Lancaster Bible College

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Degree Programs at Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster Bible College appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Online Christian Colleges for Future Missionaries.

Lancaster Bible College consists of multiple departments and colleges that offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as programs for online and seminary students. More than 30 programs allow undergrads to earn their degrees in two to five years. An associate degree is available in biblical studies, but this is also available as a bachelor’s program. Some of the other majors suitable for religious students include pastoral ministry, children and family ministry and youth and young adult ministry. The college also offers degree programs in education, live production, music education, sport management and professional counseling.

The school counseling, clinical mental health counseling and marriage, couple and family counseling programs are all offered as dual degree programs. Students spend several years in a bachelor’s program and then make the transition into one of the university’s graduate counseling programs. Through the college’s graduate school, students can also earn degrees in special education or teaching English as a second language. The education programs require that students do internships, but the counseling programs include different types of fieldwork.

Eight degree programs are available from the seminary that is part of Lancaster Bible College too. Students in the Christian care program learn how to help those in need and how to give back to their churches and other religious organizations. The Master of Divinity program focuses on using the Bible in the field and working with others. This program features concentrations in cultural engagement, pastoral studies, leadership studies, youth and young adult ministry and other fields. Lancaster Bible College also offers three doctoral programs through the seminary in leadership studies, ministry and biblical studies.

There are also 14 options available from Lancaster Bible College online. Those programs include an associate degree in biblical studies and a certificate in concentrated bible studies. The certificate program includes 30 credits of classes, while the degree program includes 60 credits of classes. Most online students complete one of the college’s bachelor’s programs, which require that they take a total of 120 credits. Those programs accept credits from transfer students who attended a different college. Some of the majors online students can choose from include criminal justice, general studies, communications, accounting, business administration and sport management.

About Lancaster Bible College

Lancaster Bible College is a private college that consists of programs for undergrads and both a graduate school and seminary. Established in 1933 as the Lancaster School of the Bible, it moved to a new location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1957 and began working on a major campus that it still uses today. That campus would later change its name to Lancaster Bible College and get approval from the state to add a bachelor’s program to its curriculum. That program began in 1981 and paved the way for the many different programs offered today.

Also called LBC, the college now offers graduate programs in education and ministry as well as other subjects. Similar programs are available through the college’s seminary. Though LBC is a religious college with a deep commitment to the Bible, it has a nondenominational affiliation and welcomes all types of Christian students. In addition to the Lancaster campus, the college also has campuses in Philadelphia, Maryland, Memphis and Boca Raton. The campus in Greenbelt, Maryland was once home to the Washington Bible College and Seminary. Acquiring and building those campuses helped enrollment at LBC climb to nearly 2,000 students.

Lancaster Bible College Accreditation Details

With accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and its Commission on Accreditation (COA), LBC shows prospective students that it has a commitment to the same religious beliefs that they have. LBC also has regional accreditation, which is why the religious school can use government funds. That accreditation comes from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Lancaster Bible College Application Requirements

With an acceptance rate of below 67%, LBC has a somewhat selective admissions policy. Most of the students rejected by the college do not meet the main requirements. One of the top requirements is an autobiography of 500 words that explains what the student wants to get out of the college and how that individual found Jesus. Students can also write about their beliefs and how they will use those beliefs in school. Some of the other requirements for undergrads beyond the application include:

-$25 application fee

-High school transcript, home school transcript or GED score

-SAT/ACT score

Both undergrads and graduate students must answer questions on the application about their religious affiliations and where they attend church. They will also need to list the names and addresses of their closest family members. LBC asks graduate students for information about the degrees they had or will have when they start classes and for letters of recommendation, which can come from church leaders, employers and/or their former teachers. Some graduate programs may ask for a resume or test scores too. The seminary programs have the same requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Traditional undergrads refer to those who take classes on the LBC campus. Those students pay $25,490 every year for tuition and $680 in fees. Incoming students also pay a $300 fee during their first semesters. LBC allows students to live on its campus for a rate that starts at $9,180 per year. The cost for graduate and doctoral students ranges from $18,230 to $35,770 per year. Those students must put down a $2,000 deposit before the semester starts or show that they will get enough financial aid to cover their total costs.

A good way for students to get financial aid is the FAFSA. This form is available online and is available on the first of October every year. The church matching scholarship is a program offered by LBC that matches the funds that students get from their churches. There is a 25% discount for all military students and scholarships that go to students of all ages. Some of these scholarships go to students who attended specific high schools and those who sign up for special programs. LBC can also help students get loans and the other aid offered by the government. Student loans are available for almost any college student. Lancaster Bible College allows students enrolled in any of its degree programs and those applying to also apply for financial aid.

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