Email: info@collegeofathens.edu     Phone: +1-706-769-1472

Care & Counseling

At the College of Athens, we’re passionate about helping individuals break free from emotional, relational and spiritual hurts and teaching them how to be all that they are in Christ. CoA offers a wide range of program opportunities for individuals interested in helping others find peace, joy, and freedom!

Certificate in Christian Ministry

Students who earn a Certificate in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling will exit their program with a strong biblical foundation in the area of inner healing and effective hands-on mentored experience ministering to others.  The Certificate program is specially designed to equip believers for impactful ministry in their homes, churches, and places of work.

Program Completion Plan:
Certificate in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling

30 Credits
Completion Time: 2 Semesters

Christian Core Courses
CS 101 Foundations of Faith
BS 101 Old Testament Survey
BS 102 New Testament Survey
CS 102 His Creation: Identity in Christ
CS 103 Prayer & Spiritual Direction
CS 201 The Great Commission: Evangelism
CS 202: The Great Commission: Discipleship

Care & Counseling Courses
1 Care & Counseling course

Faith-in-Action Apprenticeship
FIA 201 Christian Ethics
FIA 250 Apprenticeship in Action

Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry

With an Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling will have the opportunity to earn general education credits (mathematics, science, English, psychology, etc.) while building a solid Christian worldview. Having developed a clear understanding of who they are in Christ before they get defined by their career area, Associate’s Degree graduates often go on to attend other institutions.  These students will gain a solid foundation related to human growth and development and experience effective tools for helping others heal from past wounds and traumas.

Program Completion Plan:
Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry with a concentration in
Care & Counseling

61 Credits
Completion Time: 4-5 Semesters

Christian Core Courses
CS 101 Foundations of Faith
BS 101 Old Testament Survey
BS 102 New Testament Survey
CS 102 His Creation: Identity in Christ
CS 103 Prayer & Spiritual Direction
CS 201 The Great Commission: Evangelism
CS 202: The Great Commission: Discipleship

General Education Requirements
College Success
English Composition
Foreign Language or Biblical Language
Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Behavioral or Social Sciences
Humanities or Fine Art

Care & Counseling Courses
CC 301 Psychology & Theology
CC 304 Introduction to Care & Counseling Ministry
CC 352 God’s Design for Sexual Wholeness
2 additional Care & Counseling courses

Faith-in-Action Apprenticeship
FIA 201 Christian Ethics
FIA 250 Apprenticeship in Action

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry

Students who earn a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling will be well prepared to engage in full-time pastoral ministry for personal and congregational care. These graduates will be especially skilled at helping others overcome life’s hurts and hang-ups and in shepherding individuals’ personal spiritual formation. The Bachelor’s Degree program includes a robust internship experience working with clients from the public to help them find help and healing in Christ.

Program Completion Plan:
Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling

121 Credits
Completion Time: 8-9 Semesters

Christian Core Courses (21 credits)
CS 101 Foundations of Faith
BS 101 Old Testament Survey
BS 102 New Testament Survey
CS 102 His Creation: Identity in Christ
CS 103 Prayer & Spiritual Direction
CS 201 The Great Commission: Evangelism
CS 202: The Great Commission: Discipleship

General Education Requirements (31 credits)
College Success
English Composition
Foreign Language or Biblical Language
Mathematics or Natural Sciences
Behavioral or Social Sciences
Humanities or Fine Art
4 General Education elective courses

Care & Counseling Courses (36 credits)
CC 204 Discipleship Coaching 2
CC 301 Psychology & Theology
CC 304 Introduction to Care & Counseling Ministry
Effective Prayer Ministry Tools
CC 352 God’s Design for Sexual Wholeness
CS 351 Spiritual Warfare & Victory in Christ
6 additional Care & Counseling courses

Electives (18 credits)
6 elective courses

Faith-in-Action Apprenticeship (15 credits)
FIA 201 Christian Ethics
12 additional FIA credits

Master's Certificate in Christian Ministry

The Master’s Certificate in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling is designed to help those already working in ministry be better equipped to minister to individuals struggling with personal and relational challenges. It can also provide powerful tools to help you minister more effectively in the marketplace or on the mission field to anyone trapped in past traumas and hurts.

Program Completion Plan:
Master’s Certificate in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling

15 Credits
Completion Time: 2 Semesters

Courses
BS 603 Personal Spiritual Formation
CC 501 Psychology & Theology
2 additional Care & Counseling courses
Care & Counseling Apprenticeship

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Students who earn a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling will graduate with a solid biblical and psychological foundation in human growth and development and will have gained extensive experience helping others break free from past hurts and traumas. They will be well prepared to engage in full-time pastoral ministry for personal and congregational care, and these students may also qualify for ordination in some denominations.

Program Completion Plan:
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Care & Counseling

60 Credits
Completion Time: 4-5 Semesters

Christian Core Courses
College Success Course
BS 501 Old Testament Survey
BS 502 New Testament Survey
CS 502 His Creation: Identity in Christ
CS 503 Prayer & Spiritual Direction
CS 504 The Great Commission: Evangelism
CS 505: The Great Commission: Discipleship

Care & Counseling Courses
CC 507 Discipleship Coaching 2
CC 501 Psychology & Theology
CC 504 Introduction to Care & Counseling Ministry
CC 552 God’s Design for Sexual Wholeness
Effective Prayer Ministry Tools
3 additional Care & Counseling courses

Faith-in-Action Apprenticeship
FIA 501 Christian Ethics
5 credits Apprenticeship in Action

Master of Divinity

Master of Divinity with a concentration in Care & Counseling will:
-prepare students with a strong theological foundation for the pragmatic aspects of leadership in the church or other types of ministry settings;
-provide students with effective leadership across a broad range of ministry areas;
-equip students with a solid specialization in the area of Care & Counseling;
-qualify students for admission to doctorate-level studies such as a DMin or Ph.D.; and
-make students eligible for ordination in most denominations.

Program Completion Plan
Master of Divinity with a concentration in Care & Counseling

90 Credits
Completion Time: 7-8 Semesters

Christian Core Courses
College Success
BS 501 Old Testament Survey
BS 502 New Testament Survey
CS 502 His Creation: Identity in Christ
CS 503 Prayer & Spiritual Direction
CS 504 The Great Commission: Evangelism
CS 505: The Great Commission: Discipleship

Program Core Courses
BS 550 Systematic Theology
BS 551 Inductive Bible Study
CS 531 Church History
CS 551 Spiritual Warfare & Victory in Christ
CS 603 Personal Spiritual Formation
CC 501 Psychology & Theology
IC 510 World Religions & Cross-Cultural Ministry or IC 520 Perspectives on the World Christian Movement
ED 602 The Art & Science of Teaching
WA 575 Biblical Foundations of Worship
TL 512 The Dynamics of Leadership

Care & Counseling Courses
Discipleship Coaching 2
Introduction to Care & Counseling Ministry
God’s Design for Sexual Wholeness
Effective Prayer Ministry Tools
4 additional Care & Counseling courses

Faith-in-Action Apprenticeship
Christian Ethics
8 credits Apprenticeship in Action

Apply for Admission

Applications are now open!

CoA programs are designed and integrated with building students’ relationships at the core—relationships with God, with the school community, and within the context of Christian service opportunities.