Top 10 Online Christian Counseling & Psychology Degrees 2025
Explore accredited Christian colleges offering online or hybrid counseling and psychology degrees that combine faith, flexibility, and professional preparation.
Choosing a Christian counseling degree allows students to prepare for meaningful careers while integrating biblical principles with professional training. These programs emphasize both academic excellence and spiritual growth, equipping graduates to serve in counseling, ministry, and community settings.
Whether you're seeking undergraduate or graduate study, online or hybrid formats provide flexibility for today's learners. Explore the schools and resources below to continue your journey.
Best Christian Colleges That Offer Online Christian Counseling Degrees
Explore the best accredited colleges offering an online Christian psychology degree or counseling degree program. These programs blend academic preparation with faith-based guidance.
1. Liberty University
Liberty University's online Bachelor of Science (BS) in psychology: Christian counseling teaches counseling processes, crisis intervention, family dynamics, and integrates psychology with Christian faith. The 100% online format features flexible eight-week courses, multiple start dates, and opportunities for internships and biblically based guidance.
Students are nurtured in faith through campus-wide Convocation and discipleship initiatives.
- Estimated tuition cost: $22,362
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
2. Regent University
Regent University offers an online master's in Christian counseling through its clinical mental health counseling program. Students learn advanced counseling skills rooted in biblical principles, preparing them for licensure.
Delivered primarily online with required residencies, the program integrates internships and emphasizes Christ-centered approaches to serving diverse communities with professional competence.
- Estimated tuition cost: $21,650
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
3. Colorado Christian University
Students can pursue a Christian psychology degree online through CCU's associate, bachelor's, and master's programs in applied psychology. Courses explore counseling foundations, research methods, and faith integration, all delivered with flexible online scheduling.
Each program emphasizes Christ-centered perspectives, preparing students to serve with professional excellence in diverse communities and career paths.
- Estimated tuition cost: $41,342
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
4. Oral Roberts University
Delve into Christian counseling degrees online through ORU's fully online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian caregiving and counseling. Grounded in ministry and adaptive psychology, the program develops skills for lay counseling in church and pastoral contexts, nurturing the whole individual through engaging biblical, spiritual, and practical coursework.
- Estimated tuition cost: $35,470
- Accreditation: HLC
5. Dallas Baptist University
The master's in Christian counseling online program at DBU is a 36-credit, non-licensure degree designed for ministry and service. Students explore counseling methods through a biblical lens while benefiting from flexible online, hybrid, and evening formats that support busy schedules and prepare graduates for faith-based leadership and caregiving roles.
- Estimated tuition cost: $40,190
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
6. Loyola University Chicago
Immerse yourself in online Christian counseling degree options with Loyola's Master of Arts (MA) in pastoral counseling. This program is delivered fully online over a 60-credit, three-year curriculum that is available on a full-time or extended part-time schedule.
Courses integrate theological insight with counseling theory, enriched by supervised internships in faith-based or community settings.
- Estimated tuition cost: $53,710
- Accreditation: HLC
7. Ohio Christian University
Students can pursue a Christian psychology degree online with OCU's fully online BA in psychology. The 100% online, flexible format features six-week modules, fostering adult learning through discussions and weekly assignments.
Courses frame psychological principles through a biblical lens, equipping students for meaningful Christian-informed careers or graduate pursuits.
- Estimated tuition cost: $24,600
- Accreditation: HLC
8. Luther Rice College and Seminary
Luther Rice's fully online BA in psychology is a 120-credit program featuring six-week modules, transfer-friendly policies, and instruction rooted in biblical principles. Students study psychological theory alongside Christian faith perspectives, gaining preparation for ministry, counseling support roles, or graduate study while benefiting from flexible online learning designed for busy adults.
- Estimated tuition cost: $11,320
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
9. Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University offers a fully online, 60-credit Master of Science (MS) in clinical mental health counseling featuring two in-person residencies and multiple concentration options. Rooted in a Christ-centered worldview, the curriculum is aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and supervised field experiences equip students for licensure and compassionate service.
- Estimated tuition cost: $23,000
- Accreditation: HLC
10. Johnson University
Johnson University's online Christian counseling degree is offered through its MA in counseling with concentrations in clinical mental health or school counseling. The 60-credit program blends online coursework with experiential learning in a deeply Christian environment.
Its CACREP-accredited training is rooted in biblical values and thorough professional preparation.
- Estimated tuition cost: $21,122
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Benefits of Attending College for a Christian Psychology Degree Online
Choosing an accredited online Christian counseling degree allows students to integrate faith with academic training, ensuring their education aligns with both professional and spiritual goals.
At faith-based institutions, courses emphasize biblical values alongside psychological theory, preparing graduates to approach clients with compassion and Christ-centered care. Online delivery offers flexibility for working adults, parents, or ministry leaders balancing multiple responsibilities. Accreditation ensures rigorous academic standards and recognition by employers and graduate schools.
By studying within a Christian framework, students are equipped not only for counseling careers but also for meaningful service in churches, missions, and community organizations.
Admissions Requirements for Christian Counseling Schools
Admission standards vary by school and degree level, but most Christian counseling programs share common expectations. Applicants typically need to demonstrate academic readiness, commitment to faith-based learning, and potential for service-oriented careers. Common requirements include:
- high school diploma or GED for undergraduate programs
- bachelor's degree for master's admission
- minimum GPA (often 2.5 to 3.0)
- letters of recommendation
- statement of faith or personal testimony
- completed application with transcripts
FAQs About Pursuing a Christian Counseling Degree Online
When considering a Christian counseling degree online, prospective students often raise important questions that can help guide their educational decisions.
How Much Does a Degree in Counseling Cost at a Christian College?
Tuition for Christian counseling degrees varies widely by degree level and delivery method. Online programs often offer cost savings by eliminating room, board, meal plans, and commuting expenses.
For instance, at Dallas Baptist University, in-person bachelor's costs (including housing and meals) were about $38,240 per year, while fully online counterparts charged $495 per credit hour.
Nationally, average tuition and fees in the 2022 to 2023 academic year were $8,637 for undergraduates and $10,407 for graduate students at public institutions.
Do I Need To Believe in the Same Faith To Attend a Christian Institution?
Many Christian colleges welcome students from diverse backgrounds, though expectations vary. Some institutions require agreement with statements of faith, while others simply encourage respectful engagement with Christian values.
Prospective students should review each school's admission policies to understand requirements regarding faith commitments, spiritual life, and participation in campus activities.
What Can I Do With a Counseling Degree From a Christian College?
Graduates of Christian counseling programs can pursue biblical counseling roles in churches, schools, and community organizations, offering Christ-centered support and guidance. Many continue toward licensure as professional counselors, while others serve in counseling ministries, nonprofit, or social service settings, combining psychological knowledge with biblical values to help individuals and families thrive.
Can You Become a Christian Counselor Without a Degree?
Many people wonder how to become a Christian counselor without a degree. While formal counseling licensure requires accredited training, some churches allow lay counseling or mentoring roles. These typically involve pastoral oversight, biblical guidance, and spiritual support rather than professional therapy. However, career advancement and state licensure usually require earning an accredited degree.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Christian Counseling Degree?
The time to earn a Christian counseling degree depends on the program. An associate degree usually takes two years, while a bachelor's requires about four. Master's programs typically range from two to three years. Accelerated or fully online formats may shorten completion time for motivated, full-time students.