5-Year BS-MABC Benefits
The 5-Year Bachelor of Science to Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling accelerated degree option offers a unique opportunity to build a strong biblical foundation and advanced counseling skills, all while saving time and money by earning two degrees in just five years.
Gain essential skills for biblical counseling.
- Develop the ability to assess spiritual and emotional growth, apply a biblical worldview to counseling practices, and create a strategic approach to effective, Christ-centered care.
- Communicate biblical truths with clarity and compassion, and lead and counsel with purpose.
Save time and money.
- Begin your counseling career sooner by completing both degrees in just five years, instead of the typical seven.
- Save money with a potential tuition savings of $18,000 compared to earning the BS and MA in Biblical Counseling separately.
Build on a Biblical foundation.
- Apply biblical truths to real-life situations, ensuring that your work is deeply rooted in Scripture.
- Be confident that you have been equipped with the rigor of seminary while enjoying the college experience at Calvary University.
5-Year BS-MABC Details
The 5-Year BS-MA accelerated degree option in Biblical Counseling at Calvary University is designed to provide a comprehensive academic foundation for counseling while fast-tracking your journey to both undergraduate and graduate qualifications. Meeting the academic and counseling involvement criteria is essential for success, and students will benefit from a structured yet flexible course schedule, supported by academic advisors to ensure steady progress.
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 accelerated degree option in the senior year of high school.
- Be actively involved in local church/parachurch ministry.
- Follow the University Catalog criteria to apply to the graduate level of the accelerated degree option after completing the pre-requisite undergraduate courses.
See the current University Catalog for all admissions criteria
Program Learning Outcomes
- 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.
Course Scheduling Options
- To complete the accelerated degree option in 5 years, the student must take courses during the summer semester.
- 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.
- While students will work with the Academic Advisor each semester to ensure proper progression through the planner, the specific courses and the mix of undergraduate and graduate courses allow for some flexibility in scheduling.
5-Year BA-MDiv FAQs
Who should consider this accelerated degree option?
This Calvary University 5-Year BS-MABC accelerated degree option is ideal for undergraduate students who are called to ministry. It’s simple—more training in less time and for less cost.
Can students enter the accelerated degree option 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 accelerated degree option 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 accelerated degree option application process.
Additionally, once they have finished their first year and want to apply for the accelerated degree option they should speak with Dr. Luther Smith – who has embedded the application for this option into his Intro to Counseling class.
Can transfer students enter this accelerated degree option?
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 BS-MABC by contacting Dr. Cox.
Why is active church/ministry involvement required for continuing in the accelerated degree option?
The intent of the 5-year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling accelerated degree option is for training individuals who are called to ministry. Therefore, demonstrated local church/parachurch ministry involvement is an essential aspect of this accelerated degree option and where you will spend a significant part of each year.
How much does the 5-year BS-MABC accelerated degree option cost?
Students who complete the accelerated degree option 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 accelerated degree option remain vary from undergraduate to graduate status, but if completed as scheduled, the total tuition & fees cost for the entire degrees will be approximately $105,781 (per 2022-2023 school year on-campus costs for tuition and standard fees per session).
What kind of academic advising is available for accelerated degree option 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 MABC degrees.
Are accelerated degree option students eligible for financial aid?
Yes, students may apply for undergraduate scholarships, grants, and loans during the first 3 years of the accelerated degree option as scheduled and graduate scholarships and loans during the final 2 years.
Will accelerated degree option students still have a “normal” undergraduate student experience?
Yes! All accelerated degree option students get the best of both worlds—the full undergraduate student life experience combined with the opportunity to achieve their academic goals more quickly. Accelerated degree option students may live in campus housing and participate in all Calvary University’s student life programs.
What degrees will accelerated degree option students earn?
5-Year BS and MA in Biblical Counseling accelerated degree option 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.
Can this accelerated degree option be completed online?
Yes, all courses can be taken online. However, students wishing to pursue licensure need to attend Master Level Counseling courses in person.
Do accelerated degree option students need to finish the BS degree course work before they can complete the MABC degree course work?
Students may start MABC 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 accelerated degree option?
When students are not initially admitted into the accelerated degree option, they can attempt to enter it after completing the equivalent of one full year of undergraduate study.
To apply, these students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA during that time and go through the admissions process for this accelerated degree option.
Once they have finished their first year and want to apply to the accelerated degree option they should speak with Dr. Luther Smith – who has embedded the application for this option into his Intro to Counseling class.
In addition, students not admitted to the accelerated degree option 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 accelerated degree option students choose to withdraw from the accelerated degree option but want to continue with a BS degree?
Students who choose not to continue in the accelerated degree option can at any point apply relevant earned credit toward a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.