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  • 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
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
    • ⬩ News and Events
    • ⬩ 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
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Distance Education

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Counseling Certificate Program | VACU
New Certificate Programs

Counseling Certificate Program

Empowering ministry leaders with biblically grounded, trauma-informed counseling skills for global impact.

Counseling Session

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 resources are limited.

"Soul care that reaches across borders."

Our programs are specifically designed for those serving in cross-cultural and mission contexts, offering a unique blend of theological depth and clinical wisdom.

Choose Your Path

Two specialized certificates designed for the modern ministry leader.

Program 01

Pastoral & Clinical Christian Counseling

Equips ministry leaders with a theologically grounded and ethically responsible framework for Christ-centered soul care.

Required Courses

  • • Theology of Soul Care and Pastoral Counseling
  • • Trauma‑Informed Ministry and Crisis Intervention
  • • Counseling Addiction, Anxiety, and Depression
  • • Ethics, Boundaries, and Referral Practices

Key Outcomes

  • ✓ Biblically faithful soul care
  • ✓ Crisis & trauma response
  • ✓ Ethical integrity in ministry
Program 02

Christian Family & Marriage Counseling

A comprehensive biblical foundation for strengthening homes, promoting reconciliation, and facilitating healing conversations.

Required Courses

  • • Pastoral Counseling
  • • Marriage and Family Counseling (I & II)
  • • Crisis Counseling
  • • Trauma Informed Ministry

Key Outcomes

  • ✓ Relational conflict resolution
  • ✓ Family systems principles
  • ✓ Reconciliation-focused ministry

Tuition & Financial Support

Cost breakdown

$600 / Course
$2,400 Total Program

Affordable, high-impact education designed to keep you on the field.

Scholarship Opportunities

Translation Project Scholarship

Up to $2,000 coverage for participants helping translate counseling content into native languages.

Mission Field Scholarship

Active mission field pastors receive a 50% tuition reduction (Total: $1,400).

Academics

Virginia Christian University

Virginia Christian University is a religious institution exempt from state regulation and oversight in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contact Info

Email: office@vacu.edu
Phone: +1 703-629-1281 +1 703-378-7497
Fax: +1 703-657-0690

Main Campus

14012-F Sullyfield Cir. Chantilly, VA 20151

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