Hope International University began in 1928 as Pacific Bible Seminary. In 1936, the school purchased property in Long Beach, California, beginning construction of the campus in 1940. In 1962, after achieving regional accreditation, the school became Pacific Christian College. Enrollment grew and, eventually, the Long Beach campus was no longer adequate to house students. The college relocated to Fullerton in 1973. When the college earned university status, the name was changed to Hope International University in 1997, operating as two distinct colleges. Pacific Christian College continued to offer traditional, residential undergraduate education while the School of Graduate and Professional Studies provided online distance education to working adults who wanted to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. The two colleges merged in 2011 to form one university offering both traditional and distance learning options.
Hope International University is a private Christian university that identifies with the non-denominational Church of Christ. As a private Christian university, Hope is committed to the integration of faith, service and learning, which is reflected in the mission, values and beliefs of the university. Their mission is to empower students through Christian learning so that they may serve the church and impact the world for Christ. The school is biblically based and focused on serving the church, maintaining the Restoration Movement. In addition, students are strengthened in their faith as they develop the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in their chosen profession. The university does not subscribe to any formal creed, but follows critical and crucial truths that are based in the teachings of the Church of Christ.
Hope International University Accreditation Details
Hope International University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. This accreditation means that Hope meets the standards of the accrediting agency, demonstrates core commitments and devotes itself to periodic review and ongoing improvements.
In addition, Hope holds the following specialized accreditations:
- Association for Biblical Higher Education
- Association of Christian Schools International
- Commission of Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
Hope International University Application Requirements
Students attending college for the first time must complete the application for admission and pay the applicable fee. Students must provide a statement of purpose that includes the student’s views of how their educational goals will advance the mission of Christ and the factors that are the most important to the student in making a final college choice. Students must provide contact information for both a church leader and an educator or employer that will provide a reference. Official high school transcripts must be provided as well as official SAT or ACT results.
Students who have completed at least 24 or more semester units of college-level coursework are considered transfer students. SAT and ACT scores are not required for students with at least 24 semester hours of college work. Students must provide an undergraduate application for admission and pay the applicable fee. Students must provide a statement of purpose that addresses why they have chosen to study at Hope, the influence their family and church had on their decision to attend as well as their view of how their education will be used to further the mission of Christ. In addition, the statement must describe what factors are the most important to the student for choosing a college. Students must provide contact information for references from both a church leader and an educator or employer. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must also be provided.
Graduate students must complete an application form and pay the applicable fee. In addition, official transcripts from all previously attended colleges must be provided. Students must have two reference forms completed and sent to the college. Students must complete a “Statement of Purpose” essay of at least 250 words that explains their reasons for entering a graduate program. Students must complete a Financial Options Guide as well. Teaching applicants must provide evidence that they have registered for, attempted or passed the appropriate examination for their credentialing program.
Hope International University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for full-time on-campus undergraduate students is $27,900 per year. The cost for online undergraduate courses is $350 per credit hour for General Education courses and $490 per credit hour for Major Courses. The cost for Graduate tuition is as follows:
- Master of Arts College of Ministry and Biblical Studies – $450 per credit hour
- Master of Business Administration or Master of Science in Management – $690 per credit hour
- Master in Marriage and Family Therapy – $690 per credit hour
- Master of Education/Credential – $600 per credit hour
Financial aid is available in the form of federal and state grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Aid is available whether students take classes on campus or online.
Hope International University Online Degrees Available
Psychology
The Psychology program at Hope International University is designed for those who wish to enter the field as a professional psychologist or who wish to expand their education at the graduate level. Students are provided a strong liberal arts education with extensive knowledge in the field of psychology. Christian perspectives are included throughout the program, allowing students to examine psychological theories through their Christian faith. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a 120 unit program.
The Psychology program is only offered on-campus. However, Hope International University offers a Bachelor of Science in Human Development that is taught through the College of Psychology and Counseling. Students may choose from either the Family Studies or the Community Mental Health and Counseling concentrations. Both programs provide students with marketable skills for use in fields related to counseling, teaching or other professions designed to help others. The Bachelor of Science in Human Development degree is offered in a completely online format so that students who have work, family or social obligations are able to achieve their higher education goals with more flexibility than that provided by traditional classroom learning.
Hope International University offers higher education that s rigorous and prepares students for new careers in a chosen profession or helps them advance in a current career. All programs at Hope International University are based in a strong, Christian foundation so that students not only develop professionally, they also develop spiritually.