Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership
The purpose of ACU’s BS Christian Leadership program is to develop the core character and capacity to lead an organization that is anchored to its mission, that mobilizes an effective organizational team and equips them to accomplish the mission for which the organization exists within an organizational infrastructure that is well-tuned to accomplish that mission.
The BS Christian Leadership program offers the opportunity to select a specialized concentration in Camp Ministry, Intercultural Ministry, or Youth Ministry.
Students who complete this degree program will be able to:
Develop a biblical hermeneutic approach that engages the Scriptures as the authoritative power for life and practice.
Apply exegetical skills to Scripture for a clear understanding of what the text says, what it means, and its implications for life.
Systematically question and analyze problems, issues and beliefs.
Venture beyond established patterns of thought in imaginative and creative ways.
Exercise leadership that encourages and facilitates collaborative learning at all levels of the organization.
Apply a solid understanding of organizations that creates and maintains a productive community of growth-oriented learners.
Develop comprehensive strategies using skills in evaluation, adaptation, and integration of new and existing strategies for the efficient and effective pursuit of organizational goals.
Recruit, develop, and mobilize staff and volunteers as effective teams.
Program credits: 120
Credential: Bachelor of Science
Catalog year: 2026-27
Program requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership — 120 credits — Complete all
- Arts & Sciences Core (51 credits) — Complete all
- Christianity & Contexts (15 credits) — Complete all
Four required courses plus one theology alternative. Each course counts once toward the program.
- BIB100 — Principles of Bible Study — Required course · BIB100 Principles of Bible Study
- BIB110 — Bible Survey — Required course · BIB110 Bible Survey
- COU209 — Spiritual Formation & Identity — Required course · COU209 Spiritual Formation & Identity
- THE120 — Foundations for Christian Living — Required course · THE120 Foundations for Christian Living
- Theology Elective — Choose options · 1 options
- THE211 — Introduction to Biblical Theology — Required course · THE211 Introduction to Biblical Theology
- THE201 — Theology Survey — Required course · THE201 Theology Survey
- Communication & Collaboration — Choose from course group · 6 credits
Communication, collaboration and information literacy.
· Communication & CollaborationCommunication & Collaboration
- OLE245 Team Dynamics · 3 credits
- COM101 Speech Communication · 3 credits
- ENL300 Great Authors · 3 credits
- COM150 Small Group Communication · 3 credits
- ENC100 Fundamentals of Written Communication · 3 credits
- COM320 Communicating for a Cause · 3 credits
- COM225 Interpersonal and Group Communication · 3 credits
- ENC137 English Composition II · 3 credits
- COM321 Intercultural Communication · 3 credits
- Critical Thinking & Creativity — Choose from course group · 3 credits · Critical Thinking & Creativity
Critical Thinking & Creativity
- LDR340 Introduction to Accelerated Learning · 3 credits
- PHI210 Logic & Critical Thinking · 3 credits
- ETH230 Service, Ethics & Civic Responsibility · 3 credits
- PHI130 Introduction to Ethics · 3 credits
- PHI110 Foundations of Worldviews · 3 credits
- MAT121 Problem-Solving Strategies · 3 credits
- SLS167 Foundations of Learning · 3 credits
- DES111 Design Thinking & Creativity · 3 credits
- PHI120 Contemporary Worldviews · 3 credits
- Civic & Global Engagement — Choose from course group · 3 credits · Citizenship -- Civic & Global Engagement
Citizenship -- Civic & Global Engagement
- ETH230 Service, Ethics & Civic Responsibility · 3 credits
- LDR330 Servant Leadership · 3 credits
- OLE250 Leadership, Ethics & Community Formation · 3 credits
- HIS221 Roots of Christianity · 3 credits
- CIV220 Applied Civics & Community Impact · 3 credits
- ANT210 Introductory Cultural Anthropology · 3 credits
- LDR130 Fundamentals of Leadership and Service · 3 credits
- GLS150 Social Problems · 3 credits
- GLS220 World Religions · 3 credits
- GLS210 Survey of Global Issues · 3 credits
- Contextualization (Social & Scientific) — Choose from course group · 3 credits · Contextualization -- Social & Scientific
Contextualization -- Social & Scientific
- SLS150 Foundations of Lifelong Learning · 3 credits
- PHI130 Introduction to Ethics · 3 credits
- PHI110 Foundations of Worldviews · 3 credits
- STA210 Statistics for Social Impact & Program Evaluation · 3 credits
- PSY130 Human Performance & Resilience · 3 credits
- LDR310 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence · 3 credits
- HLP150 Personal Health · 3 credits
- ANT210 Introductory Cultural Anthropology · 3 credits
- SLS167 Foundations of Learning · 3 credits
- GLS150 Social Problems · 3 credits
- PSY101 Introduction to Psychology · 3 credits
- GLS210 Survey of Global Issues · 3 credits
- COM321 Intercultural Communication · 3 credits
- PHI120 Contemporary Worldviews · 3 credits
- Computation (Quantitative Reasoning) — Choose from course group · 3 credits · Computation -- Quantitative Reasoning
Computation -- Quantitative Reasoning
- MAT121 Problem-Solving Strategies · 3 credits
- STA210 Statistics for Social Impact & Program Evaluation · 3 credits
- FIN230 Budgeting, Supplies, & Resource Planning for Programs · 3 credits
- FIN131 Personal Finance · 3 credits
- Additional Arts & Sciences (18 credits) — Choose from course group · 18 credits
Complete 18 additional Arts & Sciences credits without double counting courses used in another block. Eligible pool requires confirmation.
· Arts & Sciences ElectivesArts & Sciences Electives
- LDR340 Introduction to Accelerated Learning · 3 credits
- COM456 Fundraising and Development · 3 credits
- PHI210 Logic & Critical Thinking · 3 credits
- SLS160 Introduction to Career Development · 3 credits
- ETH230 Service, Ethics & Civic Responsibility · 3 credits
- CAM400 Learning Activities, Games and Events · 3 credits
- BIB316 Romans · 3 credits
- SLS150 Foundations of Lifelong Learning · 3 credits
- HLP100 Personal Wellness Appraisal & Improvement · 3 credits
- COM101 Speech Communication · 3 credits
- LDR220 Introduction to Leadership · 3 credits
- ENL300 Great Authors · 3 credits
- BIB320 Phillipians · 3 credits
- COM150 Small Group Communication · 3 credits
- PHI130 Introduction to Ethics · 3 credits
- PHI110 Foundations of Worldviews · 3 credits
- BIB305 Nehemiah · 3 credits
- COU139 Understanding People · 3 credits
- ENC100 Fundamentals of Written Communication · 3 credits
- BIB211 Old Testament Directed Study · 3 credits
- PEN251 Canoeing · 1 credits
- IDS110 Living by Design: Identity, Purpose & Career Pathways · 3 credits
- BIB315 Acts · 3 credits
- COM320 Communicating for a Cause · 3 credits
- CAM405 Counseling in Active Learning Environments · 3 credits
- SLS230 Service Professions Seminar & Career Exploration · 3 credits
- COM225 Interpersonal and Group Communication · 3 credits
- MAT121 Problem-Solving Strategies · 3 credits
- BIB325 1 John · 3 credits
- ENC137 English Composition II · 3 credits
- STA210 Statistics for Social Impact & Program Evaluation · 3 credits
- BIB319 Ephesians · 3 credits
- HIS221 Roots of Christianity · 3 credits
- PSY130 Human Performance & Resilience · 3 credits
- BIB301 Genesis · 3 credits
- BIB111 Old Testament Survey · 3 credits
- PEN210 Outdoor Living Skills · 1 credits
- BIB313 John · 3 credits
- CRI240 Service Professions Seminar & Career Exploration · 3 credits
- CIV220 Applied Civics & Community Impact · 3 credits
- BIB112 New Testament Survey · 3 credits
- BIB212 New Testament Directed Study · 3 credits
- HLP150 Personal Health · 3 credits
- PEN220 Recreational Activities · 3 credits
- ANT210 Introductory Cultural Anthropology · 3 credits
- SLS167 Foundations of Learning · 3 credits
- BIB321 James · 3 credits
- LDR130 Fundamentals of Leadership and Service · 3 credits
- DES111 Design Thinking & Creativity · 3 credits
- GLS150 Social Problems · 3 credits
- BIB317 1 Corinthians · 3 credits
- LDR230 Personal & Team Leadership · 3 credits
- PSY101 Introduction to Psychology · 3 credits
- GLS220 World Religions · 3 credits
- COM457 Introduction to Grant Writing · 3 credits
- GLS210 Survey of Global Issues · 3 credits
- COM321 Intercultural Communication · 3 credits
- BIB303 Psalms · 3 credits
- FIN230 Budgeting, Supplies, & Resource Planning for Programs · 3 credits
- PHI120 Contemporary Worldviews · 3 credits
- BIB310 Matthew · 3 credits
- FIN131 Personal Finance · 3 credits
- Christianity & Contexts (15 credits) — Complete all
- Professional Ministry Core (18 credits) — Complete all
- LDR301 — Foundations of Leadership — Required course · LDR301 Foundations of Leadership
- MIN401 — Dynamics of Discipleship — Required course · MIN401 Dynamics of Discipleship
- MIN402 — Introduction to Impact Ministry Leadership — Required course · MIN402 Introduction to Impact Ministry Leadership
- MIN403 — Principles of Ministry Strategy — Required course · MIN403 Principles of Ministry Strategy
- MIN404 — Developing Dynamic Teams — Required course · MIN404 Developing Dynamic Teams
- MIN408 — Organizational Communication — Required course · MIN408 Organizational Communication
- Ministry & Leadership Electives (21 credits) — Choose from course group · 21 credits
Seven 3-credit electives from MIN, CAM, MIS or YMN, excluding courses used in the required core or another block. Confirm and attach the reusable eligible pool before approval. Optional concentration uses four aligned courses within these 21 credits, not additional credits.
· Ministry & Leadership ElectivesMinistry & Leadership Electives
- MIN320 Effective Bible Teaching · 3 credits
- LDR340 Introduction to Accelerated Learning · 3 credits
- MIN411 Planning for Integrative Learning · 3 credits
- CAM400 Learning Activities, Games and Events · 3 credits
- MIS501 Global Mission & Culture · 3 credits
- CAM407 Foundations of Experience-Based Learning · 3 credits
- LDR330 Servant Leadership · 3 credits
- CAM409 Recreational Programming · 3 credits
- CAM405 Counseling in Active Learning Environments · 3 credits
- MIS311 Intercultural Ministry Philosophy · 3 credits
- MIN414 Mobilization of Staff and Volunteers · 3 credits
- YMN407 Youth Evangelism · 3 credits
- LDR310 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence · 3 credits
- CAM401 Foundations of Camping & Outdoor Education · 3 credits
- COU439 Marriage & Family Counseling · 3 credits
- MIS411 Intercultural Evangelism · 3 credits
- CAM424 Management of Support Services · 3 credits
- YMN301 Youth Ministry Philosophy · 3 credits
- MIN405 Governance & Admin of Nonprofit Organizations · 3 credits
- MIN311 Personal Life of the Ministry Leader · 3 credits
- YMN321 Youth Ministry Communication · 3 credits
- MIN312 Family Life of the Ministry Leader · 3 credits
- MIN407 Risk Management of Nonprofit Organizations · 3 credits
- LDR311 Introduction to Nonprofit Management · 3 credits
- YMN315 Adolescents & Youth Culture · 3 credits
- MIS321 Intercultural Communication · 3 credits
- Free Electives (30 credits) — Free electives · 30 credits
- Arts & Sciences Core (51 credits) — Complete all
Camp Ministry
- Camp Ministry: choose four courses — Choose options · 4 options
- CAM400 — Learning Activities, Games and Events — Required course · CAM400 Learning Activities, Games and Events
- CAM401 — Foundations of Camping & Outdoor Education — Required course · CAM401 Foundations of Camping & Outdoor Education
- CAM405 — Counseling in Active Learning Environments — Required course · CAM405 Counseling in Active Learning Environments
- CAM407 — Foundations of Experience-Based Learning — Required course · CAM407 Foundations of Experience-Based Learning
- CAM409 — Recreational Programming — Required course · CAM409 Recreational Programming
- CAM424 — Management of Support Services — Required course · CAM424 Management of Support Services
Intercultural Ministry
- Intercultural Ministry: choose four courses — Choose options · 4 options
- MIS280 — Applied Intercultural Ministry Practicum — Required course · MIS280 Applied Intercultural Ministry Practicum
- MIS311 — Intercultural Ministry Philosophy — Required course · MIS311 Intercultural Ministry Philosophy
- MIS321 — Intercultural Communication — Required course · MIS321 Intercultural Communication
- MIS411 — Intercultural Evangelism — Required course · MIS411 Intercultural Evangelism
Youth Ministry
- Youth Ministry: choose four courses — Choose options · 4 options
- YMN301 — Youth Ministry Philosophy — Required course · YMN301 Youth Ministry Philosophy
- YMN315 — Adolescents & Youth Culture — Required course · YMN315 Adolescents & Youth Culture
- YMN321 — Youth Ministry Communication — Required course · YMN321 Youth Ministry Communication
- YMN407 — Youth Evangelism — Required course · YMN407 Youth Evangelism