BA, Christian Counselling
Integrating Compassionate Care, Professional Wisdom and Christian Faith.
About This Program
Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counselling prepares students to provide informed, compassionate and ethically responsible support within Christian, educational and community settings.
The programme combines the study of counselling theories and techniques with biblical wisdom, Christian doctrine, pastoral theology and an understanding of human development. Students learn how to establish constructive helping relationships, listen actively, communicate with empathy and support individuals experiencing personal, relational, spiritual and emotional difficulties.
Foundational courses introduce Christian worldview, biblical studies, doctrine, counselling theory and pastoral care. Advanced studies address marriage and family counselling, pastoral counselling, crisis intervention, trauma, grief, safeguarding, mental health awareness and counselling across different stages of life.
The programme places strong emphasis on ethical practice. Students examine confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, record management, safeguarding, cultural sensitivity, referral and the limits of their competence. They are taught that Christian counselling must not replace appropriate medical, psychiatric, psychological or safeguarding intervention where specialist support is required.
Courses in critical thinking, research methods and contemporary society enable students to evaluate counselling approaches and respond thoughtfully to changing social and cultural concerns. Biblical and theological studies support the responsible integration of faith with counselling without oversimplifying complex psychological or emotional difficulties.
Supervised field education provides structured opportunities to apply counselling and pastoral care knowledge in approved churches, schools, ministries or community organisations. Students practise under suitable supervision and develop the professional judgement required for safe and accountable service.
The programme culminates in a 20-credit degree thesis through which students conduct substantial independent research into a defined issue in Christian counselling, pastoral care, family relationships, trauma, grief, human development or faith-based support.
Graduates are prepared for appropriate counselling, pastoral care and support roles within the limits of their education and the legal requirements of their jurisdiction. Independent clinical practice, protected professional titles or formal licensure may require postgraduate education, accredited clinical training, supervised practice and professional registration.
Specializations
- Pastoral Counselling and Spiritual Care
- Marriage and Family Counselling
- Crisis, Trauma and Grief Support
- Children, Youth and School Counselling
- Human Development and Life Transitions
- Counselling Ethics and Safeguarding
- Community and Ministry-Based Counselling
- Christian Counselling Research and Practice
Core Courses
- GEN 101 — Introduces Christian worldview and its application to life and learning.
- BIB 101 — Introduces the structure, themes and study of the Bible.
- COU 101 — Introduces Christian counselling principles and helping skills.
- THE 101 — Introduces the central doctrines of the Christian faith.
- GEN 102 — Develops academic writing, research and study skills.
- BIB 102 — Introduces responsible methods of biblical interpretation.
- COU 201 — Examines major counselling theories and techniques.
- PAS 201 — Introduces the theology and practice of pastoral care.
- HDS 201 — Examines human development across the lifespan.
- ETH 201 — Explores Christian ethics and responsible professional conduct.
- GEN 201 — Develops critical thinking and logical reasoning.
- PAS 301 — Examines pastoral counselling methods and ministry application.
- COU 301 — Introduces marriage, relationship and family counselling.
- HIS 201 — Surveys early and medieval Church history.
- WOR 201 — Examines Christian worship and liturgical practice.
- HIS 301 — Surveys Church history from the Reformation to the present.
- COU 401 — Examines counselling responses to crisis, trauma and grief.
- GEN 301 — Examines Christianity in relation to contemporary society.
- SYS 301 — Studies God, revelation, creation and humanity systematically.
- LDR 201 — Examines discipleship and spiritual formation.
- APO 301 — Introduces the intellectual defence of the Christian faith.
- THE 201 — Studies the nature, attributes and works of God.
- SYS 401 — Studies Christ, salvation, the Church and Christian hope.
- RES 501 — Introduces theological and counselling research methods.
- MIN 290 — Provides introductory supervised field education.
- MIN 390 — Provides advanced supervised field education.
- MIS 101 — Introduces Christian mission and intercultural ministry.
- EDU 101 — Examines the foundations and purposes of Christian education.
- BIB 201 — Examines the content and theology of the Pentateuch.
- COU 402 — Examines counselling children, adolescents and young adults.
- COU 403 — Introduces mental health awareness, assessment and referral.
- COU 404 — Examines counselling ethics, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
- COU 405 — Develops counselling assessment, case planning and documentation skills.
- COU 406 — Examines multicultural counselling and community-based care.
- COU 490 — Requires a 20-credit degree thesis in Christian counselling or pastoral care.
Admissions
Entry Requirements
Completion of senior secondary education with the required credits or a recognised equivalent
Demonstrated competence in English
A personal statement outlining the applicant’s interest in counselling, pastoral care or Christian ministry
An academic, professional, church or ministry reference
Successful completion of an admissions interview where required
What You'll Achieve
Learning Outcomes
Explain major counselling theories and their principal applications
Apply foundational and advanced counselling skills appropriately
Establish supportive relationships based on empathy, respect and attentive listening
Integrate biblical and theological perspectives with responsible counselling practice
Apply knowledge of human development across the lifespan
Support individuals experiencing relational, spiritual and emotional difficulties
Apply foundational approaches to marriage and family counselling
Respond appropriately to crisis, trauma, loss and grief within the limits of competence
Provide informed pastoral counselling and spiritual support
Apply Christian ethical principles to counselling decisions
Maintain confidentiality, informed consent and appropriate professional boundaries
Recognise safeguarding concerns and follow appropriate reporting procedures
Identify signs that may require medical, psychological, psychiatric or specialist intervention
Make timely and responsible referrals to qualified professionals
Distinguish pastoral and supportive counselling from regulated clinical practice
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect for individual differences
Evaluate counselling theories and practices through critical thinking
Communicate counselling concepts clearly in written and spoken form
Maintain appropriate counselling records and case documentation
Apply research methods to Christian counselling and pastoral care questions
Evaluate scholarly literature relevant to counselling and human development
Demonstrate competent practice through supervised field education
Produce and defend a substantial 20-credit degree thesis
Serve ethically in church, school, ministry and community support settings
Progress to postgraduate or professional study in counselling and related disciplines
After Graduation
Career Opportunities
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