Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Overview
Founded in 1971 by Dr. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University provides a Christian, coeducational, comprehensive education. The graduate faculty is composed of dedicated scholars who work closely with each student.
In fall 2008, 445 graduate students were enrolled on campus, and 992 graduate students were enrolled through the Distance Learning Program.
The Location and Community
Liberty University is located in the heart of Virginia in Lynchburg (population 70,000), with the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop. The city is more than 200 years old and is noted for its culture, beauty, and educational advantages. Nearby are such sites as Appomattox Court House; Natural Bridge; Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello; Washington, D.C.; and other places of interest. Lynchburg offers a wide variety of activities for recreation and entertainment through its excellent sports facilities and programs, cultural events, Fine Arts Center, beautiful parks and streams, and ample shopping plazas and malls. Lynchburg is accessible by air, train, and bus.
Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
Liberty University offers programs leading to graduate degrees within the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Religion (including Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary), the School of Business and Government, the School of Communications, and the Distance Learning program. The School of Education offers the Master of Education (M.Ed.), the Education Specialist (Ed.S.), and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). Master’s degree concentrations are offered in administration and supervision, early childhood education, elementary education, gifted education, reading, school counseling, secondary education, and special education. Campus programs are designed so that students can complete all requirements in three or more summers. The Ed.D. in educational leadership offers concentrations in administration, curriculum, and instruction. A cognate in any one of twelve areas and a research component complete the Ed.D. program. The M.Ed., Ed.S., and Ed.D. degrees are also available through the Distance Learning program. The College of Arts and Sciences offers the Doctor of Philosophy, with concentrations in pastoral counseling and professional counseling; the Master of Arts in counseling; and the Master of Science in Nursing. The Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary offers programs leading to the Master of Divinity; the Master of Arts in religious studies; the Master of Religious Education, with concentrations in church growth, counseling, cross-cultural studies, leadership, praise and worship, and youth; the Master of Theology; and the Doctor of Ministry. The School of Business and Government offers the Master of Business Administration. The School of Communications offers the Master of Arts in communication studies. The Distance Learning Program offers the following distance learning adult degree programs: Master of Arts in counseling, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Business Administration, Master of Divinity, Master of Education, Education Specialist, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Ministry. Courses are taken via VHS videocassette or online and are designed for those who are unable to take courses on campus. However, some residence is required for most graduate programs. Students are actively involved with their faculty adviser from the beginning of their program. Most programs can be completed in two years of full-time study. The Ed.D, the M.Div., and the D.Min. are three-year programs. The Master of Arts in counseling requires a practicum and an internship. The University, including Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and is approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
Facilities & Resources
The A. Pierre Guillermin Integrated Learning Resource Center has holdings of approximately 300,000 volumes and offers access to more than 14,500 unique print and electronic periodical titles. In addition to these materials, the library provides access to online research resources from companies such as LexisNexis, Dow Jones, Ebsco, Gale, OCLC, and OVID. More than 200 indexes/databases are available to the University community, including Academic Search FullText Elite, ATLAS Full Text Plus, Britannica Online, Business Source Premier, CINAHL, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Dow Jones Interactive, LexisNexis, Gale’s Literature Resource Center, ERIC, Modern Language Association Bibliography, PsycInfo, SportDiscuss, and more. Participation in the OCLC international library network and the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) allows Liberty to share library resources within and beyond the state of Virginia. The Integrated Learning Resource Center, formed in August 2002, merged the library and the Information Technology Resource Center. Accessibility to library resources and nine computer labs with more than 200 student-accessible machines, twenty-four of which are powerful Mac G4 machines that are used primarily for graphic design, combines with areas for quiet study and leisurely academic discourse. A full range of software titles (more than 200) is available, including Photoshop, Quark, Illustrator, MS Office 2000 application suite, all Oracle titles and tools, system development tools, animal sound analysis tools, SPSS, chemical tools, and Mathematica. The Zinngrabe Biblical Research Lab provides advanced academic research to the School of Religion and the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information and hours of operation, students can visit the center’s Web site at http://www.liberty.edu/library. The infrastructure of the campus network and a remote-patron authentication server extend electronic access to dorm rooms and the homes of nonresidential students at any hour of the day or night.
Expenses and Aid
Tuition for resident graduate programs is $350 per credit hour for the Master of Arts in counseling, the Master of Arts in religious studies, the Master of Science in Nursing, and the Doctor of Ministry; $485 per credit hour for the Master of Arts in communication studies; and $195 per credit hour for seminary degree programs. The Distance Learning Program tuition is $300 per credit hour for the Master of Arts in counseling, the Master of Education, the Education Specialist, and the Doctor of Education. The Master of Business Administration is $330 per credit hour. The Doctor of Philosophy in counseling is $457 per credit hour. Videotapes, workbooks, and textbooks cost extra.
Financial Aid:
The preferred submission date for all financial aid materials is March 1. Students may request the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by calling the Financial Aid Office at 434-582-2270. The FAFSA can also be completed on the Web at http://www.fafsa.gov. The most readily available source of financial aid for graduate students is the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program. Students may contact either the Financial Aid Office or their local financial institution to obtain further information or to apply. Many students are financially assisted in the seminary by tuition scholarships. The student should be aware that institutional funds for scholarships and grants are limited.
Housing/Living Expenses:
Housing costs average from $350 to $500 per month. The Student Development Office maintains a listing of housing opportunities that is available upon request. Single students should budget approximately $7500 per year, and married students should budget approximately $12,000 per year. Information on newspapers, apartment guides, and local businesses is available upon request. Single students age 30 and under who are enrolled full-time may live in the dormitories. Dormitory room and board cost $3200 per semester. Cost of living figures are approximate and vary according to the student’s standard of living.
How to Apply
Students should submit all admissions materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions by August 1 for fall entry and by December 1 for spring entry for on-campus programs. The Ed.D., Ed.S., M.Ed., and Master of Arts in religious studies programs require the GRE, and the D.Min. requires the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) (the GRE may be substituted). Applicants must submit two official copies of transcripts from completed baccalaureate programs and any previous graduate schools attended. Applicants to the Th.M. and D.Min. programs must submit transcripts proving completion of the M.Div. at an accredited institution. In addition, applicants must submit a completed health record that is sent with the letter of admission. One or more academic recommendations is required for all master's-level programs. The D.Min. requires three letters of reference from colleagues in the ministry. A $35 application fee is required.
International Students
Liberty University is changing lives, one degree at a time. Liberty University is also changing the world, one international student at a time! We presently enroll over 500 international students from over 57 foreign countries. Since the inception of Liberty University in 1971, thousands of international students have graduated with degrees and have entered their chosen professions or careers. Many of these have found a new home in the U.S. following their studies. Others have returned to their home country, taking with them the knowledge, values, and skills received at Liberty and are now impacting their country for Christ. Throughout their education, international students will find the Liberty Community very receptive to a diversity of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. They will discover the excitement of making a contribution to the academic and spiritual dimensions of the campus as they represent their own country, culture, and ethnic background, while at the same time celebrating their unity in the faith.
Who to Contact
Office of Graduate Admissions
Liberty University
1971 University Boulevard
Lynchburg, Virginia 24502
Graduate Departments
• Margaret Ackerman, Assistant Professor of Education; Ed.D., Virginia.
• Ronald Allen, Associate Professor of Counseling; Ed.D., Sarasota.
• Nancy A. Anderson, Associate Professor of Psychology; Ph.D., Texas Tech.
• David Appleby, Associate Professor of Counseling; Ph.D., Delaware.
• Treva Babcock, Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences; Ph.D., North Carolina.
• David Barnett, Director, Center for Computer and Information Technology; D.Min., Liberty.
• W. David Beck, Professor of Philosophy and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs; Ph.D., Boston University.
• Bruce K. Bell, Professor of Business and Dean, School of Business and Government; Ph.D., Walden.
• John M. Borek Jr., Professor of Aviation, Business, and Christian Leadership and President; Ph.D., Georgia State.
• James A. Borland, Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology; Th.D., Grace Theological Seminary.
• Wayne A. Brindle, Professor of Biblical Studies; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary.
• Deanna Britt, Professor of Nursing and Chair, Nursing; Ph.D., Virginia Tech.
• Ergun Caner, Professor of Religion; D.Theol., South Africa.
• Rebecca F. Carwile, Professor of Education and Associate Dean, Education; Ed.D., Alabama.
• Hyung “David” Chung, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Pastoral Ministries; D.Min., Liberty.
• Timothy Clinton, Professor of Counseling; Ed.D., William and Mary.
• John Cooley, Adjunct Professor of Education; J.D., Washington and Lee; Ph.D., Baptist Christian.
• Rodney Dempsey, Assistant Professor of Educational Ministries; M.R.E., Liberty.
• Carl J. Diemer, Professor of Church History and New Testament; Th.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Pauline Donaldson, Professor of Education; Dean, College of General Studies; and Director, Interdisciplinary and General Studies; Ed.D., Virginia.
• Lucinda Drohn, Assistant Professor of Nursing; M.S.N., Texas Health Science Center.
• Linda Eure, Associate Professor of Counseling; Ph.D., Regent University (Virginia).
• Donald Fanning, Associate Professor of Missions and Chair, Missions and Cross-Cultural Studies; D.Min., Dallas Theological Seminary.
• Paul R. Fink, Professor of Pastoral Ministries; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary.
• Donald L. Fowler, Professor of Biblical Studies; Th.D., Grace Theological Seminary.
• James Freerksen, Director, D.Min. Program; Th.M., Central Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Grace Theological Seminary.
• Marilyn L. Gadomski, Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair, Psychology; Ph.D., Virginia Tech.
• John George, Professor of Business and Associate Dean, Graduate Studies; Ph.D., Alabama.
• John Gianopulos, Adjunct Professor of Religion; Ed.D., Loyola.
• Ronald L. Giese Jr., Associate Professor of Biblical Studies; Ph.D., Wisconsin-Madison.
• Cynthia Goodrich, Associate Professor of Nursing; Ed.D., Sarasota.
• Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy and Chair, Philosophy and Theology; Ph.D., Michigan State.
• Harvey Hartman, Professor of Biblical Studies; Th.D., Grace Theological Seminary.
• Ronald E. Hawkins, Professor of Counseling and Practical Theology and Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; D.Min., Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia); Ed.D., Virginia Tech.
• Edward E. Hindson, Professor of Religion and Dean, Institute of Biblical Studies; D.Phil., South Africa.
• Craig Hinkson, Assistant Professor of Theology and Philosophy and Director, Graduate Studies; Ph.D., Chicago.
• Clarence Holland, Associate Professor of Education; Ed.D., Oklahoma.
• Jerald Hubbard, Adjunct Professor of Education; Ed.D., Nova.
• Kathie Johnson, Associate Professor of Education and Chairman, Teacher Education; Ed.D., Virginia.
• Luke Kauffman, Professor of Pastoral Ministries; D.Min., Luther Rice.
• C. Daniel Kim, Professor of Church History and Missions; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary.
• Tsung-Hui Lai, Professor of Business; Ph.D., Ohio State.
• Donnie Lawrence, Associate Professor of Education; Ph.D., Kansas.
• David Lawson, Associate Professor of Counseling; Psy.D., Biola.
• Larry L. Lilley, Professor of Business and Chair, Department of Business Management; D.B.A., Nova.
• Danny Lovett, Distinguished Professor of Evangelism and Dean, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; D.Min., Reformed Theological Seminary.
• Edward N. Martin, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology; Ph.D., Purdue.
• Homer Massey, Associate Professor of Educational Ministries; D.Min., Liberty.
• Robert Mastin, Associate Professor of Counseling; Ph.D., US International.
• Timothy G. Mink, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Coordinator, DLP Seminary Programs; Ph.D., North Texas.
• Daniel R. Mitchell, Professor of Theological Studies and Associate Dean, Seminary; Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary.
• John Morrison, Professor of Theological Studies; Ph.D., Virginia.
• Alice M. Obenchain, Adjunct Instructor of Business; D.B.A., Nova.
• John J. Pantana, Professor of Education; Ed.D., Virginia.
• Karen Parker, Professor of Education and Dean, School of Education; Ed.D., Miami (Florida).
• Constance Pearson, Professor of Education; Ed.D., Tennessee.
• Stephen Preacher, Professor of Business; D.B.A., Alliant International.
• Kenneth Reeves, Assistant Professor of Counseling; Ed.D., Northern Illinois.
• Jean St. Clair, Associate Professor of Nursing and Director, Generic Nursing; Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth.
• Lynne Sanders, Associate Professor of Nursing; Ed.D., Sarasota.
• Brian Satterlee, Professor of Business; D.B.A., Sarasota.
• Wallace S. Saunders, Associate Professor of Business; D.B.A., Sarasota.
• Frank J. Schmitt, Professor of Educational Ministries and Director, Doctor of Ministry Program; M.B.A., Lynchburg; Ed.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Charles Schneider, Adjunct Professor of Education; Ed.D., Nova.
• William Scott, Associate Professor of Counseling; Ed.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Hila J. Spear, Professor of Nursing and Director, Graduate Studies in Nursing; Ph.D., Virginia.
• Randal J. Spear, Adjunct Professor of Education; Ed.D., Virginia Tech.
• James D. Stevens, Professor of Biblical Studies and Associate Dean, School of Religion; D.Min., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
• Gene Sullivan, Associate Professor of Accounting and Chair, Department of Accounting; M.S., Virginia Commonwealth.
• Philip G. Swicegood, Adjunct Professor of Business; Ph.D., Florida State.
• Patricia Thompson, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Psychology and Executive Director, Distance Learning Program; Ed.D., Sarasota.
• Elmer Towns, Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean, School of Religion; D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary; D.D., Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania.
• Lee P. Vukich, Associate Professor of Youth Ministries and Chair, Department of Church Ministries; D.Min., Liberty.
• Gary Yates, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies; Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary.