College of Christian Studies Mission Statement

The mission of the College of Christian Studies is to equip a new generation of God-called men and women to change the world through transformative Kingdom service.

The College of Christian Studies offers an array of undergraduate programs in biblical studies, theology and ministry studies, as well as graduate study in ministry through the David T. Clamp Graduate School of Christian Ministry. Students in the College of Christian Studies are encouraged to blend their academic study with practical experience in the church or other settings for ministry service. Thus, the programs of the College of Christian Studies seek to be both solidly biblical and intensely practical.

The Pastoral Ministry concentration prepares students to serve in various pastoral roles in the local church. Concentration credit hours typically replace some of the Christian Studies elective credit hours.

Curriculum Summary: B.A. in Christian Studies, with a concentration in Pastoral Ministry

Exit exam. All Christian Studies students must take the College of Christian Studies exit exam as a graduation requirement. This is a comprehensive exam covering the content of the core courses within the College of Christian Studies. The exam is taken as part of the Senior Thesis (CHR 492) course.

Courses for the B.A. in Christian Studies with a concentration in Pastoral Ministry:  All concentrations include the following common courses: CHR 109 - Introduction to the New Testament; CHR 120 - Foundations for Ministry; CHR 205 - Hermeneutics; CHR 240 - Systematic Theology; CHR 250 - Introduction to Ministry; CHR 335 - History of Christianity; CHR 353 - Leadership in Ministry; CHR 365 - Evangelism and Church Health; CHR 492 (a one-hour class taken in conjunction with a 300- or 400-level Christian Studies course during the student’s senior year); and CHR 494 - Internship; as well as CHR 312 - Introduction to Biblical Hebrew or CHR 328 - Introduction to Biblical Greek. In this concentration, students also take CHR 360 - Pastoral Ministry; CHR 362 - Christian Preaching; and CHR 363 - Pastoral Care and Counseling. Students will also take three hours of biblical studies electives, three hours of Christian theology electives, and three hours of Christian studies electives. Each course is 3 credit hours, except for the 1 hour Senior Thesis course. Students take CHR 107 - Introduction to the Old Testament (in place of CHR 105) as a CORE foundations course (part of the university Core curriculum). Students also take CHR 341 - Christian Ethics or CHR 357 - Christian Apologetics (in place of CHR 305) as a CORE foundations course (part of the university Core curriculum).

The Fast Track B.A. + M.Div.

This option allows students to apply 30 hours of undergraduate biblical, theological, and ministry courses toward the Master of Divinity program in the Clamp Graduate School for Christian Ministry at Anderson University. These “articulated” courses will leave only 45 hours to complete to earn an M.Div. degree, saving students time and money. Compared to traditional seminary, which is typically a three-year program following four years of undergraduate study, the Fast Track degree is great opportunity. This program is fully accredited through SACS.

The Fast Track BA + MDIV begins as a traditional undergraduate program. Students may customize their degrees to fit their interests by adding any of the College of Christian Studies concentrations. During the sophomore year, provided students have at least a 3.0 GPA and a pastoral recommendation, students may apply to begin Fast Track courses. Up to 30 hours of select courses can be articulated after graduation into the M.Div. program.