Best Online Bachelor's In Counseling Degrees

Overview

Founded in 1916, Crown College is a private Christian college located half an hour outside of Minneapolis. With a small student-to-faculty ratio, Crown College is home to over 40 majors for its more than 1,300 students. Crown’s School of Online Studies offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Counseling with a Christian perspective.

Program Features

Students in this program will learn from a diverse counseling faculty, many of whom are also licensed counselors. All undergraduate students pay the same online tuition rate no matter what state they reside in. For those students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in counseling, Crown College offers an accelerated degree program to save you time and money while expanding your qualifications. Required courses may include:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Methods of Counseling
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Social Science Research Methods
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Notables

Crown College allows its distance learners to complete coursework on their own schedules, allowing busy professionals to earn a degree while continuing to meet their outside obligations. U.S. News and World Report have included Crown College on its ranking of the Top 50 Regional Colleges in the Midwest.

Overview

Located in the town of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Bay Path is a private university that was founded in 1897. Home of the Wildcats and a student body of over 3,400, Bay Path University’s motto is “Carpe Diem” which is Latin for “Seize the Day.” Students can seize the opportunity to earn a degree online with Bay Path’s unique Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a specialization in Counseling Foundations.

Program Features

This 120-credit online program requires no application fee from prospective students. Admitted students may have to fulfill the following required courses:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Counseling Diverse Populations
• Interviewing and Counseling Skills
• Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience
• Counseling Ethics and Professional Development

This program is offered at an accelerated pace and students can earn their degrees in as little as a year depending on transfer credits. Students may transfer in up to 90 credits towards this degree. You can also earn credit for prior learning, including military service and volunteer work.

Notables

Bay Path University offers online students six start dates throughout the year in September, November, January, February, April, and June. Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as caseworkers, court liaisons, counselors, probation officers, and more. U.S. News and World Report have included BPU on its ranking of Most Innovative Schools in the nation.

Overview

Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University is located in Lakewood, Colorado and is home to over 8,000 students. CCU offers over 100 unique degree programs for both traditional and adult students through its College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. In fact, students may earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology entirely online.

Program Features

Students in this 120-credit online program may choose a non-emphasis degree. Or, you may choose from one of three areas of emphasis, including Biblical Studies, Clinical Counseling, and Criminal Justice. Depending on your specific course of study, required courses may include:

• Models of Personality
• Human Growth and Development
• Spiritual Formation for Counseling
• Neuroscience and Clinical Counseling
• Child and Adolescent Diagnosis and Treatment

Classes in this program are typically completed in five-week blocks and small class sizes offer plenty of one-on-one assistance. CCU also offers an optional dual degree emphasis for those who wish to continue into an accelerated master’s program. For working professionals and busy adults, this program can be completed just one course at a time.

Notables

Colorado Christian University is an affordable option because students may transfer in credits previously earned and may earn credits for life experience as well. The university also offers reduced tuition rates for military members and veterans. Grants, scholarships, educational loans, and other forms of financial aid are also available at CCU.

Overview

Located in Salem, Oregon, Corban is a private Christian university that’s home to just over 1,200 students along with its mascot Cadmar the Warrior! With more than 50 undergraduate program offerings across its four schools, Corban University is a popular choice among distance learners. In fact, through Corban Online, undergraduates may now earn an online psychology degree.

Program Features

Students in this online program may choose from one of two areas of specialization, including Family Studies or Pre-Counseling/Clinical. Additionally, Corban offers an interdisciplinary option which allows students to combine this major with two or more areas of study. Some of the benefits of an online program at Corban include:

• A low student-faculty ratio of just 13:1
• A variety of online, multimedia resources
• Intensive, eight-week courses that save you both time and money

Additionally, undergraduate students may transfer in previous college credit towards this degree. You can also earn credit for work experience and relevant prior training.

Notables

Corban University offers the same rate of tuition for all distance learners, regardless of residency. Students may also earn a $500 scholarship simply by visiting campus. Because of the school’s affordability, Corban University has been ranked among the Best Value Colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Overview

Home to Wesley the Wildcat, Indiana Wesleyan is a private evangelical Christian liberal arts university that was founded in 1920. The university offers more than 80 unique undergraduate degrees, many of which can be completed entirely online. IWU offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in Addictions Counseling.

Program Features

This is an online degree-completion program that can be finished in as little as 22 months. There is no need to visit campus at any point. Students are grouped into cohorts which provide a collaborative learning environment and support along the way. Required courses in this 45-credit program may include:

• Psychopharmacology
• Addictions Counseling Skills
• Psychology of Abnormal Behavior
• Addictions Programs and Professional Development
• Counseling Addicted and Dysfunctional Family Systems

Additionally, all students must complete a 350-hour practicum experience, engaging in on-site learning via an addictions-focused agency or center. The university offers multiple start-dates per year for this program, so students are encouraged to apply at any time.

Notables

Indiana Wesleyan University has been ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools and Best Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. Online students will have access to the university’s off-campus library services, academic advisors, and more. Plus, IWU makes education affordable with grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and other aid packages.

Overview

Located in Winona Lake, Indiana, Grace College and Seminary is home to five unique schools which offer a variety of majors for students around the world. The college’s priorities include educational excellence and sustainable affordability. Now, interested students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services, entirely online.

Program Features

This 45-credit degree is offered through Grace College’s GOAL program which stands for Grace Opportunities for Adult Learners. This program is intended for adults with previous college or work experience. Required courses can be completed in as little as 16 months and may include:

• Systems of Social Welfare
• Human Growth and Development
• Intervention Strategies and Technique
• Business Writing in the New Millennium
• Delivery of Human Services: Theory and Practice

Applicants should have at least 60 transferable credits prior to beginning this program. All students pay the same rate of tuition regardless of residency, and there are no additional book costs. All course materials are accessible online, free of charge.

Notables

Courses at Grace College and Seminary Online are just five weeks long and most full-time students take two classes at a time. Plus, online students will have plenty of opportunities to chat, email, and engage in discussion forums with fellow classmates and professors. Typically, graduates of this program pursue careers as case managers, addictions counselors, human services assistants, and more.

Overview

Fort Hays State University is located in Kansas and has a history dating back to 1902. Now, FHSU is home to five colleges, including the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics, as well as the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Interested in counseling? Check out the university’s online Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in Sociology with an Addictions Counseling track.

Program Features

Students in this 120-credit program may choose between a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Depending on your specific career goals, required courses may include:

• Ethics in Addictions Counseling
• Individual Counseling in Addictions
• Addictions Counseling with Families
• Pharmacology and High-Risk Medical Issues
• Group Counseling with Addiction Populations

Additionally, all undergraduates must complete a set of core sociology courses as well as general education requirements. For those in the Bachelor of Arts program, ten hours of foreign language credits are required.

Notables

Online students at Fort Hays State University will have access to the career center, academic advising, and plenty of other additional resources. Online courses during the fall and spring semesters are 16-weeks in length, while those during the summer are just eight weeks. Prospective students should note that online courses at FHSU follow the same semester schedule as those on-campus, leaving less flexibility to complete work at your own pace.

Overview

Located in Hobe Sound, Florida, this small, private Christian college was founded in 1960 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of just under 200 students. The college’s small size works to your advantage, with more personalized, one-on-one attention in the classroom. Hobe Sound Bible College now offers a variety of online degree programs, including a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling.

Program Features

This 129-credit counseling program includes general education courses, bible courses, and 36 hours within the major. Plus, all students must complete a minor. Most students complete all required coursework in four years. Required courses may include:

• Marriage Therapy
• Psychological Measurement
• Human Sexuality and Counseling
• Intervention in Addictions Counseling
• Theories and Techniques in Family Counseling

Notables

Hobe Sound Bible College is one of the most affordable colleges on this list and offers the same rate of tuition for all students, regardless of residency. Admissions at HSBC are rolling, so students are encouraged to apply at any point during the year. The application fee is just $25 for undergraduates seeking admission into this program.

Overview

Located in Rochester, Minnesota, Crossroads College is a small bible college that was founded in 1913. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 10:1, undergraduates here will have a unique, personalized experience, equipping them with the skills needed for a successful career. Now students don’t need to be located in Minnesota to attend Crossroads. Check out the college’s online Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling.

Program Features

This 120-credit counseling program includes core courses within the major, as well as general education and elective courses. This program is ideal for working adults who may already have experience within the field and are looking to advance their skills. Many graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees and licensures to practice in their state of residency. Required classes may include:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Psychology of Counseling
• Counseling and Ethnic Diversity
• Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy
• Foundations of Marriage and Family System

Notables

Crossroads College requires applicants to have at least 45 transferable credits prior to entering this program. However, if you don’t have these credits, you may be able to make up classes or earn credit for life experiences. Students may apply for either full-time or part-time admission into this program.

Overview

New England College was founded in 1946 and is now home to beloved mascot Patty the Pilgrim as well as nearly 3,000 students. The college boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of just 13:1 and most faculty members hold terminal degrees in their specific subject area. Undergraduate students can even earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology entirely online at New England College.

Program Features

This 120-credit online program is ideal for those hoping to work as social service managers, childcare center directors, and other related jobs. Undergraduates may also choose from several areas of specialization, including Addiction and Substance Abuse, Clinical Psychology, Marriage Therapy and Family Counseling, and more. Depending on your course of study, required classes may include:

• Social Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Overcoming Prejudice and Discrimination
• Issues in Professional Practices: Psychology
• Interpersonal Relationships and Interview Skills

There is no application fee for prospective students interested in being considered for admission into this program. Standardized test scores are not required either.

Notables

Tuition at New England College is the same for all undergraduate students, regardless of residency. The college does offer various financial aid packages, as well as grants, scholarships, and loans for eligible students. To save additional time and money, undergraduate students may transfer in up to 90 credit hours.

Overview

Founded in the 1940s, The Baptist College of Florida is a Christian college offering degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. If you’re interested in a flexible, online bachelor’s degree, BCF may be the choice for you. In fact, it’s the most affordable college on this list. Check out the college’s 120-credit online psychology program.

Program Features

This online program includes both psychology and counseling courses to prepare students for careers in promoting emotional, mental, and behavioral health. Required courses may include:

• Physiological Psychology
• Psychological Tests and Measurement
• The Psychology of Learning and Teaching
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Techniques in Counseling and Psychotherapy

In addition to courses within the major, all students must complete general education requirements as well as a biblical/theological foundation. Online coursework at BCF follows the same schedule as those courses offered on-campus. Courses are typically asynchronous and students can fulfill requirements through reading assignments, tests, and online discussions.

Notables

The Baptist College of Florida charges all students the same rate of tuition, regardless of residency. Additionally, students may transfer in credits to save both time and money in earning their degree. The average age of students here is 28 and the student-to-faculty ratio is just 14:1, ensuring plenty of one-on-one assistance.

Overview

Located in High Point, North Carolina, John Wesley University merged into Piedmont International University in 2018. Now, students get the best of both universities including a wide variety of unique online programs. In fact, undergraduates can earn an online Bachelor of Arts in Ministry with a concentration in Christian Counseling.

Program Features

This program is perfect for those who wish to pursue careers as camp counselors, church counselors, and non-licensure private counseling. Depending on your course of study, requirements may include:

• Counseling Theory
• Counseling Methods
• Cross-Cultural Counseling
• Principles of Christian Counseling
• Psychology of Abnormal Personality

In addition, undergraduate students must complete a general education core, a Biblical studies component, and essential core courses. Prospective students may submit an online application for this program at no cost. Students may also transfer in credits towards this degree program.

Notables

The average class size at John Wesley University – Piedmont International University is ten students, ensuring everyone gets the attention they need to succeed in their professional careers. Students typically complete this program in four years on a full-time schedule. The university also offers scholarships and financial aid packages to eligible students.

Overview

Trinity Bible College and Graduate School is a private college that’s based in the small city of Ellendale, North Dakota. The college offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including an online learning hub for distance students. Check out the college’s online Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Ministry and Bachelor of Arts in Nouthetic Counseling.

Program Features

These 120-credit online degree programs are designed for both new students and those continuing their studies. Depending on which program you choose, required courses may include:

• Fundamentals of Christian Counseling
• Introduction to Bereavement Counseling
• Introduction to Prayer and Personal Holiness
• Counseling for Emotional Problems: Anger, Worry, and Depression
• Techniques and Relationship Development for the Christian Counselor

Each online course consists of four weeks of study and students aren’t required to be online at any set time. Each course is loosely structured, giving students the resources necessary to complete assignments with the flexibility needed for a busy schedule.

Notables

Trinity Bible College and Graduate School offer low tuition rates and no additional charges for those out-of-state students. In fact, many full-time students receive grants of up to $150 a month to offset tuition costs. Online students will also have access to the Trinity Online Learning Center as well as the college’s writing center and online library.

Overview

This private Christian university, located in Fullerton, California, is home to just over 1,300 students. There are five colleges within the university, including the College of Business and Management, and the College of Psychology and Counseling. Now, students can earn an online Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development through the College of Psychology and Counseling.

Program Features

Students may choose from one of the following five concentrations including Behavioral Psychology, Family Studies, Community Mental Health and Counseling, Addiction Studies, and Graduate Studies. Depending on your specific track, required courses in this 120-credit program may include:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Community Mental Health
• Infant, Toddler Mental Health
• Statistics for the Social Sciences
• Christian Perspectives in Human Development

In addition, all undergraduate students must complete a Leadership and Ethics core. Graduates of this program have gone on to find success in careers including case manager, child advocacy, child protective services, domestic violence counselors, and more.

Notables

Hope International University has been ranked among the nation’s Top 100 Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News and World Report. All students pay the same tuition rate and the university offers flexible payment plans with no fees or interest charges. Eligible students may receive financial aid packages as well.

Overview

Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, Johnson University is a private, Christian university that was founded in the late 1800s. The university now enrolls just under 1,000 students and offers more than 50 unique degree programs. Interested in a career in counseling? Check out Johnson’s online Pastoral Care and Counseling major.

Program Features

This major is offered in both BA and BS formats. Each term consists of two seven-week long sessions and prospective students may apply to this program for fall, spring, or summer admission. Every undergraduate student in this online program is assigned an academic advisor. Additionally, each student has access to the university’s academic support center, career counseling, library services, financial aid office, and more. Required courses may include:

• Pastoral Counseling
• Encountering Cultures
• Conflict and Communication
• Biblical Teaching and Preaching
• Fundamentals of Christian Faith

Notables

Johnson University does not charge out-of-state students a higher tuition rate than those students in-state. In fact, the university’s online platform offers more affordability and flexibility than many others. Plus, all students can access a 24/7 help desk to answer any questions and/or concerns they may have.