The Higher Certificate in Christian Counselling is an outstanding programme for training lay counsellors. It is designed for pastoral counsellors and for lay counsellors serving in the context of churches or parachurch organisations. The programme was written by Prof. Mervin van der Spuy, the former head of the Association of Christian Counsellors in South Africa. The programme is extremely comprehensive. Prof. van der Spuy believes that counsellors are best trained through an integration of theology and psychology.
Students enrolling for this programme will first need to complete the compulsory course for all SATS students: THE1120 Introduction to Theology.
Do I Qualify?
To register for the Higher Certificate in Christian Counselling, you need to have a school-leaving certificate. In South Africa, this is a National Senior Certificate (NSC). If you have an accredited tertiary qualification, we accept that in lieu of a school-leaving certificate.
If you do not have a school-leaving certificate, you may be admitted to the HCCC on the basis of RPL. You will be asked to complete the first five courses on probation as stand-alone subjects. If you pass them, demonstrating that the ability to study at this level, you may enrol for the HCCC.
If you complete the Higher Certificate in Christian Counselling and wish to enrol for the Bachelor in Theology, 60 credits from the HCCC may be transferred to the BTh.
What Textbooks Do I Need?
Whereas most SATS programmes do not require you to purchase textbooks, the Higher Certificate in Christian Counselling is written around these books, which you will use in all the courses:
Students are required to purchase the following textbooks. Please acquire them before you start your first counselling course:
* Please note, these books will be the only books you need to purchase for all the counselling courses.
- Collins, G. 2007. Christian Counseling – a Comprehensive Guide (Third Edition). Thomas Nelson.
- Meier, Minirth, Wichern & Ratcliff. 1999. Introduction to Psychology and Counseling: Christian Perspectives and Applications. 2nd Baker Books.
- Tan, S. & Scalise, E.T. 2016. Lay Counseling: Equipping Christians for a Helping Ministry (Revised and Updated).
- Tan, Siang-Yang, 2011. Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective. Baker Publishing.
All four books are available on Kindle (Amazon) in Digital format for immediate download (and it’s cheaper)
Required Text (available on EbscoHost)
- McMinn, M.R. & Campbell, C.D. (2007) Integrative Psychotherapy – toward a Comprehensive Christian Approach. IVP Academic (Available on EbscoHost)
What Are The Courses?
Compulsory courses
Electives
- CCC1121 Human Development and Christian Counselling (can be taken concurrently with CCC1129)
- CCC1127 Excellence in Christian Counselling – Ethical and Legal Issues (can be taken concurrently with CCC1129)
- CCC1128 Theoretical Foundations of Christian Counselling (can be taken concurrently with CCC1129)
- CCC1129 Biblical Basis and Introduction to Christian Counselling (prerequisite for all other counselling courses)
- CCC2121 Psychopathology and Spiritual Conflicts (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC2129 Counselling Skills Practicum-1 (prerequisites CCC1127, CCC1128, CCC1129, & CCC2121)
- THE1120 Introduction to Theology (prerequisite for HCCC)
- CCC1123 Introduction to Crisis and Trauma Counselling (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC1124 Introduction to Domestic Violence and Abuse (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC1125 Introduction to Wellness Counselling (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC1126 Introduction to Addictions Counselling (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC2122 Relationships, Marriage and Family Christian Counselling (prerequisites CCC1127, CCC1128, & CCC1129)
- CCC2123 Introduction to Community Care and Counselling (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC2124 Introduction to Ageing, Death, Dying and Bereavement (prerequisite CCC1129)
- CCC2127 Introduction to Medicine, Health, and Healing (prerequisites CCC1127, CCC1128, CCC1129, & CCC2121)
- CCC2128 Child and Adolescent Counselling (prerequisites CCC1121, CCC1128, & CCC1129)
How Long Does It Take?
The minimum duration is one year, but the average completion time for part-time students is two years. You have a maximum of three years to finish.
Please note: You are required to complete 48 credits every twelve months, commencing with the date of enrolment.
