The Living Water University Academic Handbook is the official guide to the university’s academic policies, procedures, and resources. Upon enrollment, each student agrees to comply with the standards and regulations set forth herein. The university reserves the right to change, supplement, or revoke any policies, rules, or procedures contained in this handbook at any time, aiming for continuous improvement and legal compliance.
Living Water University (LWU) is a Christian university committed to academic excellence and spiritual formation, equipping leaders to serve churches, missions, and Christian organizations worldwide. Grounded in biblical truth, LWU offers bachelor’s and master’s programs designed to strengthen theological understanding, develop Christ-centered character, and prepare students for effective ministry across diverse cultural contexts.
LWU believes education is not merely informational, but transformational—shaping both the mind and the spirit for faithful service to the Kingdom of God.
The university is committed to supporting international students throughout their academic journey, offering guidance from application through graduation, with dedicated resources for visa-related processes and student integration.
The university is organized into official departments, each dedicated to a part of the student experience. Use the contacts below to reach the right office for your needs.
The pedagogical core of the university—supervising courses, coordinating faculty, and supporting questions on curricula, schedules, academic performance, and programs of study.
academiccoordination@livingwater.educationacademic@livingwater.educationManages all student financial matters, including payment processing, invoices, payment plans, tuition deadlines, and refund policies.
finance@livingwater.educationMaintains all permanent student records and issues official transcripts, certificates, course enrollments, and diplomas.
registrar@livingwater.educationThe gateway for new students—assisting candidates from initial application and document review through confirmation of acceptance.
admissions@livingwater.educationadmissions.assistant@livingwater.educationServes international students with support for F-1 visa matters, the signed I-20, SEVIS compliance, and maintaining legal student status while studying in the United States.
iso@livingwater.educationAs a degree-granting institution, LWU offers undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare Christian leaders, counselors, and theologians for faithful service. Each program’s graduation requirements are summarized below; full course listings are available on each program page.
Educates students to bring healing and hope to people in pain as counselors in churches and faith-based organizations, integrating counseling practice with a biblical foundation.
| Courses | Quarter Units | Classes (4 cr.) |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | 28 | 7 |
| Bible and Theology Courses | 40 | 10 |
| Major Courses: Christian Counseling | 56 | 14 |
| Electives | 20 | 5 |
| Total | 144 | 36 |
The Bachelor of Christian Counseling is designed to prepare students for ministry of counseling. This program educates students to bring healing and hope to people in pain as counselors in churches or faith based organizations.
The objectives of the Bachelor of Christian Counseling are:
The criteria for entrance to the Bachelor of Christian Counseling are:
General Education Requirement: 28 Units from the courses in designated general education categories.
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, Music, and Media | Worship Foundations History of Music in the Church Introduction to Church Music Introduction to Film and Media Global Cinema Multi-cultural Worship | AM105 AM106 AM205 AM222 AM301 AM302 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Economics | Introduction to Economics | EC224 | 4 |
| English | English I English II English III College English Composition and Reading Presentational Communication Introduction to English Literature Creative Writing Communication | EN101 EN102 EN103 EN201 EN205 EN213 EN302 EN303 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Foreign Languages | Foreign Language: Chinese Foreign Language: Spanish Foreign Language: Japanese Foreign Language: Russian | FL101 FL102 FL103 FL104 | 4 4 4 4 |
| History | American History Western Civilization to the 15th Century Eastern Civilization | HS105 HS106 HS107 | 4 4 4 |
| Math | Math Fundamentals College Algebra | MA100 MA101 | 4 4 |
| Philosophy | Introduction to Philosophy Logic | PH101 PH104 | 4 4 |
| Political Science | Introduction to Political Science Introduction to International Relations | PS212 PS222 | 4 4 |
| Science | General Physics General Biology General Chemistry Introduction to Computers Human Growth and Development | SC200 SC201 SC202 SC203 SC223 | 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Social Sciences | General Psychology Sociology Psychology of Religion | SS101 SS103 PY201 | 4 4 4 |
| Other | Senior Integrative Seminar | LA400 | 4 |
Of the 40 units that must be completed in the concentration of theology, 20 units must be derived from the areas of OT/NT/Biblical Languages. The following are a standard menu of courses that fulfill these requirements. Certain substitutions may be made with the permission of the student’s advisor and the Dean of Students.
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biblical Languages | Hebrew I Greek I | BL103 BL101 | 4 4 |
| Old Testament | Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch Prophets Psalms and Wisdom | OT100 OT210 OT331 OT340 | 4 4 4 4 |
| New Testament | Introduction to New Testament The Four Gospels Pauline Epistles | NT101 NT210 NT220 | 4 4 4 |
The remaining 20 units must be taken within the fields of Theology, ministry, and practical theology. The following are the standard courses to fulfill this course of study:
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theology | History of Early Church Systematic Theology I Systematic Theology II History of Christian Doctrine | HT101 ST102 ST103 ST203 | 4 4 4 4 |
| Practical Theology | Christian Education Christian Counseling | CE301 PT301 | 4 4 |
The following courses meet the Major Course requirements for the Bachelor in Christian Counseling degree:
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counseling | Introduction to Christian Counseling Introduction to Behavioral Analysis Biblical Counseling Counseling Adolescents Christian Counseling and Human Sexuality Family Systems Effective Counseling Skills Marriage and Family Counseling Grief Counseling Stress Counseling Crisis Counseling Addictions Counseling Counseling Domestic Violence | CC101 CC111 CC191 CC222 CC230 CC240 CC281 CC341 CC351 CC352 CC353 CC371 CC372 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Psychology | Psychology of Religion Developmental Psychology Cognitive Therapy Psychology and Theology | PY201 PY210 PY220 PY301 | 4 4 4 4 |
Electives: An additional 20 units are required to complete the degree. See the full course listing in the catalog for available options.
Builds a deep foundation in Scripture and theology, preparing students for pastoral, teaching, and ministry leadership.
| Courses | Quarter Units | Classes (4 cr.) |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | 36 | 9 |
| Major Courses: Bible and Theology | 76 | 19 |
| Electives | 32 | 8 |
| Total | 144 | 36 |
The Bachelor of Theology is designed to give the student the maximum benefit of a broad education in theological studies with an emphasis in Biblical studies. General education requirements ensure that the student is broadly educated in the arts and sciences, while a significant portion of time is spent learning the fields of theology and history of Christianity. The majority of the student’s coursework is dedicated to Biblical Studies, the specialty of the Living Water University.
The objectives of the Bachelor of Theology are:
The criteria for entrance to the Bachelor of Theology are:
General Education Requirement: 36 Units from the courses in designated general education categories. The following list is representative of the courses that are offered.
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts, Music, and Media | Worship Foundations History of Music in the Church Introduction to Church Music Introduction to Film and Media Global Cinema Multi-cultural Worship | AM105 AM106 AM205 AM222 AM301 AM302 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Economics | Introduction to Economics | EC224 | 4 |
| English | English I English II English III College English Composition and Reading Presentational Communication Introduction to English Literature Creative Writing Communication | EN101 EN102 EN103 EN201 EN205 EN213 EN302 EN303 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Foreign Languages | Foreign Language: Chinese Foreign Language: Spanish Foreign Language: Japanese Foreign Language: Russian | FL101 FL102 FL103 FL104 | 4 4 4 4 |
| History | American History Western Civilization to the 15th Century Eastern Civilization | HS105 HS106 HS107 | 4 4 4 |
| Math | Math Fundamentals College Algebra | MA100 MA101 | 4 4 |
| Philosophy | Introduction to Philosophy Logic | PH101 PH104 | 4 4 |
| Political Science | Introduction to Political Science Introduction to International Relations | PS212 PS222 | 4 4 |
| Science | General Physics General Biology General Chemistry Introduction to Computers Human Growth and Development | SC200 SC201 SC202 SC203 SC223 | 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Social Sciences | General Psychology Sociology Psychology of Religion | SS101 SS103 PY201 | 4 4 4 |
| Other | Senior Integrative Seminar | LA400 | 4 |
Of the 76 units that must be completed in the concentration of theology, 44 units must be derived from the areas of OT/NT/Biblical Languages. The following are a standard menu of courses that fulfill these requirements. Certain substitutions may be made with the permission of the student’s advisor and the Dean of Students.
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biblical Languages | Hebrew I Greek I | BL103 BL101 | 4 4 |
| Biblical Studies | Bible Exposition | BS103 | 4 |
| Old Testament | Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch Prophets: Major and Minor Psalms and Wisdom | OT100 OT210 OT331 OT340 | 4 4 4 4 |
| New Testament | Introduction to New Testament The Four Gospels Pauline Epistles Romans | NT101 NT210 NT220 NT321 | 4 4 4 4 |
The remaining 32 units must be taken within the fields of Theology/Church History/Practical Theology. The following are the standard required courses to fulfill this course of study:
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Church History | History of Early Church | HT101 | 4 |
| Theology | Systematic Theology I Systematic Theology II History of Christian Doctrine Christian Ethics | ST102 ST103 ST203 ST302 | 4 4 4 4 |
| Practical Theology | Preaching Christian Counseling | PT102 PT301 | 4 4 |
| Christian Education | Christian Education | CE301 | 4 |
An additional 30 units of electives are required to complete the Bachelor in Theology degree. See the full course listing that follows in the catalog. Courses offered may vary from one semester to another.
Advances counseling competency within a Christ-centered framework, including an exit examination, for those serving in counseling ministry.
| Courses | Quarter Units | Classes (4 cr.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bible and Theology | 12 | 3 |
| Major Courses: Christian Counseling | 28 | 7 |
| Exit Examination | 0 | 0 |
| Electives | 24 | 6 |
| Total | 64 | 16 |
The Master of Christian Counseling is designed to build the counseling knowledge and skills needed for those who desire to bring healing and hope to hurting people as counselors in churches or faith-based organizations. It prepares students for pastoral counseling, hospital chaplaincy, crisis pregnancy centers, family case management, and other counseling roles that do not require professional licensure.
Applicants for admission to the Master of Christian Counseling must meet the following minimum requirements:
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bible Studies | Bible Exposition | BS401 | 4 |
| Old Testament | History of the Old Testament Pentateuch Wisdom Literature Selected Psalms Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha Technology and the Dead Sea Scrolls | OT400 OT410 OT445 OT447 OT460 OT485 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| New Testament | New Testament Introduction The Four Gospels A Study of Mark Pauline Epistles Deutero-Pauline and Pastoral Epistles General Epistles Acts Luke-Acts Late Second Temple Judaism/Judaism of Jesus Day Religions of the Greco-Roman World: The New Testament in Context | NT400 NT410 NT412 NT420 NT425 NT427 NT430 NT431 NT471 NT472 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Biblical Languages | Hebrew I Hebrew II Greek I Greek II | BL401 BL402 BL403 BL404 | 4 4 4 4 |
| Theology | Doctrine of God Doctrine of Jesus Christ Doctrine of Man and Sin Doctrine of Church | ST504 ST605 ST608 ST609 | 4 4 4 4 |
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | Counseling Theory and Practice | PY401 | 4 |
| Counseling | Christian Counseling Adolescent Christian Counseling Marriage and Family Counseling: Christian Perspectives Crisis Counseling Grief Counseling Family Systems | CC400 CC422 CC440 CC551 CC451 CC540 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
24 Units of Electives. Passing the Exit Examination which measures the students' knowledge in the materials covered in the program.
Prepares students for professional ministry through advanced theological study and ministry training, including an exit examination.
| Courses | Quarter Units | Classes (4 cr.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bible and Theology Requirement | 28 | 7 |
| Professional Ministry Requirement | 44 | 11 |
| Electives | 24 | 6 |
| Exit Examination | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 96 | 24 |
Residence Requirement: 45 units must be completed at Living Water University.
The Master of Divinity program is designed to equip dedicated Christians for various ministries in the church setting, including the ordained ministries of instruction and leadership in the church. This program emphasizes developing the capacity to study and communicate the Christian Scriptures and the theological traditions and the capacity to model and facilitate Christian spiritual formation and communal practices.
The objectives of the Master of Divinity are:
The criteria for entrance to the Master of Divinity are:
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bible | Hebrew I Greek I Greek II Biblical Exegesis New Testament Introduction The Four Gospels Pauline Epistles History of the Old Testament Pentateuch Wisdom Literature | BL401 BL403 BL404 BL505 NT400 NT410 NT420 OT400 OT410 OT445 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Theology | Doctrine of God Doctrine of Jesus Christ Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Doctrine of Man and Sin Doctrine of Church | ST504 ST605 ST506 ST608 ST609 | 4 4 4 4 4 |
| Church History | History of Early Church Reformation History History of Modern Church | HT401 HT403 HT404 | 4 4 4 |
| Category | Course Title | Course No. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Ministry | Homiletics I (Theory) Homiletics II (Practicum) Pastoral Theology Christian Counseling Worship Evangelism Mission Pastoral Leadership Church Growth Christian Education Discipleship Bible Study Methods | PT501 PT503 PT504 PT401 PT403 PT405 PT406 PT407 PT410 CE501 CE601 CE615 | 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 |
Electives: 24 Units.
Living Water University operates on the Quarter system, dividing the school year into focused academic quarters for a continuous learning pace:
Students who wish to enroll in more than the standard full-time course load must first complete an Academic Advising session and receive approval from the Academic Department before registration. The department evaluates academic performance, the ability to manage an increased workload, the degree completion plan, and other relevant factors. Approval is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed. Students may not register for additional courses until the approval process has been completed. The Academic Department reserves the right to approve or deny requests based on the student’s academic standing and institutional academic policies.
Students must submit any concerns, appeals, or requests related to grades or academic records within 15 calendar days of the end of the relevant quarter. Requests submitted after this period—including issues raised in later quarters regarding past academic matters—may not be eligible for review.
LWU uses the Populi platform to centralize the entire student experience. Through Populi, students have access to:
LWU maintains a dedicated support team for each subject offered, ensuring that students are never alone in their journey. Courses cover dozens of subjects taught by recognized and qualified professors active in the United States, bringing a global and profound perspective to each student’s academic and spiritual formation.
| Grade | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 90 – 100 |
| B | Good | 80 – 89 |
| C | Satisfactory | 70 – 79 |
| D | Insufficient | 60 – 69 |
| F | Fail | Below 60 |
Minimum passing grade: 70 points (C- or higher). Students with a D grade may be eligible for a Make-Up Exam worth up to 10 points.
Students who receive a non-passing grade (D or F) must successfully complete the required course recovery process before advancing to the next academic year.
Until all failed courses have been successfully completed, students are not eligible to change academic programs, register for a new academic session, or use a program change to bypass the required retake.
The Summer Retake Program is the university’s official course recovery opportunity and must be successfully completed before academic progression may continue.
AI tools are permitted as support—for research, brainstorming, and summaries. Using AI to generate entire assignments is prohibited. AI plagiarism or full copying will be considered academic misconduct.
As a Christian institution committed to the academic, spiritual, and ethical formation of its students, LWU expects all students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with biblical principles, the university’s mission, and established academic standards. Student conduct should reflect:
LWU reserves the right to evaluate conduct that contradicts its institutional values or harms the academic and community environment.
Academic integrity is essential to LWU’s educational mission. All assignments, assessments, and academic activities are expected to be completed honestly and responsibly. The following are considered violations of academic integrity, among others:
Violations may result in academic penalties, including failure on the assignment, failure in the course, or other disciplinary measures as determined by institutional review.
Students have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, to receive fair and transparent evaluation, and to submit questions or appeals through institutional channels. In turn, students are responsible for knowing and complying with academic and institutional policies, maintaining conduct consistent with the Christian mission of the university, and meeting deadlines, curricular requirements, and academic standards.
LWU adopts a conflict resolution process that prioritizes dialogue, correction, and restoration whenever possible. Procedures may include guidance or a formal warning, institutional mediation, and additional academic or administrative measures. More serious cases may result in academic sanctions, suspension, or dismissal, depending on severity and recurrence.
Students are encouraged to use these resources responsibly to promote academic, spiritual, and personal growth.
LWU seeks to maintain a healthy, safe, and spiritually edifying academic environment where learning, respect, and faith go hand in hand. By enrolling, students agree to comply with these guidelines as part of their academic and Christian formation.