5-Year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling
Earn a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling degree in as few as five years.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Biblical Counseling Students Will
- Identify and explain different counseling perspectives in contrast to the biblical worldview.
- Formulate a biblical philosophy of counseling.
- Practice communication skills needed for biblical counseling.
- Examine counselee’s problems and evaluate solutions from a biblical worldview.
- Integrate their biblical knowledge with their counseling methodology and practice.
- Synthesize information in biblical counseling to prepare student for Master’s level
coursework.
Entry Requirements
- Maintain high academic standards in high school (2.5 GPA or higher) (see the current Catalog for all admissions criteria).
- Apply to the 5-Yr BS and MA in Biblical Counseling Program in the senior year of high school.
- Be actively involved in local church/parachurch ministry.
Continuing in the Program
- Maintain a 2.5 GPA (or higher).
- Continue local church/ministry participation.
Program Planner
Course Information
As a general recommendation, students are encouraged to focus upon undergraduate courses in the first year. This will allow for the adjustments to college life as well as the opportunity to get well grounded in the academic work of the University.
- To complete the Program in 5 years, the student must take courses during the summer semester.
- While students will work with the Academic Advisor each semester to ensure proper progression through the program, the specific courses and the mix of undergraduate and graduate courses allow for some flexibility in scheduling.
- As a rule, graduate courses require more work and scholarliness, but depending upon personal ability, graduate courses may be taken in every year of the Program.
- Of the options below, Options 1-3 enable the student to complete the Program in 5 years. But if the student needs to have the normal summer free for work or ministry requirements, Option 4 describes how the program may be completed in 6 years (but this would mean additional costs).
- In every Session of years 1-3, the majority of course hours taken must be undergraduate hours in order to retain an “Undergraduate” status, thus ensuring eligibility for the maximum financial aid in those years.
Undergrad Hours
99
Graduate Hours
57
Total Hours
156
Frequently Asked Questions
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THIS PROGRAM?
This Calvary University 5-year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling degree program is ideal for undergraduate students who are called to ministry. It’s simple—5-year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling degree program offers more training in less time and for less cost. The better question is: why would you not consider the 5-year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling degree program?
CAN STUDENTS ENTER THE PROGRAM EVEN IF THEY DON’T MEET THE MINIMUM HIGH SCHOOL STANDARDS FOR ENTRY?
Yes. Students who do not meet the minimum standards for entry into the Program may still be admitted after completing the equivalent of one year of undergraduate study. To be considered, they must maintain a 2.5 GPA during their first year of study and go through the Program application process.
Additionally, Once they have finished their first year and want to apply to the program they should speak with Dr. Luther Smith – who has embedded the application for this program into his Intro to Counseling class.
CAN TRANSFER STUDENTS ENTER THIS PROGRAM?
Yes. Transfer students can be admitted based on an academic evaluation of their transfer credit. Transfer students who have at least 12 undergraduate credits and have maintained a 2.5 GPA for that work may apply for admission to the BA-MDiv by contacting Dr. Cox – [email protected].
WHY IS ACTIVE CHURCH/MINISTRY INVOLVEMENT REQUIRED FOR CONTINUING IN THE PROGRAM?
The intent of the 5-year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling Program is for training individuals who are called to ministry. Therefore, demonstrated local church/parachurch ministry involvement is an essential aspect of this Program and where you will spend a significant part of each year in the Program.
HOW MUCH DOES THE 5-YEAR BS AND MA in BIBLICAL COUNSELING PROGRAM COST?
Students who complete the program according to the schedule recommended by the Academic Advisor are eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate student for the first 3 years and then as a graduate student the final 2 years. The tuition & fees costs for the program remain vary from undergraduate to graduate status, but if completed as scheduled, the total tuition & fees cost for the entire Program will be approximately $105,781 (per 2022-2023 school year costs and depending upon housing, meal plan, and venue in which courses are taken: in-class or online).
WHAT KIND OF ACADEMIC ADVISING IS AVAILABLE FOR PROGRAM STUDENTS?
All students will receive world-class academic advising from the moment they enter Calvary University. Advisors help students plan a sequence of study, make course decisions, and professor selections. In addition, they provide academic guidance to help students as they pursue their BS and MA in Biblical Counseling degree.
ARE PROGRAM STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID?
Yes, students may apply for undergraduate scholarships, grants, and loans during the first 3 years of the program as scheduled and graduate scholarships and loans during the final 2 years.
WILL PROGRAM STUDENTS STILL HAVE A “NORMAL” UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCE?
Yes! All Program students get the best of both worlds—the full undergraduate student life experience combined with the opportunity to achieve their academic goals more quickly. Program students may live in campus housing and participate in all Calvary University’s student life programs. (See the Student Life Handbook for more information.)
WHAT DEGREES WILL PROGRAM STUDENTS EARN?
5-Yr BS and MA in Biblical Counseling program, students earn two degrees in as little as five years, as well as earning a minor in Biblical Psychology:
- Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling
- Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling
Students may also earn an undergraduate minor by using the elective hours to complete an undergraduate minor degree.
WHAT CLASSES WILL PROGRAM STUDENTS TAKE?
All students in the 5-year BS (with minor in Biblical Psychology) to MA in the Biblical Counseling program will complete 156 hours (the required General Education courses, 33 hours undergraduate), 3 hours graduate; Biblical Education courses, 18 hours undergraduate, 12 hours graduate; Professional Education 27 hours undergraduate; Biblical Psychology Minor, 21 hours undergraduate and 42 hours of graduate courses to complete the BA and qualify for Missouri State licensure.
CAN THIS PROGRAM BE COMPLETED ONLINE?
Can the program be taken online? The program can be taken online, however, students wishing to pursue licensure need to attend Master Level Counseling courses in person.
DO PROGRAM STUDENTS NEED TO FINISH THE BA DEGREE COURSE WORK BEFORE THEY CAN COMPLETE THE MA IN BIBLICAL COUNSELING DEGREE COURSE WORK?
Students may start MA classes starting in year 2 so long as they are registered for 12 hours of undergraduate course work, until all undergraduate courses are completed.
WHAT OPTIONS DO STUDENTS HAVE IF THEY DON’T GET ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
Students who are not initially admitted into the Program can attempt to enter it after completing the equivalent of one full year of undergraduate study. These students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA during that time and go through the admissions process for this Program.
Once they have finished their first year and want to apply to the program they should speak with Dr. Luther Smith – who has embedded the application for this program into his Intro to Counseling class.
In addition, students not admitted to the Program are encouraged to consider some of Calvary University’s other excellent programs, which can be paired with the Calvary University full Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling degree. Students can complete a traditional bachelor’s degree and then enroll in the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling degree, finishing both degrees in as little as 7 years.
WHAT IF PROGRAM STUDENTS CHOOSE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PROGRAM BUT WANT TO CONTINUE WITH A BA DEGREE?
Students who choose not to continue in the Program can at any point apply relevant earned credit toward one of Calvary University’s many BA degree options.