Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree: Christian Counseling Emphasis
Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree: Christian Counseling Emphasis
Start your GCU
journey today.
journey today.
We're here to help.
Empower others and make a difference from a Christian perspective. Enroll in GCU's master's in clinical mental health counseling program.
With an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Christian counseling emphasis, graduates can be prepared to pursue licensure and a career in faith-centered mental health counseling. You may choose to pursue positions working with clients who struggle with trauma, or you may decide to focus your practice on marital and family issues.
An additional consideration is whether or not there will be jobs available upon graduation. The career outlook for mental health counselors is expected to grow over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 77,500 new jobs are estimated to open for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2021 to 2031.1
GCU’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling with Christian counseling emphasis is designed to meet the standards for licensure as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) or a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) under regulations applicable to Arizona. Licensure and certification requirements can vary from state to state.
Estimated new jobs for mental heath counselors from 2021 to 20311
To learn more about Christian counseling and the clinical mental health counseling master’s program, read our answers to these commonly asked questions.
At GCU, students can pursue the master’s in clinical mental health counseling online. The online program offers flexible learning through a digital online platform, while still having connection and support from knowledgeable faculty. Although the majority of courses are offered online, students are required to complete in-person, supervised field experiences through a practicum and two internships.
If you have a passion for Christ and a calling to serve others through a Christian perspective, you should consider an online master’s in clinical mental health counseling that focuses specifically on Christian counseling. You will be taught the biblical foundations and concepts for counseling so you can be a healthy practitioner who practices what you teach.
If you have a desire to specialize in Christian counseling, find a degree that focuses on this emphasis and leads to licensure so you can work directly with clients once you receive your license. At GCU, the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Christian Counseling can serve to help you meet your career goals in this field.
GCU’s online master’s in clinical mental health counseling focuses on both general counseling and Christian counseling topics and requires 74 credits for completion. In addition to the online courses, student must also complete a practicum and two internships. The time to complete the program is dependent on your time management and how soon you complete the required hours of supervised field experiences.
Graduates of the clinical mental health counseling master’s degree with Christian counseling emphasis are capable of communicating effectively to diverse audiences. GCU emphasizes the importance of treating others with compassion and dignity, embracing servant leadership and making ethical decisions. As a student, you are taught to integrate your counseling practices with Christian truths and healing spirituality. Empower your clients to practice self-care and spiritual growth within a safe and compassionate environment.
As students prepare to meet the spiritual needs of their clients, they are also encouraged to reflect on their own personal spiritual growth and Christian character formation. Additionally, you will undergo supervised internships and the Counseling Practicum to gain hands-on, practical experience in the counseling field.
This intensive curriculum covers the following topics:
Ethical considerations that apply to mental health counseling professionals
Crisis intervention and trauma counseling, spousal or partner abuse and child abuse assessment
Structure and dynamics of the family, methods of marital and family intervention and counseling
A narrative approach to the theology of God, humanity and salvation
Counseling theories: psychoanalytic, existential psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy
The coursework in this program is non-transferable from other institutions.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Offered by Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this clinical mental health counseling master’s with an emphasis in Christian counseling degree provides foundational knowledge in counseling principles and best practices and empowers future counseling professionals to implement a Christ-centered approach to their practice. Learn the clinical skills necessary to competently evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with mental, behavioral, social and emotional problems.
As you pursue your online master’s in clinical mental health counseling, you will take courses that are selected to meet the academic requirements established by the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved on April 27, 2023.
This master’s in clinical mental health counseling online degree can lead to licensure as a clinical counselor. With a focus on Christian counseling, you will have access to knowledgeable faculty, a Christian-based curriculum and a flexible learning schedule. In addition to the core online classes in counseling and psychology, students will participate in supervised in-person field experiences.
You will be taught to provide Christian mental health counseling with compassion, dignity and the spirit of Christ as you integrate the principles of the Christian worldview into your counseling practice.
