Living Water University
Academic Handbook
Official Edition
www.livingwateruniversity.com | info@livingwater.education
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.
Institutional Overview
Discover LWU
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.
LWU 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.
General Institutional Structure
Official Departments and Contacts
Academic
The Academic Department is the pedagogical core of the university, responsible for supervising all courses, coordinating the faculty, and ensuring excellence in teaching. Here, students find support for questions regarding curricula, class schedules, academic performance, and guidance on programs of study.
academiccoordination@livingwater.education
academic@livingwater.education
Financial Department
Dedicated to managing all student financial matters. This department manages payment processing, issuance of invoices, and guides students on payment plans, tuition deadlines, and refund policies.
Registrar (Office of the Secretary)
The Registrar manages all permanent student records. It is the department responsible for issuing official transcripts, certificates, course enrollments, and diplomas.
Admissions
The gateway for new students. The Admissions department assists candidates from the initial application, collection and review of necessary documents, to the confirmation of acceptance into the university, guiding them through each step of the entry process.
admissions@livingwater.education
admissions.assistant@livingwater.education
International Student Office (ISO)
Specialized in serving our diverse international students. The ISO provides crucial support for visa issues (F-1), processing vital documents such as the signed I-20, compliance with SEVIS regulations, and guidance to maintain legal student status while residing and studying in the United States.
Academic
Academic Programs
Living Water University, as a degree-granting institution, offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare Christian leaders, counselors, and theologians for faithful service.
Degree Programs
Living Water University offers undergraduate and graduate programs leading to the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Christian Counseling
- Bachelor of Theology
- Master of Christian Counseling
- Master of Divinity
Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Christian Counseling
Four Year Program · 144 Units
The Bachelor of Christian Counseling degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 144 quarter units. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required.
The requirements can be summarized as follows:
Graduation Requirements
| Courses | Quarter Units | Number of Classes (4 Credit) |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | 28 | 7 |
| Bible and Theology Courses | 40 | 10 |
| Major Courses: Christian Counseling | 56 | 14 |
| Electives | 20 | 5 |
| Total | 144 | 36 |
Program Description
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.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Bachelor of Christian Counseling are:
- Provide a basic knowledge of general education with a Christian world view that can be used in all areas of life.
- Provide students with a practical Biblical foundation for Christian living.
- Prepare students to effectively serve in a chosen field of ministry.
- Acquaint students with basic counseling techniques that assist emotional well-being.
- Prepare students to handle loss and crisis situations.
- Give students tools for biblical guidance and counsel.
- Help students integrate psychology and counseling with the theological perspective of the Bible.
Admission Requirements
The criteria for entrance to the Bachelor of Christian Counseling are:
- Completion of the Application Form for Admission and supporting documents.
- Possession of or candidacy for a high school diploma or GED.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended, including high school.
- Payment of the $100 application fee.
Program Requirements
General Education (28 Units)
General Education Requirement: 28 Units from the courses in designated general education categories.
| Category | Course Title | Course Number | Quarter 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 |
Biblical Studies (24 Units)
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 Number | Quarter 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 |
Theology/Ministry/Practical Theology (20 Units)
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 Number | Quarter 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 |
Christian Counseling Major Courses (56 Units)
The following courses meet the Major Course requirements for the Bachelor in Christian Counseling degree:
| Category | Course Title | Course Number | Quarter 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.
Bachelor of Theology
4-Year Program · 144 Units
The Bachelor of Theology degree is conferred upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 144 quarter units. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required.
The requirements can be summarized as follows:
Graduation Requirements
| Courses | Quarter Units | Number of Classes (4 Credit) |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | 36 | 9 |
| Major Courses: Bible and Theology | 76 | 19 |
| Electives | 32 | 8 |
| Total | 144 | 36 |
Program Description
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.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Bachelor of Theology are:
- Provide a basic knowledge of general education with a Christian world view that can be used in all areas of life.
- Provide students with a practical Biblical foundation for Christian living.
- Prepare students to effectively serve in a chosen field of ministry.
- Enable students to be conversant in theology and the history of Christianity.
- Develop a grasp of the academic study of the Bible from critical and hermeneutical perspectives.
- Integrate the historical-critical study of the Bible into faith environments such as parish and community contexts.
- Prepare the student for further academic study in Biblical Studies, if desired.
Admission Requirements
The criteria for entrance to the Bachelor of Theology are:
- Completion of the Application Form for Admission and supporting documents.
- Possession of or candidacy for a high school diploma or GED.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended, including high school.
- Payment of the $100 application fee.
Program Requirements
General Education (36 Units)
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 Number | Quarter 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 |
OT/NT/Biblical Languages (44 Units)
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 Number | Quarter 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 |
Theology/Church History/Practical Theology (32 Units)
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 Number | Quarter 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.
Master of Christian Counseling
Two Year Program · 64 Units
The Master of Christian Counseling is a 64-unit graduate program designed to prepare students for counseling ministry in churches and faith-based organizations while building upon previous academic study.
Graduation Requirements
| Courses | Quarter Units | Number of Classes (4 Credit) |
|---|---|---|
| Bible and Theology | 12 | 3 |
| Major Courses: Christian Counseling | 28 | 7 |
| Exit Examination | 0 | 0 |
| Electives | 24 | 6 |
| Total | 64 | 16 |
Program Description
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.
Program Objectives
- Prepare graduate students for biblical and psychological counseling competency.
- Help students articulate a philosophy of counseling ministry based on biblical, empirical, historical, and social science research.
- Teach widely practiced counseling methods and principles.
- Increase attentiveness to personal spiritual formation and understanding of biblical and theological foundations for counseling.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the Master of Christian Counseling must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor of Arts or equivalent degree from a university or college with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale.
- Submit a completed Application for Admission form.
- Pay the non-refundable $100 application fee.
- Provide official transcripts from every college, university, or seminary attended beyond high school.
- Provide two recommendations sent directly to Living Water University, one from the applicant's minister and one from an academic advisor or professor.
Program Requirements
12 Units from Bible and Theology Courses
| Category | Course Title | Course Number | Quarter 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 |
28 Units from Christian Counseling Major Concentration
| Category | Course Title | Course Number | Quarter 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.
Master of Divinity
Three Year Program · 96 Units
The Master of Divinity is a 96-unit graduate program with a residence requirement of 45 units to be completed at Living Water University.
Graduation Requirements: 96 units (3 years).
Graduation Requirements
| Courses | Quarter Units | Number of Classes (4 Credit) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to be taken at Living Water University.
Program Description
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.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Master of Divinity are:
- Attain basic biblical and theological understanding of the Bible.
- Become more competent in service to others.
- Create concern for the spiritual and psychological needs of others and appreciation for the differences between people.
- Acquire counseling methods that are relevant and applicable to the helping and healing ministry.
- Enhance counseling skills and interpersonal relationships.
Admission Requirements
The criteria for entrance to the Master of Divinity are:
- Completion of the Application Form for Admission and supporting documents.
- Possession of or candidacy for an accredited Bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
- At least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended, including high school.
- Payment of the $100 application fee.
- Two recommendations sent directly to Living Water University, one from the applicant's minister and one from an academic advisor or professor.
Program Requirements
Bible and Theology Requirement: 28 Units
| Category | Course Title | Course Number | Quarter 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 |
Professional Ministry Requirements: 44 Units
| Category | Course Title | Course Number | Quarter 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.
Academic Information
Quarter System
Living Water University operates under the Quarter system (academic quarters), dividing the school year into four distinct periods, allowing for a continuous and focused learning pace:
- ● Winter Quarter: January to March
- ● Spring Quarter: April to June
- ● Fall Quarter: October to December
Digital Learning Ecosystem (Populi)
We use the Populi platform, one of the most advanced academic management systems in the US, to centralize the entire student experience. Through Populi, you will have access to:
- Video Lessons: High-quality content available to be studied on your own time, respecting your individual pace.
- Support Material: Full transcripts of classes and integrated digital teaching material.
- Weekly Assignments: Structured activities to consolidate knowledge in a practical and continuous way.
Faculty and Specialized Support
We have a dedicated support team for each subject offered, ensuring that the student is never alone in their journey. Our courses cover dozens of subjects taught by recognized and qualified professors active in the US, bringing a global and profound perspective to your academic and spiritual formation.
Grading & Evaluation
Grading Scale
| 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).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
AI tools are permitted as support (research, brainstorming, summaries). Using AI to generate entire assignments is prohibited. AI plagiarism or full copying will be considered academic misconduct.
Conduct & Resources
Student Conduct
Living Water University (LWU) is a Christian institution committed to the academic, spiritual, and ethical formation of its students. All students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with biblical principles, the university's mission, and established academic standards.
Student conduct should reflect:
- Mutual respect within the academic community
- Personal and academic integrity
- Responsibility in fulfilling academic duties
- Ethical behavior inside and outside the educational environment
LWU reserves the right to evaluate conduct that contradicts its institutional values or harms the academic and community environment.
Academic Integrity
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:
- Plagiarism
- Cheating or fraud on assessments
- Improper use of unauthorized materials
- Submission of work that is not the student's own
Violations may result in academic penalties, including failure on the assignment, failure in the course, or other disciplinary measures as determined by institutional review.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
LWU students have the right to:
- Be treated with respect and dignity
- Receive fair and transparent evaluation
- Submit questions or appeals through institutional channels
At the same time, students have the responsibility to:
- Know and comply with academic and institutional policies
- Maintain conduct consistent with the Christian mission of the university
- Meet deadlines, curricular requirements, and academic standards
Disciplinary Procedures and Conflict Resolution
LWU adopts a conflict resolution process that prioritizes dialogue, correction, and restoration whenever possible.
Procedures may include:
- Guidance or formal warning
- Institutional mediation
- Additional academic or administrative measures
More serious cases may result in academic sanctions, suspension, or dismissal, depending on the severity and recurrence.
Student Resources
Living Water University offers institutional resources to support the academic and personal development of students, including:
- Academic Support: guidance on courses, assessments, and curricular progress
- Educational Resources: access to academic materials, digital libraries, and learning platforms
- Institutional Support: administrative and academic guidance, and when applicable, support for international students
- Pastoral Accompaniment: spiritual encouragement and Christian support aligned with the university's mission
Students are encouraged to use these resources responsibly to promote academic, spiritual, and personal growth.
Institutional Commitment
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.