Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling

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About the College 

The College of Biblical Studies-Houston (CBS), a commuter college, is unique in that instruction is provided six days a week through day, evening, and Saturday classes so that students can "fit" education into their lives without leaving their present responsibilities; tuition is kept low to broaden access to college education; instruction is offered utilizing both traditional and non-traditional methods; and, all constituencies of the college consider the presence of multiple cultures and ethnicities an enriching and valuable strength in the educational process.

 

The Mission of the College of Biblical Studies is:

to provide college-level Bible education and biblically based general education for the Body of Christ, with primary focus on African-American and other ethnic minority groups; and, to equip its students with a biblical worldview for ministry in and for the church and the world.

 

CBS holds national accreditation through the Associtaion for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), an accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This accreditation is institution-wide which means all of the degree programs at CBS are nationally accredited. Accredited status is the membership status granted to those colleges that meet the ABHE Conditions for Eligibility, the Criteria for Accreditation, and substantially achieve their respective missions. It further indicates a demonstrated commitment to ongoing institutional development. The AABC may be contacted at: 5575 S. Semoran Blvd., #26, Orlando, FL 32822-1781; 407-207-0808; www.abhe.org.

 

About the Program

At CBS, the baccalaureate programs are structured in an innovative format known as "accelerated degree completion" which means the program is different from a traditional bachelor’s program in that:

  • Courses are reduced to one-third (1/3) the length of traditional courses (5 weeks instead of 15 weeks);
  • Admission into the program takes into account all of the student’s prior college credits earned from a variety of colleges and disciplines, including typical general education credits. (So you don’t lose what you’ve already worked hard to achieve!).

Important Distinctives

  • The entire program requires 123 approved college credits – 54 of which are the core curriculum offered only at CBS through upper division courses. Prospective students should have already earned at least 69 credit hours before considering this program.
  • Students meet in-class with their professor once a week for four (4) hours and out-of-class with their learning group for four (4) hours, for the duration of each course which is usually five (5) consecutive weeks.
  • Students take just one course at a time, one right after the other.
  • Total length of the of the program: 22 months (including holidays and breaks).
  • Cost: $237.00 per semester hour for the 51 credit-hour Accelerated Degree Completion program, plus fees and textbooks. For textbook costs please contact the Bookstore.

Note: Deferred Tuition Payment Plans and Federal Financial Aid is available for qualified applicants. See the Financial Information section for details.

 

Audience

For over 20 years, CBS has ministered to thousands of minority adult students, many of whom are engaged in various fields of lay and professional Christian ministry. These students come from various backgrounds, in multiple disciplines. They function as pastors, associate pastors, assistant pastors, associate ministers, elders, deacons, church-based lay or private Christian counselors, other church leaders, church planters, foreign missionaries, and community leaders.

 

Recognizing their need for quality in biblically based counseling, the College desires to increase the impact of these students by offering training that emphasizes biblical and theological instruction, provides them with a biblical model and skills for effective Christian counseling, within an ethical, moral and professional framework grounded in biblical truth. Christians interested or already working in church-based, lay or private counseling can advance their understanding and sharpen their effectiveness through personal application of key biblical and theological principles of counseling.

 

Note: This degree is a baccalaureate-level credential and does not fulfill the requirements necessary to achieve the status of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The courses offered in the curriculum are not designed to meet academic or other requirements of the State of Texas for licensure as a professional counselor.

 

Purpose

The purpose of the 123-hour program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling degree is to provide a biblical/theological foundation and model for Christian counseling. The training will prepare men and women to engage in church, parachurch or private biblical counseling, and provide a base for seminary or other graduate training. The courses offered in the curriculum are not designed to meet academic or other requirements of the State of Texas for licensure as a professional counselor. Upon completion of the program, successful students will be able to demonstrate:

 

  1. A general knowledge and synthetic understanding of the Bible, including emphasis on select biblical and theological issues.
  2. An ability to support biblical principles and theological views and apply them to contemporary issues and situations.
  3. Biblical principles of counseling and their integration into contemporary issues and situations.
  4. A biblical model for Christian counseling, emphasizing basic and conceptual applications in Christian counseling, and applications for use when encountering specific disorders such as anxiety, mood, substance-related, childhood/ youth and psychotic.
  5. An increasing likeness to Christ as manifested in love for God, love for others, and evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.
  6. A commitment to a biblically based philosophy of life embracing the worldwide mission of the church.

Admission Requirements:

  • 36 hours of approved general education credits from any accredited college.
  • 33 hours of approved elective credits from any accredited college.
  • A $40.00 non-refundable Application for Admission fee (new CBS students only) 
  • Proficiency and Placement Testing (may be required)
  • Student Degree Plan finalized

Graduation Requirements:

  • 54 credit hours of BSBC cirriculum.
  • 36 hours of approved General Education credits
  • 33 hours of approved General Electives credits
  • Cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA)
  • Satisfactory completion of one unit in the Christian Service Program
  • Intent to Graduate form filed
  • Academic advising sessions including all post testing and measurements.
  • Graduation Fee.
  • No unresolved disciplinary matter, library or financial obligations to CBS

 

Additional information