City Vision University - The Most Affordable Christian Nonprofit Management & Counseling Degrees Online
Source: http://www.cityvision.edu
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:39
City Vision University - The Most Affordable Christian Nonprofit Management & Counseling Degrees Online
The
most affordable
accredited
online Christian degrees in
nonprofit management
or
addiction counseling
.
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Existing Students
:
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for our next term which starts on
June 8
WHY CHOOSE
CITY VISION?
Founded by Nonprofits for Nonprofits
City Vision is an accredited nonprofit Christian university.
Since 1998, we have partnered with thousands of ministries serving the poor and other nonprofits.
Nearly all our faculty have at least master's degrees, and have decades of experience in their fields.
Nearly all our faculty work at ministries, nonprofits, or Christian counseling centers.
You will learn exactly what you need to do on the job in our project-based courses.
Flexible Admissions & Transfer Credit Process
We accept any undergraduate student with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
No standardized tests (SAT, ACT, etc.) are required to enroll.
You can transfer up to 75% of your degree from any accredited college (undergraduates), or 25% for graduate students.
We provide the most flexible, streamlined process to get prior learning experience credits of any online Christian university.
You can transfer credits from any accredited school, in any country.
Transfer credits can be in any field (including vocational fields).
Accreditation
We are
accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission
, which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
We are an
Approved Provider for NAADAC
, which allows us to provide an educational path to addiction counseling certification in
most states
.
Flexible Online Courses
With our
8-week format
and
5 start dates
per year, you can study on your schedule in
100% online courses
. You
never have to travel
to a physical campus.
Our online courses are like live courses but instead of live lectures, most are recorded. Instead of live discussion, you have discussion forums with other students.
Radically Affordable so You Can Graduate Without Federal Loans
Tuition is $800 per course ($8,000/year full-time) for both undergraduate and graduate courses.
Qualifying students may use Pell grants and Veteran's benefits to help pay for school. Over 79% of our students that apply get a Pell grant.
We provide a 10% tuition scholarship to
veterans/military
,
rescue mission
and
Salvation Army
workers, and a $250/course tuition scholarship for students outside the US, ministry partners and ministry interns.
Read Stories of Our Recent Program Graduates
Cheryl Hackett, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising & Development
Cheryl Hackett serves as the Director of Development at the Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper, Wyoming, the state’s only full-service shelter. Her team provides meals, shelter, counseling, case management, and a year-long recovery program to those in need. Recently, she helped the mission expand its reach with the addition of a 355-acre recovery ranch in the Medicine Bow National Forest, offering guests a peaceful place for restoration surrounded by God’s creation. Cheryl’s calling is deeply personal, shaped by her own experience with the pain of addiction in her family. After a season of loss and transition, she discovered her purpose…
Read More...
Ralph Mccraken, MBA
Meet Ralph McCracken, Director of Enterprises at The Foundry Ministries. Ralph helps sustain programs that serve hundreds of men and women recovering from addiction. But even with years of leadership experience, he realized something was missing: “I could do the job, but I wasn’t sure I understood why I did the job.” That’s when Ralph decided to pursue his MBA at City Vision University. “The classes helped me understand my purpose. They made me more efficient, a better leader, and a better person.” Today, Ralph combines business excellence with ministry impact—proving that education rooted in faith can change not just…
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Brittany Curry, BS in Business Administration
“Before City Vision, my life was unmanageable. I came to St. Matthew’s House Homeless Shelter broken and in need of hope. Through their one-year recovery program, I found freedom in Christ — and a new direction for my life. I never imagined I’d go from a resident in a recovery program to earning two degrees and serving as a Program Manager helping families rebuild their lives. But that’s what City Vision helped make possible. What started with one class — Vocational Calling & Purpose of Work — became a five-year journey that changed everything. I earned my Associate’s in Christian…
Read More...
Gerald Snell, BS in Addiction Counseling
When Gerald Snell walked through the doors of Gateway Gospel Rescue Mission in Jackson, Mississippi, his life was at a crossroads. After years of battling addiction and a devastating relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic that followed the loss of his father, he was desperate for change. The mission’s New Life program became the turning point that restored hope. Just six months later, Gerald was invited to join the staff as Evening Shelter Manager, a powerful reminder that God was not finished with his story. With the encouragement of Gateway’s director, Gerald enrolled in City Vision University’s Christian Addiction Counseling program.…
Read More...
Terresa Wood, AA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
Meet Terresa Wood — a shining light at the Rescue Mission Women’s Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Terresa’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and the power of God’s grace. “I thought the rest of my life would be spent on the streets,” Terresa shares. For four years, she faced homelessness and addiction, believing that was all life had left for her. But God had a bigger plan. After graduating from the Rescue Mission’s program seven years ago, Terresa was hired as the house manager — a role that ignited a passion for serving others walking a similar path.…
Read More...
Michael Schoettle, MA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
At the heart of the Topeka Rescue Mission, you’ll find a leader who has walked through valleys and come out the other side with a message of hope. Michael Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship, is more than just a ministry professional—he’s a living testimony to perseverance, grace, and God’s timing. After starting a master’s degree years ago and putting it on hold due to life changes, Michael reignited his educational journey in 2023 after attending a City Vision University session at the Citygate conference. Drawn by CVU’s Christ-centered, flexible, and affordable approach, he enrolled in the Master’s in…
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Barry Willis, Certificate in Addiction Counseling
Barry’s journey is a testimony to the transformative power of faith, support, and education. After completing the recovery program at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, he chose to stay on for a second year as an intern — not just to serve, but to grow. That’s when he found City Vision University. "Before City Vision University, my life was in recovery. Before that, it was addiction. One thing that this place has really helped me do was to gain more confidence in my abilities," Barry shared. Encouraged by a career education specialist who believed in his potential, Barry took the brave…
Read More...
Jeff McLain, MBA
When Jeff McLain decided to pursue his Master of Business Administration, he wasn’t just looking for another credential — he was looking for a program that aligned with his calling. At City Vision University, he found a Christ-centered education that was flexible, affordable, and deeply relevant to his work in ministry. Each course offered practical insights with immediate application, helping him grow as both a leader and a learner.Jeff appreciated how the program was structured to fit a busy life. Balancing ministry at Water Street Mission, personal commitments, and academics could have been overwhelming — but City Vision’s manageable course…
Read More...
Isaac Del Rio, BS in Nonprofit Management
Isaac Del Rio has dedicated over 14 years of his life to serving with Youth With a Mission, touching lives across diverse communities in Costa Rica, Mexico, and South Africa. As a passionate translator, Isaac bridges cultural divides, connecting teams with local communities through language and shared understanding. His experiences reflect a deep commitment to ministry, compassion, and fostering intercultural relationships.Joining City Vision University was a transformative step for Isaac, enhancing his cognitive, spiritual, and practical skills. The flexibility offered by City Vision allowed him to seamlessly blend his educational journey with his ongoing ministry, working through assignments at his…
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Hannah Nadeau, BS in Nonprofit Management
As the Executive Director of Graces Guatemalan Relief Assistance for Children's Educational Services, Hannah Nadeau sought a program that was not only affordable and flexible but also offered a holistic approach to education, especially within the nonprofit sector. Her primary goal was to understand the business side of nonprofit work and grow as a leader, all while remaining connected to the crucial human element. City Vision University truly exceeded her expectations by addressing all these needs. Starting at 30 years old, she appreciated the strong mentorship and comprehensive education that supported her development as a young executive director. While taking…
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Kyle Meyers, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
As Kyle Meyers prepares to graduate from City Vision University with a degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership, he reflects on a transformative journey that has shaped both his calling and his character. Despite being surrounded by several Christian universities in his area, Kyle was drawn to City Vision for one key reason: its focus on outreach ministry. Unlike traditional ministry programs centered around church leadership, City Vision’s hands-on, mission-oriented approach offered him exactly what he was looking for — preparation to serve in real-world ministry settings, outside the walls of the church. Kyle also emphasized the remarkable supportive culture…
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Michael Jones, BS in Business Administration
For as long as he could remember, ministry was his calling. At just 18, he was already serving in churches, leading others, and pouring himself into community work. But despite his hands-on experience and clear sense of purpose, one thing was missing: a college degree. “I didn’t think college was for me,” he admits. “I jumped straight into ministry after high school. It just didn’t seem like the right time—or like it was even possible.” Years later, while serving as an associate pastor, that old dream resurfaced. He’d earned an associate’s degree in business, discovering a passion for the intersection…
Read More...
Teresa Martin, MS in Organizational Leadership
Teresa Martin, a teacher at Water Street Mission in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has dedicated her career to empowering adults experiencing homelessness. When her organization offered the opportunity for further education, she saw it as a calling from God and enrolled in City Vision University’s Master's in Organizational Leadership program. Through her studies, Teresa experienced a direct connection between her coursework and her daily work responsibilities, particularly as she stepped into leadership roles. She appreciated City Vision's unique community of students and faculty, who share a common passion for ministry and service. The shared understanding, encouragement, and practical insights she gained…
Read More...
Heather Ross, MS in Organizational Leadership
Heather Ross graduated from City Vision University with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Her studies helped her grow in her role as Director of Volunteering at Water Street Mission. Now she understands better how the whole organization works. She also gained the skills and confidence to become a stronger leader. "The work I did in my classes helped me see what God is up to here...and all around the world."
Read More...
Kim Thornton, Master’s in Organizational Leadership
Kim Thornton first came to City Vision while she was a Salvation Army intern. She got her Bachelor's in addiction counseling, then became a Case Manager with the Army. After years of serving in that role, she wanted to move up in the Salvation Army. Just then, Nancy Young of City Vision let her know City Vision offers Master's degrees. Kim "dove headfirst" into a Master's in Organizational Leadership, focused on Cross-Cultural Ministry. The courses were a perfect fit for her career, practical and Christ-centered. The degree was also affordable, since the Salvation Army offered her tuition reimbursement. But what…
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Julie Jones, BS in Business
Julie Jones went to the Portland Rescue Mission every Sunday for three years with her high school Sunday school teacher. From then on, she had a passion for rescue mission work. So, she was thrilled when she learned she could use her Americorps award to pay for a nonprofit management degree at City Vision. That way, she could get practical Gospel-centered training without going into debt. What Julie appreciated most about City Vision is the unity within diversity. Even though students and faculty have different backgrounds and doctrinal beliefs, all seek to follow God in life and work. Julie's training…
Read More...
Wayne Earl, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
Before he came to City Vision, Wayne Earl had been homeless, but Jesus Christ pulled him out of that pit and set his feet on a rock. Wayne graduated from the recovery program at the Bay Area Rescue Mission and worked there for a year. Once he became a manager at the mission, a co-worker encouraged him to go to City Vision and finish his college degree. Every course he had taken at previous colleges transferred, so it was easy to finish. Everything Wayne learned at City Vision was immediately applicable to his work. He especially appreciates that City Vision…
Read More...
Rex Baker, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising & Development
Rex Baker is the Executive Director of Gateway Rescue Mission. His organization got its start with City Vision because some of their program graduates attended City Vision courses. One day, though, he saw City Vision offered a certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising. All 6 classes in it were ones that applied to their organization's immediate needs. "It was like God knew just what we needed at the right time," he said. It was the most useful certificate he's ever received - everything he studied he could apply soon afterward to his organization's needs. City Vision is a great bargain, he says,…
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Brittany Curry, AS in Addiction Counseling
Brittany Curry had been in active addiction for a long time before coming to the recovery program at St. Matthew's House. After she graduated from their program, she wanted to work with the shelter but wasn't sure in what capacity. Her director encouraged her to take just one class at City Vision to see where her passion might lie. After that, she took "just one more" class and soon found herself working toward an Associate's degree. She loves how City Vision's classes allow her to incorporate Christ into her profession. Now she serves as a development officer at St. Matthew's…
Read More...
Kimberly Mosler, MBA
Before starting courses at City Vision University, Kimberly Mosler studied nursing. However, she got involved in addictions from which she recovered at Adult & Teen Challenge. While she was there, she decided she wanted to finish college. The dean of education recommended City Vision University. When Kimberly researched the school, she appreciated it was affordable and faith-based, and offered courses online. First, Kimberly completed a Bachelor's in Addiction Counseling with City Vision. But later, as her passion for helping women in addiction grew, she decided to enroll in the MBA program. Through that program she got prepared to be Executive…
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Reggie Quintana, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
For Reggie Quintana, a degree from City Vision University helped him to grow both in his faith and his ability to run a nonprofit. After spending five years in prison, Reggie rediscovered his faith in the Lord. Once he was released, he took care of his sick father and had extra time on his hands. He earned 32 college credits in Bible & theology from the Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI). Reggie wanted to complete a bachelor’s degree but when he tried colleges after TUMI, he found them expensive and difficult to understand. That's when a friend introduced him to City…
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Adam Beretta, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
Adam Beretta had taken a long break from school, but wanted to advance in his career. He was looking for an affordable, Christ-based education. He heard about City Vision through his work at Wheeler Mission. His colleagues recommended the school - some even worked for City Vision now. Adam was looking for a degree so he could advance in his career. He found City Vision's faculty and support second to none. Online classes were easy to navigate, and the professors were always willing to accept feedback. Even though City Vision is an online school, Adam found a deep, God-centered community. His…
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Micah Matthews, MBA
Micah Matthews works for a Christian Community Development organization called Urban Vision in Akron, OH. The ministry's programs do a great job at reaching students and families, but he wanted to learn how the organization's administration could run more efficiently. So he considered getting an MBA to help with that and looked online at many different places. He needed a degree that was online, affordable, and relevant. Then Urban Vision's executive director ran into Dr. Sears and recommended Micah study at City Vision University. It felt like the work of God because City Vision was exactly what he was looking…
Read More...
Mira Alfy, Grad Certificate in Christian Ministry
Mira Alfy finished her certificate in Christian Ministry with City Vision through the EMI Fellowship program. She appreciated the encouraging professors who gave helpful feedback. City Vision offered a wide range of classes from leadership to theology and cross-cultural ministry. She recommends these to anyone looking for a similar certificate. Graduating from City Vision provided Mira with knowledge about how to minister in the church. Now she has the skills to mentor younger professionals. She hopes to help them grow in their faith.
Read More...
Antonio Rafael, Grad Certificate in Christian Ministry
Antonio Rafael came from a Christian family and came to Christ at an early age. He always wanted to serve God but felt ill-equipped as to how to go about it. Then he became part of the fellowship program through EMI (Engineering Ministries International). This included getting a Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry from City Vision. Studying at City Vision was empowering for him. It helped him learn more of what his faith actually is about and how God relates to us. Now he is way more confident when he speaks to people about the truths of his faith. Antonio…
Read More...
Kyna Kelley, BS in Addiction Counseling
Kyna Kelley has been a pastor for the Salvation Army in many different churches. But until she came to City Vision she never had imagined becoming a licensed addiction counselor. Now that she is graduating with a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling from City Vision, though, she plans to get a Master’s and even to seek licensure in multiple states. “The best thing that's going to happen out of all this is someday when I retire as an officer in the Salvation Army, I will have a realm to still serve and love people and help them recover from the struggles…
Read More...
Christian Dennis, MS in Organizational Leadership
Christian Dennis found out about City Vision University through his employer, Adult and Teen Challenge Ohio Valley. The program was a perfect balance of Bible knowledge and practical courses. He started with the Christian Ministry's bachelor's. Then he continued to get the Master's in Organizational Leadership degree from our Nonprofit Management department. "Everything I learned at City Vision was applicable and practical...to my workplace. It's really equipped me well to serve the people God has called me to serve."
Read More...
Kayla Hix, BS in Nonprofit Management
Kayla Hix's life had been going well, but then the pandemic happened. She realized that she needed to shift what she was doing and consider what she would do in the future. She had already been considering a degree in nonprofit management, but the pandemic provided the motivation to get it from City Vision. "It's been a marvelous experience to complete my degree in just over a year in an online format that works with my schedule," she said.
Read More...
Lisa Pullock, MBA
When Lisa Pullock of the Fairbanks Rescue Mission was looking for a degree program she was initially skeptical about online degrees. But with City Vision, she found a supportive community of fellow practitioners around the world. City Vision prepared her to do things she never imagined would be possible.
Read More...
Scott Childress, AAS in Christian Ministry
Scott Childress earned his Associate's in Christian Ministry & Leadership from City Vision University and went on to pursue a Bachelor's in Addiction Counseling. He recently shared his testimony in the newsletter of our partner ministry, Place of Promise: "I started using alcohol, drugs, and heroin in my teens. Soon, I was using daily, and, for many years, I was able to successfully “manage” my drug addictions. After moving to Boston, I worked at a bookstore and then entered the music industry. Eventually I became the district manager of a Downtown Crossing record store. By then, I was using $300…
Read More...
Which City Vision Degree is Right for You?
Associate's Degrees
Addiction Counseling
Nonprofit Management
Business Administration
Ministry & Leadership
$
800
Per
Course
60 credits, 2 years
$8,000 per year (full-time)
7 required core courses
Up to 45 transfer credits
Pell Grant Eligible
Bachelor's Degrees
Addiction Counseling
Nonprofit Management
Business Administration
Ministry & Leadership
$
800
Per
Course
120 credits, 4 years
$8,000 per year (full-time)
10-12 required core courses
Up to 90 transfer credits
Pell Grant Eligible
Popular
Master's Degrees
Addiction Counseling
Nonprofit Management
MBA
Ministry & Leadership
$
800
Per
Course
MBA & MSADC: 36 credits, 1.25 yr
MSNM & MACML: 30 credits, 1 year
$8,000 per year (full-time)
Up to 25% as transfer credit
Undergraduate Certificates
(6 courses, 8 months):
Addiction Counseling
,
Nonprofit Management
,
Business
,
Ministry
,
Nonprofit Fundraising
,
Food Service Management
,
Retail Management
,
Facilities Management
&
Recovery Coaching
.
Graduate Certificates
(4 courses, 5 months):
Addiction Counseling
,
Nonprofit Management
, Ministry
,
Nonprofit Fundraising
.
Awards & Recognition
You Work to Transform Lives - Let Us Be a Guide
Like us, you work to transform lives. But some people you serve may appear stuck in dysfunction. You may feel over your head, like no one trained you for this. The needs seem endless, and you want to be more effective.
You know you need training to serve well, but you don’t have the time to stop working to get trained. City Vision’s flexible online programs allow you to balance work, family, and the rest of your life.
You deserve an affordable, flexible degree so you can help move your nonprofit to profound success. We want our students to know they are making a difference.
You may feel like your current position is an accident. But there are no accidents in God’s plan. Study with City Vision, clarify your calling, and be equipped to transform more lives than you’ve imagined.
What Makes
City Vision
Unique?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get prior learning credit for experience?
To get credit for experience, first take City Vision’s Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Development course, which uses the CAEL portfolio process. In this course you will develop a portfolio of your learning experience using a template we provide. For each subject area where you believe you should receive credit, you must identify a course at an accredited institution where you believe that you have already mastered the learning outcomes for that course. For each course that you want to receive credit for, you need to develop a specific portfolio section where you provide several pages of documentation on how you have achieved the learning outcomes of the course. A faculty member then reviews your portfolio to assess whether you have provided adequate documentation to be granted credit.
After completing this eight-week course, you will get 3 elective credits toward your degree plus the credits for any courses where you documented that you met the course outcomes through your portfolio. You have up to 3 months to submit the rest of your portfolio to get credit for additional courses where you can document learning. After the three months, you can pay $100 to have additional sections of your portfolio reviewed. Undergraduate students can receive credit for up to 25% of their degree through prior learning (30 credits for a bachelor’s or 15 credits for an associate’s) and graduate students can receive credit for up to 25% of their degree (9 credits for an MBA).
We have credit recognition partnerships with
Wheeler Mission
,
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI)
,
Third Millennium
,
Saylor Academy
,
Vision International
,
Harvestime Institute
,
Genesis Process
and
YWAM’s University of the Nations
. If you are with an organization that would like to set up a Credit Recognition Partnership, please contact us.
Do you offer scholarships for military, rescue missions, Salvation Army or international students?
For the 2025-26 year, we offer the following tuition scholarships:
10% Tuition Scholarship:
to City Vision alumni, those affiliated with
rescue missions,
the
Salvation Army
,
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI)
, CCDA,
YWAM
,
Adult and Teen Challenge
,
Third Millennium,
AmeriCorps
,
first responders
, organizations affiliated with the Tuition Reduction Network, as well as
active duty or reserve military students or veterans
and their spouses. After this scholarship, tuition is $720/course or $240/credit hour (for both undergraduate and graduate programs).
Scholarship Partner: $250 per 3 credit course.
We offer this scholarship to students outside of the US.
We will offer this level of scholarship to students from any organization that sends two or more students in a given year
, and meets the
partnership expectations
.
For these students, undergrad and masters tuition is
$550/course
($5,500/year, $183.33/credit hour) for both undergraduate and graduate tuition.
Here are the steps to request a scholarship:
New Students Only:
Fill out a
free enrollment application
. If you have already applied to the school, don’t do this again.
All Students:
Email the financial aid office at
financialaid@cityvision.edu
to say which scholarship you are requesting. There is not a form for requesting scholarships.
The financial aid office will contact you if we need documentation to verify you are eligible for a scholarship.
Be sure to read our
criteria to keep scholarships.
How can my organization partner with City Vision for scholarships or evaluation of ministry training for credit?
City Vision offers two types of
partnerships with organizations
.
Multi-Student Organizational Discounts
. We offer a scholarship to students from any organization that refers multiple students to City Vision in a given year. The scholarship makes tuition $5,500 ($550/course) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. If an organization does not have more than one student for at least a year, that organization loses its scholarship status. If you are with an organization that would like to receive this discount, please contact us.
Credit Mapping Partnerships.
City Vision sets up credit mapping articulation agreements with ministries that have high-quality ministry training that can be evaluated through our prior learning assessment process. We have credit mapping partnerships with
Wheeler Mission
,
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI)
,
Third Millennium
,
Saylor Academy
and
YWAM’s University of the Nations
, among others, that work in conjunction with our prior learning process. If you are with an organization that would like to set up a Credit Mapping Partnership, please contact us.
Do you have a program to work with my employer’s tuition assistance or reimbursement program?
Yes. City Vision has worked with many employers that offer tuition assistance or reimbursement.
For students whose employer will pay their full tuition, we can work with you to send your tuition invoice to your employer for them to pay directly.
For students that pay their own tuition and need reimbursement with their employer, we provide the invoices and documentation you need to get reimbursed.
Why would I choose City Vision over a community college or state school?
City Vision believes we are among the best in the world in providing an extremely practical Christian education for those interested in Addiction Counseling and Nonprofit Management.
While state schools can provide information about counseling, City Vision will provide very practical counseling education with deep Christian integration. Similarly many state schools’ nonprofit management programs are often essentially generic business degrees, while we help our students integrate their Christian values in how they run nonprofit organizations and businesses.
Many community colleges or state schools will advertise “free” or nearly free tuition. Historically, for City Vision students that have applied for a Pell grant, 79% have qualified. For students that receive a full Pell grant, the grant will pay all your tuition making the cost to the student only the cost of books (which is similar to many community colleges or state schools).
Why would I choose City Vision over Christian mega-universities like Liberty or Grand Canyon?
City Vision is very focused on providing extremely practical Christian education for those interested in Addiction Counseling and Nonprofit Management. City Vision offers fewer degrees than the mega-universities, but the degrees that we do, we do very well. We like to think of ourselves similar to the family-run hardware store where staff can answer all your questions with personalized service as opposed to the big box department stores like Walmart that offer everything.
Liberty and Grand Canyon are fine schools if they are what you are looking for, but we believe we are superior for students seeking an affordable, practical education in what we teach. The following shows how we believe our strengths compare to those of Liberty and Grand Canyon:
City Vision
Liberty/Grand Canyon
Cost/Tuition
$8,000 per year
$12,198/$15,725 per year
Core Competencies
Nonprofit Management & Addiction Counseling degrees, with personalized service and practical training
Hundreds of degrees, convenience that comes from scale of 100,000+ students
History/Culture
20+ year history of serving the poor, addicted and underserved, including partnerships with rescue missions and Salvation Army
Liberty was founded by Jerry Falwell.
Grand Canyon was a for-profit school.
Speed to Degree
Extremely flexible acceptance of transfer credit and prior learning credit
Somewhat flexible transfer credit.
Student Recruitment
Primarily word of mouth and partnerships with 90+ rescue missions, Salvation Army, counseling centers, 500+ nonprofits and urban ministries
$100 million+ advertising campaigns
What graduate schools have your students been accepted into and how is City Vision's degree typically received?
We have never had a student who wasn’t accepted into a graduate program based on our degrees, although in some cases with state schools we have had to advocate for them.
Our alumni have been accepted into the following schools: Grand Canyon University, Bay Path University, Southwest Baptist Seminary, Fuller Seminary, California University of Pennsylvania, James Madison University, Liberty University, North Park University, Southern New Hampshire University, St Mary’s University of Twickenham, Trinity Bible College, Bakke Graduate School and AG Theological Seminary.
Ultimately the acceptance of any degree or transfer credit is up to the receiving institution.
What is the difference between Regional and National Accreditation and how has that affected your alumni?
City Vision is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the US Department of Education and CHEA. The US Department of Education does not recognize a distinction between regional and national accreditation in its standards and recently stated, “The Department does not believe…that rejecting transfer credits, an application for admission to graduate school, or a request to sit for a State occupational licensing exam on the basis of the type of Department recognized accreditation is justified.” See the
US Department of Education letter on National vs. Regional Accreditation
.
We have heard from a number of our students that other schools (sadly, even Christian schools) use scare tactics as a part of their sales practice, and misrepresent the significance of the distinction between national and regional accreditation.
From a Christian social justice perspective, many have called the distinction between regional and national accreditation a
cartel that is a major injustice that hurts the poor
. Having said that, there are those that still maintain this distinction, so we address their concerns in this section. This
letter from Dr. Leah Matthews
addresses some concerns about the quality of DEAC accreditation.
Functionally, our experience has been that the distinction between regional and national accreditation is primarily of importance for:
Student pursuing academic careers, since many high-end schools may require Ph.D.’s from regionally accredited schools. A very small percentage of jobs (mostly academic) require regional accreditation. For example, a recent search of jobs in Boston showed
19 jobs
out of 65,645 total requiring regional accreditation (of which 18 were in academic institutions).
Students pursuing licensing in fields that often require a master’s degree from a regionally accredited school, such as Counseling or Social Work. It is because of this reason that City Vision does not offer master’s programs in these fields. As listed above, regional master’s programs to date have always accepted our bachelor’s degrees, but the decision is up to each individual school.
Students planning to complete their bachelor’s degree at other schools. Many state schools and some CCCU schools may not accept transfer credits from nationally accredited schools. It is up to each school on what transfer credits they accept. Based on this, for students that come to City Vision that do not plan to complete either their associate’s or bachelor’s with us, but expect to complete at a state university or CCCU school, we recommend that they first check with that school on credit transferability.
Ultimately, choosing City Vision’s national accreditation over a regionally accredited school is a question of value: you get more for your money with City Vision. If you need the “gold plating” of regional accreditation for one of the reasons described above, then it may be worth paying 2-10 times more to get a degree with regional accreditation from another school. However, because of the career choices of our students, they prefer to choose the value of City Vision rather than more expensive high-end options.
What portion of your alumni work in the nonprofit or ministry sector after graduation?
Historically, 70-80% of our alumni work in the nonprofit or ministry sector after graduation.
The others work in business with strong values that reflect strong social responsibility, Christian values and entrepreneurship.
We have had hundreds of students that have come from over 90 Gospel rescue missions.
Read Stories of City Vision Alumni
.
See job statistics of 200+ Alumni / students on LinkedIn
.
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The
most affordable
accredited
online Christian degrees in
nonprofit management
or
addiction counseling
.
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June 8
WHY CHOOSE
CITY VISION?
Founded by Nonprofits for Nonprofits
City Vision is an accredited nonprofit Christian university.
Since 1998, we have partnered with thousands of ministries serving the poor and other nonprofits.
Nearly all our faculty have at least master's degrees, and have decades of experience in their fields.
Nearly all our faculty work at ministries, nonprofits, or Christian counseling centers.
You will learn exactly what you need to do on the job in our project-based courses.
Flexible Admissions & Transfer Credit Process
We accept any undergraduate student with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
No standardized tests (SAT, ACT, etc.) are required to enroll.
You can transfer up to 75% of your degree from any accredited college (undergraduates), or 25% for graduate students.
We provide the most flexible, streamlined process to get prior learning experience credits of any online Christian university.
You can transfer credits from any accredited school, in any country.
Transfer credits can be in any field (including vocational fields).
Accreditation
We are
accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission
, which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
We are an
Approved Provider for NAADAC
, which allows us to provide an educational path to addiction counseling certification in
most states
.
Flexible Online Courses
With our
8-week format
and
5 start dates
per year, you can study on your schedule in
100% online courses
. You
never have to travel
to a physical campus.
Our online courses are like live courses but instead of live lectures, most are recorded. Instead of live discussion, you have discussion forums with other students.
Radically Affordable so You Can Graduate Without Federal Loans
Tuition is $800 per course ($8,000/year full-time) for both undergraduate and graduate courses.
Qualifying students may use Pell grants and Veteran's benefits to help pay for school. Over 79% of our students that apply get a Pell grant.
We provide a 10% tuition scholarship to
veterans/military
,
rescue mission
and
Salvation Army
workers, and a $250/course tuition scholarship for students outside the US, ministry partners and ministry interns.
Read Stories of Our Recent Program Graduates
Cheryl Hackett, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising & Development
Cheryl Hackett serves as the Director of Development at the Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper, Wyoming, the state’s only full-service shelter. Her team provides meals, shelter, counseling, case management, and a year-long recovery program to those in need. Recently, she helped the mission expand its reach with the addition of a 355-acre recovery ranch in the Medicine Bow National Forest, offering guests a peaceful place for restoration surrounded by God’s creation. Cheryl’s calling is deeply personal, shaped by her own experience with the pain of addiction in her family. After a season of loss and transition, she discovered her purpose…
Read More...
Ralph Mccraken, MBA
Meet Ralph McCracken, Director of Enterprises at The Foundry Ministries. Ralph helps sustain programs that serve hundreds of men and women recovering from addiction. But even with years of leadership experience, he realized something was missing: “I could do the job, but I wasn’t sure I understood why I did the job.” That’s when Ralph decided to pursue his MBA at City Vision University. “The classes helped me understand my purpose. They made me more efficient, a better leader, and a better person.” Today, Ralph combines business excellence with ministry impact—proving that education rooted in faith can change not just…
Read More...
Brittany Curry, BS in Business Administration
“Before City Vision, my life was unmanageable. I came to St. Matthew’s House Homeless Shelter broken and in need of hope. Through their one-year recovery program, I found freedom in Christ — and a new direction for my life. I never imagined I’d go from a resident in a recovery program to earning two degrees and serving as a Program Manager helping families rebuild their lives. But that’s what City Vision helped make possible. What started with one class — Vocational Calling & Purpose of Work — became a five-year journey that changed everything. I earned my Associate’s in Christian…
Read More...
Gerald Snell, BS in Addiction Counseling
When Gerald Snell walked through the doors of Gateway Gospel Rescue Mission in Jackson, Mississippi, his life was at a crossroads. After years of battling addiction and a devastating relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic that followed the loss of his father, he was desperate for change. The mission’s New Life program became the turning point that restored hope. Just six months later, Gerald was invited to join the staff as Evening Shelter Manager, a powerful reminder that God was not finished with his story. With the encouragement of Gateway’s director, Gerald enrolled in City Vision University’s Christian Addiction Counseling program.…
Read More...
Terresa Wood, AA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
Meet Terresa Wood — a shining light at the Rescue Mission Women’s Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Terresa’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and the power of God’s grace. “I thought the rest of my life would be spent on the streets,” Terresa shares. For four years, she faced homelessness and addiction, believing that was all life had left for her. But God had a bigger plan. After graduating from the Rescue Mission’s program seven years ago, Terresa was hired as the house manager — a role that ignited a passion for serving others walking a similar path.…
Read More...
Michael Schoettle, MA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
At the heart of the Topeka Rescue Mission, you’ll find a leader who has walked through valleys and come out the other side with a message of hope. Michael Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship, is more than just a ministry professional—he’s a living testimony to perseverance, grace, and God’s timing. After starting a master’s degree years ago and putting it on hold due to life changes, Michael reignited his educational journey in 2023 after attending a City Vision University session at the Citygate conference. Drawn by CVU’s Christ-centered, flexible, and affordable approach, he enrolled in the Master’s in…
Read More...
Barry Willis, Certificate in Addiction Counseling
Barry’s journey is a testimony to the transformative power of faith, support, and education. After completing the recovery program at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, he chose to stay on for a second year as an intern — not just to serve, but to grow. That’s when he found City Vision University. "Before City Vision University, my life was in recovery. Before that, it was addiction. One thing that this place has really helped me do was to gain more confidence in my abilities," Barry shared. Encouraged by a career education specialist who believed in his potential, Barry took the brave…
Read More...
Jeff McLain, MBA
When Jeff McLain decided to pursue his Master of Business Administration, he wasn’t just looking for another credential — he was looking for a program that aligned with his calling. At City Vision University, he found a Christ-centered education that was flexible, affordable, and deeply relevant to his work in ministry. Each course offered practical insights with immediate application, helping him grow as both a leader and a learner.Jeff appreciated how the program was structured to fit a busy life. Balancing ministry at Water Street Mission, personal commitments, and academics could have been overwhelming — but City Vision’s manageable course…
Read More...
Isaac Del Rio, BS in Nonprofit Management
Isaac Del Rio has dedicated over 14 years of his life to serving with Youth With a Mission, touching lives across diverse communities in Costa Rica, Mexico, and South Africa. As a passionate translator, Isaac bridges cultural divides, connecting teams with local communities through language and shared understanding. His experiences reflect a deep commitment to ministry, compassion, and fostering intercultural relationships.Joining City Vision University was a transformative step for Isaac, enhancing his cognitive, spiritual, and practical skills. The flexibility offered by City Vision allowed him to seamlessly blend his educational journey with his ongoing ministry, working through assignments at his…
Read More...
Hannah Nadeau, BS in Nonprofit Management
As the Executive Director of Graces Guatemalan Relief Assistance for Children's Educational Services, Hannah Nadeau sought a program that was not only affordable and flexible but also offered a holistic approach to education, especially within the nonprofit sector. Her primary goal was to understand the business side of nonprofit work and grow as a leader, all while remaining connected to the crucial human element. City Vision University truly exceeded her expectations by addressing all these needs. Starting at 30 years old, she appreciated the strong mentorship and comprehensive education that supported her development as a young executive director. While taking…
Read More...
Kyle Meyers, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
As Kyle Meyers prepares to graduate from City Vision University with a degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership, he reflects on a transformative journey that has shaped both his calling and his character. Despite being surrounded by several Christian universities in his area, Kyle was drawn to City Vision for one key reason: its focus on outreach ministry. Unlike traditional ministry programs centered around church leadership, City Vision’s hands-on, mission-oriented approach offered him exactly what he was looking for — preparation to serve in real-world ministry settings, outside the walls of the church. Kyle also emphasized the remarkable supportive culture…
Read More...
Michael Jones, BS in Business Administration
For as long as he could remember, ministry was his calling. At just 18, he was already serving in churches, leading others, and pouring himself into community work. But despite his hands-on experience and clear sense of purpose, one thing was missing: a college degree. “I didn’t think college was for me,” he admits. “I jumped straight into ministry after high school. It just didn’t seem like the right time—or like it was even possible.” Years later, while serving as an associate pastor, that old dream resurfaced. He’d earned an associate’s degree in business, discovering a passion for the intersection…
Read More...
Teresa Martin, MS in Organizational Leadership
Teresa Martin, a teacher at Water Street Mission in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has dedicated her career to empowering adults experiencing homelessness. When her organization offered the opportunity for further education, she saw it as a calling from God and enrolled in City Vision University’s Master's in Organizational Leadership program. Through her studies, Teresa experienced a direct connection between her coursework and her daily work responsibilities, particularly as she stepped into leadership roles. She appreciated City Vision's unique community of students and faculty, who share a common passion for ministry and service. The shared understanding, encouragement, and practical insights she gained…
Read More...
Heather Ross, MS in Organizational Leadership
Heather Ross graduated from City Vision University with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Her studies helped her grow in her role as Director of Volunteering at Water Street Mission. Now she understands better how the whole organization works. She also gained the skills and confidence to become a stronger leader. "The work I did in my classes helped me see what God is up to here...and all around the world."
Read More...
Kim Thornton, Master’s in Organizational Leadership
Kim Thornton first came to City Vision while she was a Salvation Army intern. She got her Bachelor's in addiction counseling, then became a Case Manager with the Army. After years of serving in that role, she wanted to move up in the Salvation Army. Just then, Nancy Young of City Vision let her know City Vision offers Master's degrees. Kim "dove headfirst" into a Master's in Organizational Leadership, focused on Cross-Cultural Ministry. The courses were a perfect fit for her career, practical and Christ-centered. The degree was also affordable, since the Salvation Army offered her tuition reimbursement. But what…
Read More...
Julie Jones, BS in Business
Julie Jones went to the Portland Rescue Mission every Sunday for three years with her high school Sunday school teacher. From then on, she had a passion for rescue mission work. So, she was thrilled when she learned she could use her Americorps award to pay for a nonprofit management degree at City Vision. That way, she could get practical Gospel-centered training without going into debt. What Julie appreciated most about City Vision is the unity within diversity. Even though students and faculty have different backgrounds and doctrinal beliefs, all seek to follow God in life and work. Julie's training…
Read More...
Wayne Earl, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
Before he came to City Vision, Wayne Earl had been homeless, but Jesus Christ pulled him out of that pit and set his feet on a rock. Wayne graduated from the recovery program at the Bay Area Rescue Mission and worked there for a year. Once he became a manager at the mission, a co-worker encouraged him to go to City Vision and finish his college degree. Every course he had taken at previous colleges transferred, so it was easy to finish. Everything Wayne learned at City Vision was immediately applicable to his work. He especially appreciates that City Vision…
Read More...
Rex Baker, Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising & Development
Rex Baker is the Executive Director of Gateway Rescue Mission. His organization got its start with City Vision because some of their program graduates attended City Vision courses. One day, though, he saw City Vision offered a certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising. All 6 classes in it were ones that applied to their organization's immediate needs. "It was like God knew just what we needed at the right time," he said. It was the most useful certificate he's ever received - everything he studied he could apply soon afterward to his organization's needs. City Vision is a great bargain, he says,…
Read More...
Brittany Curry, AS in Addiction Counseling
Brittany Curry had been in active addiction for a long time before coming to the recovery program at St. Matthew's House. After she graduated from their program, she wanted to work with the shelter but wasn't sure in what capacity. Her director encouraged her to take just one class at City Vision to see where her passion might lie. After that, she took "just one more" class and soon found herself working toward an Associate's degree. She loves how City Vision's classes allow her to incorporate Christ into her profession. Now she serves as a development officer at St. Matthew's…
Read More...
Kimberly Mosler, MBA
Before starting courses at City Vision University, Kimberly Mosler studied nursing. However, she got involved in addictions from which she recovered at Adult & Teen Challenge. While she was there, she decided she wanted to finish college. The dean of education recommended City Vision University. When Kimberly researched the school, she appreciated it was affordable and faith-based, and offered courses online. First, Kimberly completed a Bachelor's in Addiction Counseling with City Vision. But later, as her passion for helping women in addiction grew, she decided to enroll in the MBA program. Through that program she got prepared to be Executive…
Read More...
Reggie Quintana, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
For Reggie Quintana, a degree from City Vision University helped him to grow both in his faith and his ability to run a nonprofit. After spending five years in prison, Reggie rediscovered his faith in the Lord. Once he was released, he took care of his sick father and had extra time on his hands. He earned 32 college credits in Bible & theology from the Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI). Reggie wanted to complete a bachelor’s degree but when he tried colleges after TUMI, he found them expensive and difficult to understand. That's when a friend introduced him to City…
Read More...
Adam Beretta, BA in Christian Ministry & Leadership
Adam Beretta had taken a long break from school, but wanted to advance in his career. He was looking for an affordable, Christ-based education. He heard about City Vision through his work at Wheeler Mission. His colleagues recommended the school - some even worked for City Vision now. Adam was looking for a degree so he could advance in his career. He found City Vision's faculty and support second to none. Online classes were easy to navigate, and the professors were always willing to accept feedback. Even though City Vision is an online school, Adam found a deep, God-centered community. His…
Read More...
Micah Matthews, MBA
Micah Matthews works for a Christian Community Development organization called Urban Vision in Akron, OH. The ministry's programs do a great job at reaching students and families, but he wanted to learn how the organization's administration could run more efficiently. So he considered getting an MBA to help with that and looked online at many different places. He needed a degree that was online, affordable, and relevant. Then Urban Vision's executive director ran into Dr. Sears and recommended Micah study at City Vision University. It felt like the work of God because City Vision was exactly what he was looking…
Read More...
Mira Alfy, Grad Certificate in Christian Ministry
Mira Alfy finished her certificate in Christian Ministry with City Vision through the EMI Fellowship program. She appreciated the encouraging professors who gave helpful feedback. City Vision offered a wide range of classes from leadership to theology and cross-cultural ministry. She recommends these to anyone looking for a similar certificate. Graduating from City Vision provided Mira with knowledge about how to minister in the church. Now she has the skills to mentor younger professionals. She hopes to help them grow in their faith.
Read More...
Antonio Rafael, Grad Certificate in Christian Ministry
Antonio Rafael came from a Christian family and came to Christ at an early age. He always wanted to serve God but felt ill-equipped as to how to go about it. Then he became part of the fellowship program through EMI (Engineering Ministries International). This included getting a Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry from City Vision. Studying at City Vision was empowering for him. It helped him learn more of what his faith actually is about and how God relates to us. Now he is way more confident when he speaks to people about the truths of his faith. Antonio…
Read More...
Kyna Kelley, BS in Addiction Counseling
Kyna Kelley has been a pastor for the Salvation Army in many different churches. But until she came to City Vision she never had imagined becoming a licensed addiction counselor. Now that she is graduating with a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling from City Vision, though, she plans to get a Master’s and even to seek licensure in multiple states. “The best thing that's going to happen out of all this is someday when I retire as an officer in the Salvation Army, I will have a realm to still serve and love people and help them recover from the struggles…
Read More...
Christian Dennis, MS in Organizational Leadership
Christian Dennis found out about City Vision University through his employer, Adult and Teen Challenge Ohio Valley. The program was a perfect balance of Bible knowledge and practical courses. He started with the Christian Ministry's bachelor's. Then he continued to get the Master's in Organizational Leadership degree from our Nonprofit Management department. "Everything I learned at City Vision was applicable and practical...to my workplace. It's really equipped me well to serve the people God has called me to serve."
Read More...
Kayla Hix, BS in Nonprofit Management
Kayla Hix's life had been going well, but then the pandemic happened. She realized that she needed to shift what she was doing and consider what she would do in the future. She had already been considering a degree in nonprofit management, but the pandemic provided the motivation to get it from City Vision. "It's been a marvelous experience to complete my degree in just over a year in an online format that works with my schedule," she said.
Read More...
Lisa Pullock, MBA
When Lisa Pullock of the Fairbanks Rescue Mission was looking for a degree program she was initially skeptical about online degrees. But with City Vision, she found a supportive community of fellow practitioners around the world. City Vision prepared her to do things she never imagined would be possible.
Read More...
Scott Childress, AAS in Christian Ministry
Scott Childress earned his Associate's in Christian Ministry & Leadership from City Vision University and went on to pursue a Bachelor's in Addiction Counseling. He recently shared his testimony in the newsletter of our partner ministry, Place of Promise: "I started using alcohol, drugs, and heroin in my teens. Soon, I was using daily, and, for many years, I was able to successfully “manage” my drug addictions. After moving to Boston, I worked at a bookstore and then entered the music industry. Eventually I became the district manager of a Downtown Crossing record store. By then, I was using $300…
Read More...
Which City Vision Degree is Right for You?
Associate's Degrees
Addiction Counseling
Nonprofit Management
Business Administration
Ministry & Leadership
$
800
Per
Course
60 credits, 2 years
$8,000 per year (full-time)
7 required core courses
Up to 45 transfer credits
Pell Grant Eligible
Bachelor's Degrees
Addiction Counseling
Nonprofit Management
Business Administration
Ministry & Leadership
$
800
Per
Course
120 credits, 4 years
$8,000 per year (full-time)
10-12 required core courses
Up to 90 transfer credits
Pell Grant Eligible
Popular
Master's Degrees
Addiction Counseling
Nonprofit Management
MBA
Ministry & Leadership
$
800
Per
Course
MBA & MSADC: 36 credits, 1.25 yr
MSNM & MACML: 30 credits, 1 year
$8,000 per year (full-time)
Up to 25% as transfer credit
Undergraduate Certificates
(6 courses, 8 months):
Addiction Counseling
,
Nonprofit Management
,
Business
,
Ministry
,
Nonprofit Fundraising
,
Food Service Management
,
Retail Management
,
Facilities Management
&
Recovery Coaching
.
Graduate Certificates
(4 courses, 5 months):
Addiction Counseling
,
Nonprofit Management
, Ministry
,
Nonprofit Fundraising
.
Awards & Recognition
You Work to Transform Lives - Let Us Be a Guide
Like us, you work to transform lives. But some people you serve may appear stuck in dysfunction. You may feel over your head, like no one trained you for this. The needs seem endless, and you want to be more effective.
You know you need training to serve well, but you don’t have the time to stop working to get trained. City Vision’s flexible online programs allow you to balance work, family, and the rest of your life.
You deserve an affordable, flexible degree so you can help move your nonprofit to profound success. We want our students to know they are making a difference.
You may feel like your current position is an accident. But there are no accidents in God’s plan. Study with City Vision, clarify your calling, and be equipped to transform more lives than you’ve imagined.
What Makes
City Vision
Unique?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get prior learning credit for experience?
To get credit for experience, first take City Vision’s Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Development course, which uses the CAEL portfolio process. In this course you will develop a portfolio of your learning experience using a template we provide. For each subject area where you believe you should receive credit, you must identify a course at an accredited institution where you believe that you have already mastered the learning outcomes for that course. For each course that you want to receive credit for, you need to develop a specific portfolio section where you provide several pages of documentation on how you have achieved the learning outcomes of the course. A faculty member then reviews your portfolio to assess whether you have provided adequate documentation to be granted credit.
After completing this eight-week course, you will get 3 elective credits toward your degree plus the credits for any courses where you documented that you met the course outcomes through your portfolio. You have up to 3 months to submit the rest of your portfolio to get credit for additional courses where you can document learning. After the three months, you can pay $100 to have additional sections of your portfolio reviewed. Undergraduate students can receive credit for up to 25% of their degree through prior learning (30 credits for a bachelor’s or 15 credits for an associate’s) and graduate students can receive credit for up to 25% of their degree (9 credits for an MBA).
We have credit recognition partnerships with
Wheeler Mission
,
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI)
,
Third Millennium
,
Saylor Academy
,
Vision International
,
Harvestime Institute
,
Genesis Process
and
YWAM’s University of the Nations
. If you are with an organization that would like to set up a Credit Recognition Partnership, please contact us.
Do you offer scholarships for military, rescue missions, Salvation Army or international students?
For the 2025-26 year, we offer the following tuition scholarships:
10% Tuition Scholarship:
to City Vision alumni, those affiliated with
rescue missions,
the
Salvation Army
,
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI)
, CCDA,
YWAM
,
Adult and Teen Challenge
,
Third Millennium,
AmeriCorps
,
first responders
, organizations affiliated with the Tuition Reduction Network, as well as
active duty or reserve military students or veterans
and their spouses. After this scholarship, tuition is $720/course or $240/credit hour (for both undergraduate and graduate programs).
Scholarship Partner: $250 per 3 credit course.
We offer this scholarship to students outside of the US.
We will offer this level of scholarship to students from any organization that sends two or more students in a given year
, and meets the
partnership expectations
.
For these students, undergrad and masters tuition is
$550/course
($5,500/year, $183.33/credit hour) for both undergraduate and graduate tuition.
Here are the steps to request a scholarship:
New Students Only:
Fill out a
free enrollment application
. If you have already applied to the school, don’t do this again.
All Students:
Email the financial aid office at
financialaid@cityvision.edu
to say which scholarship you are requesting. There is not a form for requesting scholarships.
The financial aid office will contact you if we need documentation to verify you are eligible for a scholarship.
Be sure to read our
criteria to keep scholarships.
How can my organization partner with City Vision for scholarships or evaluation of ministry training for credit?
City Vision offers two types of
partnerships with organizations
.
Multi-Student Organizational Discounts
. We offer a scholarship to students from any organization that refers multiple students to City Vision in a given year. The scholarship makes tuition $5,500 ($550/course) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. If an organization does not have more than one student for at least a year, that organization loses its scholarship status. If you are with an organization that would like to receive this discount, please contact us.
Credit Mapping Partnerships.
City Vision sets up credit mapping articulation agreements with ministries that have high-quality ministry training that can be evaluated through our prior learning assessment process. We have credit mapping partnerships with
Wheeler Mission
,
The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI)
,
Third Millennium
,
Saylor Academy
and
YWAM’s University of the Nations
, among others, that work in conjunction with our prior learning process. If you are with an organization that would like to set up a Credit Mapping Partnership, please contact us.
Do you have a program to work with my employer’s tuition assistance or reimbursement program?
Yes. City Vision has worked with many employers that offer tuition assistance or reimbursement.
For students whose employer will pay their full tuition, we can work with you to send your tuition invoice to your employer for them to pay directly.
For students that pay their own tuition and need reimbursement with their employer, we provide the invoices and documentation you need to get reimbursed.
Why would I choose City Vision over a community college or state school?
City Vision believes we are among the best in the world in providing an extremely practical Christian education for those interested in Addiction Counseling and Nonprofit Management.
While state schools can provide information about counseling, City Vision will provide very practical counseling education with deep Christian integration. Similarly many state schools’ nonprofit management programs are often essentially generic business degrees, while we help our students integrate their Christian values in how they run nonprofit organizations and businesses.
Many community colleges or state schools will advertise “free” or nearly free tuition. Historically, for City Vision students that have applied for a Pell grant, 79% have qualified. For students that receive a full Pell grant, the grant will pay all your tuition making the cost to the student only the cost of books (which is similar to many community colleges or state schools).
Why would I choose City Vision over Christian mega-universities like Liberty or Grand Canyon?
City Vision is very focused on providing extremely practical Christian education for those interested in Addiction Counseling and Nonprofit Management. City Vision offers fewer degrees than the mega-universities, but the degrees that we do, we do very well. We like to think of ourselves similar to the family-run hardware store where staff can answer all your questions with personalized service as opposed to the big box department stores like Walmart that offer everything.
Liberty and Grand Canyon are fine schools if they are what you are looking for, but we believe we are superior for students seeking an affordable, practical education in what we teach. The following shows how we believe our strengths compare to those of Liberty and Grand Canyon:
City Vision
Liberty/Grand Canyon
Cost/Tuition
$8,000 per year
$12,198/$15,725 per year
Core Competencies
Nonprofit Management & Addiction Counseling degrees, with personalized service and practical training
Hundreds of degrees, convenience that comes from scale of 100,000+ students
History/Culture
20+ year history of serving the poor, addicted and underserved, including partnerships with rescue missions and Salvation Army
Liberty was founded by Jerry Falwell.
Grand Canyon was a for-profit school.
Speed to Degree
Extremely flexible acceptance of transfer credit and prior learning credit
Somewhat flexible transfer credit.
Student Recruitment
Primarily word of mouth and partnerships with 90+ rescue missions, Salvation Army, counseling centers, 500+ nonprofits and urban ministries
$100 million+ advertising campaigns
What graduate schools have your students been accepted into and how is City Vision's degree typically received?
We have never had a student who wasn’t accepted into a graduate program based on our degrees, although in some cases with state schools we have had to advocate for them.
Our alumni have been accepted into the following schools: Grand Canyon University, Bay Path University, Southwest Baptist Seminary, Fuller Seminary, California University of Pennsylvania, James Madison University, Liberty University, North Park University, Southern New Hampshire University, St Mary’s University of Twickenham, Trinity Bible College, Bakke Graduate School and AG Theological Seminary.
Ultimately the acceptance of any degree or transfer credit is up to the receiving institution.
What is the difference between Regional and National Accreditation and how has that affected your alumni?
City Vision is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the US Department of Education and CHEA. The US Department of Education does not recognize a distinction between regional and national accreditation in its standards and recently stated, “The Department does not believe…that rejecting transfer credits, an application for admission to graduate school, or a request to sit for a State occupational licensing exam on the basis of the type of Department recognized accreditation is justified.” See the
US Department of Education letter on National vs. Regional Accreditation
.
We have heard from a number of our students that other schools (sadly, even Christian schools) use scare tactics as a part of their sales practice, and misrepresent the significance of the distinction between national and regional accreditation.
From a Christian social justice perspective, many have called the distinction between regional and national accreditation a
cartel that is a major injustice that hurts the poor
. Having said that, there are those that still maintain this distinction, so we address their concerns in this section. This
letter from Dr. Leah Matthews
addresses some concerns about the quality of DEAC accreditation.
Functionally, our experience has been that the distinction between regional and national accreditation is primarily of importance for:
Student pursuing academic careers, since many high-end schools may require Ph.D.’s from regionally accredited schools. A very small percentage of jobs (mostly academic) require regional accreditation. For example, a recent search of jobs in Boston showed
19 jobs
out of 65,645 total requiring regional accreditation (of which 18 were in academic institutions).
Students pursuing licensing in fields that often require a master’s degree from a regionally accredited school, such as Counseling or Social Work. It is because of this reason that City Vision does not offer master’s programs in these fields. As listed above, regional master’s programs to date have always accepted our bachelor’s degrees, but the decision is up to each individual school.
Students planning to complete their bachelor’s degree at other schools. Many state schools and some CCCU schools may not accept transfer credits from nationally accredited schools. It is up to each school on what transfer credits they accept. Based on this, for students that come to City Vision that do not plan to complete either their associate’s or bachelor’s with us, but expect to complete at a state university or CCCU school, we recommend that they first check with that school on credit transferability.
Ultimately, choosing City Vision’s national accreditation over a regionally accredited school is a question of value: you get more for your money with City Vision. If you need the “gold plating” of regional accreditation for one of the reasons described above, then it may be worth paying 2-10 times more to get a degree with regional accreditation from another school. However, because of the career choices of our students, they prefer to choose the value of City Vision rather than more expensive high-end options.
What portion of your alumni work in the nonprofit or ministry sector after graduation?
Historically, 70-80% of our alumni work in the nonprofit or ministry sector after graduation.
The others work in business with strong values that reflect strong social responsibility, Christian values and entrepreneurship.
We have had hundreds of students that have come from over 90 Gospel rescue missions.
Read Stories of City Vision Alumni
.
See job statistics of 200+ Alumni / students on LinkedIn
.
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