LAST UPDATE
August 12, 2008 |
Equipping The Saints Worldwide
|
Is God Calling You To Be A
Professional Christian Counselor?
"The harvest truly is great, but
the laborers are few."
Luke
10:2
National
Christians Counselors Association
Equipping Christians to Counsel the Hurting
World's largest Christian Counselors Training and Licensing Association
SACC Student Transfer
Overview
Transferring To The N.C.C.A.
Certification/License Program
Individuals who meet all of the requirements may elect to transfer over to the N.C.C.A.
and become a certification/license candidate. The procedures/requirements are a follows:
1.) enroll in Creation Therapy and successfully complete both exams.
2.) administer the A.P.S. Response Form to ten individuals.
3.) become a member of the S.A.C.C. by submitting the Application for Membership form and
paying the $25.00 Application Fee and the first years' dues of $50.00. Again, this form is
located in the back of your textbook.
4.) complete and submit the Phase I Enrollment Agreement form.
Creation Therapy is the same as the Temperament Therapy Model. You will be exempt from
taking three of the N.C.C.A. Phase I courses, they are:
Temperament Theory
Testing/Measurements
Temperament Therapy
You will be required to
complete two of the Phase I courses, Basis Christian Counseling and Christian Psychology
and Counseling. In addition, you must:
1.) Pay an Enrollment Fee of $75.00 to the N.C.C.A.
2.) Pay the standard tuition fees for the required N.C.C.A. courses.
Please note that all other standard requirements for certification/license must also be
met. These requirements include the following:
1) submitting pertinent information: resume, letters of reference, etc.
2.) fulfilling the standard face-to-face clinical supervision requirements for Phase I and
Phase II candidates as outlined in the N.C.C.A Program Overview. The 10 (Ten)
A.P.S for
Phase I will already be completed: However, the fifteen (15) required for Phase II will be
supervised by your assigned clinical supervisor.
3) submitting responses to the 50 Board Questions.
Ministerial credentials are required for Phase II enrollment. If you elect, you may enroll
in a course provided by National Christian
Ministries and obtain these credentials through N.C.M.
N.C.C.A Credentials Help You Personally and Professionally
Potential counselors often ask about the benefits of the training and obtaining
certification or licensing from the N.C.C.A. Of course, the main benefit is knowledge. The
training you receive provides a deep insight into understanding human behavior and
relating to others. This knowledge is valuable in every area of life, including your
ability to help those who are hurting.
In addition, the certification / license can open many doors. For example, once your
successfully complete A.P.S. Certification you can apply for ministerial credentials
through National Christian Ministries.
Having N.C.C.A. credentials
ensures that you are recognized within your community as a qualified and N.C.C.A. Licensed
Christian Pastoral / Clinical Counselor. The community can be assured that your
credentials are authentic and current because you will be under the discipline of
professional review boards that are organized on the national and state level of the
N.C.C.A.
Other benefits available to N.C.C.A. members include professional liability insurance and
networking with other counselors. In addition, the N.C.C.A. offers assistance to its
graduates with regard to degree transfer work and fulfillment of academic goals.
All of the above information regarding the transfer of a student from the S.A.C.C. to the
N.C.C.A is in regards to residents of the United States.
Students residing outside of the Continental United States have different requirements.
Please contact me direct for further information regarding the requirements for foreign
students.
In your membership package you should have also reviewed the "Licensing Program for
Christian Counselors Catalog".
Christian Certification / Licensing
Each individual must decide if he or she wants to be an agent of the state
or an agent of the Church. If you
have a Divine call on your life to counsel and minister to the hurting, then a
state license will prohibit such ministry.
The N.C.C.A. licensing program is not a state license and is, in fact, distinctly
different. Most states have regulatory laws governing the practice of psychology. Many of
them also legislate the practice of general counseling. The laws vary from state to state.
For example, some states have a counselor category called "Licensed Professional
Counselor." These states prohibit N.C.C.A. graduates from using the initials
"L.P.C." There title must be spelled out, i.e., "N.C.C.A. Licensed Pastoral
Counselor" or "N.C.C.A. Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor." This
ensures that the N.C.C.A. counselor is operating within legal and ethical standards, and
maintaining the publics trust and confidence.
State regulatory laws help to protect the public and ensure professionalism within the
counseling profession. The N.C.C.A. strives to attain a similar goal within the Christian
community and, at the same time, operate so as to avoid infringing upon state regulations.
The state and federal governments also have jurisdictional boundaries. They cannot pass
laws that prevent the church from fulfilling its purpose and ministering to
humanitys needs. The state recognizes that counseling is one the responsibilities of
the Church and its clergy.
For this reason, the state does not (and must never be permitted to) interfere with the
ministry of counseling.
The major difference between state-licensed professional counselors and Pastoral or
Christian counselors who are licensed by the N.C.C.A. and under the authority of the
Church (Body of Christ), is clear and well-defined. Counselors who have been licensed by
the state are held to strict ethical standards which mandate and individuals right
to be free from religious interference. The state licensed professional counselor is
forbidden to pray, read or refer to the Holy Scriptures, counsel against things such as
homosexuality, abortion, etc. (A very dear friend of mine who worked as a Chemical
Dependency Counselor at one of our Ohio prisons was reprimanded and terminated for handing
a "Tract" to his client.) The only time a state licensed counselor can involve
religious (Christian) principles, morals, activities, etc. is if the counselee initiates
or request counsel in this area.
Opposite from that, Pastoral counselors are required to pray, share their faith, read the
Holy Scriptures, etc. The fact that Pastoral and Christian counselors do these things
creates a clear distinction. We do not do the things that state licensed counselors do in
counseling and they do not do the things we Pastoral, Christian counselors do.
As you can readily see, the state governs secular counselors and the Church is responsible
to set standards and govern ministers who have devoted their lives to the ministry and to
Pastoral, Christian counseling.
None of this is to say that the Christian counselor, minister or priest is not permitted
to request fees and receive remuneration for the services they render.
The N.C.C.A. requires all who are certified and licensed by its Licensing Board of
Examiners to:
1.) Be credentialed ministers (ordained, licensed, or commissioned) whose goal is to
evangelize and ease the emotional pain and suffering of humanity.
2) Provide their service under the authority of a legally organized local church, a
national church organization or a not-for-profit ministry.
3.) Complete specialized training provided by the N.C.C.A.
N.C.C.A.s published "Code of Ethical Standards" outlines all the
procedures involved in dismissal, revocation, probation and reinstatement of an
individuals membership, certification and/or license.
Perhaps you are not called to pastor a church or to give Holy Communion or to Baptize.
However, if you are called by God into the Ministry of Counseling, we can help you. You do
not have to Ordained; you can qualify to be commissioned as a Commissioned
Minister of Counseling.
Explanation of Ministerial
Credentials and Clergy
This will meet state
requirements so you can counsel and accept
remuneration because you will be recognized by your state as Clergy. And, it will open the
doors for you to accept Gods call on your life.
Your local church/pastor can commission you as a Commissioned Minister of Counseling or
you can take one extra course form our affiliate ministry and they may commission you.
Please do not reject Gods call and His anointing on your life because you are
fearful of the words "Clergy", or "Ordained", or
"Commissioned", or "Minister". These precious words mean "set
aside" for the specific ministry for which God has called you.
We pledge to help you and to pray for you.
N.C.C.A. License, B.A. & M.A.
Complete Phase I courses:
Basic Christian Counseling
Temperament Theory - SACC members are exempt
Testing / Measurements - SACC members are exempt
Temperament Therapy - SACC members
are exempt
Christian Psychology and Counseling
Ministerial Credentials (not required if candidate is an ordained, licensed or
commissioned minister)
Complete a Practicum. This consist of administering the Arno Profile System to 25 persons
in your community under the direction of an approved clinical supervisor. (SACC members have already completed 10 of the
25).
Respond in writing to 50 ethical questions posed by N.C.C.A.s National Licensing
Board of Examiners.
Complete the 500 Question Open Book Exam on the Bible (Old and New Testament - KJV). You
must use the KJV for the purpose of this Open Book Exam. You are free to use whatever
translation you choose in your counseling ministry.
Based on completion of the above (and other noted Phase I requirements) and, based on
previous education and life experience, the candidate may apply for the B.A. in Christian
Counseling. However, commitment to pursue studies and fulfill all requirements for
the M.A. is essential. Earning your M.A. is part of the program requirements.
Pay required B.A.
matriculation and transfer fees.
Provide a letter authorizing the transfer of academic records to the approved college.
(See list below)
M.A.
Complete Phase II courses:
Mastering Pastoral Counseling
Temperament Case Studies
Codependency
Complete Phase III courses:
Eight (8) advanced courses (selected by candidate) Send for catalog for course
descriptions. The catalog also provides course descriptions on advanced courses for Board
Certification in specialized areas, i.e., Substance Abuse and Addiction Therapy, Crisis
and Abuse Therapy, Group Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, Death and Grief Therapy,
etc.
Submit two copies of a written thesis. This normally consist of 25 individual reports
(case studies) developed from the candidates work with 25 persons using the Arno
Profile System reports. Format is provided.
Pay required M.A. matriculation and transfer fees.
Provide a letter authorizing the transfer of academic records to the approved college.
Tuition Fees:
The N.C.C.A. requires a $75.00
enrollment which must accompany the Enrollment Agreement. This is refunded only if the
candidate is not accepted into the program for lack of qualifications.
The tuition for all N.C.C.A. Phase I and Phase II courses is $282.00 per course. This
includes all training materials and shipping and handling fees. (SACC transfer students
are exempt from taking 3 of the Phase I courses. A savings of over $600.00!
The tuition for all advanced courses is $168.00 per course. This includes all training
materials and shipping and handling fees.
Payment Options:
Candidates are expected to provide the N.C.C.A. with a credit card so the tuition can be
paid as each course is shipped. If this is not possible, account arrangements can be made
that allow the candidate to pay $94.00 per month toward the course tuition.
In addition to the tuition, the candidate will be assigned to a N.C.C.A. Clinical
Supervisor in his or her geographical area. The candidate is required to pay the
supervisor directly. The fee for clinical supervision is $300.00.
The course tuition and clinical supervision fees do not include the cost of the A.P.S.
reports.
APS Online Software
System:
If you intend on paying the
standard authorization fees to access the N.C.C.A. or S.A.C.C. headquarters software
system on the Internet you will be able to generate the reports one at a time yourself.
You also have the option to
purchase the "SSP" Software for a one time fee. You will be able to generate
your clients special personal report using the expressed/wanted scores from the Clinical
Report at no additional cost.
To be eligible to access the
online software system, you must have completed your
Creation Therapy training,
Successfully passed your
Unit One and Unit Two final exams,
Administered the APS
Questionnaire to ten (10) individuals (Initial Practicum)
Submitted your S.A.C.C.
membership application, application fee and first year dues to me for processing.
N.C.C.A. Affiliated
Universities / Seminaries
Again, if you are working
toward a degree, the matriculation and transfer fees for a degree must be paid after all
requirements have been fulfilled. The matriculation and transfer fees for a B.A. degree
$1,200.00 and the fees for an M.A. degree are $1,500.00. This fee is for the awarding of
the college degree and is not included in N.C.C.A.s course tuition/standard fees.
Andersonville Baptist
Seminary - M.C.C. / D.C.C.
Calvary Theological Seminary
(GA) - M.Min / D.Ed
Calvary Theological Seminary
- (LA) - A.A. / B.A.
Chesapeake Bible College
& Seminary -
M.C.C. / D.P.C. / D.C.C.
Cornerstone University -
M.A. / Ph.D
Faith Theological Seminary -
M.A. / Ph.D.
Family Bible Institute,
College and Seminary - B.A. / M.A. Ph.D
International Theological
Seminary - B.A. / M.A. / Ph.D
Jacksonville Theological
Seminary - M.A. / Ph.D.
Logos Christian College and
Graduate School - M.A. / Ph.D.
Southeastern Theological
Seminary - M.A. / Ph.D.
Vision Christian Bible
College & Seminary - M.A. / Ph.D.
Many individuals who inquire about
N.C.C.A.s licensing program are ordained ministers. These individuals can complete
the requirements and be licensed as a Licensed Pastoral Counselor or as a Licensed
Clinical Christian Counselor. They can counsel anywhere in America and accept remuneration
for this service without being affiliated with any state agency, i.e., without being state
licensed. This is because the laws governing counseling in all states exempt
"Clergy" from submitting to its (the states) lower authority. The
First Amendment of our Constitution requires such exemption; "Congress shall make no
law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof;...."
What about others - those individuals who are not ordained ministers or pastors? The call
to counsel is just as real for them. They do not want to be state licensed and most
certainly do not want to relinquish their right to represent Jesus Christ in their
counseling ministry. They just want to answer and fulfill Gods call on their lives.
Indeed, some are called to the high office of the
pastorate. These persons should be ordained (set aside) by a church or a denomination and
approved to perform all the duties of the pastorate, including the dispensation of the
sacraments (giving Holy Communion and Baptizing).
However, there are many other types of Ministers or Clergy. For example, Ministers of
Music, Chaplains, Ministers of Administration, Missionaries, Youth Ministers, etc. All of
these offices are understood by the state and federal government to be "Clergy".
The Ministry of Counseling is a valid ministry which is instituted by God. The call into
this ministry is an awesome call which cannot be ignored.
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