Programs for Pastoral Counselors at MBU
Maranatha Baptist University appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Online Degree Programs.
Devoted to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Biblical Counseling BA trains Maranatha Baptist University undergrads to nurture spiritual growth in hurting individuals to restore optimal well-being. Chaired by Dr. David Saxon, the 128-credit, four-year program applies scriptural doctrines for entry-level Church practice. The Watertown courses like Pastoral Theology, Greek Reading, Homiletics, and Counseling Procedures maintain an 11:1 learner-professor ratio with a two-credit junior summer internship. Maranatha Baptist’s Seminary continues study into a Biblical Counseling MA that’s available on-campus or via eight-week online courses on Canvas. Led by Dr. Bruce Meyer, this 33-credit degree prepares Christian ministry workers to empower congregants with the Holy Spirit in therapeutic settings. Expect master’s topics, such as Marriage Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Addictive Behavior, and Biblical Change, to end with a capstone internship. MBU students could also enter the Chaplaincy Program, contribute to the Heritage Project, join Delta Xi Nu, study abroad from Chile to Cameroon, and intern at Aurora Behavioral Health.
About Maranatha Baptist University
Maranatha Baptist University was opened on September 10, 1968, by Fundamental Baptist Fellowship member Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm and his wife Thelma. Its inaugural class of 173 attended evangelistic Bible courses at the former Sacred Heart Military Academy acquired for just $150,000. Named in honor of I Corinthians 16:22, Maranatha received its first Wisconsin charter in 1969. Twenty-four years later, it was accredited for four-year, nonprofit liberal arts education as enrollment spiked to 900. By 2006, Maranatha Online was launched for digital access to programs like the Biblical Counseling MA. Worth $18 million, Maranatha Baptist University now attracts 962 Sabercats from 44 states each 15-week semester. MBU has graduated notable alums like Nate Oats, Benjamin Lee Peterson, and Daniel Davis at its 41-building Watertown campus on Rock River.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Maranatha Baptist the 56th best Midwest college with the 77th best online bachelor’s and 185th top online grad education nationally. On Niche, MBU boasts America’s 19th best distance learning, 22nd best dorms, 67th top religious studies, and 95th most standout academics. College Factual named Maranatha the 177th best value and 15th top Baptist university with the 103rd best theology degrees. In Washington Monthly, Maranatha Baptist University is the country’s 157th best baccalaureate pick. Town and Country magazine labeled MBU the seventh most conservative college. Best Counseling Degrees picked Maranatha 20th for pastoral care with 72 percent retention. PayScale calculated a median mid-career salary of $59,400 for Maranatha Baptist University grads. Affordable Colleges Online also placed MBU 35th among cheap small private schools.
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Maranatha Baptist University Accreditation Details
In March 2015, Maranatha Baptist University underwent a quality checkup by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) to retain Level V accreditation under the Academic Quality Improvement Program for seven more years with its fifth president, Dr. Martin Marriott. Located 3.5 hours south via Interstate 26 in Chicago, this mammoth 19-state Midwest accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to assess the effectiveness of MBU’s eight associate, 32 bachelor’s, one doctoral, and eight master’s degrees. Please note that neither Biblical Counseling majors are accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) though.
Maranatha Baptist University Application Requirements
Enrolling at Maranatha Baptist University is deemed “non-competitive” by Peterson’s despite the 73 percent acceptance rate for the 398 Fall 2016 applicants. First-year Sabercats roaring at the Biblical Counseling BA opportunity must manifest Christian character and willingness to follow God’s call. Admission is made after a 16-unit, college-prep high school curriculum or GED. This demands at least three units each of English, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. On average, freshmen present a 3.25 GPA, 1090 SAT score, and 23 ACT score. Lower grades may necessitate the Academic Success Program. Transfers must complete one full-time semester at Maranatha before gaining 30+ credits graded “C” or better from external colleges. The Biblical Counseling MA requires an accredited bachelor’s, 12 Bible credits, and 3.0 GPAs. MBU’s non-native English speakers from 23 nations have scored above 550 on the TOEFL or equivalent.
Maranatha Baptist University has rolling admission, but application files should ideally be finished four weeks before semester starts. Prospective Biblical Counseling BA or MA must file the eight-section form online accordingly. If needed, submit official documents to 745 West Main Street in Watertown, WI 53094. The College of Bible and Church Ministries usually requests a final transcript, Christian faith statement, brief personal essay, pastor’s recommendation, character reference form, résumé, and $50 non-refundable fee. Please contact (800) 622-2947 or admissions@mbu.edu for further instructions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Maranatha Baptist University is billing full-time Biblical Counseling BA majors $7,125 per semester or $14,250 annually. Studying part-time incurs $594 per credit. Online courses are the exception at $420 per credit. The comprehensive fee adds $580 each term. Living at the Jefferson County campus’ 10 dorms like Hilsen or Leland Hall costs $3,500 for semester room and board. Budget for the $250 intern fee, $65 parking fee, $250 orientation fee, and $1,270 textbook charge too. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $25,940 on-site and $18,940 with family. The Seminary currently charges Biblical Counseling MA students $322 per credit with a one-time $100 technology fee for a $10,726 total.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Department gives $4.09 million combined yearly in median individual packages worth $6,527 to 66 percent of full-time MBU Sabercats. Institutional funds include the Academic Merit Scholarship, Christian Worker’s Scholarship, Pastor’s Scholarship, Elbert M. Dean Memorial Scholarship, Jonathan Leber Memorial Scholarship, Stoltenberg Scholarship, Helen Steinhaus Memorial Scholarship, Byers-Price Scholarship, and Basso Family Scholarship. The Biblical Studies Honor Scholarship has a March 1st deadline for Biblical Counseling BA majors with minimum 2.5 GPAs. Filing the FAFSA form coded 016394 opens Pell and FSEOG Grant eligibility federally. Dairyland residents pursue the Wisconsin Grant, Talent Incentive Program, Lawton Minority Retention Grant, or Hearing & Visually Handicapped Grant. College Factual records average yearly debt of $13,100 from Perkins, Direct, Plus, and private loans. The Maranatha Public Affairs Internship gifts $500 extra for jobs in Governor Scott Walker’s office. Federal Work-Study also offers 10-20 hours of weekly campus employment.
Learn more about Maranatha Baptist University at the College of Bible and Church Ministries website.