Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling
A nationally recognized graduate program equipping pastors, missionaries, and lay leaders to counsel from Scripture — with both residency and online components to serve students across the country.
Counseling Rooted in Scripture, Grounded in the Church
The Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling is designed to equip pastors, missionaries, and lay men and women as biblical counselors for Christ. The MABC combines the rich legacy of Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries — which has trained over 12,000 counselors — with a rigorous graduate-level academic framework.
The program is built on the conviction that the Scripture is sufficient for all of life and godliness — including the deepest struggles of the human heart. Students learn to apply the whole counsel of God to the full range of human problems, from anxiety and depression to marriage conflict and addiction.
The MABC is available in a flexible hybrid format, combining intensive residency modules with online coursework, making it accessible to students across the country without requiring relocation.
Called to Help Others with the Word of God
The MABC serves anyone called to help people with the Word of God — whether in a formal counseling ministry or in the everyday work of discipleship.
Pastors & Church Leaders
Equip yourself to counsel your congregation with biblical depth and pastoral wisdom — integrating counseling into your existing ministry role.
Missionaries
Develop the biblical counseling skills needed to address the deep spiritual and emotional needs of people across cultural contexts.
Lay Counselors & Disciples
Receive formal training to serve in your local church's counseling or discipleship ministry with theological rigor and practical skill.
Counseling Professionals
Add a robust biblical framework to your existing counseling practice, grounding your work in the sufficiency of Scripture.
Ministry Students
Complement your theological education with specialized training in biblical counseling, preparing for a multi-faceted ministry role.
Women in Ministry
The MABC is open to both men and women, equipping women for counseling ministry in the local church and beyond.
What You Will Study
The MABC curriculum is organized into four core areas, totaling approximately 60 credit hours over two to three years.
Biblical & Theological Foundations
15 credits- Theology of Biblical Counseling
- Sufficiency of Scripture
- Biblical Anthropology
- Sanctification & Change
- Old Testament Counseling
- New Testament Counseling Themes
Counseling Theory & Method
15 credits- Introduction to Biblical Counseling
- The Counseling Relationship
- Data Gathering & Problem Definition
- Marriage & Family Counseling
- Crisis Counseling
Applied Counseling Topics
12 credits- Anxiety & Fear
- Depression & Grief
- Addiction & Habitual Sin
- Trauma & Abuse
- Eating Disorders
Supervised Practicum
18 credits- Counseling Observation (Year 1)
- Supervised Counseling Cases (Year 2)
- Advanced Practicum & Case Review (Year 3)
- ACBC Certification Preparation
Designed to Prepare You for ACBC Certification
The MABC curriculum is aligned with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) certification requirements. Graduates are well-positioned to pursue ACBC certification upon completion of the program.
- Written theology of biblical counseling
- 50 hours of observed counseling
- 50 hours of supervised counseling
- Final examination by ACBC
Note: The curriculum above is representative. Specific course offerings, sequencing, and credit hours are subject to change. Please consult the official FBS catalog for the most current requirements.
Flexible Hybrid Learning
The MABC is designed for working adults and ministry leaders who cannot relocate to Lafayette. The program combines intensive on-campus residency modules with online coursework, allowing students to complete the degree without uprooting their families or leaving their ministries.
Intensive Residencies
Students attend intensive on-campus sessions in Lafayette, Indiana, typically 3–5 days per module, several times per year.
Online Coursework
Between residency modules, students complete coursework online — including lectures, readings, written assignments, and case studies.
Local Supervision
Supervised counseling hours can be completed at your home church, with remote supervision from FBS faculty.
Cohort Community
Residency modules create a cohort experience — students build lasting relationships with peers from churches across the country.
Begin Your Journey
The MABC is open to both men and women. Admission is based on prior academic training, character, and a clear sense of calling to counseling ministry. The following requirements apply:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA
- Demonstrated commitment to a local church
- Two character references (one from a pastor)
- Personal statement of calling to counseling ministry
Application Process
Review the Program
Read through this page and the official MABC catalog to confirm the program is the right fit.
Submit Your Application
Apply online through the FBS admissions portal with your personal statement and references.
Interview
Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview with the FBS admissions committee.
Begin Training
Upon acceptance, you’ll receive your cohort schedule and residency module dates.
Tuition & Fees
Veterans benefits accepted. Please see the FBS website for the most current fee schedule.
Apply to the MABC ProgramAccreditation & Recognition
- Accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
- Curriculum aligned with ACBC certification standards
- VA-recognized institution for veterans’ benefits
Practitioners in Biblical Counseling
MABC faculty are active biblical counselors, pastors, and ministry leaders who bring decades of real counseling experience into the classroom.
Dr. Brent Aucoin
Program Director, MABC
Pastor of Seminary & Soul Care, Faith Church · ACBC Certified
Rob Green
MABC Faculty
Pastor of Counseling & Congregational Care, Faith Church · ACBC Certified Counselor
Arthur David
MABC Faculty
Director of Biblical Counseling Training, Faith Church · ACBC Certified
Dr. Wagner
MABC Faculty
Professor of Biblical Counseling · PhD, Counseling, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Equip Yourself to Counsel with the Word of God
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We'd love to talk with you about whether the FBS MABC is the right fit for your calling.