The Doctor of Pastoral Counseling (DPC) is the degree of choice for those who are either in full time ministry with counseling responsibilities, or desire to have counseling skills to help others in times of distress or personal crisis. The curriculum consists of four Core courses and four Elective courses which allow the degree program to be personalized depending upon the anticipated clientele.

The prerequisite for the DPC is a master’s degree in any discipline. For those with either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a theological or ministry-related discipline no additional courses are required. For those with a master’s degree in a secular discipline, the Graduate Study Preparation Module is required to begin the Doctor of Pastoral Counseling program. The GSPM is a complete overview and analytical study of the Old and New Testaments and  provides the biblical foundation necessary for successful completion of the DPC curriculum. 

Use the Core and electives lists below to design a Doctor of Pastoral Counseling curriculum for your degree. The four Elective courses can be chosen after completion of the four Core courses.

Doctor of Pastoral Counseling Core
Four Courses: DPC800 – DPC803

DPC800: Christian Counseling
Textbooks: {select two of the three}

Introduction to Psychology and Counseling… Meier, Wichern, Ratdiff

Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically… John MacArthur, Wayne A. Mack, and Master’s College faculty

Theology of Christian Counseling… Jay E. Adams

DPC 801: Counseling Ethics
Textbooks: {select two of the three}

Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook… Randolph Sanders

Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One; Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care… Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlage

The Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Pastoral Counseling: Community and Silence… David Welton and Harold G Koenig

DPC 802: Healthcare Counseling
Textbooks: {two required}

Ministry in the Spiritual and Cultural Diversity of Healthcare: Increasing the Competency of Chaplains… Robert G. Anderson (Editor), Mary A., Ph.D. Fukuyama (Editor)

Hospital Ministry: The Role of the Chaplain Today… Lawrence E. Holst (Editor)

DPC 803: Counseling Persons in Grief
(online audio lecture course)

Doctor of Pastoral Counseling Electives
Select Four Courses from the Seven

DPC 804: Counseling for Women’s Issues
(online audio lecture course)

DPC 805: Prison Ministry
Textbooks: {Two required; equivalent title(s) allowed}

Thinking About Jail and Prison Ministries, a Guide for the Lay Volunteer… Larry Nielsen

Glimpses of Grace: Reflections of a Prison Chaplain… Donald Stoesz

DPC 806: Marriage Counseling
Textbooks: {two required}

Solving Marriage Problems… J. E. Adams

I Have a Plan: a Pastor’s Guide to Counseling Troubled Marriages… Charles L. Rassieur

DPC 807: Advanced Christian Counseling
Textbooks: {select two of the three}

Effective Biblical Counseling… Lawrence Crabb

Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling… Mark R. McMinn

Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One; Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care… Timothy Clinton and George Ohlschlager

DPC 808: Comparative Analysis of Human Psychology
(online audio lecture course)

DPC 809: Biblical Counseling for the Dying
(online audio lecture course)

DPC 810: Counseling Women with Guilt and Anxiety
Textbooks: {Select two of the three}

Broken Into Beautiful: How God Restores the Wounded Heart… Gwen Smith

Counseling Depressed Women (Counseling and Pastoral Theology)… Susan J. Dunlap

You’re Not Alone: Healing through God’s Grace after Abortion… Jennifer O’Neil