Preparing for Pastoral Care at Ohio Christian
Ohio Christian University appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Online Degree Programs.
Since 2014, the College of Adult & Graduate Studies has granted the BA in Psychology Online for Ohio Christian University undergrads to pursue apprentice-level social services work with awareness of behavioral patterns. Chaired by Dr. Larry Olson, the 1 20-credit, scaffolded degree connects scientific theory to the Bible in three tracks: General Psychology, Pre-Counseling, and Research. Fulfilling Ohio CDCA requirements, the BA in Substance Abuse Counseling Online helps students follow God’s call to save lives from drug epidemics. Advised by Dr. James Smith, the 120-credit, holistic program blends digital courses like Pentateuch, Chemical Dependency, and Lifespan Psychology with 270+ practicum hours. On Edvance360, the MA in Ministry Online also awards a Pastoral Care/Counseling Concentration for OCU post-grads to develop mental health interventions in Church settings. Directed by Rev. Ben Williamson, the 36-credit, non-thesis sequence uses a scholar-practitioner approach in six-week classes from Old Testament History to Family Dynamics.
About Ohio Christian University
Ohio Christian University was opened in Fall 1948 by the Churches of Christ in Christian Union as an all-male Protestant seminary called Circleville Bible College. Initially located on East Ohio Street, it was moved a decade later to a 40-acre Pickaway County campus along the Scioto River and Route 22. Additional locations soon blossomed in Lancaster, Columbus, Hillsboro, Grove City, and more. First accredited in 2001, Ohio Christian University adopted its current name in 2006 and expanded out-of-state to Morrow, Georgia, in 2013. Generating a $75 million impact, OCU now enrolls 4,500 Trailblazers, including Psychology and Counseling majors, performing 12,400 volunteer hours as a nonprofit ABHE member. Linked to 6,115 LinkedIn alumni, Ohio Christian has graduated John Maxwell, Stan Toler, Jan Shannon, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Ohio Christian in the top 80 Midwestern colleges with 63 percent retention. On Niche, OCU boasts America’s 119th best food, 160th safest campus, 507th best dorms, and 655th top campus. Newsmax included Ohio Christian University in 40 best choices for conservative values. College Factual named OCU the seventh best Protestant school with the 495th top psychology program. WalletHub noticed Ohio Christian University for the country’s 427th top value, 448th best campus experience, and 467th best career outcomes. In Washington Monthly, OCU is the 143rd best baccalaureate institution for social mobility. Value Colleges declared Ohio Christian the eighth most affordable online evangelical school. PayScale calculated a mid-career salary average of $60,500 for OCU graduates. Counseling Degree Hub placed OCU among its top 25 for pastoral counseling too.
Featured Programs
Ohio Christian University Accreditation Details
On April 6, 2013, Ohio Christian University hosted a focused evaluation visit from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to retain Level III accreditation through 2019 under its 11th president, Dr. Jon Kulaga. Based 368 miles west via Interstate 70 in Chicago, the biggest 19-state regional accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education regionally to assess the quality of OCU’s 10 associate, 38 bachelor’s, three master’s, and 15 certificate programs from Chillicothe to Mt. Orab and online. The Bachelor of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling is approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professional Board (OCDP). But note that Ohio Christian lacks accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Ohio Christian University Application Requirements
Getting into Ohio Christian University is considered “minimally difficult” by Peterson’s since 1,275 of the 1,500 Fall 2016 applications were triumphant for 85 percent acceptance. First-year Trailblazers hiking into the BA in Psychology or Substance Abuse Counseling must hold a high school diploma. Completing the GED equivalent with a 2250 or better also makes one eligible. Regular admission relies on a minimum 2.5 GPA, 19 ACT, 58 CLT, and 980 SAT mark. Provisional acceptance is possible for a 2.0 GPA, 17 ACT, 50 CLT, and 900 SAT though. If taking the AccuPlacer exam, Math and Reading scores should breach 63 and 80 respectively. Up to 95 credits graded at least “C” are transferable from other colleges. The MA in Ministry’s Pastoral Care/Counseling Concentration mandates a four-year bachelor’s education from regional or ABHE accredited campuses with 2.5 GPAs or better.
Ohio Christian University makes admission easy with rolling admission year-round, but the priority deadline for financial aid is May 7th. Interested students work on the Adult & Graduate Studies Application online until the bar reaches 100 percent. If needed, a paper copy can be downloaded and mailed to 1476 Lancaster Pike in Circleville, OH 43113. Required materials include one official transcript, an ACT/SAT/CLT score, the $25 processing fee, a résumé, and the pastor reference. If accepted, OCU Trailblazers reserve spots with a $200 tuition deposit. Please contact (844) 726-7937 or enroll@ohiochristian.edu for further assistance.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Ohio Christian University is charging traditional BA in Psychology students $20,806 yearly full-time. Studying on-campus part-time costs $886 per credit. Summer Session is discounted to $343 per credit. Living at the Circleville housing like Moore Hall adds $2,019 per semester. The Gold Meal Plan is priced at $2,019 too. Undergrads pay the $250 tech fee, $50 registration fee, and $375 support fee. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals around $28,882. However, the College of Adult & Graduate Studies bills $416 per credit online. The BA in Substance Abuse Counseling would cost $49,920 total. MA in Ministry students pay $338 per credit for a Pastoral Care/ Counseling Concentration price of $10,140.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office gifts $15.41 million yearly for 63 percent of full-time OCU Trailblazers to score median packages worth $5,769 each. University funds include the Provost’s Scholarship, Homeschool Excellence Scholarship, Creative Communities Scholarship, Good Neighbor Quality Student Award, Ministry Award, and Academic Achievement Scholarship. The Church Matching Grant offers up to $500 to match students’ parish support. The Pell Grant and FSEOG Grant provide “free money” after FAFSA applications coded 003030. Buckeyes with family income under $96,000 earn the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. Besides Federal Direct loans, OCU suggests private lenders like Citizens Bank, College Ave, Kemba Financial, and Discover. Parents have an aggregate limit of $31,000 for the PLUS loans. Veterans at this “Military Friendly” school get GI Bill benefits. Bachelor of Arts students also receive Federal Work-Study placements for at least $8.00/hour.
Learn more about Ohio Christian University at the Psychology Department website.