Where to find an accredited/low tuition bible college for a Master's in Counseling?

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Hotdillon, Oct 23, 2011.

Loading...
  1. Hotdillon

    Hotdillon New Member

    Do you guys happen to know where a person could get a Nationally or Regionally accredited Master's degree in say Christian counseling at a very reasonable price?
    I want to pursue my Master's in Christian Counseling or a closely related field, but I want it to be accredited. I know I can find a school that claims an religious exemption and the tuition is low, but that doesn't satisfy me.....unless of course any of you know a very reputable one???? :) Thanks guys!
     
  2. DailyNews

    DailyNews New Member

    Hotdillon, I am wondering the same thing you are. Is there an affordable Online Degree in Christian or religious counseling out there that is either nationally or regionally accredited of ABHE Accredited?? Or, since most of the time religious schools are exempt, perhaps a well-known, state authorized one that has a good reputation with other schools at the Master's level?

    Anyone???
     
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    The term "low tuition" doesn't really mean anything. One man's ceiling is another man's floor.
    Liberty is the generic answer. Another generic answer is to point out that if you actually want to practice in the counseling field then you have to satisfy your state's licensing laws. And then the third generic answer is to point out that we have a cool little search function:

    Advanced Search - DegreeInfo Distance Learning - online degree forum
     
  4. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    It would be hard to be a credible program, based in the U.S. with U.S. expenses, and do much better on tuition than these secular programs.

    Aspen University
    M.A. in Psychology and Addiction Counseling 48 sh
    219 per sh by Prepayment Plan, 300 per sh Standard Plan
    10 500, or 14 400
    Nationally accredited by the DETC only, secular.

    Amberton University
    M.S. in Family Studies [pdf] 36 sh
    M.A. in Professional Development [pdf] 36 sh
    The first is built on and the second could be built on CLS (Counseling) and HBD (Human Behavior and Development) courses.
    235 per sh
    8 460
    Amberton University is a nondenominational Christian school with roots in the Churches of Christ (Restorationist) as an offshoot of Abilene Christian University. Today all employees agree "that Jesus of the New Testament Bible is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior." There is no doctrinal test for students and in its years as a big player in distance learning I haven't heard a thing about its courses being doctrinaire.

    Fort Hays State University
    many but not all courses for these available online
    M.S. in Counseling, in either School Counseling or Community Counseling 45 sh
    235.50 per sh
    10 597.50

    Chadron State College
    many but not all courses for these available online
    M.Ed. in School Counseling 39 sh
    M.A. in Education in Community Mental Health Counseling 54 sh
    250 per sh
    9 750 or 13 500 respectively

    Let me reiterate Kizmet's point that "if you actually want to practice in the counseling field then you have to satisfy your state's licensing laws," also.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 27, 2011
  5. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    As far as state licensure, there are of course different standards for each state, but generally you're going to need a 60-credit program with at least 2 internships to qualify for most states. As far as accreditation, I'm not really sure, all I know for certain is that Massachusetts is RA-only.

    Then again, I'm not really familiar with Christian Counseling; there may be exemptions or waivers for that, since clergy engage in counseling every day without being licensed.
     
  6. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    Here is another list. Of the bunch, Fordham would be the most distinguished. Do not rule out grants and scholarships.

    Christian Counseling Degrees - Religious Studies Schools & Degree Programs
     
  7. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    As a side venture, why not Atlantic University's DETC accredited Master of Transpersonal Studies?

    The curriculum draws from the best of the humanities, social and natural sciences, psychology, and religious and spiritual traditions, to form a distinguished and relevant course of scholarship in the field of transformative theories and practices.

    It is 795/course and can be taken online.

    Atlantic University
     
  8. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    "Christian counseling" as a term doesn't tell us a whole lot. It can mean anything from a professional counselor who is also a Christian to non-clinical, pastoral-style counseling.

    The term "biblical counseling" is also thrown around, but this typically refers to a pastoral counseling method that relies exclusively on the Bible and generally eschews any use of modern psychological principles. (Ironically, however, it ends up having significant similarities with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of biblical counseling as a general practice, but I do think it has a role for religious formation, just not for treatment of psychological disorders.)

    It sounds like the OP isn't interested in professional, clinical counseling because accreditation isn't a big issue.

    Pastoral and biblical counseling are very flexible in academic requirements because governmental requirements aren't typically an issue.

    I do recommend Liberty University's MA in Pastoral Counseling for those comfortable in a conservative evangelical-to-fundamentalist context. Somewhat surprisingly, LU does not endorse biblical counseling, preferring to endorse an integration of psychological principles with theological principles.
     
  9. Hotdillon

    Hotdillon New Member

    I appreciate the info guys. You have some great insight into this subject matter. However, none of the schools mentioned are affordable...at al, but are great academic schools.
     
  10. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    If you want to counsel people in a Christian context, there are probably opportunities close to you that you could get start in right now as a volunteer in discipleship ministries, youth ministries, prison ministries, etc. Formal or informal training and mentorship would tend to be built in. Talk to your pastor.
     
  11. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    I'm not sure what your definition of "affordable" is, so we probably can't be of much help until we hear this.

    Unfortunately, if you want an accredited degree, you probably aren't going to find a place much cheaper than LU's seminary.
     
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    This category of degrees is not my thing but don't people generally refer to Baker's Guide?

    Christian Online Learning: Bible, College, Seminary Degrees

    You guys are slipping. It's a sad state of affairs when a heathen like me has to point people toward the best known guide for Christian DL. :dunno:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 29, 2011
  13. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    Well, Baker's Guide is all accredited and unlikely to have anything appreciably cheaper in the subject. Walston's Guide includes unaccredited schools; last rev. 2007, though.
     
  14. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    Hotdillon, if you clarify exactly what you need the degree to do, we might be able to give better suggestions. Ex, do you want to counsel people in your local church?

    Would it be possible to ask your church to support your studies?

    One thought comes to mind, CCEF ... they are not accredited, but seem to be well respected within the field of Christian counseling. They offer three certificate levels:
    CCEF | Restoring Christ to Counseling and Counseling to the Church
    If I'm reading their website correctly, the total cost per course is $570, so the cost for the first-level certificate would be $2,850. Again, this school has no official accreditation, I just remembered seeing it mentioned on some prominent evangelical blogs.
     
  15. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator



    Yeah well that's OK but I NEVER recommend unaccredited degree programs.
     
  16. Hotdillon

    Hotdillon New Member

    Well, emzee, in all actuality, I want my Master's in Counseling, so it will look good on a resume, period! But I wouldn't mind a case worker, social worker, or a closely related position down the road. I dont have a lot of money to spend and I know that most religious schools that dont have govt accreditation are very affordable, but if I decide to do this, I want it from at least a very reputable school, preferably some form of accreditation!

    Thanks guys!
     
  17. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

Share This Page