Online Christian Care Master’s Degree
Master of Arts Christian Care (MACC)
Credits
48
Avg. Completion Time
2 yrs (full-time)
Delivery Method
Online
Why Earn an MA in Christian Care through LBC?
In a world filled with brokenness and pain, the call for compassionate, equipped caregivers has never been greater. The MA in Christian Care (MACC) at LBC equips you to provide compassionate, Christ-centered care in a world filled with personal, relational, and spiritual challenges. This fully online program combines biblical knowledge, behavioral science, and practical skills to prepare ministry leaders for diverse caregiving roles in churches, nonprofits, and communities. Rooted in the example of Jesus, the MACC emphasizes spiritual growth and proven caregiving practices, ensuring you’re equipped to bring hope and healing to individuals, families, and communities in need.
Why Choose the MACC Program?
Graduates of the MACC program are prepared to serve in a variety of caregiving contexts, from churches and nonprofits to healthcare and chaplaincy roles. With training grounded in biblical truth and practical application, they are equipped to minister to the whole person and reflect the hope of the Gospel in every interaction.
If you feel called to be a light in the lives of others, equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to serve as a Christian caregiver can make all the difference. Join us at LBC and take the next step in your ministry journey!
Course Length
8-week courses & 16-week practicums
Residency Requirement
Weekly remote learning sessions
Capstone Requirement
Practicum
Program Cost & Financial Aid
Transfer Agreement
Transfer up to 50% of a degree from an outside institution
Christian Care Program Plan
Master of Arts Christian Care (MACC) (48 Credits)
Biblical & Theological Foundations Courses 12 Credits
Ministry Praxis Courses 9 Credits
Christian Care Courses 21 Credits
Practicum Courses 6 Credits
ORI 500 Orientation 0 Credit
View the Academic Catalog for the complete curriculum plan, course descriptions and complete program details.
Schedule a Time to Chat
Want to learn more about this master’s degree or LBC’s graduate school? Consider scheduling an appointment to talk virtually or in person with an Admissions Counselor who will be glad to answer all your questions about earning a graduate degree online.
Program Distinctives - What Sets Our MACC Program Apart?
- Holistic Preparation: The program focuses on developing the head, heart, and hands of caregivers, blending theological foundations with practical tools for real-world ministry.
- Biblically Centered: Grounded in the truth of Scripture, students learn to address care needs with wisdom and integrity.
- Practical Training for Real Impact: Students are equipped to offer complete caregiving solutions, make necessary referrals, train others in Christian caregiving, and serve as leaders in church and parachurch roles.
- Flexibility and Accessibility: Designed with busy ministry practitioners in mind, this online program allows students to balance their studies with life and ministry responsibilities.
- Chaplaincy Readiness: Students interested in pursuing chaplaincy, including military, hospital, or corporate chaplaincy, can use this program as a foundation. The program also allows students to fulfill Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) as part of their internship requirements, gaining vital hands-on experience.
Career Paths
The MA Christian Care program will prepare you for a wide range of service and/or ministry contexts. Graduates are equipped to bring Christ-centered care and leadership to diverse environments, meeting spiritual, emotional, and practical needs. Here’s a sampling of careers our MACC alumni can pursue:
- Pastoral Ministries
- Chaplain (Military, Healthcare, Corporate, Community, etc.)
- Ministry Leader
- Christian Non-Profit Leader
- Hospital and Hospice Caregiver
- Counseling Ministry Coordinator
- Crisis Response Leader
- Christian Education or Discipleship Director
- Community Outreach Director
- Addiction Recovery Ministry Leader
Whether you feel called to pastoral care, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, or another caregiving role, the MACC program equips you to serve with confidence, competence, and Christ-like compassion.
Program Learning Outcomes – In this program, students will…
be equipped for ministry by developing:
- A foundational knowledge of the narrative, content, and interpretation of the Bible for the purpose of possessing a biblical worldview.
- The skill set needed for effectively communicating the Bible.
- The means necessary for facilitating personal spiritual formation and the discipleship of others.
- The character and competencies required to be an authentic servant leader.
- An understanding of the Christian Church’s biblical and historic role in providing care for those with life issues.
- The knowledge and skills to apply a biblical worldview in relation to understanding, assessing, and caring for others.
- A practical understanding of the relationship between theology and the behavioral sciences in Christian Church ministry along with the ability to apply that understanding in caring for those in the Church with exceptional needs, including when necessary the involvement of outside entities.
- The knowledge and skills to authentically practice individual, marriage, family, and group Christian care.
- The skills to envision, design, equip, deploy and manage Church and para-Church based care ministries.
Additional Certification Options
As part of the MA in Christian Care program, students have the opportunity to pursue specialized training and certifications to enhance their ministry and caregiving credentials:
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): Students can complete CPE training, which provides hands-on experience in pastoral care. This training can lead to certification through organizations such as:
- The Association of Certified Christian Chaplains (ACCC) via the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training (ICPT).
- The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
- Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI).
CPE equips students for roles in chaplaincy, pastoral care, and other caregiving contexts that require advanced pastoral skills and professional certification.
- International Board of Christian Care (IBCC): Students can work toward certification with the IBCC, an affiliate of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). This certification recognizes expertise in Christian caregiving and counseling, opening doors to diverse ministry and leadership opportunities.
These certification pathways provide graduates with valuable credentials, enhancing their ability to serve effectively in ministry, chaplaincy, and Christian counseling roles.
Course Plan
The following is the proposed schedule for this degree program.
| Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| BTC 523 Biblical Narrative – Old Testament | 3 |
| BTC 533 Biblical Narrative – New Testament | 3 |
| BTC 563 Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| BTC 573 Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
| MIN 504 Communicating Biblical Truth | 3 |
| MIN 511 The Church in God’s Mission | 3 |
| MIN 512 Personal Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| CHC 505 Foundations for Christian Care | 3 |
| CHC 510 Christian Care of Individuals | 3 |
| CHC 511 Christian Care of Individuals Lab | 3 |
| CHC 515 Christian Care of Families | 3 |
| CHC 516 Christian Care of Families Lab | 3 |
| CHC 520 Christian Care and Group Process | 3 |
| CHC 525 Training Christian Caregivers | 3 |
| CHC 590 Christian Care of Individuals & Families Practicum | 3 |
| CHC 595 Training Christian Care Givers Practicum | 3 |
Also Available: MDiv in Christian Care
This 75-credit Master of Divinity in Christian Care degree integrates biblical, theological and ministry studies to help students develop wisdom plus the character needed for present and future service. Our MDiv students are equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to faithfully lead and serve in diverse ministry contexts, as they also prepare to address today’s challenging questions and issues while faithfully upholding the truth of God’s Word.