Ohio Christian University

Ohio Christian University was founded in 1948 as Mount of Praise Bible College, meeting at the Mount of Praise Campground by the Churches of Christ in Christian Union who held annual revivalist camp meetings at the location. It later became Circleville Bible College. The original mission of the college was to educate clergy for the church. In 1958, the school was incorporated by the State of Ohio and moved to a forty-acre campus on Route 22 east of Circleville in the mid-1960s.

In the 1970s, additional programs, such as counseling and music were added and in 1983, teacher education was offered, initially for those who planned to teach in Christian schools. The program was eventually expanded to enable students to receive state licensure upon graduation. A business program was added in the late 1990s. In 2006, the college changed its name to Ohio Christian University.

Today, there are more than 4,000 graduate and undergraduate students students enrolled at Ohio Christian University.

Ohio Christian University Accreditation Details

In 2005, Ohio Christian University received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Accreditation indicates that an institute of higher learning meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the accrediting agency that demonstrates excellence in education. In addition, Ohio Christian University has been accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education since 1976. The education department is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

Ohio Christian University Application Requirements

First-time undergraduate students must complete an application and provide official high school transcripts. Students must also provide official ACT and SAT scores and a reference form from a pastor or minister. Transfer students must also submit an application and official high school transcripts as well as official college transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students must also complete ACT and SAT scores and a minister’s reference form.

Adult and graduate students must provide proof of high school graduation or GED certification. Students must also provide a reference from a pastor or minister. Online undergraduate students must have a minimum of 50 semester hours from an accredited college or university and must have earned a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all prior work. Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be provided. Graduate students must hold a bachelor degree or higher and must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Graduate Ministry applicants must have an overall GPA of 2.75 and must have the following experience and/or education:

• Minimum two years pastoral or lay leader experience
• Minimum six semester credits in Bible at the undergraduate or graduate level
• Minimum three semester credits in Theology at the undergraduate or graduate level

Tuition and Financial Aid

Traditional undergraduate tuition at Ohio Christian University is $600 per credit hour or $8,745 per semester. Tuition for adult and online programs is as follows:

• Associate of Arts Degrees - $325 per credit hour
• Bachelor of Arts Degrees - $415 per credit hour
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing - $350 per credit hour
• Graduate Ministry Program - $330 per credit hour
• Graduate Business Program - $495 per credit hour
• Military Personnel - $250 per credit hour

Financial aid is available and more than 90 percent of students attending Ohio Christian University are awarded a financial aid package. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for financial aid. Financial aid may be in the form of Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants or Ohio College Opportunity Grants. The university may also arrange for private, subsidized federal direct, unsubsidized federal direct or federal PLUS loans. Students may also be eligible for renewable or OCU scholarships, church matching grants, sibling grants, Good Neighbor Quality Student Grants or Christian homeschools grants.

Online Degree(s) Available

Bachelor of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling

The Bachelor of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling is designed to prepare students for a career in the addiction recovery field. Completion of the program meets the required 180 hours of chemical dependency education required for licensure in Ohio. Students are provided an education specific to chemical dependency counseling as well as the tools necessary for appropriate supervision of chemical dependency counseling while working in a treatment facility. Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals board for Certified Chemical Dependency Assistant status once they have completed 40 clock hours of training in specific areas.

Students integrate Christian principles in critical thinking and decision making while demonstrating awareness and improvement of thinking in those who are suffering from chemical dependency. Students learn to identify the needs of individuals using assessments, diagnostics and planning treatment. Students develop skills and knowledge in appropriate counseling techniques for individuals, families and groups. In addition, students learn how to provide information on chemical dependency to clients, families, groups and the community. Students learn how to develop and provide aftercare.

The program requires 36 general education credits, 36 general electives and 48 program requirements. A minimum of 50 semester credits from an institute of higher learning is required for admission and students must have a GPA of 2.0 or better on all prior work. Courses required include:

• Research and Professional Development
• Christian Excellence
• Introduction to Substance Abuse
• Transformed Worldview
• Psychopharmacology
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
• Prevention Strategies
• Abnormal Psychology
• Introduction to Theology
• Diagnostic Evaluation and Personal Assessment
• Individual Chemical Dependency Counseling
• Methods of Counseling
• Case Management
• Family Dynamics in Substance Abuse
• Spiritual Dimensions of Illness and Recovery
• Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling
• Preparation for the State Test

The College of Adult & Graduate Studies at Ohio Christian University offers adult students the opportunity to meet their higher education goals while still allowing them to engage in work, social and family obligations. Ohio Christian University understands that adult students have unique needs and they work to meet those needs by offering convenient, relevant, collaborative and experientially rich courses that meet the needs of adult students. For more than 60 years, Ohio Christian University has been preparing world-impacting Christian leaders who are prepared for advanced positions in their industry while serving effectively in the church and society following a Wesleyan tradition.