You're becoming who you are with every decision, not every life choice.
Joel Becker
Arrowhead Bible Camp
Read the Story →An ACU Student Experience
Associate of Science
Christian
Leadership.
Build a foundation for leading people through an online associate degree in Christian leadership. Connect biblical understanding with practical ways to improve a team’s work and learn from your ministry experience.
What you'll develop
More than knowledge.
Capability you can show.
Develop practical capabilities for the people and places you serve.
Lead with a clear purpose.
Learn to connect an organization’s mission with the decisions and priorities that shape its work.
Build teams that grow together.
Develop your approach to recruiting, equipping, and supporting people as they work toward shared goals.
Turn direction into action.
Strengthen your ability to evaluate challenges, develop strategies, and adapt as circumstances change.
Create a healthier organization.
Explore the structures and leadership practices that help people learn, contribute, and accomplish the mission.
Optional concentrations · 2026-27 catalog
A shared foundation.
A focus that fits your calling.
Choose a concentration within your Associate of Science in Christian Leadership program, or pursue the program without one.
Your concentration courses
Camp Ministry
Part of your 60-credit degree.
View official concentration requirements ↗Concentration requirements count within Focus Electives (12 credits); they do not add to the degree total.
Select 4 courses from 6 eligible courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CAM400Learning Activities, Games and Events | 3 |
| CAM401Foundations of Camping & Outdoor Education | 3 |
| CAM405Counseling in Active Learning Environments | 3 |
| CAM407Foundations of Experience-Based Learning | 3 |
| CAM409Recreational Programming | 3 |
| CAM424Management of Support Services | 3 |
Your concentration courses
Intercultural Ministry
Part of your 60-credit degree.
View official concentration requirements ↗Concentration requirements count within Focus Electives (12 credits); they do not add to the degree total.
Select 4 courses from 5 eligible courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| MIS280Applied Intercultural Ministry Practicum | 3 |
| MIS311Intercultural Ministry Philosophy | 3 |
| MIS321Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| MIS411Intercultural Evangelism | 3 |
| ANT210Introductory Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
Your concentration courses
Youth Ministry
Part of your 60-credit degree.
View official concentration requirements ↗Concentration requirements count within Focus Electives (12 credits); they do not add to the degree total.
Select 4 courses from 4 eligible courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| YMN301Youth Ministry Philosophy | 3 |
| YMN315Adolescents & Youth Culture | 3 |
| YMN321Youth Ministry Communication | 3 |
| YMN407Youth Evangelism | 3 |
Your concentration courses
Disability Ministry
Part of your 60-credit degree.
View official concentration requirements ↗Concentration requirements count within Focus Electives (12 credits); they do not add to the degree total.
Select 4 courses from 10 eligible courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DSM301Foundations of Disability Services | 3 |
| DSM290Leadership in Disability Studies Internship I | 2 |
| DSM305Social Work & Disability Studies | 3 |
| DSM311Disability Practices in Children & Adults | 3 |
| DSM320Adaptive Physical Activity | 3 |
| DSM411Disability & The Church 1 | 3 |
| DSM412Disability & The Church 2 | 3 |
| DSM420Disabilities: Advocacy & Ministry Partnerships | 3 |
| DSM430Disabilities: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| DSM395Leadership in Disability Studies Internship II | 2 |
How you learn
Your leadership context
becomes part of the course.
Online coursework connects with a relevant role in a church, camp, nonprofit, or other ministry setting. A volunteer or professional role can work. Admissions can help you confirm a context that fits your program.
Plan Your Course Load
A typical full-time undergraduate load is 6 credits per 8-week term. Taking courses in all five terms offers a pace of 30 credits per year. Partner schedules may use 8- or 16-week terms. Your completion time depends on your program, approved prior credits, and course plan.
01
Explore
Study Scripture, leadership theory, and relevant organizational practice.
02
Reflect
Examine how those ideas relate to the challenges you encounter.
03
Apply
Create work that demonstrates what you are learning.
2026-27 Academic Catalog
Your curriculum.
60 credits, clearly mapped.
Explore the required courses and choices that shape your program. An advisor can help you connect these requirements with your goals and previous learning.
View official degree requirements ↗Requirements from the published 2026-27 catalog.
Arts & Sciences Core (27 Credits)
Christianity & Contexts (12 Credits)
BIB100 · Principles of Bible Study — 3 credits
Formation: Choose One (3 Credits)
Select 1 of the following options.
THE120 · Foundations for Christian Living — 3 credits
COU209 · Spiritual Formation & Identity — 3 credits
Bible Survey Options (6 Credits)
Choose one of the following options.
Option 1: Bible Survey Plus BIB/THE Elective (6 Credits)
BIB110 · Bible Survey — 3 credits
Christianity & Contexts (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (31 Courses)
- THE225 · The New Testament Church — 3 credits
- BIB316 · Romans — 3 credits
- BIB320 · Phillipians — 3 credits
- THE311 · Theology of Mission — 3 credits
- BIB305 · Nehemiah — 3 credits
- BIB211 · Old Testament Directed Study — 3 credits
- BIB315 · Acts — 3 credits
- THE325 · Theology of Disability — 3 credits
- BIB325 · 1 John — 3 credits
- BIB319 · Ephesians — 3 credits
- BIB301 · Genesis — 3 credits
- BIB111 · Old Testament Survey — 3 credits
- BIB313 · John — 3 credits
- THE308 · THE308 Theology of God II: Christ and the Holy Spirit — 3 credits
- BIB112 · New Testament Survey — 3 credits
- BIB212 · New Testament Directed Study — 3 credits
- BIB321 · James — 3 credits
- THE120 · Foundations for Christian Living — 3 credits
- BIB110 · Bible Survey — 3 credits
- BIB317 · 1 Corinthians — 3 credits
- THE230 · Christian Apologetics — 3 credits
- COU209 · Spiritual Formation & Identity — 3 credits
- THE250 · Theology of the Gospel — 3 credits
- THE203 · Bibliology — 3 credits
- THE211 · Introduction to Biblical Theology — 3 credits
- THE212 · Biblical Theology 2 — 3 credits
- THE307 · Theology of God I: God the Father — 3 credits
- THE220 · Creation to Consummation — 3 credits
- THE201 · Theology Survey — 3 credits
- BIB303 · Psalms — 3 credits
- BIB310 · Matthew — 3 credits
The published pool excludes 1 courses. See the official catalog for exclusions and advising details.
Option 2: Old And New Testament Survey Alternative (6 Credits)
BIB111 · Old Testament Survey — 3 credits
BIB112 · New Testament Survey — 3 credits
Communication & Collaboration (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (9 Courses)
- 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 (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (9 Courses)
- 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
Citizenship -- Civic & Global Engagement (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (10 Courses)
- 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
Computation -- Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (4 Courses)
- 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
Contextualization -- Social & Scientific (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (14 Courses)
- 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
AS Christian Leadership Core (15 Credits)
LDR301 · Foundations of Leadership — 3 credits
MIN401 · Dynamics of Discipleship — 3 credits
MIN402 · Introduction to Impact Ministry Leadership — 3 credits
MIN403 · Principles of Ministry Strategy — 3 credits
MIN404 · Developing Dynamic Teams — 3 credits
Focus Electives (12 Credits)
Select 12 credits from the eligible courses.
Optionally complete one of the several concentration pathways. These credits are included in the degree total, not added to it.
Eligible Courses (27 Courses)
- 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
- MIN408 · Organizational Communication — 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
The published pool excludes 5 courses. See the official catalog for exclusions and advising details.
Free Electives (6 Credits)
Complete 6 credits of free electives.
Total degree credits60
Understand your investment
Your pace.
Your annual investment.
Explore a tuition estimate based on your expected credits and study pace. A credit review helps turn your estimate into a personal degree plan.
Estimated annual tuition
$7,500
$15,000 estimated remaining degree tuition
60 credits remaining · 2 years at this pace
Most ministry partners subsidize $100/credit or more in addition to the partner rate; not included above.
Tuition estimate only; credit approval required. See the catalog for details.
Make an informed decision
Your questions.
Clear answers.
What will set me apart when I take my next step?
Anchor's integrated approach helps you move forward with financial freedom, demonstrated ability, and relationships that matter.
A path toward a debt-free launch. Accessible tuition, partner discounts, and additional ministry subsidies can help you prepare for ministry or further study without carrying education debt into your next chapter.
A portfolio that shows what you can do. Real projects completed throughout your degree give you concrete evidence of your competencies—work you can put on your résumé, discuss in interviews, and share with future ministry leaders.
People who can champion your next step. Learning and serving alongside organizational leaders builds a network of people who know your name, have seen your work, and can offer references, introductions, and encouragement as you move forward.
Do I need to be serving in ministry already?
The program connects learning to a real organizational context. Talk with admissions about your current role or opportunities to establish an appropriate context.
Can previous study or experience count?
A transfer and prior-learning review can evaluate eligible learning against program requirements. Credit is determined through that review.
How do I take the next step?
Start with an admissions conversation about your goals, background, learning context, and degree plan.
Talk with admissions ↗Your next chapter
in leadership.
Let's explore how this degree fits the work you're called to do.