Degree Program

Accelerated Master of Science in Grief Counseling

Faith-Integrated · Online · Self-Paced

10 Modules

Full Curriculum

12 Months

Program Duration

$3,800

Pay in Full

$380/course

Per Course Option

Program Overview

A 10-module graduate program developing professional-level competency in grief counseling theory, ethics, and clinical practice. Integrating evidence-based bereavement science with faith-informed pastoral care, graduates are equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities navigating profound loss. Instructor: Gerrit J. Grundling, Ph.D.

Academic Pathway

Graduate Certificate

Open Admission

4 courses

Graduate Diploma

Bachelor's Required

7 courses total

Master of Science

Bachelor's Required

10 courses total

No coursework is repeated. Each credential builds toward the next.

58

Video Lectures

10

PDF Materials

6

Graded Quizzes

Full Curriculum

10 modules across 10 courses
1

GCM501 – Foundations of Psychotherapy and Grief Counseling

1 lessons

01

GCM501 – Foundations of Psychotherapy and Grief Counseling

2

GCM502 – Motivational Interviewing in Grief Practice

1 lessons

01

GCM502 – Motivational Interviewing in Grief Practice

3

GCM503 – Grief Counseling Theory and Practice

1 lessons

01

GCM503 – Grief Counseling Theory and Practice

4

GCM504 – Ethics in Grief Counseling

1 lessons

01

GCM504 – Ethics in Grief Counseling

5

GCM505 – Treatment Planning for Grief Counselors

1 lessons

01

GCM505 – Treatment Planning for Grief Counselors

6

GCM506 – Understanding and Treating Complicated Grief

1 lessons

01

GCM506 – Understanding and Treating Complicated Grief

7

GCM507 – Multicultural Aspects of Grief Counseling

1 lessons

01

GCM507 – Multicultural Aspects of Grief Counseling

8

GCM508 – Grief Counseling with Families

1 lessons

01

GCM508 – Grief Counseling with Families

9

GCM509 – Grief Counseling with Children and Adolescents

1 lessons

01

GCM509 – Grief Counseling with Children and Adolescents

10

GCM510 – Grief Counseling with Adults Across the Lifespan

1 lessons

01

GCM510 – Grief Counseling with Adults Across the Lifespan

Video PDF Quiz Requires enrollment

What You Will Gain

K

Knowledge

  • Foundational and advanced theories of grief, loss, and bereavement
  • Biblical and theological frameworks for understanding suffering
  • Ethical considerations in faith-based counseling relationships
  • Developmental perspectives on grief across the lifespan
S

Skills

  • Conduct structured grief assessments in ministry settings
  • Facilitate individual and group grief support sessions
  • Apply motivational interviewing techniques in pastoral care
  • Design grief recovery programs for congregational contexts
M

Ministry Application

  • Serve as a trained grief counselor within your church or ministry
  • Lead bereavement support groups with confidence and compassion
  • Equip fellow ministry leaders with grief-informed pastoral skills
  • Provide theologically grounded comfort to families in crisis

How This Program Changes You

Beyond knowledge — the tangible shifts in how you think, lead, and serve.

Communicate with confidence in high-emotion pastoral situations

Hold space for the grieving without rushing toward resolution

Design structured grief interventions grounded in both theology and evidence

Build resilience against compassion fatigue in your own ministry life

Earn a recognized credential that validates your counseling competency

Where Graduates Apply This

Real-world contexts where your training makes a difference.

Church & Congregation

Grief support groups, pastoral counseling, congregational care programs

Nonprofit Leadership

Community wellness programs, faith-based crisis response organizations

Chaplaincy Settings

Hospital, hospice, military, and institutional chaplaincy roles

Seminary & Education

Teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development in theological education

Community Outreach

Bereavement support services, disaster relief counseling, ministry partnerships

Leadership Outcomes

How this program builds your capacity to lead.

Lead grief support teams with clinical confidence and pastoral sensitivity

Develop and oversee counseling programs at the organizational level

Mentor junior counselors and ministry volunteers

Represent your organization in community care partnerships

This Program Prepares You For

Pastoral counseling within church and ministry settingsGrief support group facilitationChaplaincy in faith-based organizationsNon-profit and community care leadershipTeaching and mentoring in seminary contexts

Program Learning Areas

Grief & Bereavement Theory
Trauma-Informed Ministry
Motivational Interviewing
Crisis Intervention
Compassion Fatigue & Self-Care
Theological Foundations of Suffering
Group Facilitation Skills
Ethics in Counseling
Cultural Considerations in Grief
Program Design & Evaluation

Stackable credentials: Earn credentials while progressing toward your degree. Each milestone — Certificate, Diploma, and Degree — is awarded automatically as you complete courses. No coursework is repeated.

Tuition Options

Choose the plan that works for you

Pay in FullBest Value

$3,800

one-time · no interest

Per Course10 courses

$380/course

pay as you progress · flexible

10 online modules
Video lectures per lesson
Downloadable PDF materials
Graded module quizzes
Certificate of completion
Lifetime access
Apply Now

Payment plan selected after application approval

Learn More & Apply — $380/course

Pay per course or in full · Application fee waived

Questions? Contact

Grant James

Director of Admissions

📞 678-466-0714 admissions@southgeauga.com