- What academic qualifications do I need to take IBCD courses?
None. Our courses (as with Scripture) can challenge and enhance skills, whatever educational level you have attained. - Do I have to be ordained to take the courses?
No. IBCD welcomes both pastors and laypeople. If you are not ordained, however, we do require a letter of recommendation from your pastor or elder, stating your suitability for the courses. - Do you grant degrees?
No. Course work at IBCD may be accepted by seminaries, universities and colleges, at their discretion. - Which training option would be right for me?
If you are interested in learning more about biblical counseling, but do not want to do the homework and pay the credit fee, you should choose the Audit Program. If you want to invest the time and effort to become competent in the fundamental principles of biblical counseling, but are unable to attend the "hands-on" courses, the Basic Studies Program is right for you. If you have the desire to become thoroughly trained in both the knowledge and practice of biblical counseling, you should select the Certificate Training Program. This option requires taking some courses on-site. - What other organizations recognize your certification?
The National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC) recognizes our courses and certification. - Where can I counsel after training at IBCD?
IBCD alumni are being used in a wide range of churches and church-related ministries. IBCD exists to meet their needs and our programs are not designed to meet the requirements of state or non-church licensing agencies. - What discounts are available?
If you are a member of a Supporting Church (which donates regularly to IBCD), or if you are one of our Supporting Individuals, you will receive discounts on our courses. (Please call us if you would like information on these programs.) - What is the procedure for taking the "Principles" courses on DVDs, CDs or tapes for credit?
Send in your application, your pastor's letter of recommendation, and a check to pay for the tapes and shipping. After you view or listen to the course and do your homework, send in your homework with a check for the credit fee. The credit fee is $110 for the Introduction, Advanced and Methods courses. For the Marriage & Family course, it is $165. Your homework will be corrected and sent back to you. (It is possible that you will have to rewrite some portion in order to pass.) Then order the tapes for the next class. - Where can I get a Master's degree in Biblical Counseling?
The following schools offer an M.A. in Biblical Counseling. Call them for further information.
The Master's College
21726 Placerita Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(800) 568-6248, x-3362
www.masters.edu
(Both Bachelor's and Master's degrees are offered here.)
Westminster Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 27009
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(800) 373-0119
www.wts.edu
Trinity Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 717
Newburgh, IN 47629
(800) 457-5510
www.trinitysem.edu - If I cannot spend time in the San Diego area to take the last three classes, how can I become certified?
While it is not possible to get certified through IBCD without taking these classes on-site, you can get certified through NANC by using tapes from IBCD. Click on the button below to learn how:
