Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies
The College of Christian Studies at Anderson University offer academic excellence in programs that emphasize practical ministry training for a new generation of Kingdom leaders. Students preparing for ministry will find an exceptional level of preparation at Anderson University, with committed faculty who can link classroom and real-life experience. Whether you are planning to go on to seminary or to seek a ministry position right after college, you’ll find that the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies offers a solid foundation and an outstanding opportunity for practical training.
Program Overview
Denotes a Fast Track course which can be articulated into the MDIV upon graduation. This requires acceptance into the Fast Track program.
In addition to Anderson University core curriculum...
Specified requirements:
Students must take CHR107 Introduction to the Old Testament, in place of the CHR105 Introduction to the Bible requirement.
Students can take CHR341 Ethics or CHR357 Apologetics in place of Christian Worldview requirement.
Students are required to take Christian Ministry 300+ level courses. Students may also be able to talk Fast Track (500+ level) course to be articulated into the M.Div. Courses include but are not limited to the following:
CHR350. Christian Education and Ministry Management is a study of areas of Christian education in the context of church organizations and ministry management principles.
CHR353. Leadership in Ministry is a survey of principles and practices of leadership and management in the local church. Prerequisite: CHR250 or permission of instructor.
CHR360. Pastoral Ministry is an introduction to the theological foundations and practical strategies relating to pastoral ministry, including: pastoral care, worship, discipleship, spiritual disciplines, and topics in local church ministry. Prerequisite: CHR250 or permission of instructor.
CHR362. Christian Preaching is a study of the preparation and delivery of effective biblical sermons.
CHR363. Pastoral Care and Counseling is an introduction to the biblical-theological foundations and practical strategies relating to pastoral care and counseling in the local church.
CHR364. Worship is an introductory survey of the history, theology and practice of worship in the local church. Prerequisite: CHR250
CHR366. Missiology is a survey of missions and outreach with particular focus on Southern Baptist missions and emerging mission strategies in the 21st century. Prerequisite: CHR365 or permission of instructor.
CHR369. Youth Ministry is a comprehensive study of the theology, theories, philosophies and practice of youth ministry in the local church. As part of this study, students will critique various philosophies of youth ministry and create a theology and philosophy of youth ministry of their own. Prerequisite: CHR 250.
CHR370. Youth Ministry Administration is a study of the various aspects of administering the work of the youth minister focusing on roles, relationships, resources and responsibilities, and practical application to the local church. Prerequisite: CHR369 or permission of instructor.
CHR372. Preaching Practicum provides students the opportunity to practice and further develop skills developed in CHR362, Christian Preaching. Students will sharpen their skills in effectively preparing and delivering sermons, discover insight on developing genre specific sermons, and learn to develop and implement a preaching plan. Prerequisite: CHR362 or permission of instructor.
CHR375. Church Planting serves as an introduction to the topic of Church Planting. Students will be provided a theological basis for church planting, analyze New Testament admonitions for church planters, and be introduced to the nature of church planting in the 21st century. Students will discover terms and concepts pertinent to church planting.
CHR380. Psychology of Religion examines empirical analysis of the effects of religion on the individual; topics include religious development; religious expression; religious conversation; religious attitudes and behaviors; and religion’s effects on mental health. Prerequisite: PSY101
CHR471. Topics and Issues in Youth Ministry is a study of the issues facing youth as well as the developmental nature of youth and the issues affecting them and their families, as well as an examination of the demands upon the schedule, priorities, family and other aspects of the youth minister’s life focusing on personal habits, family involvement, calling, career opportunities and continuing development. Prerequisite: CHR369 or permission of instructor.
CHR473. Special Topics in Preaching is a study of advanced topics in Christian preaching including hermeneutics, sermon forms, and delivery techniques. Prerequisite: CHR362.
Biblical Studies Electives focus on various components of the Biblical text. Students are required to take 300+ level electives. Students may also be able to talk Fast Track (500+ level) course to be articulated into the M.Div. Courses include but are not limited to the following:
CHR310. Hebrew Prophets is a study of prophecy in Israel and the prophetic literature of the Old Testament; emphasis on the historical setting of the prophets, the literary forms used in prophetic preaching, and the contemporary relevance of the prophetic message. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205
CHR311. Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom Literature is a study of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, Psalms, and Song of Solomon; explores wisdom thinking in Israel and the characteristics of Hebrew poetry. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205.
CHR312. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew is a survey of reading biblical Hebrew; basic grammar and vocabulary are emphasized.
CHR313. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew is a study of the grammar and syntax of the Hebrew Old Testament, emphasizing translation and exegesis of the biblical text. Prerequisite: CHR312
CHR314. Pentateuch is a study of the first five books of the Old Testament, including content, narratives, theological themes, and textual issues. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205
CHR315. Historical Books is a study of the historical books of the Old Testament, including content, narratives, theological themes, and textual issues. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205
CHR320. Jesus and the Gospels is a survey of the life and ministry of Jesus and an interpretation of His teachings. Prerequisite: CHR105 or CHR109 and CHR205
CHR321. Life and Letters of Paul is a survey of the life of Paul with special attention on an exposition of his letters. Prerequisite: CHR109 and CHR205
CHR322. Introduction to Biblical Greek is a study of basic Greek grammar and vocabulary in order to read simple narrative passages from the New Testament.
CHR323. Intermediate Biblical Greek is a study of the grammar and syntax of the Greek New Testament, including exegesis of the biblical text. Prerequisite: CHR322
CHR324. Acts and General Epistles is a study of the book of Acts and the General Epistles in the New Testament, including content, theological themes, and textual issues. Prerequisite: CHR109 and CHR205
CHR325. Pastoral Epistles and Revelation is a study of the Pastoral Epistles and the book of Revelation in the New Testament, including content, theological themes, and textual issues, with attention to the nature of apocalyptic literature in regard to Revelation. Prerequisite: CHR109 and CHR205
Biblical Studies Electives focus on various components of the Biblical text. Students are required to take 300+ level electives. Students may also be able to talk Fast Track (500+ level) course to be articulated into the M.Div. Courses include but are not limited to the following:
CHR310. Hebrew Prophets is a study of prophecy in Israel and the prophetic literature of the Old Testament; emphasis on the historical setting of the prophets, the literary forms used in prophetic preaching, and the contemporary relevance of the prophetic message. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205
CHR311. Hebrew Poetry and Wisdom Literature is a study of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, Psalms, and Song of Solomon; explores wisdom thinking in Israel and the characteristics of Hebrew poetry. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205.
CHR312. Introduction to Biblical Hebrew is a survey of reading biblical Hebrew; basic grammar and vocabulary are emphasized.
CHR313. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew is a study of the grammar and syntax of the Hebrew Old Testament, emphasizing translation and exegesis of the biblical text. Prerequisite: CHR312
CHR314. Pentateuch is a study of the first five books of the Old Testament, including content, narratives, theological themes, and textual issues. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205
CHR315. Historical Books is a study of the historical books of the Old Testament, including content, narratives, theological themes, and textual issues. Prerequisite: CHR107 and CHR205
CHR320. Jesus and the Gospels is a survey of the life and ministry of Jesus and an interpretation of His teachings. Prerequisite: CHR105 or CHR109 and CHR205
CHR321. Life and Letters of Paul is a survey of the life of Paul with special attention on an exposition of his letters. Prerequisite: CHR109 and CHR205
CHR322. Introduction to Biblical Greek is a study of basic Greek grammar and vocabulary in order to read simple narrative passages from the New Testament.
CHR323. Intermediate Biblical Greek is a study of the grammar and syntax of the Greek New Testament, including exegesis of the biblical text. Prerequisite: CHR322
CHR324. Acts and General Epistles is a study of the book of Acts and the General Epistles in the New Testament, including content, theological themes, and textual issues. Prerequisite: CHR109 and CHR205
CHR325. Pastoral Epistles and Revelation is a study of the Pastoral Epistles and the book of Revelation in the New Testament, including content, theological themes, and textual issues, with attention to the nature of apocalyptic literature in regard to Revelation. Prerequisite: CHR109 and CHR205
Christian Studies Electives include any of the ministry, biblical studies, or theological studies 300+ level electives. Students may also be able to talk Fast Track (500+ level) course to be articulated into the M.Div.
For a complete list, check out the course catalog and click on the corresponding tab.
Christian Studies Electives include any of the ministry, biblical studies, or theological studies 300+ level electives. Students may also be able to talk Fast Track (500+ level) course to be articulated into the M.Div.
For a complete list, check out the course catalog and click on the corresponding tab.
Christian Studies Concentrations
You can specialize your undergraduate degree through concentrations. These include Biblical Studies, Apologetics, Youth Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, Missions, Preaching, and Women's Ministry. Concentration credit hours replace some of your Christian Studies Elective credit hours.
CHR346. Women's Ministry in the Church/Community is a study of the theories, philosophies, and practice of women’s ministry in the local church and other ministry settings. Prerequisite: CHR 250.
CHR347. Biblical and Theological Foundations for Women’s Ministry is a study of the biblical rationale and theological implications of ministry to women in the local church. Prerequisite(s): CHR 250 and CHR 346
CHR348. Women's Ministry Administration is a study of the various aspects of administering the work of a women's ministry within a local church or parachurch organization, focusing on roles, relationships, resources and responsibilities, and practical application to the local church and mission setting.
CHR331: Christian Thought is a survey of the writings of prominent Christian thinkers addressing perennial human questions. Prerequisite(s): CHR 240 or permission of instructor.
CHR339. Christian Philosophy is a study of Christian approaches to epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophical theology. Prerequisites: CHR 205, 240.
CHR341. Christian Ethics is a survey of Christian theological perspectives on such social issues as the use of violence, economic and political structures, human sexuality, ethnicity, the environment, technology, and the world of medicine.Prerequisite(s): CHR 240 or permission of instructor.
CHR443. Topics in Christian Theology is an in-depth study of selected topics of theological significance. Prerequisite(s): CHR 240. Repeatable: May be repeated once for credit.
PHI343. Topics in Philosophy is an in-depth study of selected topics of philosophical significance. Prerequisite(s): PHI210: Philosophical Foundations and Moral Reasoning Repeatable: Once for credit.
PHI345. Philosophy of Religion is a study of the philosophical attempt to understand the nature of God and the significance of religion in the life of man. Prerequisite(s): CHR 240 and PHI 210 Formerly: CHR 345
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anderson University an accredited school?
Anderson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, also known as SACS. AU is ranked in the top tier of private comprehensive universities in the Southeast by US News & Report.
Are scholarships available?
In addition to our "Top Tier" academic ranking, AU has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 35 universities in the South whose graduates accumulate the least amount of educational debt. At Anderson University, we believe higher education should not be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford it. The Financial Aid Planning Office is committed to helping Anderson University students find appropriate ways to finance their education. You can also check out our list of South Carolina Scholarships.
Is AU denominationally affiliated?
Anderson University is a private Christian school located in the Upstate of South Carolina and is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.