Program 5: Certification, License and Doctorate Degree

Important Notice:
The N.C.C.A. programs are designed for individuals that have not previously enrolled into any N.C.C.A. program. Therefore, please note that if anyone completes a program of study and chooses to enroll into an additional program they would NOT take the same prerequisite courses from Phase I and II but would need to substitute them with alternative courses selected from the available NCCA advanced course list as well as complete the additional A.P.S. practicum requirements listed. 

For example:
A student that has completed Program 3 and wants to obtain a Doctorate would be required to complete additional courses and submit 35 A.P.S. case studies (can include the 25 submitted for the Master’s degree). The transfer fees for a Doctorate are also $1,500.

The following Program 4 requirements listed below are for New, 1st time enrolled students to the N.C.C.A.: 
If you are already enrolled as a student, prior approval to the next Program will require approval prior to beginning.

Procedures and Requirements

Individuals who already hold a Master’s degree in counseling or a related/accepted field may elect to complete the requirements for license and qualify for a Doctoral degree in Clinical Christian Counseling.

Complete Phase I

Each candidate must complete the following five courses:

  1. Basic Christian Counseling
  2. Temperament Theory
  3. Testing/Measurements
  4. Temperament Therapy
  5. Christian Counseling Psychology

Additional Requirements

Each candidate must:

  1. Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 10 individuals and (3) hours of clinical supervision under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
  2. Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
    1. Written responses to 50 ethical questions posed by the N.C.C.A.’s Licensing Board of Examiners.
    2. $50.00 for the Phase I administrative fee.
    3. A signed Application for Certification / Membership form
    4. A signed copy of N.C.C.A.’s Code of Ethical Standards.
    5. A copy of the highest earned degree, diploma, or transcript.
    6. Additional required documents; photo, resume’, references.

Upon completion of Phase I requirements, subsequent review, and accep­tance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

  1. a Certified Temperament Counselor certificate
  2. a Clinical Member (non-clergy) or Professional Clinical Member (clergy) certificate, membership card and lapel pin

Complete Phase II

Each candidate must complete the following three courses:

  1. Mastering Pastoral Counseling Utilizing Temperament
  2. Temperament Case Studies
  3. Counseling the Codependent

Additional Requirements

Each candidate must:

  • Complete a practicum. This consists of administering the A.P.S. to 15 additional individuals and (3) hours of supervision under the direction of an assigned and approved clinical supervisor.
  • Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
    1. A signed application for N.C.C.A. license.
    2. The Notification and Release Form for Personal National Screening authorizing a national background check to verify each candidate’s history. (Candidates with felony convictions do not qualify for licensing with the N.C.C.A.).
    3. Submit current ministerial credentials.*
    4. A certification/ licensing fee of $100.00

Upon completion of Phase II requirements, subsequent review and accep­tance, the candidate will qualify to receive:

  1. a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Certificate (high-school diploma, GED or Associate’s)
  2. Certified Temperament Pastoral Counselor Certificate (Optional) (additional $39 fee applies)

Annual membership and certification/license renewal is required to maintain valid N.C.C.A. credentials. A signed affidavit verifying continuing education must be submitted annually for license renewal.

Dr. John Huffman is your clinical supervisor and is to be paid $50.00 per hour, and every candidate must complete six (6) hours of supervision.

*** All candidates are required to have current ministerial credentials in order to be credentialed as a pastoral counselor by the National Christian Counselors Association. If you do not already have valid ministerial credentials, we recommend you speak with your local pastor or church leadership about attaining these credentials through your local church or denomination.

Complete Phase III

Each candidate must select and complete four (4) advanced courses.

No dissertation is required for candidates who already hold an earned doctorate.

Additional Requirements

Each candidate must:

  • Upon completion of the required courses, submit the following:
    1. A letter authorizing N.C.C.A. to transfer the academic records to the approved college.
    2. Matriculation and transfer fees of $1500 (A surcharge for payment by credit card may apply.)

 

After successfully completing all of the requirements for Phase III, the candi­date will (assuming everything is in order) receive:

  1. a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor — Advanced Certified certificate, card and
  2. the Appropriate Advanced Certification certificate for selected specialty areas completed and
  3. a Doctoral degree in Clinical Christian Counseling (Note: Additional documentation may be required depending on school selected).