Required Credits: 45

Curriculum Highlights:Ìý

All 91³Ô¹Ï students must have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as Savior as evidenced by providing a personal testimony that details this faith. By submitting an application, students acknowledge the University’s doctrinal position and standards of conduct as outlined in theÌýFoundational Statements. Below are the admission requirements:

• Application:ÌýSubmit theÌýApplication for AdmissionÌýalong with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using codeÌýfaithmatters and we will waive the fee.Ìý
• Personal Testimony: Describe your conversion to Christ, spiritual growth, and church involvement. (250-500 words)
• Statement of Purpose: This program is a significant time commitment. In 500 words, explain how you have evaluated your readiness to manage competing responsibilities and priorities while pursuing this degree, as well as how obtaining this degree aligns with your long-term goals.
• Transcripts: Order official transcripts for all conferred degrees to be sent to 91³Ô¹Ï.

The Statement of Purpose and Transcript requests can be submitted via the student portal once you submit the application.Ìý

91³Ô¹Ï strives to keep tuition costs affordable despite providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by Cairn faculty and not TAs.

The tuition rate for the 2026-2027 academic year for full-time status (6 credits per semester) is $725/credit.ÌýAdditional details on fees and part-time status are available on this page.Ìý

91³Ô¹Ï also partners with many organizations and offers tuition discounts. Tuition discounts are also available for those working in Christian schools.ÌýPlease contact us to find out if your organization has a partnership with 91³Ô¹Ï.Ìý

Additional information on scholarships, grants, and loans is available fromÌýthis page.Ìý

A Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry equips graduates with skills in counseling, ethical practice, and Christ-centered therapeutic approaches, opening doors to roles that blend spiritual guidance with mental health support in ministry, church, and community settings.

Key Career Paths:

• Pastoral Counselor or Christian Counselor: Provide faith-integrated therapy for individuals, couples, or families dealing with emotional, relational, or spiritual challenges in church or private practice settings. This role combines counseling theories with biblical principles, often focusing on areas like marriage, addiction recovery, or trauma.
• Church or Ministry Counselor: Serve as a staff member in local churches, offering one-on-one or group counseling to congregants on issues like grief, personal development, or adolescent mental health, while supporting pastoral teams.
• Chaplain: Deliver spiritual and emotional support in non-church environments, such as hospitals, military bases, prisons, schools, or hospices. Responsibilities include crisis intervention, ethical guidance, and ceremonies, requiring adaptability to diverse faith backgrounds.
• Youth or Adolescent Counselor: Work in church youth programs, Christian camps, or schools to guide teens through identity, peer pressure, or faith-related struggles, using group work and developmental counseling techniques.
• Marriage and Family Therapist (Faith-Based): Specialize in relational counseling within ministry contexts, helping couples and families navigate conflicts, parenting, or divorce through a Christian lens, often in church-based family ministries.
• Missionary or International Ministry Worker: Provide counseling services abroad or in cross-cultural settings, supporting expatriates, locals, or mission teams with mental health needs amid spiritual outreach.
• Community Outreach or Advocacy Leader: Lead faith-based nonprofits or initiatives addressing community issues like substance abuse, homelessness, or family support, incorporating group counseling and assessment skills.
• 91³Ô¹Ï or Camp Counselor: Support spiritual and emotional growth in Christian schools, universities, or summer camps, facilitating group activities and assessments for young adults or children.

91³Ô¹Ï is regionally accredited byÌýÌý(MSCHE).

Cairn Online has been approved toÌýparticipate in theÌýÌý(NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.

Additional Accreditation Information

Can I become a licensed counselor if I graduate from your program?

No, the MA in Counseling Ministry program does not lead to licensure. If you are looking for a program that leads to licensure, you may want to consider the MS in Counseling program.Ìý

What is the difference between the MA and the MS in Counseling Degrees?

In summary, only the Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) program meets the educational requirements for licensure.
The Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry is a shorter program that does not fulfill licensure requirements. This degrees can typically be completed in two years of full-time study, whereas the MSC is a 60-credit program usually completed in three years of full-time enrollment.

Both programs share a common core curriculum during the first two years, which includes the following foundational courses:

CSG 601: Counseling Theory and Helping Relationships
CSG 602: Helping Relationships Laboratory
CSG 611: Psychopathology, Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Counseling
CSG 612: Individual Assessment Laboratory
CSG 701: Marriage and Family Counseling
CSG 702: Marriage and Family Counseling Laboratory
CSG 711: Group Counseling: Dynamics, Theory, and Practice
CSG 712: Small Groups Laboratory

What can I do with the MA in Counseling Ministry degree?

Many agencies and institutions hire individuals for mental health roles that require a graduate degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field—but do not require licensure.
These positions are often found in settings such as inpatient psychiatric facilities, outpatient clinics, and residential treatment programs. In such roles, unlicensed professionals typically work under the supervision of a licensed clinician, contributing to the implementation of treatment plans. Responsibilities may include facilitating psychoeducational groups, conducting individual coaching or counseling sessions, supervising program activities, and participating in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.

Additionally, many individuals pursue the Master of Arts in Counseling to enhance their ministry work. Those serving in pastoral roles often seek advanced training in counseling to strengthen their ability to provide discipleship and spiritual guidance within their congregations. The MA in Counseling is an excellent option for those looking to integrate counseling skills into church-based ministry.

What are the distinctives of Cairn’s program?

One of the key distinctives of our counseling programs is the use of theological principles to conceptualize clinical mental health issues. Students are equipped to conceptualize mental health issues through a Christian theological lens, drawing on biblical principles to inform their understanding of human behavior, suffering, and healing. At the same time, they receive robust training in the clinical language, frameworks, and evidence-based practices necessary to function effectively across a wide range of treatment settings.

A hallmark of the program is its four semesters of counseling laboratory training. These labs provide in-depth, hands-on experience in developing core counseling skills within a highly supportive and realistic environment. Through simulated counseling sessions that closely mirror real-life scenarios, students gain the confidence and competence needed to transition seamlessly into professional or ministerial roles upon graduation. This dual emphasis on theological insight and clinical excellence prepares graduates to serve with both compassion and credibility in diverse contexts.

Is the Counseling Ministry MA program available online?Ìý

No, this program is not currently available online. You may want to consider the Community Counseling MA instead.Ìý

• Counseling (MS)
• Community Counseling (MA)