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) (available from Term 1, 2025)
- HCC1125 Christian Counselling Skills 2 (prerequisite: HCC1124) (available from Term 2, 2025)
- HCC2120 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
- HCC1127 Wellness and Spiritual Growth Christian Counselling (available from Term 3, 2025)
- HCC1128 Counselling Spiritual Conflicts in the African Context (available from Term 3, 2025)
- HCC2121 Relationships and Marriage Christian Counselling (available from Term 3, 2025)
- HCC2125 Addictions Christian Counselling (available from Term 3, 2025)
Available in terms 2 & 4:
- HCC1126 Counselling Holy Sexuality (available from Term 2, 2025)
- HCC2122 Crisis and Trauma Christian Counselling (available from Term 2, 2025)
- HCC2123 Depression and Anxiety Christian Counselling (available from Term 4, 2025)
- HCC2124 Abuse and Domestic Violence Christian Counselling (available from Term 4, 2025)
Please ensure that you are taking the courses in the following order. It is advisable to take two courses per term (should you wish to take three courses, please do so only after you have completed HCC1125):
| Students studying one course per term | Students studying two courses per term |
| THE1120 Introduction to Theology | THE1120 Introduction to Theology HCC1120 Biblical Basis of Christian Counselling |
| HCC1120 Biblical Basis of Christian Counselling | HCC1122 Ethics in Christian Counselling HCC1124 Christian Counselling Skills 1 |
| HCC1122 Ethics in Christian Counselling | HCC1125 Christian Counselling Skills 2 HCC1121 Theoretical Foundations of Christian Counselling |
| HCC1121 Theoretical Foundations of Christian Counselling | HCC2120 Psychopathology in Lay-Christian Counselling Elective 1 |
| HCC1124 Christian Counselling Skills 1 | HCC1123 Christian Counselling and Human Development Elective 2 |
| HCC1125 Christian Counselling Skills 2 | |
| HCC2120 Psychopathology in Lay-Christian Counselling | |
| HCC1123 Christian Counselling and Human Development | |
| Elective 1 | |
| Elective 2 |
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.
