M.A. in Biblical Counseling
Biblical Sufficiency. Practical Instruction. Local Church Integration.
The Master’s University’s M.A. in Biblical Counseling equips men and women to help people face life’s deepest struggles with God’s sufficient Word. Designed for pastors, disciple-makers, ministry leaders, and lay Christians, the program combines theological depth, practical counseling training, and ministry preparation under the authority of the local church.
A Graduate Degree Built For Ministry-Minded People
This degree is for students who want more than theory. TMU’s MABC is designed to train people who want to counsel biblically, disciple wisely, and serve faithfully in the church and beyond. No formal Bible or biblical counseling training is required before beginning the program.
Why Pursue the MABC at The Master’s University?
At TMU, biblical counseling is rooted in the conviction that God’s Word is sufficient and that counseling belongs within the discipling ministry of the local church. Students are trained in both the theological foundations and the practical methods of biblical counseling, with an emphasis on personal growth as well as helping others. The program’s public highlights also point to a long track record of formation and ministry preparation, including more than 500 graduates, more than 400 theses written by graduates, and 50 hours of supervised real-life counseling experience for each student.
One degree. Two ways to complete it.
This track is best for students who want the rhythm, accountability, and interaction of live classes. Local students attend in person, while students living abroad may attend live classes synchronously over Zoom. It offers a more structured weekly classroom experience while leading to the same M.A. degree.
This track is designed for students who need maximum flexibility while balancing ministry, work, and family life. Courses are delivered through pre-recorded, asynchronous classes, with weekly work submitted online. Distance courses are available in fall, spring, and summer.
All students may participate in TMU’s Summer Intensive Program (SIP), which allows courses to be taken on campus in a condensed summer format.
Through the MABC, students are trained to:
- build a biblical framework for counseling individuals wisely and faithfully.
- apply sound hermeneutics and exegesis to counseling situations.
- evaluate Christian and secular counseling theories through a scriptural lens.
- understand people’s thoughts, behaviors, and struggles from a biblical anthropology.
- counsel and disciple others effectively within the context of the local church.
- conduct graduate-level research for practical ministry in biblical counseling.
Tailor your MABC with an emphasis
General
Broad preparation in biblical counseling for a wide range of counseling and discipleship situations.
Mediation
Focused preparation in biblical reconciliation, especially for conflict in marriages, churches, and other relationships
Missions
Training for students who want to apply biblical counseling faithfully in cross-cultural ministry settings.
Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) Aligned Training
TMU’s MABC is intentionally connected to the work of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). The program is built to help students pursue serious biblical counseling training in a way that aligns with ACBC preparation, while keeping the focus on faithful ministry in the local church
Where This Degree Can Lead
Graduates use this training across a broad range of ministry and service settings. Current TMU materials highlight outcomes such as biblical counselor, pastoral staff member, missionary, chaplain, teacher or professor, student life staff, and staff roles in Christian organizations such as crisis pregnancy centers, rescue missions, adoption agencies, social service ministries, and camps.
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate a clear profession of faith in Jesus Christ, submit official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and provide a pastor recommendation
| Number of Credit Hours |
34 |
| Time to complete |
Full time students can complete in 2 years |
| Tuition |
$22,440 Live Lecture
|
|
$25,840 Online |
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*Tuition is subject to change and does not include textbooks and fees. |
| Delivery Options |
Live Lecture Track or Fully Online Track |
Prepare to counsel with biblical clarity, practical wisdom, and ministry conviction.
Whether you want the structure of live weekly classes or the flexibility of a fully online format, TMU’s M.A. in Biblical Counseling gives you a path to serious graduate training rooted in Scripture and connected to the local church.
