Online master’s degrees in Christian counseling offer an affordable and convenient path to anyone interested in providing counseling employing Christian principles and biblical teachings. Learn what you can expect from today’s top programs in this guide.
Author: Shannon Lee
Expertise: Graduate Ed.CareersOnline LearningEditor: Kristin Marino
- In-Depth Profiles
In-depth Profiles: Online Christian Counseling Master's Programs
Read more - What You'll Learn
What You'll Learn in a Christian Counseling Master's Program
Read more - Accreditation
Accreditation for Christian Counseling Master's Degrees
Read more - Salary/Pay
Salary Outlook with a Master's in Christian Counseling
Read more - Costs
Paying for Your Online Master's in Christian Counseling
Read more - Best Programs
Best Online Master's in Christian Counseling
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In-Depth Profiles: Online Christian Counseling Master’s Programs
There are plenty of master’s in Christian counseling degree programs available today online, so choosing the best program suited to meet your professional and academic goals can be challenging. Three top-notch online Christian counseling programs are profiled below to show you who stands out for their quality of education, learning flexibility, and affordability.
Grand Canyon University
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Christian Counseling from Grand Canyon University suits individuals looking to become Licensed Associate Counselors or Licensed Professional Counselors. Many of the techniques and strategies taught in this program are similar to secular clinical mental health counseling programs, but the Christian approach allows students to also aid in a client’s spiritual growth.
The program consists of 74 credits with most classes lasting eight weeks each. The bulk of required coursework can be finished online.
However, students must complete several in-person practicum and internship courses as well. These requirements test what you’ve learned in a supervised clinical setting and are necessary for licensure. In addition to online learning, on-campus classes are available evenings and meet just once a week. The current tuition rate is $600 per credit hour.
Liberty University
Liberty University is an academic leader when it comes to flexible online learning, and its Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling demonstrates this. This program is not intended for those looking to earn their state licensure as therapists or counselors. Instead, it’s intended for individuals who are already licensed counselors but who want to shift their practice into a more Christian-oriented approach that integrates biblical teachings.
One of the biggest advantages of this master’s program at SACSCOC-accredited Liberty University is the speed at which you can earn your degree. The program consists of 36 credits, allowing most students to complete their programs in less than two years.
Classes last just eight weeks each, and students can receive up to 18 transfer credits. The program offers several specializations, including Addiction and Recovery, Community Chaplaincy, Leadership and Church Ministry, Marriage and Family, and Theology.
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Going above and beyond in terms of accreditation, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary’s Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) program has regional accreditations from both the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). It also has programmatic accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Students in Gordon Cromwell’s MACC program complete a curriculum that trains them to diagnose and treat various behavioral health issues for a variety of clients, including families, groups, couples, and individuals. All course requirements can be completed online, but hybrid learning is also an option.
Because this program leads to licensure, students also complete supervised in-person internships and practicums. The entire program consists of 66 credits with 15 of those credits focused on biblical and Christian-specific coursework.
What You’ll Learn in a Christian Counseling Master’s Program
In addition to training individuals to become counselors and therapists, master’s in Christian counseling programs provide theological teaching. Many Christian counseling master’s programs require students complete supervised practicums and internships, while others do not.
If in-person requirements exist, the program most likely leads to licensure. Regardless of whether a program leads to licensure, most offer many of the same types of classes. Some of the most common courses are:
Popular Courses
Crisis Counseling
Various crises, including sudden death, loss, grief, and other unpleasant life events, are covered in this course. It also identifies and explains relevant biblical passages and ideas that can apply to different crisis situations.
Introduction to Christian Counseling
This course offers a basic overview of how Christian methods and paradigms can be applied to counseling. Christian counseling methods are matched with appropriate scenarios as well as the type of clients they are most effective with. Special emphasis is placed on applying Christian counseling techniques to current events and issues.
Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues
The obligations of the counselor or therapist are covered in this class. Students learn about the current legal and ethical standards that apply to their practice from both secular and biblical perspectives. Students additionally learn about the historical background of these requirements and the issues that helped develop them.
Marriage and Family Counseling
The focus of this course is on counseling individuals and couples who want to improve their family relationships. It begins by teaching the fundamentals of marriage and family structure, and then shifts into different family systems and relationships.
Spiritual Formation – Becoming a Healthy Practitioner
This course looks at counseling services that included consideration of the client’s spiritual needs. Students learn about the stages of spiritual growth as well as how a person’s spiritual beliefs can affect their mental health, personality, and how they treat others.
Accreditation for Christian Counseling Master’s Degrees
There are two main types of accreditations to look out for when choosing an online master’s in Christian counseling program. The first is institutional or regional accreditation, which concerns a school’s overall academic quality. Regional and institutional accreditation should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The second type of accreditation is programmatic, which applies to specific degree programs. Christian counseling programs at the master’s level are typically programmatically by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP). However, other types are possible, including the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).
Ideally, you want to attend a Christian counseling master’s program with both institutional and programmatic accreditation, but many won’t have programmatic accreditation. If not, it’s critical to confirm the school’s institutional accreditation and that their Christian counseling master’s program meets the requirements for licensure in the state where it is located.
Salary Outlook with a Master’s in Christian Counseling
A master’s in Christian counseling prepares you for practice in faith-based settings including churches, Christian nonprofits, counseling centers, and private practice. Graduates apply counseling theory and therapeutic techniques within a framework that integrates faith — supporting clients through personal, relational, and spiritual challenges. The credential is valued by faith communities and organizations looking for counselors who understand the intersection of mental health and spirituality.
Compensation in faith-based counseling reflects the broader counseling market, with earnings varying by setting, licensure level, and geographic location. Private practice and healthcare-adjacent roles tend to offer stronger compensation than church-based positions.
Browse the salary table below to explore counselor earnings by state, and use it as a financial benchmark for your counseling career path.
Rehabilitation Counselors
| Area | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $46,850 | $59,260 | $77,170 |
| Alabama | $54,040 | $72,490 | $80,110 |
| Alaska | $61,590 | $90,240 | $103,400 |
| Arizona | $48,330 | $54,230 | $60,670 |
| Arkansas | $35,210 | $47,430 | $70,670 |
| California | $44,480 | $51,420 | $69,260 |
| Colorado | $47,840 | $64,080 | $89,510 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 | $79,380 | $97,140 |
| Delaware | $48,840 | $56,450 | $73,560 |
| District of Columbia | $49,680 | $81,550 | $95,530 |
| Florida | $45,990 | $54,150 | $67,980 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | $62,980 | $85,510 |
| Hawaii | $48,720 | $60,430 | $71,000 |
| Idaho | $54,550 | $69,120 | $75,710 |
| Illinois | $49,350 | $59,820 | $75,020 |
| Indiana | $44,390 | $52,620 | $62,520 |
| Iowa | $39,630 | $47,540 | $58,220 |
| Kansas | $41,980 | $47,830 | $57,430 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 | $70,380 | $77,790 |
| Louisiana | $47,990 | $71,940 | $128,130 |
| Maine | $51,150 | $62,580 | $74,410 |
| Maryland | $40,860 | $50,260 | $67,630 |
| Massachusetts | $47,320 | $73,190 | $101,760 |
| Michigan | $44,580 | $55,750 | $72,400 |
| Minnesota | $48,010 | $62,310 | $81,840 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | $50,110 | $71,960 |
| Missouri | $45,180 | $56,330 | $62,600 |
| Montana | $45,240 | $58,000 | $59,900 |
| Nebraska | $47,050 | $59,830 | $68,040 |
| Nevada | $40,120 | $46,300 | $62,550 |
| New Hampshire | $42,600 | $48,310 | $57,300 |
| New Jersey | $49,730 | $69,740 | $92,670 |
| New Mexico | $48,240 | $67,430 | $77,010 |
| New York | $47,960 | $59,210 | $76,600 |
| North Carolina | $45,890 | $50,460 | $59,600 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 | $70,690 | $76,120 |
| Ohio | $42,620 | $58,300 | $78,210 |
| Oklahoma | $38,260 | $48,410 | $57,320 |
| Oregon | $54,970 | $67,170 | $83,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,650 | $60,050 | $77,220 |
| Rhode Island | $47,020 | $76,750 | $85,800 |
| South Carolina | $35,990 | $44,320 | $55,310 |
| South Dakota | $49,350 | $60,580 | $76,680 |
| Tennessee | $46,060 | $53,310 | $59,800 |
| Texas | $49,990 | $61,150 | $72,800 |
| Utah | $43,900 | $63,490 | $85,050 |
| Vermont | $50,030 | $63,560 | $82,180 |
| Virginia | $47,530 | $73,100 | $97,240 |
| Washington | $58,050 | $66,560 | $84,500 |
| West Virginia | $48,050 | $57,610 | $64,240 |
| Wisconsin | $46,530 | $57,730 | $69,990 |
| Wyoming | $67,640 | $67,640 | $76,870 |
Source: BLS, OEWS, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 52 entries | Data reflects national numbers, not school-specific information.
Paying for Your Online Master’s in Christian Counseling
For many students seeking a master’s degree in Christian counseling, the cost of attendance is a major hurdle. Fortunately, there are many forms of funding available to help alleviate the financial burden.
Scholarships, which don’t need to be paid back, and employer tuition assistance are popular options, as are private and government school loans that eventually need to be paid back. Learn more about these and other financial aid options by visiting OMD’s financial aid page.
What Your Online Master’s in Christian Counseling Could Cost
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington University | 60 | $575 | $34,500 |
| Grace College | 60 | $625 | $37,500 |
| Luther Rice College & Seminary | 36 | $391 | $14,076 |