Christian Counselors License and Masters Degree

The National Christian Counselors Association (N.C.C.A.) License and Masters Degree Program was developed to qualify individuals for N.C.C.A. License and a graduate degree in Christian Counseling. A Bachelors Degree in counseling or a related/accepted field is a prerequisite requirement for enrollment in this program.

COMPLETE PHASE I (Certification):

Each candidate must complete the following four (4) courses plus a practicum:

1. Basic Christian Counseling
2. Creation Therapy: Unit I, Unit II, and Practicum
3. Christian Counseling: Integrating Temperament and Psychology
4. Quality, Ethics, and Legal Issues in Christian Counseling + Lab 

Practicum Requirement:

Each student is required to complete 3-Hours of Academic Supervision under the direction of an assigned N.C.C.A. Board Certified Clinical Supervisor and a Creation Therapy/Phase I Practicum.   This consists of joining the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling (S.A.C.C.) and administering the Arno Profile System (APS) to 10 individuals under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor. An application fee of $25 and $50 for the first year’s membership dues is required by the S.A.C.C. The Clinical Supervisor is to be paid $150 for the three hours of supervision. The student’s cost for each Personal APS administered is $30.

Additional Requirements:

Upon completion of the required courses, the student is to submit the following:

a. Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the N.C.C.A. Licensing Board of Examiners

b. $50 for the N.C.C.A. first year annual dues.

c. Signed Application for N.C.C.A. Certification/Membership.

d. Signed copy of the N.C.C.A. Code of Ethical Standards

Credentials Awarded:

Upon successful completion of Phase I requirements, review and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

• Certified Temperament Counselor (CTC) certificate, and
• Clinical Member (non-clergy) or Professional Clinical Member (clergy) certificate, membership card and lapel pin

COMPLETE PHASE II (License):

Each candidate must complete nine (9) credits via the following three (3) courses plus a practicum:

1. Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
2. Temperament Case Studies
3. Counseling the Codependent

Practicum Requirement:

Each student is required to complete 3-Hours of Academic Supervision under the direction of an assigned N.C.C.A. Board Certified Clinical Supervisor and a Phase II Practicum.  This consists of administering the Arno Profile System (APS) to 15 additional individuals under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.  The Clinical Supervisor is to be paid $150 for the three hours of supervision. The student’s cost for each Personal + Clinical APS administered is $35.

Additional Requirements:

Upon completion of the required Phase II courses, the student is to submit the following:

a. A signed application for N.C.C.A. license.

b. Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening (authorizes the N.C.C.A. to secure a national background check to verify each candidate’s history.)

c. Current ministerial credentials*

d. Licensing fee of $100

*All candidates are required to have current ministerial credentials in order to be licensed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not already have valid ministerial credentials, we recommend you speak with your local pastor or church leadership about attaining these credentials through your local church or denomination (refer to the program catalog for additional information).

N.C.C.A. License Awarded:

Upon successful completion of Phase II requirements, review and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

• Licensed Pastoral Counselor certificate and card, and
• Certified Temperament Pastoral Counselor (Optional) (additional $39 fee applies) [Available also if state law prohibits the use of term pastoral counselor]

The National Christian Counselors Association (N.C.C.A.) Program is not a state license and, in fact, is distinctly different.

COMPLETE PHASE III (MA Degree):

Each candidate must complete four (4) advanced courses.

Additional Requirements:

Upon successful completion of the required Phase III courses, each candidate must submit the following:

a. One copy of a written thesis. This normally consists of 25 individual reports (case studies) developed from the candidate’s work with 25 individuals using the A.P.S. reports. A format is provided in the course titled Temperament Case Studies. The thesis has a 100 page minimum.

b. A signed letter authorizing N.C.C.A. to transfer the academic records to the approved college.

c. Matriculation fee of $1500 payable to: National Christian Counselors Association (a surcharge for payment by credit card may apply)

d. $50 made payable to the N.C.C.A. to upgrade the candidate’s license to the M.A. level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor.

MA Degree, License Upgrade, and Advanced Certificate Awarded:

Upon successful completion of Phase III requirements, review and acceptance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

a. Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor certificate and card,

b. Advanced Certification certificate for the selected specialty areas completed, and

c. Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Christian Counseling (additional documentation may be required depending upon school selected)

Tuition and Fees:

Tuition and fees are very affordable and allows you to get your credentials, debt-free.  Students are expected to pay for each course prior to enrollment in the course.  A program catalog and prospectus, including the fee schedule, is provided to each applicant.

Annual membership and certification/license renewal is required to maintain valid N.C.C.A. credentials. Membership is currently $50 per year and license renewal is $20 per year (total $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted, to the N.C.C.A., annually for license renewal.