Mid-America Christian University

Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mid-America Christian University is a private liberal arts college. Founded in 1953, it was previously located in Houston Heights, Houston, Texas and was first known as the South Texas Bible Institute before changing its name to Gulf-Coast Bible College in 1955. The school offers-Bible-based ministry education and liberal arts programs that extend over 25 major fields of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels, leading to master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and associate’s degrees.

Mid-America Christian University Accreditation Details

Mid-America Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a corporation that accredits degree-granting college institutions in the North Central region, and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Mid-America Christian University Application Requirements

In order to be accepted into Mid-America Christian University, students must submit the application for admission, official high school transcripts, a recommendation form that includes references and previous ACT and/or SAT scores. Transfer students must also submit a completed application, official transcripts and a recommendation form.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For a traditional undergraduate program, students can expect to pay $7,956 per semester or $15,912 per year for tuition. Students seeking an adult or online undergraduate program in Psychology & Ethics can expect to pay $383 per credit hour for the university core/lower division and $467 per credit hour for the major/upper division. Master’s degrees in counseling cost $594 per credit hour, and each term is comprised of nine credit hours. In order to apply for financial aid, a student must first obtain a FSA user ID before completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school provides a number of forms of financial aid, including student loans, grants and scholarships. Funding is based on athletic, academic or other talent merit as well as financial need.

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Psychology and Counseling Degrees Available

Mid-America Christian University offers a number of psychology and counseling degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a Master of Science in Counseling, Marital, Couples and Family Counseling with an emphasis in therapy, a Master of Science in Counseling, Pastoral and Spiritual Direction, a Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis on Clinical Mental Health and Addictions and a Master of Science in Counseling with an Applied Behavioral Science emphasis.

The B.S. in Psychology program gives students an in-depth perspective of psychological principles and human behavior. Students are also introduced to general education coursework, sociology with biblical studies, psychology and family studies. The program also lays the groundwork for advanced study in the fields of industrial/organizational psychology, experimental psychology, clinical psychology, counseling and the pursuit of counseling licensure. The course includes 36 hours of major requirements, 46 hours of university core classes and 39 hours of electives. Coursework includes the psychology of learning, child and adolescent psychology, social psychology, an introduction to statistics, multicultural psychology, stress management, cognitive psychology and an introduction to research methods.

The school offers an M.S. in Counseling with an emphasis on clinical mental health counseling. This program provides an in-depth broad-based education in counseling that helps prepare students for licensure. Students develop critical thinking skills and analyze the scientific method in order to train for leadership, and the Christian faith-based perspectives helps to prepare graduates for success in ministry and secular settings. The 60- to 63-hour credit program includes major requirement courses such as human development, marital and family treatment techniques, interpersonal communication in counseling and relationships, theories of counseling and psychotherapy, career counseling and development, research methods, tests and measurements, and multi-cultural treatment planning for individuals and families.

The M.S. in Counseling with an emphasis on marital and family therapy provides a foundation for family, marital and individual therapy for licensure upon graduation. The program focuses on practical application, scientific method, critical thinking skills and the integration of the Christian perspective. The course is 60 to 63 credit hours and includes major requirement courses such as intervention for individuals and families in crisis and trauma, ethics and professional studies, assessment of individuals and families in counseling, marriage and family systems and treatment, individual counseling and psychotherapy techniques and theories of counseling and psychotherapy.

The Pastoral and Spiritual Direction emphasis in the M.S. in Counseling is designed for students currently in the ministry who are seeking significant improvement in performing spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. Students are prepared to expand their pastoral care in church and learn about the scientific method as it relates to counseling. The 42-credit-hour curriculum includes courses that focus on professional counselor and pastoral counseling skills. Coursework includes prayer, spirituality and ministry, ethics and professional studies, spiritual direction and spiritual formation, human development, psychopathology, theories of counseling and psychotherapy, advanced principles and techniques of pastoral counseling and marriage and family systems and treatment.

The M.S. in Counseling with an emphasis on clinical mental health and addictions is designed to provide an integrated, thorough approach to psychotherapeutic and psychological knowledge. Students seeking a career as an addictions and substance abuse counselor are prepared for licensure, and the program includes a strong emphasis on professional and academic performance. The degree includes 60 to 63 credit hours and includes coursework such as alcohol and drug addiction, addiction in the family and assessment theory, pharmacology of drugs of abuse, addiction in the family counseling, addiction and substance abuse counseling theory and techniques, research methods, ethics and professional studies, human development and an assessment of individuals and families in counseling.

Students not seeking licensure may consider taking the M.S. in Counseling with an emphasis in applied behavioral science. In addition to the first 30 hours of the program, students must take six to 12 credit hours in an area of their choosing. Students do not participate in an internship and will not qualify for licensure. However, graduates may apply the degree toward other human service careers such as teaching, human resources, human relations, triage assessment, rehabilitation, case management or a counselor at an agency. The 36-credit-hour program at Mid-America Christian University includes major requirement courses such as marriage and family systems and treatment, addiction in the family counseling, alcohol and drug addiction, theories of counseling and psychotherapy, human development, marital and family treatment techniques, interpersonal communication in counseling and relationships and individual counseling and psychotherapy techniques.