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Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science in
Biblical Counseling.

Prepare to care for people through an online bachelor’s degree in biblical counseling. Connect Scripture with ministry-care conversations, case reflection, appropriate boundaries, and referral considerations.

Explore the degree ↓Talk with admissions
What you'll develop

More than knowledge.
Capability you can show.

Develop practical capabilities for the people and places you serve.

Care from a biblical foundation.

Develop an approach to counsel rooted in Scripture and a Christian understanding of people and growth.

Understand people more deeply.

Explore human development, suffering, and personal calling as you learn to respond with wisdom and care.

Build healthier conversations.

Strengthen communication skills that support relationships, pastoral care, and discipleship.

Serve in ministry care settings.

Prepare for biblical counseling in church and ministry contexts. This path does not lead to state licensure.

How you learn

Your real-world context
becomes part of the course.

Online coursework connects with a relevant role in a church, camp, nonprofit, or other ministry setting. A volunteer or professional role can work. Admissions can help you confirm a context that fits your program.

Plan Your Course Load

A typical full-time undergraduate load is 6 credits per 8-week term. Taking courses in all five terms offers a pace of 30 credits per year. Partner schedules may use 8- or 16-week terms. Your completion time depends on your program, approved prior credits, and course plan.

01
Explore

Engage Scripture, research, and ideas relevant to your studies.

02
Reflect

Examine how those ideas relate to the challenges you encounter.

03
Apply

Create work that demonstrates what you are learning.

2026-27 Academic Catalog

Your curriculum.
120 credits, clearly mapped.

Explore the required courses and choices that shape your program. An advisor can help you connect these requirements with your goals and previous learning.

View official degree requirements ↗

Requirements from the published 2026-27 catalog.

Arts & Sciences Core (51 Credits)
Christianity & Contexts (12 Credits)

BIB100 · Principles of Bible Study — 3 credits

BIB110 · Bible Survey — 3 credits

THE120 · Foundations for Christian Living — 3 credits

Biblical Theology: Choose One (3 Credits)

Select 1 of the following options.

THE211 · Introduction to Biblical Theology — 3 credits

THE201 · Theology Survey — 3 credits

Communication & Collaboration (6 Credits)

Select 6 credits from the eligible courses.

Each course may satisfy only one program block. Communication includes information literacy.

Eligible Courses (9 Courses)
  • OLE245 · Team Dynamics — 3 credits
  • COM101 · Speech Communication — 3 credits
  • ENL300 · Great Authors — 3 credits
  • COM150 · Small Group Communication — 3 credits
  • ENC100 · Fundamentals of Written Communication — 3 credits
  • COM320 · Communicating for a Cause — 3 credits
  • COM225 · Interpersonal and Group Communication — 3 credits
  • ENC137 · English Composition II — 3 credits
  • COM321 · Intercultural Communication — 3 credits
Critical Thinking & Creativity (3 Credits)

Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.

Each course may satisfy only one program block.

Eligible Courses (9 Courses)
  • LDR340 · Introduction to Accelerated Learning — 3 credits
  • PHI210 · Logic & Critical Thinking — 3 credits
  • ETH230 · Service, Ethics & Civic Responsibility — 3 credits
  • PHI130 · Introduction to Ethics — 3 credits
  • PHI110 · Foundations of Worldviews — 3 credits
  • MAT121 · Problem-Solving Strategies — 3 credits
  • SLS167 · Foundations of Learning — 3 credits
  • DES111 · Design Thinking & Creativity — 3 credits
  • PHI120 · Contemporary Worldviews — 3 credits
Citizenship -- Civic & Global Engagement (3 Credits)

Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.

Each course may satisfy only one program block.

Eligible Courses (10 Courses)
  • ETH230 · Service, Ethics & Civic Responsibility — 3 credits
  • LDR330 · Servant Leadership — 3 credits
  • OLE250 · Leadership, Ethics & Community Formation — 3 credits
  • HIS221 · Roots of Christianity — 3 credits
  • CIV220 · Applied Civics & Community Impact — 3 credits
  • ANT210 · Introductory Cultural Anthropology — 3 credits
  • LDR130 · Fundamentals of Leadership and Service — 3 credits
  • GLS150 · Social Problems — 3 credits
  • GLS220 · World Religions — 3 credits
  • GLS210 · Survey of Global Issues — 3 credits
Contextualization — Social & Scientific (3 Credits)

PSY101 · Introduction to Psychology — 3 credits

Computation -- Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits)

Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.

Each course may satisfy only one program block.

Eligible Courses (4 Courses)
  • MAT121 · Problem-Solving Strategies — 3 credits
  • STA210 · Statistics for Social Impact & Program Evaluation — 3 credits
  • FIN230 · Budgeting, Supplies, & Resource Planning for Programs — 3 credits
  • FIN131 · Personal Finance — 3 credits
Additional Arts & Sciences Electives (21 Credits)

Select 21 credits from the eligible courses.

Eligible Arts & Sciences pool requires confirmation. No double counting.

Eligible Courses (59 Courses)
  • LDR340 · Introduction to Accelerated Learning — 3 credits
  • COM456 · Fundraising and Development — 3 credits
  • PHI210 · Logic & Critical Thinking — 3 credits
  • SLS160 · Introduction to Career Development — 3 credits
  • ETH230 · Service, Ethics & Civic Responsibility — 3 credits
  • CAM400 · Learning Activities, Games and Events — 3 credits
  • BIB316 · Romans — 3 credits
  • SLS150 · Foundations of Lifelong Learning — 3 credits
  • HLP100 · Personal Wellness Appraisal & Improvement — 3 credits
  • COM101 · Speech Communication — 3 credits
  • LDR220 · Introduction to Leadership — 3 credits
  • ENL300 · Great Authors — 3 credits
  • BIB320 · Phillipians — 3 credits
  • COM150 · Small Group Communication — 3 credits
  • PHI130 · Introduction to Ethics — 3 credits
  • PHI110 · Foundations of Worldviews — 3 credits
  • BIB305 · Nehemiah — 3 credits
  • COU139 · Understanding People — 3 credits
  • ENC100 · Fundamentals of Written Communication — 3 credits
  • BIB211 · Old Testament Directed Study — 3 credits
  • PEN251 · Canoeing — 1 credits
  • IDS110 · Living by Design: Identity, Purpose & Career Pathways — 3 credits
  • BIB315 · Acts — 3 credits
  • COM320 · Communicating for a Cause — 3 credits
  • CAM405 · Counseling in Active Learning Environments — 3 credits
  • SLS230 · Service Professions Seminar & Career Exploration — 3 credits
  • COM225 · Interpersonal and Group Communication — 3 credits
  • MAT121 · Problem-Solving Strategies — 3 credits
  • BIB325 · 1 John — 3 credits
  • ENC137 · English Composition II — 3 credits
  • STA210 · Statistics for Social Impact & Program Evaluation — 3 credits
  • BIB319 · Ephesians — 3 credits
  • HIS221 · Roots of Christianity — 3 credits
  • PSY130 · Human Performance & Resilience — 3 credits
  • BIB301 · Genesis — 3 credits
  • PEN210 · Outdoor Living Skills — 1 credits
  • BIB313 · John — 3 credits
  • CRI240 · Service Professions Seminar & Career Exploration — 3 credits
  • CIV220 · Applied Civics & Community Impact — 3 credits
  • BIB212 · New Testament Directed Study — 3 credits
  • HLP150 · Personal Health — 3 credits
  • PEN220 · Recreational Activities — 3 credits
  • ANT210 · Introductory Cultural Anthropology — 3 credits
  • SLS167 · Foundations of Learning — 3 credits
  • BIB321 · James — 3 credits
  • LDR130 · Fundamentals of Leadership and Service — 3 credits
  • DES111 · Design Thinking & Creativity — 3 credits
  • GLS150 · Social Problems — 3 credits
  • BIB317 · 1 Corinthians — 3 credits
  • LDR230 · Personal & Team Leadership — 3 credits
  • GLS220 · World Religions — 3 credits
  • COM457 · Introduction to Grant Writing — 3 credits
  • GLS210 · Survey of Global Issues — 3 credits
  • COM321 · Intercultural Communication — 3 credits
  • BIB303 · Psalms — 3 credits
  • FIN230 · Budgeting, Supplies, & Resource Planning for Programs — 3 credits
  • PHI120 · Contemporary Worldviews — 3 credits
  • BIB310 · Matthew — 3 credits
  • FIN131 · Personal Finance — 3 credits

The published pool excludes 4 courses. See the official catalog for exclusions and advising details.

Professional Ministry Core (12 Credits)

MIN401 · Dynamics of Discipleship — 3 credits

MIN402 · Introduction to Impact Ministry Leadership — 3 credits

MIN403 · Principles of Ministry Strategy — 3 credits

MIN404 · Developing Dynamic Teams — 3 credits

Biblical Counseling Core (15 Credits)

COU206 · Introduction to Biblical Counseling — 3 credits

COU209 · Spiritual Formation & Identity — 3 credits

COU305 · Methods of Biblical Change — 3 credits

COU344 · Helping Relationships — 3 credits

COU357 · Counseling Skills & Processes — 3 credits

Biblical Counseling Electives (9 Credits)

Select 9 credits from the eligible courses.

Select three COU electives excluding courses used in the core. Confirm eligible pool; source examples include COU414, COU415, COU417, COU432, COU435, COU439, COU440, COU446.

Eligible Courses (7 Courses)
  • COU414 · Counseling Children — 3 credits
  • COU440 · Trauma & Abuse — 3 credits
  • COU430 · Human Sexuality — 3 credits
  • COU439 · Marriage & Family Counseling — 3 credits
  • COU446 · Psychological Disorders — 3 credits
  • COU417 · Addictions Counseling — 3 credits
  • COU432 · Career Counseling — 3 credits
Free Electives (33 Credits)

Complete 33 credits of free electives.

Total degree credits120
Understand your investment

Your pace.
Your annual investment.

Explore a tuition estimate based on your expected credits and study pace. A credit review helps turn your estimate into a personal degree plan.

Estimated annual tuition
$7,500
$30,000 estimated remaining degree tuition

120 credits remaining · 4 years at this pace

Your undergraduate comparison
Selected Christian online bachelor’s programs
$400/credit benchmark · 30 credits this year$12,000
$4,500projected annual tuition savings

$18,000 lower tuition over your remaining 120 credits.

Traditional Christian undergraduate programs$35,920/yearPublished tuition & fees before aid · 2025–26
Comparison Sources & Assumptions

Online benchmark: rounded, equally weighted mean of seven selected schools’ 2026–27 tuition rates ($400.10, rounded to $400/credit). Full-time rates where applicable; Cairn’s block tuition normalized to 15 credits per semester. This is a selected-school comparison, not a national average.

Savings compare tuition for the same modeled credits at ACU and the online benchmark. Transfer credit and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) acceptance vary by school; equal remaining credits are an assumption, not a promise. Actual part-time and block tuition may differ. Fees, books, financial aid, additional ministry subsidies, and future price changes are excluded.

Campus reference: average annual tuition and fees at 40 reporting institutions in the 2025 Bethel survey of CCCU institutions, slide 65. Includes fees; ACU’s estimate is tuition only. Shown for context, not used to calculate savings. Housing is excluded. Sources reviewed October 29, 2026.

Most ministry partners subsidize $100/credit or more in addition to the partner rate; not included above.

Tuition estimate only; credit approval required. See the catalog for details.

Make an informed decision

Your questions.
Clear answers.

What will set me apart when I take my next step?

Anchor's integrated approach helps you move forward with financial freedom, demonstrated ability, and relationships that matter.

A path toward a debt-free launch. Accessible tuition, partner discounts, and additional ministry subsidies can help you prepare for ministry or further study without carrying education debt into your next chapter.

A portfolio that shows what you can do. Real projects completed throughout your degree give you concrete evidence of your competencies—work you can put on your résumé, discuss in interviews, and share with future ministry leaders.

People who can champion your next step. Learning and serving alongside organizational leaders builds a network of people who know your name, have seen your work, and can offer references, introductions, and encouragement as you move forward.

Do I need to be serving in ministry already?

The program connects learning to a real organizational context. Talk with admissions about your current role or opportunities to establish an appropriate context.

Can previous study or experience count?

A transfer and prior-learning review can evaluate eligible learning against program requirements. Credit is determined through that review.

How do I take the next step?

Start with an admissions conversation about your goals, background, learning context, and degree plan.

Talk with admissions ↗

Your next chapter
in biblical counseling.

Let's explore how this degree can equip you to care for people with biblical wisdom and compassion.

Talk with admissions ↗