The M.A. in Biblical Counseling (MABC) is a 34-credit-hour graduate degree program, designed to allow students to pursue and receive in-depth training in biblical counseling.

Program Tracks

The Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling (MABC) is available in two tracks: residential and distance. Find out which one is right for you. The following applies only to those who started the program in Fall 2025 or later…

Residential — Live Classes for On Campus and Hybrid Students

The residential track offers live classes for students who live either locally or abroad. Students who live local to The Master’s University are expected to attend classes in-person (on campus), while students who live abroad must attend live classes over Zoom (synchronous). Classes meet once a week, Monday through Thursday, at 5:30 PM or 7:30 PM PST, for two hours during fall and spring semesters, with weekly homework submitted online via Canvas.

Residential students living abroad will be required to take at least one course on campus during the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) (click here to learn more about SIP). Residential on campus students will not be required to attend SIP courses, because they already participate in an on campus experience throughout the fall and spring semesters. This track fully integrates all three phases of ACBC certification. Residential students are not permitted to enroll in pre-recorded online classes from the distance track.

Distance — Pre-Recorded Classes for Remote Students

The distance track offers pre-recorded classes for students who prefer to complete their coursework in an asynchronous format. Online courses are available each semester—fall, spring, or summer—with weekly homework submitted via Canvas. This track fully integrates all three phases of ACBC certification. While distance students are not permitted to enroll in live/synchronous classes during fall and spring semesters, they are welcome to enroll in any summer on campus courses during the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) (click here to learn more about SIP).

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Summer Intensive Program (SIP)

What Is It?

The Summer Intensive Program (SIP) offers students the opportunity to take on-campus classes in a condensed format over the summer. It is designed primarily for residential students who take classes via Zoom during the fall and spring semesters, for whom it is mandatory to take at least one course during a SIP summer. SIP, however, is optional for students who already attend in-person classes throughout the year. There is also opportunity for distance students to attend in-person SIP classes, if they want.

How Does It Work?

Unlike a traditional fall or spring semester, where on-campus classes meet once per week, the Summer Intensive Program (SIP) condenses each course’s lectures into a single week. Classes are held during the 2nd or 3rd week of July, depending on the course schedule, with sessions offered either in the morning or afternoon, Monday through Friday, allowing students to take up to four on-campus courses over these two weeks.

Due to the intensive format, attendance at every lecture is mandatory. Missing a session may result in failing the course and requiring a retake. Assignments are completed over a 16-week period from May to August, similar to a traditional semester. Housing on or around campus is available for students traveling from out of town.

International students planning to attend SIP in person must obtain an F-1 student visa before arriving on campus. Refer to Steps 7–9 of the Admissions Process for application details.

Take a moment to hear about one student’s experience at SIP!

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Program Length

The program can be completed in as quickly as 2 years, if circumstances allow for it, and must be completed in no more than 6 years. The length of time a student takes to complete it may depend on a number of factors…

Your own schedule and personal responsibilities outside of your schoolwork

We have found that students spend on average 8 hours of work per class each week, including any time spent sitting in or watching class lectures. So if you decide to take a full-time load of 3 classes, you can expect to spend on average 24 hours of work for our program each week. Keep this in mind as you consider how our program will affect the other responsibilities you have in your life.

What prerequisites are needed to take certain classes

Our program is designed in such a way that the material builds on itself over time. While some classes can be taken in a different order, some cannot. Check our courses to see what prerequisites are needed for each course.

Which classes are offered during a given semester

It’s possible that not all classes are offered every semester. Check the Course Schedule each semester to see what is being offered and what is not.

What days and times in-person classes are offered

There may be some on-campus/synchronous classes that are only offered in-person on days or at times when you are otherwise preoccupied. Check the Course Schedule each semester to see what what days and times each in-person class is offered.

Due to factors like these and others, students usually finish the program in 3-4 years. For more information about the factors involved in completing the MABC, see our Policies page.

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Program Curriculum

An MABC degree is awarded to residential students who successfully fulfill the requirements of 16 required courses and 1 elective course (17 classes in total, 34 units). The same degree is awarded to distance students who complete 13 required courses and 4 elective courses.

Required Courses

• BC501: Introduction to Biblical Counseling (2)
• BC502: Essential Qualities of a Biblical Counselor (2)
• BC503: Methods of Biblical Change (2)
• BC506: Theology & the Psychologies (2)
• BC511: Theological Basis of Counseling (2)
• BC521: Problems & Procedures (2)
• BC531: Hermeneutics (2)
• BC532: Advanced Hermeneutics (2)
• BC542: Marriage & Family Counseling (2)
• BC556: ACBC Membership Seminar (2)*
• BC557: Counseling & Physiology (2)
• BC560: Biblical Conflict Reconciliation (2)
• BC580: Observations and Applied Studies (2)
• BC592: Applied Soul Care I (2)*
• BC593: Applied Soul Care II (2)*
• BC598: Thesis Research (2)

*Course not offered in the distance track and must be replaced with an elective.

One Elective Course

The residential student will take one additional elective course (2 credit hours), related to his or her specific research or counseling methodology interests. The distance student will need to take four elective courses (three more to make up for not taking BC556, BC592, and BC593). Elective class offerings vary from semester to semester. For a list of some of the elective classes we have offered, please consult our Courses page.

Every residential student graduating from the MABC program will have completed all requirements for certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), by nature of those requirements seamlessly woven into the curriculum of required courses. Every distance student will have completed enough coursework to complete Phase 1 of certification. Please reach out to the Graduate Biblical Counseling office to receive instructions about how to proceed with phases 2 and 3 of ACBC certification after graduation.

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Logos Bible Software

Logos Bible Software is a digital software compatible with Windows and Mac devices that is designed to assist with in-depth Bible study and offers tools for reading, research, and theological analysis through access to a vast library of biblical resources and study aids. All MABC students are required to purchase and use a version of Logos Bible software our department has selected in order to complete various assignments and perform vital research in preparation for counseling.

How Much Is Logos?

You can expect to pay the following up front…

• $227.49 — Logos Silver Library
• $156.74 — Journal of Biblical Counseling
• $104.99 — Annual Pro Subscription (first year)

The total cost then for the first year of Logos is $489.22. The Annual Pro Subscription is the only part of your Logos purchase that you would need to renew each year if you want to take advantage of any new or updated features to Logos. If you choose not to renew the Annual Pro Subscription after your first year, your Silver Library and the Journal of Biblical Counseling you received upon first purchase will not be lost. It is permanently yours to continue accessing in your Logos software, which you will be downloading to your computer after subscribing (instructions below). The only thing you will lose is access to any new or updated features Logos provides, such as advanced AI technology, cloud-backed features, and more. Therefore, renewing your subscription will be entirely up to you throughout your time in the program and beyond.

If you decide not to renew your subscription, here’s what you can expect…

• You are still able to purchase any books individually or legacy libraries in bulk. However, you will be unable to purchase any of the latest custom libraries without a subscription.
• No matter when you purchased Logos, you can still receive basic app updates to make sure you can keep using Logos on all your devices as time moves on and technology changes.

If you decide to renew your subscription, here’s what you can expect…

• You will be required to pay the same annual fee one year later that you paid 30 days after the initial payment. You will need to do this for each subsequent year you desire to keep Logos updated with the latest features.
• You are able to save $10.50 if you pay for the first two years of the subscription up front at $199.48. You can do this by checking a box on the checkout page (see below).
• Continuing with a subscription will allow you to continue having an additional 5% off across the entire Logos catalog, an extra free book every month, and access to a selection of Logos Mobile Education courses each quarter. If your subscription is a Pro or Max tier, you will also continue receiving a 5% annual reward coupon and access to all the features of Logos Sermons.

The first 30 days of the subscription are free, which means you will not pay that part of your Logos expense until 30 days after you buy the Logos Silver Library and the Journal of Biblical Counseling. There are no refunds on subscriptions. There is a 30-day refund on library resources.

How Do I Purchase Logos?

There are a few steps you need to take to purchase Logos…

1. Apply for the academic discount. Because you are purchasing Logos as an educational resource for our program, you get an academic discount that will help cut the cost a little. Please apply for that discount using the link above.
2. Purchase our MABC package here. Logos has collected all the resources you need to buy into one cart for you to simply and easily check out and purchase.
3. Download Logos. Once you’re purchased Logos, you’ll be ready to download it and start using. You are also welcome to use the web app (optional) if you prefer rather than the downloaded program.

How Do I Use Logos?

Check out the following resources to help you get acquainted with your new Logos software…

• Get Oriented in Logos — Check out the first steps on how to use Logos.
• Logos Webinars — These are basic and advanced live and on-demand training webinars provided by Logos experts.
• Logos live Webinars Calendar — This is a calendar for the Logos live webinars where you can check our upcoming training.
• Logos Subscription Tools — See here how to use the new tools included in Logos subscriptions.
• Logos YouTube Channel — These are videos on YouTube that are updated regularly with exciting Logos news and training for new features.
• Logos Community Forums — Get help from the Logos power users and staff.
• MP Seminars — MP seminars is an authorized partner for Logos training, where you will find several advanced training and courses that will help you dive deeper into the Logos program.

If you have any questions about Logos, please contact Logos directly.

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Thesis Research

Since our M.A. in Biblical Counseling is a master level degree, thesis level research is required to graduate. However, students are not required to write a full thesis in the program. Instead, each student will be required to develop a 20-to-30-page thesis research outline as a capstone project. The outline, instead of a full-length thesis, is meant to provide students with a ready-to-go resource which they can then use as teaching material in a ministry context.

Once the thesis outline is created, residential students will give a defense of their research before a panel. Students will be required to give their defense before a panel of select instructors and advisers on the university’s campus the day before graduation. The symposium is a way for to highlight student projects and allow others to benefit from the students’ efforts in research. If any residential student has a concern about being unable to attend the symposium in-person to defend their research, they should reach out to the Graduate Biblical Counseling office.

Distance students will need to reach out to the Graduate Biblical Counseling department for instructions about how to carry out their defense.

If allowed, students are also able to write a 120-page thesis composition based on the thesis research project. This additional course can either serve as a student’s one required elective or be an additional course added to the 34-unit program. Students must receive advisor approval prior to enrolling in the thesis composition course. Students may be advised to complete the thesis research course first and upon successful completion may then be approved to continue developing their work into a thesis composition. Most students in our program choose not to write a thesis.

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Auditing Classes

Auditing a class means sitting in on a class for the purpose of benefitting from the lecture material without taking the class for credit. For those who are interested in auditing classes, please review which situation best applies to you…

Audit Types

I am a non-MABC student

Non-MABC students are welcome to audit classes in our program without any undergraduate or graduate level education or familiarity with biblical counseling. Non-MABC students are allowed to audit up to 3 classes in the program, after which they must apply to take classes for credit to continue benefitting from our program. The cost of each course for non-MABC students is $750/class.

I am a current MABC student

Current MABC students are also welcome to audit classes while they are also taking classes for credit in the program. MABC students are allowed to audit up to 3 classes in the program, after which they must take the rest of their classes for credit to continue benefitting from our program. The cost of each course for MABC students is $500/class.

I am an MABC alumnus

MABC alumni are welcome to audit classes at any time after they’ve completed the program. There is no limit to the number of classes an MABC alumnus can audit. The cost for each course for MABC alumni is $250/class.

If you are interested in auditing classes, you will need to apply and be admitted as an audit student before you can begin sitting in on any classes. See the follow directions for how to apply as an audit student..

Audit Admission Process

Audit Guidelines

Once you become an audit student, please keep in mind the following policies or abide by the following guidelines…

Course Assignments

You are welcome to do any of the homework or coursework the course offers, but please know that any work you choose to complete will not count for any course credit. Any coursework completed may also not be able to be applied to a future course, should you take it for credit.

Classroom Questions

Please reserve as many questions as possible you have for the professor(s) until after class, so that our other students taking the class for credit can take advantage of the time that they paid for.

SIP

If you are auditing classes over the summer during our Summer Intensive Program, please know that you are welcome to take advantage of the meal and housing opportunity we offer the rest of our students. Please contact our Graduate Biblical Counseling office if you are interested in this option. When you do so, please let us know that you are an audit student looking for a spot.

The Graduate Studies in Biblical Counseling department reserves the right to remove you from any audited class if you, the audit student, are not following the guidelines stated above or stop holding to TMU’s doctrinal statement or Standards of Conduct.

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