ACBC Certification
Southern Seminary is a certified training center through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling provides a pathway for students to not only receive a master’s degree from SBTS but also pursue certification as a biblical counselor through the ACBC. The following information details what courses fulfill which requirements of the ACBC certification process:
34300 INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL COUNSELING*
PHASE 1 – Basic Training (1/3) + Reading
34305 PRACTICAL THEOLOGY IN CONTEXT *
PHASE 2 – Theology Exam (1st half)
34330 TYPICAL PROBLEMS IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING*
PHASE 1 – Basic Training (1/3) + Reading
35100 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING*
PHASE 1 – Basic Training (1/3) + Reading
35585 BIBLICAL COUNSELING PRACTICUM I*
PHASE 1 – 10 Counseling Hours Observed / PHASE 2 – Theology Exam (2nd half)
35590 BIBLICAL COUNSELING PRACTICUM II**
PHASE 2 – Counseling Exam / PHASE 3 – 13-15 Supervised Hours
*Courses taught by a certified ACBC counselor count towards certification.
**This course must be taught by an ACBC fellow in order for the supervised hours to count towards the certification process.
To start the certification process, create a login with ACBC and as students progress through our program they can complete the following:
1. Submit reading and observation logs.
2. Submit completed exams from practicum to ACBC for approval.
3. Complete their remaining supervised counseling hours under the auspices of an ACBC fellow after being approved for Phase 3 by the ACBC office.
NOTE: Students coming to study at Southern Seminary with partial or completion of their ACBC certification still must complete all courses for their academic degree requirements. Any certification work such as the exams or observation log can be considered acceptable to fulfill the course assignments per discussion with the professor.
Click here for more information on the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Click here for more information on the ACBC Certification process.