Procedures and Requirements
Individuals who already hold an earned Doctorate degree in counseling or a related/accepted field may elect to complete the requirements for a license and qualify for a second PhD in Clinical Christian Counseling.
Complete Phase I
Courses
Each candidate must complete the following 5 courses:
- Creation Therapy
- Basic Christian Counseling
- Christian Counseling: Integrating Temperament and Psychology
- Counseling With Truth: Finding Victory in the Christian Walk
- Quality, Ethics, and Legal Issues in Christian Counseling
May be exempt from 1 course in phase 1, if similar coursework has been taken.
Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:
- Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 10 individuals under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
- Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
- Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by N.C.C.A.’s National Licensing Board of Examiners.
- $50 for first year’s annual dues.
- A signed Application for Certification/Membership form and a signed copy of N.C.C.A.’s code of Ethical Standards.
After completing all of the requirements for Phase I, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:
- Certified Temperament Counselor
- Clinical Member (non-clergy) or Professional Clinical Member (clergy)
Complete Phase II
Courses
Each candidate must complete the following 3 courses
- Mastering Pastoral Counseling
- Temperament Case Studies
- Counseling the Codependent
Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:
- Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 15 additional individuals under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
- Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
- Signed Application for License form. This Application for License form also authorizes the N.C.C.A. to secure a national background check to verify each candidate’s history.
- A licensing fee of $100.
- All candidates must have current ministerial credentials to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the N.C.C.A. 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. If that is not possible, please call for more information on organizations many of our students have used to attain their ministerial credentials
After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase II, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:
- Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor
- Certified Temperament Pastoral Counselor (optional, $39 fee)
Annual membership and license renewal is required. Membership is $50 per year, and license renewal is $20 per year (a total of $70). A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually.
The tuition for each Phase I and Phase II course is $250. This includes shipping, and handling and all course supplies/materials. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is shipped.
Clinical supervision will include practicing the use of the APS, new counseling skills, and exploring your vision and goal for a Christian Counseling ministry/business. We will discuss concepts of a home office, church office, personal office space, and ways to begin advertising and reaching your community.
Complete Phase III
Courses
Each candidate must select and complete two advanced courses. No dissertation is required for candidates who already hold an earned doctorate.
Additional Requirements
Each candidate must:
- Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
- Degree matriculation of $1500
- $50 upgrade the candidate’s license to the Ph.D. level of Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor – Advanced Certified
- A complete up-to-date resume, including a photograph.
The tuition for each advanced course is $200. This includes shipping and handling and all course supplies/materials. Candidates are expected to pay for each course when it is shipped.
After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candidate will (assuming everything is in order) receive:
- Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor – Advanced Certified
- Appropriate Board Certification certificates for selected specialty areas
- Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling
Degree Programs
- Overview
- Combined License and Bachelors Degree Training Program
- Combined License & Masters Degree Training Program
- Combined License & Ph.D. Training Program
- Combined License & 2nd Ph.D. Training Program
- License or Certificate Only Training Program
- Advanced Certifications
- Course Catalog
- On-Site School
- FAQ
- Enroll Now