Abilene Christian University

What you'll study

The major comprises 64 credit hours within a 120-hour degree and emphasizes four integrated areas:

• The Bible: methods and tools of interpretation and study of Old and New Testament materials to prepare for ministry or advanced biblical work.
• Theology and History: foundational Christian doctrines and the historical development of faith to apply tradition to modern cultural questions.
• Ministry and Mission: themes and practical skills for leading in ministry settings, including attention to cultural, anthropological and sociological factors and communication in multicultural contexts.
• Spiritual Formation: historical and practical perspectives on Christian spirituality, teaching the gospel, disciplines of formation, and vocational formation.

Example coursework listed by the program includes Christian Leadership; Christianity in Culture; Introduction to Biblical Interpretation; Mission as Spiritual Formation; and Prophets of Israel. The program culminates in a multipart capstone project integrating ministry practice, observation, and spiritual formation. Students also complete ACU general education requirements. Degree detail highlights: total required hours 120; university requirements 56 hours (including 9–15 hours); major 64 hours with up to 26 hours available in electives. Cost noted on the program page: $395 per credit hour plus a $310 resource fee per term.

Entry requirements

• Submit an official high school transcript with minimum 2.5 GPA and/or college transcripts with minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Complete the online program application and pay the non-refundable processing fee.
• ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission.
• Graduation requirements include earning a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and completing at least 33 advanced hours.

Career prospects

The program targets students preparing for vocational or para-church roles. Potential positions identified by the program include youth pastor; disciple pastor; associate or administrative pastor; group leader; parachurch professional; and Christian nonprofit professional. The curriculum is framed to support both full-time ministry and ministry alongside other careers.

Scholarships & funding angle

ACU offers a Locked-In Tuition policy that guarantees the same undergraduate tuition rate for the duration of the degree; the program page also specifies the per-credit rate and the per-term resource fee. Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.