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Virginia Christian University
  • About VACU
    • Group 1
      • ⬩ History and Information
      • ⬩ Mission, Vision, Values
      • ⬩ Doctrinal Statement
      • ⬩ Philosophy of Education
      • ⬩ Spiritual Maturity Statement
      • ⬩ Community Lifestyles Statement
      • ⬩ Accreditation
      • ⬩ Academic Policies
      • ⬩ VACU Honor System
      • ⬩ Withdrawal Policies
      • ⬩ Assessment & ABHE
      • ⬩ Contact Us
      • ⬩ Apply Now
    • Admissions
      • ⬩ Policies and Process
      • ⬩ Requirements
      • ⬩ Commencement Awards
      • ⬩ Readmissions
      • ⬩ Financial Information
      • ⬩ Attendance Regulation
      • ⬩ Institutional Effectiveness
      • ⬩ Registration Policy
      • ⬩ Spiritual Life
      • ⬩ Spiritual Development
  • Academics
    • Degree Programs
      • ⬩ Bachelor of Biblical Studies
      • ⬩ Master of Divinity
      • ⬩Master in Christian Counseling
      • ⬩ Master of Art in Biblical Counseling
      • ⬩ Doctor of Ministry Program
      • ⬩ Master of Theology
      • ⬩ Associate Degree (2 yrs)
    • Non Degree Programs
      • ⬩ ESL
      • ⬩ TESOL Certification
      • ⬩ Certificate Programs
  • FACULTY AND STAFFS
    • ⬩ Old Testament Studies
    • ⬩ New Testament Studies
    • ⬩ Church History
    • ⬩ Systematic Theology
    • ⬩ Practical Theology
    • ⬩ Counseling
    • ⬩ General Education
    • ⬩ Academic Calendar and Grading Policy
  • News and Events
  • Student Live
    • ⬩ Student Services
      • ⬩ Work-study / Student Assistantship on Campus
        • ⬩ Admissions Classifications
        • ⬩ International Students
        • ⬩ Library Service
        • ⬩ Academic Dismissal
        • ⬩ Probity (Ethics) of Student
        • ⬩ Student Consumer Information
        • ⬩ News and Events
        • ⬩ Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • 🕊 Donate

Distance Education

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  •  Counseling Certificate Program
     
    Overall Purpose
     Provides practical, biblically grounded counseling skills for pastors,
    missionaries, and seminary students in high-need mission regions.
     Addresses emotional, family, and community challenges where
    professional counseling resources are limited.
     
    Certificate Program 1
    Certificate in Pastoral & Clinical Christian Counseling
     
    Program Purpose
    The Certificate in Pastoral & Clinical Christian Counseling equips ministry leaders with a
    theologically grounded, pastorally wise, and ethically responsible framework for
    Christian counseling. The program emphasizes Christ‑centered soul care,
    trauma‑informed ministry, and appropriate integration of biblical theology with essential
    counseling skills, while maintaining clear pastoral boundaries and referral
    awareness.Required Courses (4 Courses)
    Students must successfully complete all four required courses listed below: –
    Theology of Soul Care and Pastoral Counseling – Trauma‑Informed Ministry and Crisis
    Intervention – Counseling Addiction, Anxiety, and Depression from a Biblical Perspective
    – Ethics, Professional Boundaries, and Referral Practices in Pastoral Counseling
     
    Program Learning Outcomes
    Upon completion of this certificate, graduates will be able to: – Provide biblically faithful
    and pastorally sensitive counseling within ministry settings – Respond wisely to trauma,
    crisis, and emotional suffering using trauma‑informed principles – Address addiction and
    mental‑health‑related struggles with discernment and humility – Demonstrate ethical
    integrity, professional boundaries, and responsible referral practices – Integrate
    Scripture, theology, and counseling insights for redemptive soul care
     
    Page 2 of 2
     
    Required Courses (4 Courses)
    Students must successfully complete all four required courses listed below:
     
     Pastoral Counseling
     Human Development Personality and Leadership
     Marriage and Family counseling
     Trauma Informed Ministry
     
    Tuition & Financial Support
     Tuition per course: $700
     Total program tuition (4 courses): $2,800
    Scholarship Opportunities –
    Translation Project Scholarship: Up to $2,400 tuition coverage is available for
    pastors and ministers who actively participate in approved translation projects, including
    the translation of English‑language theological and counseling video content into their
    native languages for ministry use. –
     
    Mission Field Pastor & Minister Scholarship: A 50% tuition reduction (total tuition
    $1,400) is available for pastors and ministers currently serving in mission fields or
    cross‑cultural ministry contexts.
     
    Certificate Program 2
    Certificate in Christian Family & Marriage Counseling
     
    Program Purpose
    The Certificate in Christian Family & Marriage Counseling provides a comprehensive
    biblical and pastoral foundation for strengthening marriages and families. The program
    equips ministry leaders to address relational conflict, emotional wounds, and
    family‑system challenges with theological clarity, pastoral compassion, and counseling
     
    Page 3 of 2
    competence, while promoting reconciliation, forgiveness, and spiritual formation within
    the home.
    Required Courses (4 Courses)
    Students must successfully complete all four required courses listed below:
     Pastoral Counseling
     Marriage and Family counseling (I. II )
     Crisis Counseling
     Trauma Informed Ministry
    Program Learning Outcomes
    Upon completion of this certificate, graduates will be able to: – Provide biblically
    grounded and pastorally responsible marriage counseling – Support families through
    conflict, life‑cycle transitions, and relational crises – Apply family systems principles
    within church‑based counseling contexts – Facilitate healing conversations marked by
    grace, truth, and accountability – Encourage reconciliation, spiritual maturity, and healthy
    family formation
    Tuition & Financial Support
     Tuition per course: $700
     Total program tuition (4 courses): $2,800
     
    Scholarship Opportunities –
    Translation Project Scholarship:
     Up to $2,400 tuition coverage is available for pastors and ministers who actively
    participate in approved translation projects, including the translation of
    English‑language theological and counseling video content into their native
    languages for ministry use. –
     
     Mission Field Pastor & Minister Scholarship: A 50% tuition reduction (total
    tuition $1,400) is available for pastors and ministers currently serving in mission
    fields or cross‑cultural ministry contexts.

Academics

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