This school appears in our ranking 20 Most Affordable Master's in Psychology Degrees Online: Private Colleges 2018.
Southern Baptist Seminary began as Linda Vista Baptist Bible College and Seminary, founded by Dr. Otto Reese in 1946. The college provided four-year instruction for both men and women who wished to earn a biblically-based undergraduate education. The school also prepared students for full-time Christian service. In 1969, the school moved 20 miles from Linda Vista Baptist Church where Dr. Reese was a pastor and established a campus on its present site. After Dr. Reese passed away in 1996, Dr. Gary Coombs was appointed the president.
In 1970, Fletcher Hills Bible Church of El Cajon founded Fletcher Hills Bible College as an extension ministry. It was restructured as a non-profit entity in 1976, becoming Southern California Bible College. The campus relocated to the facilities of College Avenue Baptist College in 1978 in order to add room for growth.
The same year that Fletcher Hills Bible Church of El Cajon founded their bible college, the San Diego Bible College and Seminary began with the goal to prepare Christians for service to God. Local churches, mission boards or other Christian organizations were invited to qualify as campuses for the school which offered five degree programs.
In 1997, the three schools merged to become Southern California Bible College and Seminary in an effort to achieve a broader outreach. It is a private institution of higher education that is dedicated to teaching the Word of God. It is also a ministry of Shadow Mountain Community Church.
Southern California Seminary Accreditation Details
Southern California Seminary is accredited by the Transitional Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Accreditation indicates that the school meets standards set forth by the agency that indicates excellence in education. The school also undergoes periodic evaluation to determine that they have the resources necessary to meet their goals and objectives. The school agrees to address any areas identified as needing improvement during the evaluation as well. The Master of Arts in Psychology, as well as the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Southern California Seminary Application Requirements
Undergraduate students must complete an application for admission and submit official high school transcripts. An essay is also required to apply for the school. Graduate students who wish to enroll in Bible and Theology programs must apply for admission to either the master or doctorate program they wish to attend. Students must provide official college transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One transcript must display the conferring of a bachelor's degree or higher. Students must provide an essay unless applying for the doctorate in ministry which requires two essays. A reference from a pastor or chaplain is required as well.
Graduate students who wish to enter Behavioral Sciences must apply for admission and submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One transcript must show the conferring of a bachelor's degree or higher. Students must provide a reference from a pastor or chaplain and submit a master's level writing sample if applying for the doctorate in Psychology. Students entering that program must also complete the MMPI Entrance Examination.
Southern California Seminary Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition is $400 per credit hour. Graduate tuition for Bible and Theology students is $416 per credit hour at the master's level and $416 at the doctorate level. Behavioral Science master's programs are $515 per credit hour and doctorate courses are $720 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available. Students may qualify for grants which do not require repayment. The minimum grant is $555 and the maximum is $5,550 for undergraduate students only. Federal work-study programs are available as well. Students may be provided an on-campus position with a minimum salary of $9 per hour to offset the cost of tuition. Both subsidized and unsubsidized loans are also available. The minimum subsidized loan is $3,500 and the maximum is $8,500, depending on grade level.
In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the FAFSA. Students should submit the FAFSA by March 2 for priority consideration and be considered for Cal Grants if they are California residents.
Online Degrees Available
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry offered at Southern California Seminary is designed for auxiliary Christian ministries or lay leadership positions. Students are able to interpret the content of the Old and New Testaments while also demonstrating proficiency in writing on biblical topics and the Christian worldview. Students learn to explain foundational theological doctrines of Christian faith, expound biblical truths in many settings and apply biblical knowledge that can be used for both growth and discipleship. The program is 36 units and students must earn a GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate. Courses required include:
- Analysis of Romans
- Bible Survey
- Christian Ethics & Leadership
- Comparative Systems of Theology
- Graduate Research and Writing
- Hermeneutics
- History of Philosophy and Worldviews
- Spiritual Growth and Discipleship
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling
The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling is designed for those who are seeking to focus their knowledge in interdisciplinary counseling and Christian studies. Students gain both a biblical and theological foundation that allows them to offer counseling with a biblical worldview. Students are prepared to counsel others within the church or in parachurch settings using an interplay between faith and counseling. Students gain an understanding of relevant issues like counseling techniques, history of psychology, human development, philosophy and counseling. Students also gain an understanding of ethics in counseling. Students are able to interpret the content of the Old and New Testament and demonstrate proficiency in subjects related to Christian Counseling as well as biblical studies. Students must complete 48 units and at least 39 of them must be completed at Southern California Seminary. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0. Courses required include:
- Analysis of Romans
- Bible Survey
- Christian Ethics & Leadership
- Counseling Techniques
- Crisis Intervention
- Faith Integration and Praxis
- Fundamentals of Pastoral Counseling
- Graduate Research and Writing
- Hermeneutics
- History of Philosophy and Worldviews
- Human Growth and Development
- Law and Professional Ethics in Counseling
- Pre-Marital and Marital Counseling
- Theological Foundations of Counseling
Southern California Seminary offers several online master's degree programs that allow working adults to achieve their higher education goals while meeting their other obligations.