California Baptist University

by

Updated November 30, 2022 · 3 Min Read

Learn more about the various counseling degree programs available at California Baptist University.

BestCounselingDegrees.net is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

California Baptist University, originally known as California Baptist College, was founded in 1950 in El Monte, California. Currently located in Riverside, California, the liberal arts, private, Christian school is part of the California Southern Baptist Convention. The university is home to a number of schools, including a College of Health Science, a College of Arts and Sciences, a College of Engineering, a School of Business and a School of Behavioral Sciences, to name a few.

California Baptist University Accreditation Details

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities division is the agency responsible for the accreditation of California Baptist University. Additionally, several of the various colleges and schools associated with the university hold accreditations from organizations related to their specific fields.

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

California Baptist University Application Requirements

In order to be enrolled in a degree program at California Baptist University, students must first complete and submit an application for undergraduate admission. Next, prospective students must write a three- to five-paragraph essay detailing what they hope to gain from their experience as a student at the school and provide examples from spiritual, social and academic standpoints. Interested students are also responsible for paying the $45 non-refundable application fee and for supplying official transcripts from high school and other previous accredited academic institutions as well as ACT and/or SAT test scores.

Related resource: Top 20 Christian Colleges for a Counseling Degree

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students seeking an undergraduate degree from California Baptist University can expect to pay $14,781 per 13- to 18-credit semester. A master’s degree in counseling ministry costs $563 per unit, and the master’s degree in counseling psychology is approximately $680 per unit. The starting point for receiving financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the school offers a number of state and federal forms of aid, including grants, loans and scholarships. The school provides eligible veterans with military benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and recognizes the Yellow Ribbon Program. California Baptist University also has an unlimited number of scholarships available for veterans at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees Available

The School of Behavioral Sciences at California Baptist University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Undergraduates can pursue a degree in psychology, Christian behavioral science and behavioral science. Graduates can pursue a degree in counseling psychology, counseling ministry and industrial-organizational psychology. California Baptist University is home to the Center for the Study of Human Behavior--the only facility of its kind at the school--that serves as an integral faculty and student training and research center.

The 44-unit Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree provides students with the opportunity to explore the human experience while simultaneously preparing them for careers in private and public agencies. Students will analyze how people relate, behave and think, evaluating each aspect through a biblical lens while also evaluating clinical and scientific research. Students are encouraged to pursue a double major in the behavioral sciences or a complementary minor as it relates to the field. Upon graduate students will be able to comprehend and conduct high-quality research, understand how a Christian worldview influences the practice of psychology and exemplify what it means to be a Christian in the industry. Coursework includes statistics and research methodology, foundational skills in behavioral sciences, general psychology, theories of personality, history and systems of psychology, psychophysiology, theories of counseling, tests and measurements, cognitive psychology and abnormal psychology. A student may also wish to pursue an optional concentration by taking an additional 12 credit units in social work, religion and behavior, psychology, lifespan development, cognitive psychology, Christian behavioral science or counseling ministry.

Students earning a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Behavioral Science receive a decidedly Christian, distinct perspective of human behavior. The purpose of the 51-unit program is to address the relationship of the knowledge drawn from the behavioral sciences as it relates to the Bible. Students will pursue a contemporary and historical knowledge of the field and develop the skills necessary to directly apply their education in ministry contexts. The program provides the necessary foundation for students to advance their education by pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry. Faculty members include expert Christian professors who practice in fields such as theology, political science, sociology, anthropology and psychology. Coursework includes cultural anthropology, an introduction to sociology, general psychology, marriage and family in the Christian community, Christian doctrine and Bible interpretation. Students may choose from electives such as global perspectives, Christian social ethics and church history or earn a concentration in areas such as religion and behavior, psychology, lifespan development, diversity, counseling ministry, cognitive psychology or anthropology. Career options for graduates include international missions, Christian counseling and church-based counseling.

The Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry from California Baptist University is designed for clergy and laypeople who wish to offer Christian counseling services in a congregational setting. The curriculum provides the self-awareness, skills and knowledge needed for Christ-centered, effective counseling ministries. The program lasts one to two years and can be paired with the M.S. in Counseling Psychology degree, preparing candidates for church-based counseling and licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). Interested students may also pursue an optional concentration in professional ministry or research in counseling ministry. Students receive training in the application of psychological theory and counseling in the context of church-based counseling. Graduates are prepared to work in mission agencies, churches and other areas in which healing ministries, support groups and counseling are provided.

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology are equipped with the necessary techniques to help families and individuals by restoring balance and wholeness in their lives. Students gain practical counseling experience in a number of settings, and at the heart of the program lies educational methods that teach skills to address the spiritual, emotional and mental needs of the community. Candidates will have the opportunity to experience and observe a range of clinical settings under the guidance of on-site supervisors and seasoned faculty. The two-year program meets the educational requirements for Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) licensure. Students earning a master’s degree from California Baptist University may also opt for a concentration in professional clinical counseling that satisfies the requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor exam, forensic psychology or a dual degree that combines the M.S. in Counseling Psychology with the M.A. in Counseling Ministry.

Latest Posts

Are you ready to do impactful work in your community?