Lincoln Christian University

Formerly Lincoln Christian College and Seminary (LCCS), Lincoln Christian University (LCU) is located in Lincoln, Illinois. Founded in 1944 as Lincoln Bible Institute, the school has extension sites in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as in Normal, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana. Lincoln Christian University offers residential, four-year Bible college programs that include bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and certificates. A Doctor of Ministry degree and master’s degrees are offered through LCU’s graduate seminary. LCU also offers continuing education programs both online and at its various campuses.

Lincoln Christian University Accreditation Details

Lincoln Christian University is accredited by the Association of Biblical Higher Education as well as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Association of Theological Schools accredits Lincoln Christian Seminary, and the master’s in counseling degree is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Lincoln Christian University Application Requirements

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a degree in psychology must submit an online application as well as a written essay. Students are also required to submit a Christian Character Reference Form that is completed by someone in leadership at a Christian company, organization or Church who has a close relationship with the applicant. Students must also submit an ACT or SAT score as well as an official high school transcript.

Graduate students must submit an online application and written essay as well as two Christian Character Reference Forms. Students must have also earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition costs $6,600 per semester or $13,200 per year. Students pursuing a master’s degree in counseling can expect to pay $499 per credit hour. LCU awards, on average, $3,906 in scholarships, $5,500 in federal student loans and $4,775 in federal and state grants. Both undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible for some type of financial aid, including scholarships and grants. Student employment opportunities may also be available, and students are urged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine whether they are eligible.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees Available

Lincoln Christian University offers psychology and counseling degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Each major is focused on a Christ-centered curriculum that prepares students not only for their chosen profession but also gives them the desire and knowledge to live out their faith. Both psychology and counseling degrees shape students relationally, grow them professionally and challenge them spiritually as they prepare for Kingdom service in either secular or faith-based mental health settings.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree is designed for individuals who wish to know more about how God makes the brain work, how He created it and where one’s soul fits into the equation. The program provides students with equal parts knowledge and wisdom, and students can expect to take psychology courses along with Bible classes. The classes are all taught by a professional faculty who will support and guide students as they investigate topics such as religion and psychology, physiological psychology, abnormal psychology and personality theory.

A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Lincoln Christian University will ensure that graduates have the specialized skills that the career requires as well as a strong Biblical foundation upon which they can build their practice. After graduation, students will be able to demonstrate compassion and empathy toward others, speak with integrity and honesty, appreciate God’s diverse creation and work to help others. Students will also have developed the ability to evaluate and understand the scientific methods used to conduct and design behavioral and social science research.

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Potential careers for graduates from Lincoln Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree include business managers, human services, pastors or chaplains, researchers, educational advisors, residential advisors, human resources representatives, social workers and case managers.

In addition to an undergraduate degree in psychology, Lincoln Christian University is home to a fully accredited master’s in counseling degree. Every master’s degree at LCU offers a unique combination of spiritual and professional development, providing students with the skills they need to succeed as well as a Biblical foundation to inform and support every decision. Students pursuing a master’s degree will be immersed in a community of scholars who are all pursuing excellence, leadership, professionalism, Kingdom and Christ.

The Master of Arts in Counseling degree from Lincoln Christian University is a seminary-based, 60-hour clinical mental health counseling degree with roots in a Biblical worldview. It is designed to serve both working adults and traditional students as it brings together learners who are instructed by faculty with real-world experience. Students will learn through supervised clinical training experiences, labs and lectures as they master basic counseling techniques. Students will also be provided the opportunity to choose electives based on their specific interests. While studying Scripture and theology, graduates will also prepare for state licensure exams and the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Whether a student is already in the workforce or just finishing his or her undergraduate degree, the M.A. in Counseling degree allows students to tailor their education to fit the needs of their ministry and lives. Most graduate-level courses are offered in eight-week blocks one evening per week. LCU combines face-to-face training and online courses to help cultivate the interpersonal skills and professional maturity necessary for a successful career in the field of counseling. This hybrid approach allows for more flexibility as students strive to fit a graduate-level education into their already-busy lives. Emphasis throughout the program is placed on self-development and self-understanding as well as the skills necessary to facilitate change within diverse populations.

Some of the classes that students can expect to take while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling from LCU include multicultural counseling, basic counseling techniques, systematic theology and ethical and legal issues for and Christian counselors. Students experience exposure to the counseling and interviewing skills that are critical for counseling, enabling them to better understand the problems facing their clients. Students will examine self-care strategies as well as prevention and crisis intervention models. Upon graduation with a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from Lincoln Christian University, students are prepared to work in church settings or clinical mental health settings or sit for state licensure.