Degree Programs Offered at Criswell College
Criswell College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Theology Degree Programs Online.
Criswell College offers associate, bachelor and graduate degree programs for Christian students. The Associate of Arts program includes 36 credit hours of Bible, theology and ministry courses and another 30 credits of general education classes. Biblical Languages and Tools, New Testament Survey I and II, Old Testament Survey I and II, Church History and Spiritual Foundations all fall under the theology and bible core. An applied ministry project is required at the end of each semester too. This project asks students to apply the knowledge they gained in the program in the field. They can do volunteer work and create new programs in their churches.
Five bachelor programs are available from the college too. The Bachelor of Science in Education is the only BS program available. Students can get their licenses to teach in Texas after completing the program. Only those who have at least 60 credits of college courses can enroll in the program. They can take those credits at Criswell or another college. They will also need a minimum grade point average of 2.75 to declare a major in education. The 60 credits of education courses in this program include Child Growth and Development, Discipline and Classroom Management, Introduction to Education and Content Area Reading Instruction. Majors must also do six credit hours of practicum work.
The four other bachelor’s degree programs offered by the college let students major in Biblical studies, Christian ministry, psychology or philosophy, politics, and economics. Each program includes some general courses such as Introduction to Speech Communication, Introduction to Psychology and College Algebra. They will also take 33 credits of theology classes and up to nine credits of ministry courses, which can include both a domestic service practicum and a global service practicum. The remaining 30 credits they need to graduate will come from courses relating to their majors.
Criswell College offers four Master of Arts programs as well as two Master of Divinity programs. Students with more experience can enroll in the advanced standing divinity program. The college bases the number of credits needed on the prerequisites and other classes that students took as undergrads. The Christian leadership program features 36 credits of core classes, including History and Theology of Missions, Principles of Teaching, Philosophy of Religion and Organizational Management. In the divinity programs, students take theology and religion classes such as Personal Evangelism, Delivery of Expository Sermons and Church Planting. Graduates students can also major in theology, counseling or Christian studies.
About Criswell College
Criswell College is a private college affiliated with both the Christian Church and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Established in 1970 as the Criswell Bible Institute, it would later become the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. W.A. Criswell was a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Dallas and the founder of the college, which is why it uses the Criswell name. H.L. Hunt who was a member of that church donated much of the money needed to build the campus and start the college. Now known as Criswell College, it retains a deep connection to the Baptist Church and uses the faith and mission of the Church in its policies. Though the college only offered religion and theology programs for many years, it added politics, psychology and education majors to its curriculum in 2013, which led to a sharp increase in enrollment among the college’s undergraduate programs.
Criswell College Accreditation Details
Criswell has institutional accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TACCS), which is also a type of national accreditation. Regional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). SACS accreditation is so important because it is why students can access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and get financial aid while attending the college.
Criswell College Application Requirements
Recruiters working for the college can meet with prospective students away from the campus during college events at high school fairs. Students can also attend Preview Day, which lets them get a better look at the campus, including where they will take classes and live. Undergrads need to use the Criswell online application and submit two different forms. The first is a recommendation form that should come from someone who can write about the strengths of the student. Criswell also asks for a church endorsement form. This form needs to come from a pastor or someone else who works for the student’s church. It should discuss the moral character of the student.
When applying to a graduate program, students must meet the same requirements. The Criswell application includes several sections and allows students to apply for free. It takes most students less than 30 minutes to complete the application. They will also need to make sure that the college receives both a recommendation form and a church endorsement form. The college allows students to submit the names and contact information for their references. It will then contact them and request that they submit letters for students via email. Incoming graduate students can provide a professional or an academic reference for the letter of recommendation.
Tuition and Financial Aid
At Criswell College, students pay $5,315 per semester for full-time enrollment in an undergraduate program. Graduate students pay $4,430 each semester for full-time enrollment. The college estimates that students spend an average of $2,085 each year on their expenses too. Room and board packages are available for Criswell students who want to live on the campus too. Those students pay an extra $3,355 each semester.
The Pell grant is just one of the financial aid options available for students. Those who submit the FAFSA can qualify for this grant, which the college will divide into separate payments for both the fall and spring semesters. The Student Services Office can tell students about some of the job opportunities available if they qualify for work-study. Most of these are part-time positions that do not require students to work more than 10 hours each week. Criswell students may qualify for scholarships, but they need to meet eligibility requirements. They can only keep their scholarships if they do not owe the college money, submit the FAFSA each year and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. All the degree programs at Criswell College accept student loans too.