integrating Temperament and Psychology, submit the following to complete initial NCCA certification:
    • Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by NCCA National Licensing Board of Examiners
    • $50 payment for NCCA membership dues
    • A signed application for Certification/Membership form and a signed copy of the NCCA’s Code of Ethical Standards

After successfully completing the above steps, the student will qualify to become a Certified Temperament Counselor

Phase II (Students must complete Phase I before moving on to Phase II)

Each student must complete the following 3 courses:

  • Mastering Pastoral Counseling
  • Counseling the Codependent
  • Theology of Counseling* (Life’s Answers Through Counseling with God for distance students)

Additional Requirements

Each student must:

  1. Complete clinical requirement (APS) with 15 clients under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor. Plus 6 hours of group supervision.
  2. After completing #1 and Counseling the Codependent, you can submit the following to complete NCCA credentialing:
    • A signed application for NCCA license
    • Ministerial credentials
    • The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening. This form authorizes a national background check to verify each student’s history.
    • A licensing fee of $100.

After successfully completing all of the above requirements, you will (assuming everything is in order) become a nationally credentialed pastoral counselor with the NCCA.
*Students who are already ordained, licensed or commissioned as a minister of the gospel are automatically exempt from this course.

Phase III for Bachelors

If you hold a HS diploma or an Associate’s degree prior to enrolling in NLU, you must complete all of the course and administrative requirements of Phases I and II and successfully complete the following two courses:

  • Cognitive Therapy Techniques (distance students choose a different elective)
  • Quality, Ethics & Legal Issues

Each student must also submit the following for degree conferral:

  1. An open-book Bible exam (500 questions)
  2. A letter authorizing the NCCA to transfer the academic records to Colorado Theological Seminary
  3. $1500 for matriculation, administration and transfer fees
  4. An updated resume and current photograph
  5. $50 and a statement requesting to upgrade to a license

Phase III for Masters

If you hold a Bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in NLU, you must complete all of the course and administrative requirements of Phases I and II and submit the following for degree conferral:

  1. One copy of a written thesis. This normally consists of 25 reports (case studies) developed from the student’s work with 25 individuals using the A.P.S. reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies.
  2. A letter authorizing the NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved school
  3. $1500 for matriculation, administration and transfer fees
  4. An updated resume and current photograph
  5. $50 and a statement requesting to upgrade license

Phase III for Doctorate

If you hold a Master’s degree prior to enrolling in NLU, you must complete all of the course and administrative requirements of Phases I and II and successfully complete the following four courses:

  • Cognitive Therapy Techniques (distance students choose a different elective)
  • Quality, Ethics & Legal Issues
  • Choose 2 NCCA advanced courses (consult NLU advisor)

Each student must also submit the following for degree conferral:

  1. One copy of a written dissertation. This normally consists of 35 reports (case studies) developed from the student’s work with 35 individuals using the A.P.S. reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies.
  2. A letter authorizing the NCCA to transfer the academic records to the approved school
  3. $1500 for matriculation, administration and transfer fees
  4. An updated resume and current photograph
  5. $50 and a statement requesting to upgrade license

Program Cost Breakdown Enroll Now