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 is based on the, uniquely offered by SATS.
The 5E Model of Christian Counselling integrates existing counselling theory into Christian counselling praxis. It centres the Spirit and the client in the client’s unfolding story through the steps of Evaluating, Externalizing, Exploring, Emending and Empowering. This model teaches the Christian counsellor to participate with the Holy Spirit in God’s metanarrative as they journey with God’s children towards Christlikeness and flourishing in community.
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?
Collins, G. 2019. Christian Counseling – a Comprehensive Guide (Third Edition). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (The 2007 hard copy of Collin’s text is also acceptable)
What Are The Courses?
Compulsory courses
Electives
- THE1120 Introduction to Theology (available from Term 4, 2024)
- HCC1120 Biblical Basis of Christian Counselling (available from Term 4, 2024)
- HCC1121 Theoretical Foundations of Christian Counselling (prerequisite: HCC1120) (available from Term 1, 2025)
- HCC1122 Ethics in Christian Counselling (prerequisite: HCC1120) (available from Term 1, 2025)
- HCC1123 Christian Counselling and Human Development (available from Term 1, 2025)
- HCC1124 Christian Counselling Skills 1 (prerequisite: HCC1120) (ONLY AVAILABLE IN TERM 1 & 3)
- HCC1125 Christian Counselling Skills 2 (prerequisite: HCC1124) (ONLY AVAILABLE IN TERM 2 & 4)
- HCC1126 Psychopathology in Lay-Christian Counselling (prerequisite: HCC1120) (available from Term 2, 2025)
Electives (choose 2) – to be taken after completing HCC1125
Available in terms 1 & 3
- HCC1128 Counselling Spiritual Conflicts in the African Context (available from Term 3, 2025)
- HCC1129 Relationships and Marriage Christian Counselling (available from Term 3, 2025)
- HCC11212 Addictions Christian Counselling (available from Term 1, 2026)
Available in terms 2 & 4:
- HCC1127 Counselling Holy Sexuality (available from Term 4, 2025)
- HCC11210 Crisis and Trauma Christian Counselling (available from Term 4, 2025)
- HCC11211 Depression and Anxiety Christian Counselling (available from Term 4, 2025)
- HCC11213 Abuse and Domestic Violence Christian Counselling (available from Term 4, 2025)
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.
