Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling
The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Biblical Counseling is a professional terminal degree intended to equip both pastoral men and lay men and women to the highest level of counseling competence and to develop skills to train the next generation of biblical counselors.
Grounded in both the superiority and sufficiency of Christ and Scripture for addressing the most challenging life problems, the D.Min. program is built upon the strong doctrinal tenets of The Master’s University.
The curriculum prepares students to be leaders in biblical counseling primarily within the local church, but also in broader global ministry. This degree is designed for students who have already completed at least 72 credit hours of graduate-level work and have some biblical counseling experience.
Four Hallmarks of the Program
- Excellence in Counseling: Develop Christlike character and practical skill through one-on-one coaching, case studies, and personal faculty/peer relationships
- Skilled in Training: Grow in the biblical tools necessary to equip others to counsel using the sufficient Word of God
- Discerning in Scholarship: Acquire the wisdom and biblical perspective to evaluate and engage with the current trends in the broader biblical counseling movement
- Resourceful to the Church: Craft a robust capstone doctoral project designed to serve as an equipping resource for counseling within the local church
A Unique Modular Format
The D.Min. program functions as four distinct modules. Each module is comprised of an instruction course, an applied ministry experience course, and a writing/research course.
With this format, students are only required to attend on-campus for 4 doctoral seminars at the end of each module. This allows students to complete the majority of their coursework from home while still gaining the unique benefits of in-person interactions with fellow students and faculty on campus.
Program Curriculum
The D.Min. in Biblical Counseling degree is awarded to students who successfully fulfill the requirements of 12 core courses and one capstone doctoral project (13 classes and 26 units total).
Additionally, every student graduating from the D.Min. in Biblical Counseling program is required to log counseling hours and to participate in training exercises designed to prepare students to be trainers and supervisors of future counselors.
Preparatory Course (0 Credits)
For the student without ACBC certification or any significant foundational knowledge of Biblical Counseling, this is a general introduction to the basic concepts and distinctive features of biblical counseling, its theological basis, and a biblical evaluation of secular and integration counseling models. Required for students with very little training in Biblical Counseling.
Module 1 Course (4 Credits)
An examination of the foundation of biblical counseling, with attention given to how each major doctrine of theology applies to the Christian life and to soul care in the local church. The key elements of discipleship with special attention to hermeneutics will be reviewed and applied to the counseling process throughout the course.
Module 1 Course (2 Credits)
A practicum consisting of field experience to develop counseling skills while pursuing the Fellow status of ACBC certification (where applicable). Each student will be required to have field experience in observing and being observed counseling. Students will also be expected to apply the theory and methodology of biblical counseling in their ministry context, in every way possible.
Module 1 Course (2 Credits)
A course designed to introduce students to the skills of research and writing as it pertains to the proposal and first chapter of the doctoral counseling thesis project.
Module 2 Course (4 Credits)
A study of Christ-like character, its application to the student’s life, counseling, and evangelistic ministry. The process and key elements of change will be reviewed and applied to a self-examination project for personal spiritual growth, and for the glory of God. There will also be a survey of soul care issues and presuppositions as they relate to apologetics and evangelism. This course will serve to strengthen the faith of the counselor and counselee, and their evangelistic ministry.
Module 2 Course (2 Credits)
A practicum consisting of field experience to develop counseling skills while pursuing the Fellow status of ACBC certification (where applicable). Each student will be required to have field experience in observing and being observed counseling. Students will also be expected to apply the theory and methodology of biblical counseling in their ministry context, in every way possible.
Module 2 Course (2 Credits)
A course designed to introduce students to the skills of research and writing as it pertains to the second chapter of the doctoral counseling thesis project.
Module 3 Course (4 Credits)
A biblical overview of the unique challenges faced in marriage and family counseling, with focus upon accurately and appropriately instructing families in the counseling setting. Course content will include knowledge and skills to facilitate heart change, and a review of various marriage and family counseling resources.
Module 3 Course (2 Credits)
A practicum that includes student counseling and field experience to develop counseling skills and pursue the Fellow status of ACBC certification. This course first involves participation in student counseling through the assumed roles of observer, counselee, and counselor. Post the doctoral module, students will be expected to apply the theory and methodology of biblical counseling in their ministry context.
Module 3 Course (2 Credits)
A course designed to introduce students to the skills of research and writing as it pertains to the third chapter of the doctoral counseling thesis project.
Module 4 Course (4 Credits)
A study in the application of biblical principles taught in the Theology of Discipleship & Soul Care course to a range of specific and challenging counseling problems seen among churched individuals.
Module 4 Course (2 Credits)
The utilization of student counseling and field experience to develop counseling skills, and pursue the Fellow status of ACBC certification. This course first involves participation in student counseling through the assumed roles of observer, counselee and counselor. After this module, students will be expected to apply the theory and methodology of biblical counseling in their ministry context.
Module 4 Course (2 Credits)
A course designed to introduce students to the skills of research and writing as it pertains to the fourth chapter of the doctoral counseling thesis project.
After Module 4 (4 Credits)
The completion of chapter 5 of the doctoral counseling thesis project with input from the student’s thesis advisor and second reader. This course also includes the giving of the oral defense for the thesis project and must be the final course of the counseling doctoral program.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Strong testimony of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
- At least 72 credit hours of master’s degree level work in theological studies from a regionally accredited institution with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
- Preferred certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC)
- Prefer at least 3 years of practical biblical counseling experience
- Prefer a current involvement in a regular biblical counseling ministry
- A pastoral recommendation from a Christian leader (pastor, elder, etc.)
- Agreement with TMU’s doctrinal statement and a lifestyle that reflects the standards outlined on our Admission Requirements Page
The Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling program costs $5,000 per 16-week module. For a full breakdown of total program costs and additional fees, please check the Tuition and Costs page.
The D.Min. program is a full-time, 2.5-year program. It is made up of four 16-week modules, each culminating in 5 days of on-campus seminars.
At the end of each module, students come to campus for 5 days of seminars, which include instruction and interaction with fellow students. Students have the option of spending extra days on campus to utilize the university library for research and writing.
- Biblical Counselor
- Pastoral Staff
- Missionary
- Chaplain
- Teacher/Professor
- President/Administrator
- Christian Organization Staff
- ACBC Fellow
