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M.A.B.C. · Graduate Degree

Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling

An accredited graduate degree from Faith Bible Seminary in Lafayette, Indiana, equipping pastors, missionaries, and lay men and women to counsel from Scripture — in a hybrid format that brings you to campus for only five weeks in the whole program.

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4–5 Years

Program Length

39 Credits

Total Hours

5 Weeks

On Campus, Total

Hybrid

Online + Residency

Application Deadlines

Winter 2026–27 Term

Apply by October 6, 2026

Spring 2027 Term

Apply by March 23, 2027

Apply Now

Admission decisions within 2–4 weeks of a complete application. Scholarship applications are due October 15 — eligibility & how to apply.

Program Overview

Counseling Rooted in Scripture, Grounded in the Church

The Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling equips pastors, missionaries, and lay men and women as biblical counselors for Christ. The MABC draws on the legacy of Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries — which has trained more than 10,000 counselors over thirty years — within a rigorous, accredited graduate program.

The program is built on the conviction that Scripture is sufficient for the deepest struggles of the human heart. Students learn to bring the whole counsel of God to common counseling issues, marriage and family, and advanced cases — and complete 30 hours of supervised counseling before they graduate.

The 39-credit degree is completed in four to five years through a hybrid of online courses, residency courses, and independent studies — with only five weeks on campus in Lafayette over the entire program.

Who Is the MABC For?

Called to Help Others with the Word of God

The MABC serves current ministry leaders, lay counselors, missionaries, and anyone who wants advanced training in biblical counseling.

Pastors

Counsel your congregation with biblical depth and pastoral wisdom, integrating counseling into the ministry you already have.

Missionaries

Bring the sufficiency of Scripture to the spiritual and emotional needs of the people you serve, wherever you serve them.

Lay Men and Women

Serve as a lay counselor in your local church’s counseling or discipleship ministry with graduate-level training.

Current Ministry Leaders

Add advanced biblical counseling to your existing ministry role without stepping away from it.

Anyone Seeking Advanced Training

The MABC is open to men and women who want advanced biblical counseling training and an accredited graduate degree.

Our Program Philosophy

1 Understanding the sufficiency of Scripture
2 Academic excellence in counseling discourse
3 Spiritual growth as humble disciples
4 Relational values — caring for classmates and counselees
5 Service preparation — ministering to hurting people with Scripture

Curriculum

What You Will Study

The 39-credit MABC curriculum moves from foundations to counseling theory, supervised practice, and a concentration of your choosing.

Foundation Courses

15 credits

BC505 Introduction to Biblical Counseling
BC506 Principles of Bible Study
BC507 Theology of Biblical Counseling
BC508 Methods of Biblical Change
BC509 Spiritual Formation and Self-Counsel

Counseling Theory

12 credits

BC510 Common Counseling Issues I
BC511 Common Counseling Issues II
BC512 Marriage and Family Counseling
BC513 Advanced Counseling Issues

Counseling Practice

6 credits

BC611 Counseling Lab
BC701 Supervised Counseling and Oral/Written Exam

Concentration — Choose One

6 credits

Counseling Concentration

BC720 Advanced Counseling Practice 1
BC721 Advanced Counseling Practice 2

Training Concentration

BC750 Equipping Biblical Counselors 1
BC751 Equipping Biblical Counselors 2

Thesis Concentration

BC790 Thesis Proposal
BC800 Master’s Thesis Project

Your concentration is chosen after the oral and written exams.

Pursuing ACBC Certification?

It can be combined with the MABC — FBS provides the observation videos and exam materials you need. ACBC or MABC? Read the FAQ. ACBC certification is a basic counseling credential (approximately $1,500); the MABC is an accredited graduate degree.

Full course descriptions are in the FBS catalog. For upcoming course dates, see the MABC course schedule and how the MABC works.

Hybrid Format

Only Five Weeks on Campus

The MABC is built for working adults and ministry leaders. Most of the program is completed from home; across the entire degree you spend only five weeks on campus in Lafayette — three in June and two in January.

Online Courses (5)

Eight-week courses completed entirely from home on a flexible schedule through the seminary’s learning management system.

Residency Courses (5)

Fifteen-week courses with one week on campus in Lafayette; the remainder of the course is completed online.

Independent Studies (2)

Completed from home under the supervision of a professor.

Technology Requirement

A computer no more than three years old and a reliable broadband internet connection.

View the Course Schedule

Admissions

Begin Your Journey

The MABC is open to both men and women. Admission decisions are made within two to four weeks of a complete application.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (any field)
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Basic biblical counseling training (BCTC, ACBC, or similar) is strongly encouraged; students without it complete it during their first year
Applicants without a bachelor’s degree may be admitted on a limited basis (no more than 10% of the student body)

What to Submit

1
Completed online application form ($50 non-refundable fee)
2
Personal testimony
3
Spouse’s personal testimony (if married)
4
Three letters of reference addressing your spiritual life
5
One pastoral reference letter
6
Bachelor’s degree transcripts
7
English proficiency test (if from a non-English-speaking country)
8
Video meeting with an admissions representative

Graduation Requirements

Complete 39 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 GPA
30 hours of supervised counseling (through BC701)
Complete one concentration
Demonstrate godly character as described in Scripture

Tuition & Fees

Tuition $310 / credit hour

Administration Fee $65 / class

Distance Module Fee $200 / class

Auditing $100 / credit hour

Application Fee $50 (non-refundable)

Graduation Fee $50

Extension (after year 6) $500 / year

Total tuition & fees approx. $12,935

Estimated total for the full 39-credit degree. The distance module fee applies to distance courses. Veterans benefits accepted.

Apply to the MABC Program

Scholarships

Scholarship applications are due October 15 each year. Eligibility & how to apply →

Leadership in Counseling Matching Program $1,000 / year

Your church contributes $500 per year and FBS matches it with $500, disbursed $250 per semester. Requires at least three classes per year, household income under $75,000, and no other church tuition aid.

Joyful Journey Podcast Scholarship 50% of class tuition

For female students, covering half of class tuition each semester. Requires at least two classes per year and household income under $75,000. May be applied for annually.

Accreditation & Recognition

Accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) Commission on Accreditation
Approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
VA-recognized institution for veterans’ benefits
Participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)