Colorado Christian University

Psychology and Counseling Degrees at CCU

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

Colorado Christian University offers three psychology and counseling degrees, including an associate’s degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling.

The 60-hour associate’s degree in psychology may be completed in less than two years and prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of psychology. Career options could include helping people with developmental disabilities, working with the elderly, family support positions, crisis intervention, counselor’s aide or mental health caseworker. In addition, students who earn an A.S. in Psychology could further advance their career opportunities if they apply their credit hours to the school’s bachelor’s degree in psychology. Students have direct access to faculty who are active professionals in the field, and students may take one class at a time with on-campus courses meeting one night per week for five weeks. Students are introduced to the field of psychology from an Evangelical Christian perspective and must complete 60 credit hours, including six semester hours of electives, 18 credit hours of major coursework and 36 credit hours of general education. Major core requirements include lifespan psychology and development, integration of psychology and theology, interpersonal relationships, social psychology, general psychology and an introduction to research and applied statistics.

The Bachelor of Psychology degree from Colorado Christian university helps students develop knowledge of the human nature’s foundational theories via a Christian worldview. The program challenges students to integrate the study of human behavior and faith in a scholarly environment that fosters creative thinking and critical thinking. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in governmental agencies, ministry, the mental health field, education, business and other areas in which a psychology background is either necessary or enhances the graduate’s qualifications for employment. The bachelor’s degree program consists of 120 credit hours, 36 of which are in the major, 42 of which are in general education and 42 of which are in elective courses. Students may complete the major coursework over four semesters, and graduates are prepared for application to the school’s Master of Arts in Counseling program. Students typically complete classes in five-week blocks and focus areas include the integration of psychology and theology, research methodology, interpersonal relationships and environmental, abnormal and social psychology. Major course requirements include the history and philosophy of psychology, human sexuality, abnormal psychology, theories of personality, lifespan psychology and development, integration of psychology and theology, interpersonal relationships, social psychology, general psychology, spiritual foundations of leadership and an introduction to research and applied statistics.

The Master of Arts in Counseling at Colorado Christian University combines experiential learning, rigorous coursework and mentoring relationships designed to help students become culturally responsive to professional counselors. This master’s program was the most awarded degree program at the Colorado Counseling Association Conference in 2015, and more than three-quarters of site supervisors indicate that CCU students are more clinically prepared for their career opportunities than the average counseling student. The 60-credit-hour program can be completed in two and a half years of intensive study, and students may transfer up to 12 graduate-level credit hours. Students must take four hours of elective courses, nine hours of practicum/internship courses, 39 hours of counseling core classes, four hours of Bible and theology coursework and four hours of residency. Classes are offered both in-seat and online to help meet the needs of adult students who have prior family and work commitments. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the National Counselor Exam. The master’s degree gives students the opportunity to integrate sound counseling principles with Christian faith and is a great option for someone interested in a clinical mental health degree. The counseling curriculum core includes classes such as social and cultural foundations, lifestyle and career, theories of groups and group counseling, marriage and family, crisis and trauma, appraisal, human growth and development, psychopathology, theories of personality and counseling, counseling services and methods, professional orientation and counseling skills. Additionally, Colorado Christian University students must complete four credit hours in theological foundations for counseling and spiritual formation for counseling and can choose from electives such as eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, addictive behaviors, human sexuality and empathy training.

About Colorado Christian University

Located in Lakewood, Colorado, Colorado Christian University is a private liberal arts university with a focus on the Christian worldview. Originally known as the Denver Bible Institute, the school was founded in 1914 and eventually expanded with the formation of three additional academic institutions, including the Bible Institute, the Theological School and the College of Liberal Arts. Colorado Christian University offers 45 online and on-campus degree programs as well as certification and licensure programs. From 2012 through 2015, the school received an “A” grade from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni based on how many core subjects the school requires for degree completion.

Colorado Christian University Accreditation Details

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is the accrediting agency for Colorado Christian University, and the school’s M.A. in Counseling receives accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Colorado Christian University Application Requirements

In order to be admitted into a psychology or counseling degree program, applicants must first complete an application for admission, including essays, and submit the application processing fee. Incoming students must also request a spiritual recommendation from a spiritual mentor, youth worker, youth pastor, pastor or an individual outside the family who can attest to the student’s Christian testimony and growth. Applicants must also submit official transcripts from all previously attended learning institutions, including high schools and accredited colleges, and incoming freshman must submit their official ACT and/or SAT scores.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time students can expect to pay $439 per credit hour for major and general education courses, and part-time tuition costs $539 per credit hour. The school offers a tuition discount for undergraduate National Guard, Reserve and active duty military students and their adult dependents. Military service members and dependents can expect to pay $250 per credit hour. Benefits from the Yellow Ribbon Program or the Post-9/11 GI Bill may cover most or all of a student’s tuition and fees. Colorado Christian University offers financial aid, including loans, grants and scholarships for traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate and graduate students.