Online Master of Applied Biblical Counseling

RHM Partner School Program — Offered in partnership with Christian Life School of Theology Global (CLSTG)
Professional Counseling Skills Rooted in Biblical Truth

Earn Your Master’s Degree While Developing Biblical Counseling Skills

In the Master of Applied Biblical Counseling (CLSTG graduate program), you will learn from Certified Glasser Faculty as you develop practical counseling skills rooted in biblical truth and evidence-based Choice Theory/Reality-Based Counseling. Completed certification levels earn certificates, and eligible courses qualify for continuing education credits through the William Glasser Institute where applicable. Certification and credit eligibility are determined by the partner organizations, not by state licensing boards.

Whether you desire to strengthen your pastoral ministry, expand your counseling practice, enhance your leadership effectiveness, or launch a biblical counseling ministry, this CLSTG graduate program provides the knowledge and skills needed to help people experience lasting change through biblical counseling and pastoral care, within appropriate ministry boundaries.

Degree

Master of Applied Biblical Counseling (CLSTG graduate program)

Format

100% Online with Live Cohort Instruction

Structure

6 Modules

Commitment

60 Credit Hours / 18–24 Months

Affordable Cost

$140 Per Credit Hour

Certification

Choice Theory certification pathway

A Real, Hands-On Framework

What Sets Our Program Apart

Learn directly from Certified Glasser Faculty
Progress through the partner program’s Choice Theory certification pathway
Earn certificates at each certification milestone
Be eligible for William Glasser Institute continuing education credits where applicable
Integrate biblical principles with proven counseling practices
Graduate with practical counseling skills—not just academic knowledge
What Will I Learn?

Develop Practical Counseling Competencies

Develop competencies in Choice Theory and Reality-Based Counseling principles, the WDEP counseling framework, marriage and family counseling, conflict resolution and relationship restoration, Christian ethics and counseling boundaries, addiction and life-transition support, spiritual formation and discipleship counseling, case conceptualization and ministry care planning, and clinical pastoral education in a non-licensure ministry context.

Choice Theory & Reality-Based Counseling

Master the principles of Choice Theory and Reality-Based Counseling under Certified Glasser Faculty — helping individuals identify healthier choices, strengthen relationships, and create lasting behavioral change integrated with a biblical worldview.

Biblical Counseling Integration

Develop the ability to confidently combine Scripture with practical counseling techniques — addressing emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges through Christ-centered guidance.

Marriage & Family Counseling

Gain skills to counsel couples and families through conflict, communication breakdowns, parenting challenges, grief, and major life transitions.

Client Assessment & Care Planning

Learn to accurately assess emotional, relational, spiritual, and behavioral needs while developing personalized counseling strategies that encourage measurable growth.

Transformational Communication

Master active listening, purposeful questioning, and trust-building that help clients feel understood, challenged, and empowered to make God-honoring choices.

Conflict Resolution & Restoration

Equip yourself with practical techniques to help individuals, couples, families, churches, and ministry teams navigate conflict and repair damaged relationships.

Christian Ethics & Boundaries

Understand counseling ethics, confidentiality, boundaries, and scope of practice within a Christ-centered framework.

Certification Pathway

Pursue the partner program’s Choice Theory certification pathway. Certificates and eligible continuing education credits are subject to CLSTG and William Glasser Institute requirements; they do not confer state licensure.

Why Does It Matter?

People today are searching for answers to challenges affecting their relationships, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. More than ever, churches, ministries, and organizations need leaders who can provide wise, biblically-grounded guidance and help people take responsibility for meaningful change in their lives. biblical counseling is more than giving advice — it is helping individuals discover God's truth, renew their thinking, strengthen relationships, and move forward with purpose and hope.

Applied Biblical Counseling Program Structure

6 Modules · Biblical Theology Integrated with Choice Theory

Total Program60 Credit Hours
Designed for Ministry Leaders

Is This Program Right for You?

If you are passionate about helping people experience freedom, growth, healing, and transformation through biblical truth, this program may be the perfect next step. Our program is ideal for:

Pastors and ministry staff
Biblical counselors
Life coaches
Educators and school administrators
Nonprofit leaders
Small group leaders
Graduate With the Skills to Transform Lives

Real-Life Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to apply practical, Christ-centered counseling methods that promote personal responsibility and spiritual maturity. Utilizing the WDEP system and Choice Theory, you will have a framework for facilitating healthy, intentional change in the lives of your clients.

1Apply practical, Christ-centered counseling methods that promote personal responsibility and spiritual maturity.
2Use the WDEP framework to facilitate intentional, lasting change in clients' lives.
3Integrate Choice Theory and Reality-Based Counseling with a biblical worldview.
4Assess client needs and develop personalized care plans.
5Counsel individuals, couples, and families through conflict and life transitions.
6Practice within Christian ethical boundaries and appropriate scope of care.

Ready to Help People Experience Lasting Change?

Take the next step toward a Master of Applied Biblical Counseling. Apply through our partner school, or reach out to our education team to talk through whether this program is right for you.

Already enrolled? Access the LMS

Get Your Questions Answered

Want to learn more about this CLSTG partner-school degree and how it can support biblical counseling, healthier relationships, personal responsibility, and lasting life change? Connect with our education team.

No sign-in required. Your inquiry is shared with RHM’s education team for follow-up; it is not an application or enrollment.

Care That Is Measured — Because People Are What Matter

Restoring Hope Ministries tracks the well-being of every participant in our clinical and faith-based services using empirically validated screeners, clinical interviews, behavioral analysis, and self-report — so we can honestly see whether the people we serve are getting better.

This rigor reflects the training of our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Gross, who earned an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology and is continuing his Psy.D. studies in Clinical Psychology, with completion anticipated in 2028. His Th.D. in Theology and Ph.D. in Christian Counseling complement that clinical education with theological preparation for Christ-centered soul care.

At Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, he served as a Student Psychologist and later Chief Student Psychologist, supporting veterans and first responders with traumatic brain injuries through the BRAVE program. His work included assessment, individualized treatment planning, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, psychoeducational and process-oriented groups, and peer supervision. His experience also includes supervised psychological testing of clergy at Milwaukee Psychotherapy Collaborative, recovery-focused group development at The Manor by Windrose, and case management and peer-support supervision at Biehl Bridges to Recovery.

Continuing education in assessment, trauma, neurobehavioral conditions, supervision, ethics, and risk management further informs this approach. Together, these experiences help shape RHM’s commitment to careful assessment, responsible documentation, collaborative care, and attention to each person’s spiritual, relational, emotional, and practical needs. His clinical psychology doctorate remains in progress; this background does not replace the qualifications or licensure required for regulated clinical services.

Empirically validated screenersClinical interviewsBehavioral analysisSelf-report
See how we measure outcomes and steward your support
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