3/7/19
by Jenny Gregory-TMU
(Cleveland) – Beginning fall of 2019, Truett McConnell University’s (TMU) Leonhard Schiemer
School of Psychology and Biblical Counseling will begin offering a Master of Arts in Professional
Counseling degree with just 37 hours of courses to complete the program.
The unique courses in this Counseling Ministry (CM) concentration provide students with
knowledge about psychological theory, counseling techniques, and assessment to equip
students to address real-world issues from a biblical worldview.
“There are often students who want to counsel in a church context who are uninterested in
state licensure,” said Dr. Natalie Ford, TMU Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science. “Pastors
have expressed frustration over the lack of counseling training in seminary, despite being on
the frontlines when it comes to counseling.”
While the program is a non-licensure degree, those in the field of church counseling, pastoral
counseling, and ministry-based organizations will benefit from the Christ-centered counseling
education. Students will be provided a theological and a counseling foundation, combining
biblical principles with sound psychological theory, counseling skills, and techniques. They will
learn how to ethically serve others without compromising their Biblical worldview.
“Once in the program,” said Ford, “students who decide they want to pursue licensure have the
opportunity to transfer into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMH) concentration. While
graduates with a concentration in CM are not be able to diagnose or accept insurance
payments, they have knowledge and skills to practically assist others in their trials. Participants
will also have the opportunity to develop relationships with licensed counselors for referral
purposes when professional mental health counseling is needed.”
For more information, email Dr. Natalie Ford at nford@truett.edu, or apply today at
truett.edu/degrees.
