What is the Easiest Counseling Degree to Get?

What is the Easiest Counseling Degree to get?

A gentle, honest guide for busy servants

 

 

If you are caring for people in Jesus’ name, you already know: nothing about shepherding souls is “easy.” Still, you might be wondering what training is doable in your current season. You may be serving, parenting, working, and leading small groups, and you feel called to grow in biblical counseling without putting ministry on pause. This gentle guide reframes “easy” toward fit, calling, and workload. We will compare several Calvary Chapel University (CCU) pathways and share what to expect week to week. You will see how spiritual formation is woven into every course so that learning strengthens the heart, not just the transcript. Our prayer is that the Lord will use this to bring clarity and courage for your next faithful step.

“Easy” Vs. “Doable”

“Easy” can suggest shortcuts. Biblical counseling is a sacred trust, so CCU does not promise effortless training. What we do offer is a pathway that is doable for busy servants because it is fully online, asynchronous, and organized in a predictable eight-week rhythm. You can study when your people are sleeping, when sermons are prepped, and during the margins God provides.

Typical weekly time expectations:

  • Undergraduate courses: about 10 to 12 hours each week
  • Graduate courses: about 20 hours each week
  • Doctoral studies: about 25 hours each week

These ranges help you right-size your load. Many students take one course per eight-week session to keep ministry, work, and family in healthy balance.

The Eight-Week Rhythm

Every course is divided into one-week units. Assignments typically come due on Sunday at 11:59 pm, which gives you a steady cadence. Because courses are asynchronous, you engage lectures, readings, discussion forums, and projects at the times that work best for you.

Common assessments include:

  • Weekly reflections and Scripture-based discussion
  • Open-book quizzes that reinforce understanding
  • Short exegetical or position papers
  • Practical ministry projects, such as a counseling care plan, a discipleship lesson, or a sermon outline you can use in your church

Spiritual formation is not an elective. Professors invite prayer, gratitude, and servant leadership into the learning process, so coursework often becomes ministry-ready material by the very next week.

CCU Counseling Preparation Pathways

Here is a pastoral overview of four common on-ramps. Each one can be a faithful next step, depending on your season of life and ministry.

  • Certificate in Biblical Studies, Counseling Emphasis: This is the fastest on-ramp for many. This is ideal if you want focused biblical foundations and counseling tools without committing to a full degree. It typically features courses in Old and New Testament surveys, hermeneutics, core doctrine, and introductory biblical counseling. Workload lands in the undergraduate range, about 10 to 12 hours per week, per course.
  • Associate of Arts: This is a strong two-year foundation for those newer to formal study or returning after a long break. The AA sharpens Bible study skills, builds core theology, and introduces pastoral care. It pairs well with a busy schedule because you can progress one course at a time in eight-week blocks.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Counseling Focus: This is best for those sensing a call to long-term counseling ministry or pastoral leadership. The BA deepens doctrine, interpretation, and counseling practice. Expect sustained writing and ministry projects that stretch you in healthy ways. Time expectations match the undergraduate range, yet the projects may be more robust than the AA.
  • Graduate and Postgraduate Options: If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want advanced training in pastoral care and biblical counseling, the Master of Divinity and related specializations can be a strong fit. These courses are rigorous and meaningful, with about 20 hours per week per course. Doctoral programs generally require about 25 hours per week and are intended for seasoned leaders who want to research and multiply impact.

If you are exploring a master’s path that integrates counseling and pastoral care, you can learn more about a Christian counseling degree track within CCU’s Master of Divinity. Explore the biblical counseling specialization to see how graduate study could serve your future ministry.

Which pathway fits my season of life and ministry?

Ask two questions: “What is the Lord highlighting in this season?” and “How many hours can I realistically give each week?”

  • If you need a gentle start that still strengthens your counseling toolkit, the certificate can be the right first step. It is the shortest commitment with the most immediate ministry payoff.
  • If you want a fuller foundation and may later complete a bachelor’s, the AA creates momentum without overwhelming your schedule.
  • If you are ready to invest in deeper training for counseling and preaching, the BA with a counseling focus builds long-term capacity.
  • If you hold a bachelor’s and are called to advanced pastoral care, the M.Div. with a counseling specialization offers comprehensive preparation.

Remember, none of these are “easy,” but each can be doable with wise pacing. Most students thrive by taking one course per session until they find their stride.

What you will study and practice

Across these pathways, you will meet the Scriptures deeply and apply them pastorally. Representative course types include:

  • Bible surveys and hermeneutics, where you practice sound interpretation
  • Doctrines of God, salvation, the church, and last things
  • Counseling care and pastoral visitation, including when to refer
  • Leadership and discipleship, with projects tailored to your local setting

Assignments often become living resources: a multi-week discipleship plan, a crisis-care protocol for your elders, or a counseling homework sheet grounded in Scripture.

Can Prior Experiential Credit reduce my time to completion?

Yes. Many students bring years of ministry that can translate into credit through CCU’s Prior Experiential Credit process. If you have taught, led, counseled, or developed ministry programs, ask for a transcript review and advising call. You may save time and expense without repeating what you already do well.

Is auditing a course a good way to test the waters?

Absolutely. You can audit up to three courses for $175 each. Audited courses do not earn credit or require graded work, but they let you experience the eight-week rhythm, interact with materials, and discern fit before you commit to a for-credit path. If you want a lower-pressure, non-credit taste of CCU’s biblical worldview curriculum, you can also explore DEEP DIVE enrichment options. These are self-paced and designed to build confidence and clarity on key topics.

Gentle steps to discern your next faithful move

  • Pray with your pastor or mentor about your calling and current capacity.
  • Request a transcript review and schedule an advising call to map transfer credits and Prior Experiential Credit possibilities.
  • Consider auditing a course to experience the workload and rhythm.
  • Start with one eight-week course and let faithfulness in small steps lead to the next step.

If you would like to explore programs and advising, visit our online Christian university home page. You can also review CCU’s certificate in biblical counseling option if that is the next step that fits your season. Those sensing a graduate call can read more about an online Christian counseling degree path within the Master of Divinity.

FAQ

  • What is the easiest counseling degree to get? There is not an “easy” degree. For many busy servants, the most doable first step is the Certificate in Biblical Studies with counseling emphasis because it is shorter and focused, while still meaningful for ministry.
  • Which CCU pathway fits my life and ministry? Choose based on time and calling. Certificate for a short, focused start; AA for a strong foundation; BA with counseling focus for long-term preparation; M.Div. with counseling specialization for advanced pastoral care.
  • How demanding are eight-week online courses? They are focused yet manageable. Plan on 10 to 12 hours weekly for undergraduate, about 20 for graduate, and about 25 for doctoral work. Weekly units and Sunday night due dates create a steady rhythm.
  • Can Prior Experiential Credit shorten my timeline? Yes. Ministry and life experience may count toward credit after review. Request a transcript evaluation and advising call to see what applies.
  • Is auditing wise before enrolling for credit? Yes. Auditing up to three courses at $175 each lets you experience the cadence and content without graded assignments.

Summary and next step

“Easy” is not the aim. Faithful, doable formation is. CCU’s eight-week, asynchronous courses let you grow in biblical counseling while staying present to the people you serve. Start small, pace wisely, and let the Lord lead. If you are ready to explore, visit CCU’s online Bible college home page to learn more and request advising. Curious about a focused start? Read about our certificate in biblical counseling. Called toward advanced pastoral care? Explore the Christian counseling specialization within the Master of Divinity.

We would be honored to pray with you and help you discern the next step.