Corban University

Counseling and Psychology Degrees at Corban

Corban University appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the West.

The School of Arts and Sciences launched a Psychology Major (B.A./B.S.) for Corban University undergrads to receive a well-rounded introduction to the forces driving human behaviors. Advised by Dr. Corey Gilbert, the 51-credit major builds atop the liberal arts with four tracks: General Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Family Studies, or Pre-Counseling & Clinical Psychology. At an engaging 13:1 student-professor ratio, courses are scheduled in-person or online via Blackboard Connect. Expect topics like Personality Theories, Lifespan Growth, Trauma Therapy, Neurobiology, and Group Dynamics before the senior paper. Other opportunities include studying abroad in Thailand, adding the Linguistics Minor, researching in the Cognition Lab, working with Habitat for Humanity, and joining Psi Chi.

Since 2009, Corban University has started Master of Arts in Counseling cohorts every August to deepen graduates' therapeutic training for Oregon LPC licensure. Chaired by Dr. Kristin Dixon, the 60-credit, hybrid program blends weekly evening sessions in Salem with online assignments. Emphasizing a Christian worldview, the two-year, full-time curriculum integrates courses like Individual Appraisal, Psychopharmacology, Life Planning, and Addiction Rehabilitation. At least 100 practicum hours in Corban's Mental Health Clinic help prepare for the 600-hour internship. Possible placements include Mid-Valley Counseling, New Perspectives of Salem, Allies in Hope, Children's Behavioral Health, and Providence St. Vincent Center. Students might also pursue a Dual M.Div., join the Union Gospel Mission, attend the ORCA Fall Conference, and take the Heart of Africa trip.

About Corban University

Corban University was first opened in 1943 as the Phoenix Bible Institute in Arizona by Pastor Roy Bancroft with an inaugural class of 30. Three years later, the Baptist-owned entity was relocated to Oakland's Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. After another move to El Cerrito, it was chartered by Oregon Governor Tom McCall in 1969 with the 140-acre Salem campus of today. Endowed for $3.1 million, Corban University operates as a private, Christian CCCU member of the Cascade Conference. The five-time Presidents' Cup Award winner upholds Matthew 28:19-20 to teach 1,022 Warriors, including Psychology and Counseling majors. Linked to 2,953 LinkedIn alumni, Corban has trained Elizabeth Halseth, Reid Saunders, Dan Hill, Sherrie Sprenger, and more.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Corban University as the 66th best college in the West with 79 percent retention. On Niche, Corban is America's 64th best religious school, 122nd most conservative university, and 128th hardest college. Forbes placed Corban 483rd nationally after Albright College. According to The Statesman Journal, Corban University was named the #1 safest West Coast campus. College Factual declared Corban the country's 256th best value with the 94th most focused psychology program. WalletHub chose Corban University for the 202nd best buy. In Washington Monthly, Corban stands for the 100th most service participation and 158th most Peace Corps volunteers. Business Insider positioned Corban as the 591st smartest college overall too.

Corban University Accreditation Details

In Fall 2015, Corban University had its Level V accreditation renewed for another 10 years by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) without sanctions under president Dr. Sheldon Nord. This regional agency in Redmond is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to determine the quality of all 46 bachelor's, eight master's, and two doctoral majors. Corban is an accredited member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Curriculum aligns with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. The Master of Arts in Counseling also gained Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) approval.

Corban University Application Requirements

Devoting "Heart and Mind to God" in the Psychology Major at Corban University is moderately difficult with a 32 percent acceptance rate published on Peterson's. First-year Warriors must have graduated from licensed high schools, preferably with AP credit. Holding a 2.7 GPA is mandated, but the admitted average is 3.5. Freshmen need to score at least 980 on the SAT, 58 on the CLT, or 19 on the ACT. Transfers skipping this criterion need 31 semester or 47 quarter credits graded "C" or better from accredited colleges. The Master of Arts in Counseling only considers bachelor's grads with upper-division GPAs above 3.0. Above all, Corban requires a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and Christian values.

Corban University has established undergrad deadlines of August 1st for Fall, April 1st for Summer, and December 1st for Spring starts. Hopeful MAC cohorts can apply for early interviews by March 1st, but the final cutoff is May 1st. Applications can be filed online or by paper to 5000 Deer Park Drive SE in Salem, OR 97317. Questions can be asked by (503) 375-7005 or [email protected]. Psychology and counseling programs generally need these:

• Check or credit card for $50 fee
• Typed, 300-word faith statement
• Transcripts of all academic work
• Official college entrance exams
• One Christian character reference
• At least one teacher recommendation

Tuition and Financial Aid

Declaring the Psychology Major (B.A./B.S.) will cost Corban undergrads $1,291 per credit or $15,490 each semester full-time. Online courses are reduced to only $420 per credit. Budgets should include the $330 student activity fee, $150 enrollment fee, $40 tech fee, and $25 Student Psychology Association fee. Living at the Willamette Valley campus' dorms like Aagard Hall adds $2,926 for room and $2,254 for board every semester. The annual cost of attendance equals $44,650 for residents and $34,590 for commuters. The Master of Arts in Counseling currently bills $520 per credit for an estimated total of $31,200.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 91 percent of full-time Corban Warriors share $23.3 million in annual financial aid packages that average $17,314. Psychology majors might qualify for institutional money, such as the Academic Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, Christian Worker Dependent Grant, Sibling Grant, Visit Scholarship, and Honors Scholarship. Filing the FAFSA form with code 001339 by March 1st opens Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant funding. The "College of Distinction" accepts Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS loans or private loans with co-signers. Federal Work-Study jobs pay at least $10.25/hour for campus and community service. Beaver State natives could receive the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Promise Grant, or OSAC Scholarships. Corban University also suggests payment plans, GI Bill benefits, employer tuition assistance, and 529 savings plans.

Learn more about Corban University at the Social Sciences Division website.