Program Goals

The Higher Diploma in Christian Counseling program is to nurture and equip Christians who aim to become a servant in companion counseling. This program is specially designed to blend the elements of Christianity into counseling theories and practicums. Experiential learnings like personal growth, spiritual formation, interpersonal interaction, and counseling practicums are adopted to develop and train companion counselors of high quality.

After completion, students would acquire:

• Enhancement of personal growth in preparation for helping others;
• Basic concept in the service of Christian counseling;
• Mastery and application of the basic Christian counseling theories and practice as well the ethics code in practice;
• Application of what have learned to counseling and caring ministry.

Admission Requirements

• Six years of secondary school studies or equivalent; and
• Baptized Christian; and
• Mission on caring ministry.

(Applicant who completed five years of secondary school studies may be admitted to the program with the requirement of taking an extra 18 credits, the additional credits may also be exempted by other recognized academic study or working experience.)

Program Content

Students are required to complete 30 credits, take 8 credits of experiential courses, 18 credits of theoretical and practical courses, 3 credits of free electives, 1 credit counseling practicum, plus 15 sessions of personal growth counseling. Students are required to pay extra fees for practicum supervision, personal growth counseling and camps apart from the tuition (charges according to the scale of related institutes).

Further Study

A Higher Diploma in Christian Counseling holder can continue to study for the Associate of Christian Studies / Bachelor of Christian Studies / Bachelor of Theology programs at LTS and credits can be exempted. If the holder with a bachelor’s degree can continue to study for the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling program at LTS and credits can be exempted.

(course credits in brackets)

i) Experiential Courses

Core Courses

　CP2017/PT2052 Personal Growth (3)

　CP2039 Experiential Process in Counseling (5)

ii) Theoretical and Practical Courses

Core Courses

　CP2011 Essential Counseling Skills (3)

　CP2037/CT2007 Counseling Ethics and Culture (3)

　CP2007 Grief Counseling; or

　CP2043/SW2046 Developmental Psychology and Spiritual Growth (3)

　CP2010/OT2032/NT2037 Biblical Perspectives on Christian Counseling; or

　CP2036 Counseling Theories and Practices (3)

　CP2026/SW2021 Emotions & Spirituality; or

　CP4001/SW4001 Integrative Seminar on Counseling and Spiritual Direction (3)

　CP2034 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; or

　CP2035 Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy (3)

iii) Counseling Practicum

CP2040 Counseling Practice: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; or

CP2042 Counseling Practice: Satir Model; or

CP3028 Companion Counseling Practicum I (1)

iv) Free Electives

1 course (3)

v) Others

Personal Growth Counseling (15 sessions)