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Course Descriptions

Each course is 3 credit hours

Counseling Foundations (15 hours)

BC505	Introduction to Biblical Counseling	Introduces the concept of biblical counseling and distinguishes biblical counseling from other types of counseling approaches and explains the basic tenets of biblical counseling and requirements to be a biblical counselor.
BC506	Principles of Bible Study	An explanation of the plot line of the Bible, crucial principles needed to interpret the Bible accurately, and how Bible study principles must be used to counsel with excellence.
BC507	Theology of Biblical Counseling	Evaluates theological concerns such as progressive sanctification, the Bible’s view of man/sin/fall, the importance of Christ (and the believers’ union with Christ), the church, and the role of the Holy Spirit with their impact on counseling philosophy.
BC508	Methods of Biblical Change	Provides a detailed explanation of the heart, helping students explain the process of biblical change as well as helping the student identify and facilitate biblical change in the counselee.
BC509	Spiritual Formation and Self Counsel	Helps students develop a more meaningful relationship to God and focuses on specifically applying the Word of God to areas of difficulty in the lives of the students.

Counseling Theory (12 hours)

BC510	Common Counseling Issues I	A careful examination of common counseling problems such as anger, worry, fear, or depression showing students how to discern the ways these attitudes are expressed and how to help the counselee respond biblically.
BC511	Common Counseling Issues II (Prerequisites: BC505, BC506, BC509)	This course addresses the following counseling issues: eating disorders, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and aging.
BC512	Marriage and Family Counseling (Prerequisites: BC505, BC507, BC509)	An examination of family problems including marriage, parenting, financial issues, and pre-marital counseling.
BC513	Advanced Counseling Issues (Prerequisites: BC505, BC506, BC507, BC508, BC509, BC510)	An examination of complex counseling subjects including those in crisis (e.g., suicide), those with mental health diagnoses, and those struggling with addictions (e.g., alcohol) as well as explaining some of the partnering opportunities between churches/counseling ministries and residential treatment facilities.

Counseling Practice (6 hours)

BC611	Counseling Lab (Prerequisite: 27 Credit hours competed)	This course helps students learn counseling skills through the use of life counseling, role-play, and peer evaluation.
BC701	Supervised Counseling (Prerequisite: BC611)	Requires 30 hours of supervised counseling to demonstrate competence in a counseling setting.
BC702 (0 credit hours)	Written and Oral Exam (Prerequisite: BC701)	Students will complete the written and oral exams required to graduate from the MABC. This course is a pre-requisite to starting your concentrations.

Concentration Courses (6 hours)

Counseling Concentration	BC720: Advanced Counseling Practice 1	BC721: Advanced Counseling Practice 2
Training Concentration	BC750: Equipping Biblical Counselors for the Church and Community 1	BC751: Equipping Biblical Counselors for the Church and Community 2
Thesis Concentration	BC790: Research Methods and Proposal Writing	BC800: Thesis Project

Learn about MABC Concentrations

Preferred MABC Sequence

Below is the preferred sequence for all MABC classes. However, since not every class is offered every semester, FBS understands that completing the below sequence in order can be difficult. Exceptions will be made on an individual basis and at FBS’ discretion. However, several classes have pre-requisites that FBS will not consider changing except in extreme circumstances. Additionally, FBS will offer online classes between August and November to aid in completion.

BC611: Students must complete twenty-seven or more credits before being eligible for this class.

BC701: Students must complete BC611 to enroll in this class.

BC702: Students must complete BC701.

Once you complete BC701, you will choose a concentration to finish your degree. You can use the button below to learn more about our counseling, training, and thesis concentrations.

You can complete your degree in three to six years

Below, you will find three suggestions for planning your MABC degree. All schedules require students that live in the United States to travel to Lafayette for five separate one-week trips to Lafayette to complete residency classes. Check out the schedules below for more info.

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be completed to earn the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling degree:

1. Complete thirty-nine credit hours of course work required by the MABC program with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. A maximum of 40% of course work may be completed through appropriate transfer credits that correspond to courses in the FBS established curriculum.
2. Complete 30 hours of supervised counseling
3. Complete one of FBS concentrations
4. Consistently exemplify appropriate godly character requirements outlined in the Scriptures so that one’s participation in ministry cannot be questioned nor would the cause of Christ be hindered.