GENERAL INFORMATION
The undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling degree. The undergraduate program is designed to finish in four years. However, students can extend the length of study, but students should complete undergraduate degree within 6 years. Therefore, students will take a minimum of 9 units and maximum of 19 units per semester.
BACHELOR OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELING PROGRAM
The Bachelor of Christian Counseling degree is a four-year degree program providing students with ministerial training for counseling on a college level. The program offers a solid grounding in Bible, doctrine, and the practices of ministry within a strong Evangelical Reform environment.
With a broad educational component, the curriculum enables students to develop a biblical worldview for life. The major provides the student with the foundational training necessary for the ministry or for entrance into a professional graduate program.
BA Program Learning Objectives
- PLO1. Comprehend basic counseling principles and knowledge in regard to human development, families, abnormal behavior, and Christian counseling with a wholistic approach.
- PLO2. Integrate basic psychological theories and theology to effectively counsel in ministries.
- PLO3. Develop and apply counseling knowledge and skills to life and ministry.
- PLO4. Demonstrate academic ability and skills for advanced studies in effective counseling ministries and graduate studies.
Admission Requirement of BA Program
Christian men and women who manifest faith, moral character, Christian experience, and academic preparation are invited to apply for admissions.
An applicant is eligible to apply for admission to the undergraduate program after they have graduated high school or passed the GED. Before a student is allowed to register for courses, admission must be granted. A student desiring consideration for admission to GMU must provide the followings:
- A completed application form
- Application fee of $80.00
- Two recent 2” x 2 ½” photographs
- An official high school transcript and official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.
- Two references (one from their pastor, one from a teacher)
- An essay of two or three pages detailing the applicant’s call to ministry including a self-evaluation of his/her strengths and weakness Applicants should pass the following to be accepted to the program.
- ABHE Bible knowledge test
- Oral interview of admission committee
SPECIAL STUDENTS: Those individuals who desire theological training but who do not wish to work toward a degree may be classified as Special Students. Such students are allowed to attend classes but are not allowed to seek a degree.
Hours of Instruction for Bachelor of Arts Program
One semester is 16-week long including one week reading week which is non-instruction week. Most courses are three semester hour units except indicated courses. Therefore, a three-unit course consists of three hours of instruction per week. The instruction hour for one unit is one hour per week including a 10-minute break. The actual instruction for one credit is 50 minutes a week. The total instruction hour for one semester is 15 clock hours. For three-credit courses, the total instruction hours for one semester are 45 clock hours. Full-time students are required to take at least 12 units per semester.
Graduation Requirements
Students who plan to graduate from Grace Mission University must fulfill the following graduation requirements for the undergraduate program:
- Satisfactorily completion of 120 semester units
- Completion of all courses prescribed in the Bachelor of Theology curriculum
- Pass the comprehensive examination
- Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0
- At least 25% of units must be earned at GMU by transferred students from accredited institution in USA.
- Exit interview with faculty
Students planning to graduate must notify the registrar one semester ahead of the semester in which they plan to graduate.
All candidates for graduation must be approved by the faculty and the Board of Trustees. To receive this endorsement, students must have acted responsibly in manifesting Christian character and adhering to the standards of the school. In addition, students must clear their financial accounts of any remaining balances before graduation.
Degree Requirements
This is a 120 semester hour degree. The requirements for completing this program are:
General Studies: 45 units
Course# | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CE153 | Christian Education (or EC108 Child Education, or CE383 Lifespan Development) |
3 |
CO213 | Introduction to Psychology (or SO273 Sociology & Intercultural Community, CO463 Human Understanding) |
3 |
CO253 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
GA133 | Anthropological Studies (Cultural Anthropology or GE163 Intro. to Philosophy) |
3 |
GE102 | Media Ministry (Intro to Media & Technology) | 3 |
GE173 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
GE223 | Research & Writing | 3 |
GE233 | English (or GE 343 Communication & Public Speaking) |
3 |
GH143 | World Civilization (or World History, US History) |
3 |
GM153 | Introduction to Music | 3 |
GS163 | Intro to Physical Science | 3 |
Elective 1 | 3 | |
Elective 2 | 3 | |
Elective 3 | 3 | |
Elective 4 | 3 |
BIBLE & THEOLOGY: 36 units
Course# | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BT123 | Introduction to the Bible | 3 |
BT313 | Introduction to Hermeneutics | 3 |
NT203 | The Gospels (or NT483 Life & Ministry of Christ) |
3 |
NT413 | Acts & Pauline Epistles | 3 |
NT468 | General Epistles & Revelation | 3 |
OT203 | The Pentateuch | 3 |
OT213 | Historical & Poetic Books | 3 |
OT363 | The Prophets | 3 |
PT401-6 | Ministry Formation(0.5 unit, 6 Semesters) | 3 |
SF324 | Spiritual Formation (or SF429 Cross-cultural Spirituality) |
3 |
ST122 | Bible Doctrine I | 3 |
ST123 | Bible Doctrine II | 3 |
Professional / Practical Studies: 39 units
Course# | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CO224 | Fundamentals of Counseling | 3 |
CO303 | Lifespan Development & Counseling | 3 |
CO350 | Abnormal Psychology & Counseling | 3 |
CO424 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
CO450 | Family Counseling | 3 |
CO451 | Integration of Psychology & Theology | 3 |
CO453 | Addiction Counseling | 3 |
CO460 | Interpersonal & Cross-Cultural Issues & Counseling | 3 |
CO465 | Counseling for Children & Youth | 3 |
CO496 | Christian Counseling Practices & Ministries | 3 |
PT493 | Senior Integrative Seminar | 3 |
Elective 1 | 3 | |
Elective 2 | 3 |
Bachelor of Christian Counseling Completion Plan
(BACC Four-Year Plan 120 Units)
First Year Fall Semester
Course# | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
GA133 | Anthropological studies (Cultural Anthropology or GE163 Intro. to Philosophy) |
3 |
GE102 | Intro. to Media & Technology | 3 |
GM153 | Intro. to Music | 3 |
GS163 | Intro. to Physical Science | 3 |
CO253 | Intro. to Counseling | 3 |
15 |
First Year Spring Semester
Course# | Course Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BT123 | Intro. to the Bible | 3 |
CE153 | Christian Education (or EC108 Child Education, or CE383 Lifespan Development) |
3 |
GH143 | World Civilization (or World History, US History) | 3 |
CO213 | Intro. to Psychology (or SO273 Sociology & Intercultural Community, CO463 Human Understanding) |
3 |
GE | Elective 1 | 3 |
15 |
Second Year Fall Semester
GE223 | Research & Writing | 3 |
OT203 | The Pentateuch | 3 |
ST122 | Bible Doctrine I | 3 |
CO224 | Fundamentals of Counseling | 3 |
CO303 | Lifespan Development & Counseling | 3 |
PT402 | Ministry Formation 1 | 0.5 |
15.5 |
Second Year Spring Semester
GE233 | English (GE343 Communication & Public Speaking) |
3 |
ST123 | Bible Doctrine II | 3 |
GE173 | Intro. to Education | 3 |
CO424 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
GE | Elective 2 | 3 |
PT402 | Ministry Formation 2 | 0.5 |
15.5 |
Third Year Fall Semester
OT213 | Historical & Poetic Books | 3 |
CO350 | Abnormal Psychology & Counseling | 3 |
CO450 | Family Counseling | 3 |
SF324 | Spiritual Formation (or SF429 Cross-cultural Spirituality) |
3 |
GE | Elective 3 | 3 |
PT403 | Ministry Formation 3 | 0.5 |
15.5 |
Third Year Spring Semester
NT203 | The Gospels (or NT483 Life & Ministry of Christ) |
3 |
BT313 | Intro. To Hermeneutics | 3 |
CO453 | Addiction Counseling | 3 |
CO465 | Counseling for Children & Youth | 3 |
Professional | Elective 1 | 3 |
PT404 | Ministry Formation 4 | 0.5 |
15.5 |
Fourth Year Fall Semester
NT413 | Acts & Pauline Epistles | 3 |
OT363 | The Prophets | 3 |
CO460 | Interpersonal & Cross-Cultural Issues & Counseling | 3 |
CO451 | Integration of Psychology & Theology | 3 |
GE | Elective 4 | 3 |
PT405 | Ministry Formation 5 | 0.5 |
15.5 |
Fourth Year Spring Semester
NT468 | General Epistles & Revelation | 3 |
CO496 | Christian Counseling Practices & Ministries | 3 |
PT493 | Senior Integrative Seminar | 3 |
Professional | Elective2 | 3 |
PT406 | Ministry Formation 6 | 0.5 |
12.5 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts In Christian Counseling program required total of 120 units. It consists of 99 required units and 21 units of open electives. Many electives are taken during the Summer and Winter Interims in Languages and Specific Electives. All courses are offered in the semester system. The following courses are offered in a regular rotation.
General Studies (45 units)
CE153 Christian Education (3 units)
This course is to equip students to become excellent Christian teachers in their future ministries within the context of the local church, para-church agencies as well as mission fields to apply teaching/learning theories, creative teaching methods and practice in actual teaching situations. It is also imperative that the students learn and understand people, the object of their future ministries.
CO213 Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
This course is to give an introduction to the field of psychology as an empirical science in light of a Christian worldview. A survey of psychology as an empirical / behavioral science with a consideration of underlying philosophical bases in light of a Christian worldview. Topics to be surveyed include development, cognition, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology.
CO253 Introduction to Counseling (3 units)
This course is an introductory course in Christian counseling that applies the principles and methods of Christian counseling to the ministry of pastoral care and counseling. Through this course, students learn basic knowledge about counseling, understand the needs of counseling, and prepare for it.
GA133 Anthropological Studies (3 units)
This course covers the basic areas of anthropology including biological evolution, the prehistoric evolution of early civilizations, language, culture and social life, and the analyses of the nature and variability of human institutions. However, the components that deal with cultural anthropology are heavily emphasized.
The purpose of anthropology is to study the origin, behavior, as well as the physical, social, and cultural development of humans throughout history and in different cultures.
GE173 Introduction to Education (3 units)
This course discusses the general education theories and fundamental issues. It helps students to apply the learned theories and concepts in various educational settings.
GE223 Research & Writing (3 units)
This course is to assist students in becoming proficient in paper writing skills essential for an effective education. It is a foundational preparation course for scholarly and research work for graduate studies, so that students will gain deeper academic knowledge.
GE233 English (3 units)
This course studies college level English to help students take courses in English.
GH143 World Civilizations (3 units)
By the exploring the streams of civilization throughout time, the student will have a better understanding of how the world came to be the way it is today. It will also help the students to understand better the events that are happening today and the decisions being made that will change the future.
GM153 Intro to Music (3 units)
The purpose of this class is to engage the individual to the world of music by developing listening skills, basic music skills, and knowledge of basic musical elements. The individual will understand the musical knowledge from a Christian perspective.
GS163 Intro to Physical Science (3 units)
This course is to do a survey of the basic principles of physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology and astronomy. It is designed for the Christian students especially.
Course Description: This course is formatted to understand the history of the human, earth and Universe through scientific principle. This course includes the answers and explanations about the scientific phenomena.
Biblical & Theological Studies (30 units)
BT123 Introduction to the Bible (3 units)
A general knowledge of the entire Scripture and its background and interpretation is absolutely necessary for a Christian approach to life and work.
BT313 Introduction to Hermeneutics (3 units)
The Purpose of This Course: The purpose of the course is a study of biblical-theological and hermeneutical perspectives with the goal of faithful exposition of biblical texts in the light of the whole canon for the purpose of forming faith and guiding practice.
NT203Gospels (3 units)
This course will help students equip and prepare the Christian to fulfill the Great Commission as he gains a better sense of messages in the Gospel. It will also lead the student to a higher level of spiritual maturity as he sees, through the books of the Gospels.
NT413 Acts & Pauline Epistles (3 units)
This course will help students equip and prepare the ministry though the study of Acts & Pauline Epistles. It will also lead the student to a higher level of awareness to other cultures for their future ministry in multicultural contexts.
NT468 General Epistles & Revelation (3 units)
THE PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: The purpose of this course is to equip and prepare student with the ministry skill to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ though the study of General Epistles and Revelation. It will also lead the student to a higher level of awareness to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
OT203 Pentateuch (3 units)
The Purpose of This Course: To equip the students with the knowledge of the first five books of the Bile.
OT213 Historical & Poetic Books (3 units)
This course studies historical and poetic authors, historical and cultural backgrounds, themes, theological issues, literary structure and content. God's guidance through historical books and the lives of God's people through poetry books are illuminated.
OT363 Prophets (3 units)
This course studies the authors, historical and cultural backgrounds, themes, theological issues, literary structure and content of the prophets. Through this course, the messages of the prophets are applied to modern life.
PT401-6 Ministry Formation (3 units)
To equip the students with ministry skills required to work for the kingdom of God in the multicultural societies.
SF324 Spiritual Formation (3 units)
The purpose of this course is to equip student with basic knowledge about spiritual movements and historical development.
ST122 Bible Doctrine 1 (3 units)
This course studies the basic Christian doctrines of the Bible, theology, anthropology, and Christology. Through this course, students can understand the basic doctrines of Christianity established by biblical evidence and reject false teachings including heresy.
ST123 Bible Doctrine 2 (3 units)
This course studies the basic Christian doctrines of soteriology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. Through this course, students can understand the basic doctrines of Christianity established by biblical evidence and reject false teachings including heresy.
Professional/Practical Studies (36 units)
CO224 Fundamentals of Counseling (3 units)
This course lays the foundations for the professional qualifications of the counselor by discussing the inner exploration of the counselor's motives, values, risk management and examining the problems can be encountered during the counseling.
CO303 Lifespan Development & Counseling (3 units)
The purpose of this subject is to learn the growth and development processes throughout life, such as human physical and motor development, cognition, emotion, personality, and behavior, and to understand the characteristics of body, cognition, psychology, and sociality at each stage.
CO350 Abnormal Psychology & Counseling (3 units)
The purpose of this subject is to accurately evaluate, diagnose, and provide effective counseling at the counseling site by learning about various psychopathological and abnormal psychological theories and counseling and treatment.
CO424 Counseling Theories (3 units)
This subject aims to effectively use it in actual counseling by learning the theory and actual counseling techniques of counseling that are essential to know as a counselor.
CO450 Family Counseling (3 units)
This subject focuses on learning the theory of family-related therapeutic models and the development process of family therapy, and learning accurate family evaluation, counseling processes, and counseling techniques.
CO451 Integration of Psychology & Theology (3 units)
This subject aims to have a correct theological understanding of the integration of psychology and theology by understanding the relationship between psychology and theology and examining the meaning of the integration of theology and psychology and research on it.
CO453 Addiction Counseling (3 units)
The purpose of this subject is to understand the concept and characteristics of addiction and to learn about counseling approaches for prevention and intervention of addiction to effectively utilize it for various addiction-related counseling.
CO460 Interpersonal & Cross-Cultural Issues & Counseling (3 units)
In this subject, you acquire professional knowledge to conduct balanced counseling by understanding and considering multiculturalism such as various interpersonal relationships and races, gender, religion, and classes.
CO465 Counseling for Children & Youth (3 units)
This subject understands the development process of children and adolescents and various psychological problems that may arise in this development process. It also learns effective counseling methods and counseling techniques for children and adolescents.
CO496 Christian Counseling Practices & Ministries (3 units)
By directly applying the theoretical knowledge and skills learned in the field of Christian counseling through counseling practice, this subject aims to experience the reality of counseling and to improve understanding of counseling theory and practical counseling skills.
PT493 Senior Integrative Seminar (3 units)
This course examines whether students have completed their studies while fulfilling the mission and purpose of GMU ahead of graduation, as well as their readiness to be disciples of Jesus and witnesses of the Great Commission. Through this course, students acquire the biblical and theological knowledge that graduates must possess, discover their gifts, and apply them to ministry.