Learn Which Christian College or University Has the Best Undergraduate Psychology Program

Learn Which Christian College or University Has the Best Undergraduate Psychology Program
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Top 10 Christian Colleges & Universities for Undergraduate Psychology Degrees

Determining what constitutes “the best” of anything is a subjective call, but students looking for “the best” psychology program from a Christian perspective most likely would prefer one holding a creationist viewpoint, rather than the strictly humanistic, Freudian, and evolutionary view of secular psychology. Based on that disclaimer, this list of the top ten Christian colleges or universities with psychology degree programs derives from a survey compiled by LIFE Fellowship, a conservative Bible church based in Colorado. [3]

LIFE Fellowship requested answers to a series of five specific questions, asking representatives from each Christian college to address their doctrinal positions and foundation of belief for their psychology programs (as defined previously), and rated them accordingly. The following ten colleges and universities rated the highest on a scale of 1 to 10, falling between 7 and 10, listed here in ascending order. Several colleges received “7” ratings from LIFE Fellowship, but this list includes only the first three, in alphabetical order. Likewise, successive identical numerical ratings are in alphabetical order.[4]

Baptist Bible College

1] (www.bbc.edu/college/academics/program_counseling.asp) Rating: 7

Baptist Bible College, located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, offers a dual major Bachelor of Science degree in Bible and Counseling. Some specialty courses include Psychology of Learning, Issues in Professionalism, and Marriage and Family Dynamics. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $23,690, with 95 percent of students receiving financial aid. Considered a pre-professional degree, students may choose careers in a number of counseling settings or become professors of psychology and counseling. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate degrees to become certified or licensed professional counselors.

Belhaven University

2] (www.belhaven.edu/academics/Psychology/default.htm) Rating: 7

Belhaven University, located in Jackson, Mississippi, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, including a research or clinical practicum. Some specialty courses include Human Growth and Development, Psychological Testing, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, and Experimental Psychology. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $24,200, with some variations. About 90 percent of students receive some form of financial aid. Students may choose entry-level careers in such areas as case management, family or social services, staff training and development, or occupational analysis. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate degrees in psychology, counseling, law, or social work.

Cedarville College

3] (https://www.cedarville.edu/Academics/Psychology/Academics.aspx?type=Majors) Rating: 7

Cedarville College, located in Cedarville, Ohio, offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Students must choose one of six specialized tracks: comprehensive counseling, health psychology and addictions, behavioral neuroscience, child and family, research, or cross-cultural psychology. Some specialty courses include Testing and Measurement, Medications and Behavior, Cognitive Neuroscience, Counseling Adolescents, and Qualitative Research, depending on the student’s chosen track. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, textbooks, and transportation expenses totaled approximately $32,000, depending on the student’s location and distance he or she had to travel. Multiple forms of financial assistance are available. Students with this pre-professional degree may choose careers in such fields as life skills, youth services, human resources, child case management, family literacy, or mental health rehabilitation specialization. This degree also fully prepares students to pursue master’s degrees, Ph.D., and Psy.D. degrees.

Covenant College

4] (https://www.covenant.edu/academics/undergrad/psychology) Rating: 7

Covenant College, located in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, offers a Bachelor of Arts in either Clinical or Experimental Psychology. Depending on the major, some specialty courses include Counseling and Psychotherapy, Psychological Assessment, Behavior Therapy, and Physiological Psychology. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $39,976, with 99.5 percent of students receiving financial aid. Students may choose careers in research, counseling, or mental health fields. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate degrees in psychology, counseling, or research.

Grace College

5] (https://www.grace.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors/school-behavioral-sciences/psychology) Rating: 7

Grace College, located in Winona Lake, Indiana, offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Counseling and Psychology. The Arts focus generally covers liberal arts concentrations, while the Science focus typically is more science and lab-oriented. Some specialty courses include Research Methods in Social Sciences, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Group Techniques of Counseling, and Clinical Psychology. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, and board, totaled $28,744, plus about $2800 for books, transportation, and personal expenses, depending on the distance a student must travel. Various forms of financial aid and scholarships are also available. Students may choose careers in case management, public advocacy, various fields of counseling and therapy, mental health services, or school psychology. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate degrees in counseling, and general or clinical psychology, including Grace College’s Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Interpersonal Relations.

Grace University

6] (https://www.graceuniversity.edu/academics/academic_programs/psychology/) Rating: 7.5

Grace University, located in Omaha, Nebraska, offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Students may choose either general psychology, or drug and alcohol counseling concentrations. Some specialty courses, depending on the concentration, include Introduction to Health and Wellness, Spiritual Issues and Psychology, Group Dynamics, and Clinical Treatment Issues in Chemical Dependency. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $24,720, with 99 percent of students receiving financial aid. Students may choose careers in areas of business, church work, or welfare and social services. This bachelor degree also prepares students to pursue graduate degrees, including the Master’s of Counseling degree at Grace University.

Moody Bible Institute

7] (https://www.moody.edu/edu_mainpage.aspx?id=4930) Rating: 7.5

Moody Bible Institute, located in Chicago, Illinois, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Ministries. While all students major primarily in biblical and theological studies, each student also chooses a secondary major. Some specialty courses within the Educational Ministries major include Human Development, Adolescent Psychology, Learning Theories and Applications, and Exceptional Children. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including room, board, and various fees, totaled approximately $7,000 depending on factors such as dorm choice, meal plan, and other fees. Moody offers an exceptional and innovative value with its $8,000 tuition-paid scholarship model for each student, thanks to outside donors. Other forms of financial aid and payment plans are also available. Students may choose careers as church or parachurch educational specialists, camp ministry leaders, or in children’s or youth ministries. This degree also prepares students to pursue graduate studies, including Moody’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Bob Jones University

8] (https://www.bju.edu/academics/majors/viewmajor.php?id=1112&p=0) Rating: 9.5

Bob Jones University, located in Greenville, South Carolina, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling. Some specialty courses include Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Men or Women, and Biblical Church Ministry. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $17,630 with numerous financial aid options available. Graduates may choose careers in counseling or leading support groups in various settings. This bachelor degree also prepares students to pursue master’s or doctorate degrees in a wide range of fields within counseling, education, and psychology, including BJU’s Master of Science in Biblical Counseling or Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, with a psychology concentration.

Maranatha Baptist Bible College

9] (https://www.mbbc.edu/page.aspx?m=100) Rating: 10

Maranatha Baptist Bible College, located in Watertown, Wisconsin, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling, with concentrations in pastoral counseling , or youth or women’s ministries. Some specialty courses include Counseling Problems and Procedures, Counseling Techniques, and Gender Issues in Counseling. The annual costs for fulltime residential students for 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $18,240, with over 80 percent of students receiving financial aid. Students may choose careers in counseling or church ministry. This degree also prepares students to pursue seminary or graduate degrees, including Maranatha’s Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling.

The Master’s College

10] (www.masters.edu/DeptPageNew.asp?PageId=3004) Rating: 10

The Master’s College, located in Santa Clarita, California, offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Counseling. Some specialty courses include Bibliology and Hermeneutics, Theological Basis of Biblical Counseling, and Biblical Conflict Resolution. The annual costs for fulltime residential students in 2010-2011, including tuition, room, board, and fees, totaled approximately $35,930, plus $400-$800 for books, depending on courses. Multiple forms of financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available. Students may choose careers in counseling within churches, or obtain certification and mentoring with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC). This degree also prepares students to pursue seminary, master’s and doctorate degrees.

Conclusion

This article endeavored to answer “which Christian college or university has the best undergraduate psychology program.” The list included the top ten Christian colleges and universities rated by LIFE Fellowship, which is a conservative Colorado-based Bible church. Their ratings took into consideration each institution’s doctrinal positions and foundation of belief for their psychology programs. In order to select the most appropriate psychology bachelor degree program, students could also review program descriptions, location, tuition, and other details.

References, Resources, and Image Permission

References

[1][2]All Psychology Schools. What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology? Retrieved from https://www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology-careers/article/careers-psych-bachelor-degree

[3]LIFE Fellowship. About Us. Retrieved from https://www.lifefellowship.org/about_us.htm

[4]Return to the Word. Which Christian Colleges are Best? Retrieved from https://www.returntotheword.org/colleges.html

Resources

All-About-Psychology.com. A Free & Comprehensive Guide to the World of Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.all-about-psychology.com/index.html

All Psychology Schools. Your Guide to Psychology Education and Careers. Retrieved from https://www.allpsychologyschools.com/psychology-degree

Society for Christian Psychology. About the Society. Retrieved from https://christianpsych.org/wp_scp/about-the-society

Image Permission

Creative Commons: PsyCat at https://www.all-about-psychology.com/psychology-pictures.html