Rooted in faith heritage. Anchored in HBCU legacy. Built for your future.
Arkansas Baptist College · James & Rosa McKissic School of Christian Studies · Est. 1884
"Where Purpose Is Your Major"
The James & Rosa McKissic School of Christian Studies at Arkansas Baptist College is designed to educate, equip, and prepare students for effective and faithful ministry in the church, community, and globally — and to prepare them for graduate-level theological education.
Grounded in the rich tradition of one of Arkansas's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the program bridges 140+ years of covenant history with the contemporary demands of ministry leadership, worship, education, and administration.
The B.A. in Christian Studies is a 122-credit-hour degree, structured across four specialization tracks that share a common general education and Christian Studies core, then diverge into concentration-specific coursework in the junior and senior years.
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Five values that define every course, every conversation, and every calling formed at the James & Rosa McKissic School of Christian Studies.
Rooted in the Baptist tradition; spiritually formative, not just academically instructive.
Rigorous scholarship that honors both the intellect and the spirit.
Honoring 140+ years of ABC's HBCU history and community covenant.
Equipping students with clarity of calling, not just a credential.
Belonging to something larger: a church, a city, a movement.
What will you actually be able to do when you graduate? The program's seven HLC-compliant outcomes give you the answer — in plain language.
| Learning Outcome | What You'll Be Able to Do |
|---|---|
| PLO 1 Biblical Knowledge & Hermeneutics |
You will know the Bible — not just the stories, but the languages, the history, and how to interpret it with confidence. |
| PLO 2 Theological Articulation |
You will be able to explain what you believe and why — with clarity, depth, and Baptist conviction. |
| PLO 3 Historical & Cultural Competency |
You will understand where the Black church came from — and why its prophetic witness still matters today. |
| PLO 4 Spiritual Formation |
You will grow not just academically but personally — developing the character that ministry actually demands. |
| PLO 5 Ministry Practice & Leadership |
You will graduate having already led — in worship, in the classroom, in the pulpit, or in the boardroom. |
| PLO 6 Scholarly Research & Communication |
You will write, speak, and present at a level that opens doors to graduate school and professional ministry. |
| PLO 7 Professional Readiness |
You will leave with a plan — a personal ministry philosophy, a vocational strategy, and a capstone project that proves you're ready. |
"Where Purpose Is Your Major"
Speaks directly to the student's deepest question — Why am I here? — and answers it with the program's core promise.
"Lux et Veritas — Light and Truth"
For formal institutional use — diplomas, seals, letterhead, and convocation. Latin carries academic weight alongside spiritual formation.
"Called. Equipped. Sent."
Three words. Three movements of Christian formation. Works as a campaign theme, a motto, and a graduation charge.
Take the next step — request information or apply today. An admissions counselor will walk you through every option.
