Christian Studies (BA)
Learn the Bible, prepare for ministry, and pursue your calling.
Learn the Bible, prepare for ministry, and pursue your calling.
At MC, the Bachelor of Christian Studies equips you with biblical knowledge, ministry training, and spiritual formation to serve wherever God leads. Whether your calling is to preach, disciple students, or serve in global missions, our Christian Studies program gives you the foundation to live out your faith with confidence. Professors with decades of ministry and teaching experience will mentor you, challenging you to grow in wisdom, leadership, and service.
The Christian Studies degree combines academic depth with real-world ministry experience. As a student, you will:
From your earliest courses, you’ll explore the foundations of ministry and the life of the church, then advance to biblical interpretation and theological study. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to apply what you learn by serving in churches, working at Christian camps, volunteering with ministries, and participating in mission opportunities both locally and abroad.
Deepen your understanding of the Christian scriptures through the study of Ancient Near Eastern geography, culture, history and archaeology, and the context and content of Biblical literature. This concentration prepares you for seminary, teaching, or ministries that require strong skills in biblical interpretation.
Develop your skills as a leader, administrator, educator, and missionary, and identify your calling in an area of service and ministry. Many graduates pursue careers as pastors, youth ministers, missionaries, and leaders in Christian education or nonprofit organizations.
Equip yourself for cross-cultural ministry with training in evangelism, the history of missions, and contemporary strategies for global outreach. This concentration prepares you for missionary service, church planting, and global Christian leadership.
For most recent curricula updates, please refer to the University Catalog.
| Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
| University Core | 48 | |
| Christian Studies Core | 21 | |
|
BIB 210 |
Discovering the World of the Bible (Fall) |
3 |
|
BIB 220 |
Interpreting the Bible (Spring) |
3 |
|
BIB 322 |
Distinctive Theological Ideas in the Bible (Fall) |
3 |
|
BIB 422 |
The Teachings of Jesus (Spring) |
3 |
|
MIN 201 |
Foundations for Christian Ministry (Fall) |
3 |
|
MIN 224 |
Ministry of the Church (Spring) |
3 |
|
Any Bible, Ministry, or Missions class not required by concentration |
3 |
The Bible Concentration prepares students (1) called to vocational ministry and (2) planning to attend a seminary or divinity school. The curriculum is comprehensive, balancing the needs to be extensive and intensive. BIB courses address the basics of biblical studies: Ancient Near Eastern geography and culture, archaeology, text, canon, hermeneutics, history, and theology. BIB courses also examine the specifics of biblical literature: context, text, and content. As a result, students become equipped to interpret the canonical Christian scriptures.
| Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
| Select any 5 courses below | 15 | |
|
BIB 315 |
A History of Israel |
3 |
|
BIB 316 |
Exegesis in Poetic and Wisdom Literature |
3 |
|
BIB 317 |
Exegesis in Eighth Century Prophets |
3 |
|
BIB 324 |
History of the Bible |
3 |
|
BIB 327 |
Acts of the Apostles |
3 |
|
BIB 329 |
Hebrews and the General Epistles (James-Jude) |
3 |
|
BIB 413 |
Exegesis in the Pentateuch |
3 |
|
BIB 417 |
Exegesis in Jeremiah-Ezekiel |
3 |
|
BIB 424 |
Exegesis of the Fourth Gospel |
3 |
| BIB 425 |
Exegesis in the Letters of Paul |
3 |
| BIB 427 |
Exegesis of Romans |
3 |
| BIB 429 |
Revelation |
3 |
| BIB 440 |
Geography and Culture of the Biblical Lands |
3 |
| BIB 490 |
Special Topics |
3 |
| Total Hours | Including University and Christian Studies Core | 120 |
The Ministry Studies concentration seeks to assist students in examining issues and acquiring skills that are helpful in the engagement of local church ministry. MIN courses assist students in identifying and clarifying a call to ministry in addition to considering the various dimensions of the church's life and work. MIN courses also assist students in developing skills as leaders, administrators, educators, youth workers and missiologists.
| Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
| Select any 5 courses below | 15 | |
|
MIN 300 |
Essentials for Ministry |
3 |
|
MIN 302 |
Christian Formation |
3 |
|
MIN 314 |
Ministry to Children |
3 |
|
MIN 315 |
Ministry to Youth |
3 |
|
MIN 316 |
Church Administration |
3 |
|
MIN 320 |
Christian Ethics |
3 |
|
MIN 403 |
Church Leadership |
3 |
|
MIN 404 |
Development of Christian Worship |
3 |
|
MIN 410 |
Faith Development |
3 |
|
MIN 480 |
Ministry Internship |
3 |
|
MIN 490 |
Special Topics |
3 |
|
COM 458 |
Strategic Ministry Communication |
3 |
| Total Hours | Including University and Christian Studies Core | 120 |
The Missions concentration allows students to develop evangelism skills for the mission field. Courses include Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Witness, History of Missions, and Contemporary Mission Strategies.
| Requirement | Class Name | Hours |
| Select any 5 courses below | 15 | |
|
MSS 301 |
Introduction to Missions |
3 |
|
MSS 302 |
Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Witness |
3 |
|
MSS 303 |
History of Missions |
3 |
|
MSS 304 |
Contemporary Mission Strategies |
3 |
|
MSS 305 |
Spiritual Warfare and Missions |
3 |
|
MSS 306 |
The Missionary Lifestyle |
3 |
|
MSS 402 |
World Religions |
3 |
|
MSS 490 |
Special Topics |
3 |
| Total Hours | Including University and Christian Studies Core | 120 |
A degree in Christian Studies prepares you for a variety of ministry and parachurch career opportunities.
A Christian Studies degree prepares you to continue your studies in seminary, opening the door to academic or pastoral service.
Christian Studies at MC lays a solid foundation for understanding the gospel, evangelism strategies, and cross cultural witnessing as a missionary.
From pastor to children’s minister, a degree in Christian studies prepares you to serve and disciple in your local church.
200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS 39056
601.925.3000