Caring careers: Earning an associate degree in Christian counseling

A strong religious belief coupled with the desire to help people can add up to a career in Christian counseling. You can earn an online associate degree in Christian counseling to get started in your career.

Career Training to Become a Christian Counselor

Christian counseling starts with the principles of secular counseling in areas such as marriage and family therapy, addiction counseling and school counseling. From there, the practice adds in a religious component for those who are more comfortable talking with someone of their own faith.

Christian counseling is related as much to the ministry as it is to psychology, according to the Pastoral Counseling Center. Counselors may pray with their clients and offer insights from biblical sources as they use traditional counseling methods. Christian counseling builds on scripture and temperament as well as counseling tools.

Popular Careers for Trained Christian Counselors

A degree in Christian counseling can be the first step in moving into a range of fields. Take a look at just a few of the popular careers you may find as a trained Christian counselor:

• Education and school counseling with students
• Vocational counseling, which focuses on career decisions
• Rehabilitation counseling, which helps individuals face challenges of disabilities
• Substance abuse counseling

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for counselors are growing faster than average for all occupations, with some specialties growing faster than others. Expected growth for the following specialties is for the time frame 2008-2018:

• Overall counselors: 18%
• Substance abuse counselors: 21%
• Educational and school counselors: 14%
• Rehabilitation counselors: 19%
• Marriage and family therapists: 14%

In May 2009, counselors earned $44,400 in mean annual wages. While no degree program can guarantee a particular career or salary, the training you'll find with an associate degree in Christian counseling can put you on the right track towards eventually becoming a licensed counselor.

More Options for a Degree in Christian Counseling

While a master's degree is required to become a licensed counselor, an associate degree in Christian counseling can start you on your educational road. Earning an online associate degree in Christian counseling is one way to get started. With an associate degree, you take your first steps towards a bachelor's degree and eventually a master's degree.

Some of the courses you might take if you pursue an associate degree in Christian counseling include:

• Human behavior
• Human relationships
• Basics of Christian counseling based on the Bible

As you advance in your counseling career and your educational goals, you can seek certification from the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Benefits of an Online Associate Degree in Christian Counseling

Flexibility in scheduling is one of the benefits of earning an online associate degree in Christian counseling. Another benefit of online learning is the ability to work closely with your teachers and have more one-on-one time than you might in a campus-based learning environment.

Looking for a broader course of study? Learn more about religious studies degrees and psychology and behavior degrees. No matter what type of training you choose, you can keep your own educational and career goals as a top priority.

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