I realized that if it were my last days, I'd want to be helping our campers.
Alex Abramo
Arrowhead Bible Camp
Read the Story →An ACU Student Experience
Bachelor of Science
Disability
Ministry.
Help more people participate in ministry through an online bachelor’s degree in disability ministry. Build a biblical understanding of disability and learn to assess barriers, propose accommodations, and guide a ministry team.
What you'll develop
More than knowledge.
Capability you can show.
Develop practical capabilities for the people and places you serve.
Build a biblical vision of inclusion.
Develop a framework for understanding disability and serving people with Christ-like compassion.
Advocate with understanding.
Explore diverse experiences and the historical and social contexts that shape disability services.
Lead thoughtful, practical care.
Develop approaches to disability ministry and the skills to supervise and support people in service settings.
Sustain yourself and your team.
Practice mentoring and self-management that support spiritual, physical, and mental well-being.
How you learn
Your real-world 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
Engage Scripture, research, and ideas relevant to your studies.
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.
120 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 (51 Credits)
Christianity & Contexts (18 Credits)
Biblical Theology: Choose One (3 Credits)
Select 1 of the following options.
THE211 · Introduction to Biblical Theology — 3 credits
THE201 · Theology Survey — 3 credits
BIB100 · Principles of Bible Study — 3 credits
BIB110 · Bible Survey — 3 credits
COU209 · Spiritual Formation & Identity — 3 credits
THE120 · Foundations for Christian Living — 3 credits
THE325 · Theology of Disability — 3 credits
Communication & Collaboration (6 Credits)
Select 6 credits from the eligible courses.
Each course may satisfy only one program block. Communication includes information literacy.
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.
Each course may satisfy only one program block.
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.
Each course may satisfy only one program block.
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
Contextualization — Social & Scientific (3 Credits)
PSY101 · Introduction to Psychology — 3 credits
Computation -- Quantitative Reasoning (3 Credits)
Select 3 credits from the eligible courses.
Each course may satisfy only one program block.
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
Additional Arts & Sciences (15 Credits)
Select 15 credits from the eligible courses.
Eligible Courses (59 Courses)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
The published pool excludes 4 courses. See the official catalog for exclusions and advising details.
Professional Ministry Core (12 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
Disability Ministry Essentials (21 Credits)
DSM301 · Foundations of Disability Services — 3 credits
DSM305 · Social Work & Disability Studies — 3 credits
DSM311 · Disability Practices in Children & Adults — 3 credits
DSM320 · Adaptive Physical Activity — 3 credits
DSM420 · Disabilities: Advocacy & Ministry Partnerships — 3 credits
DSM430 · Disabilities: A Global Perspective — 3 credits
DSM411 · Disability & The Church 1 — 3 credits
Professional Experience (4 Credits)
DSM290 · Leadership in Disability Studies Internship I — 2 credits
DSM395 · Leadership in Disability Studies Internship II — 2 credits
Free Electives (32 Credits)
Complete 32 credits of free electives.
Total degree credits120
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
$30,000 estimated remaining degree tuition
120 credits remaining · 4 years at this pace
Your undergraduate comparison
Selected Christian online bachelor’s programs
$400/credit benchmark · 30 credits this year$12,000
$400/credit benchmark · 30 credits this year$12,000
$4,500projected annual tuition savings
$18,000 lower tuition over your remaining 120 credits.
Traditional Christian undergraduate programs$35,920/yearPublished tuition & fees before aid · 2025–26
Comparison Sources & Assumptions
Online benchmark: rounded, equally weighted mean of seven selected schools’ 2026–27 tuition rates ($400.10, rounded to $400/credit). Full-time rates where applicable; Cairn’s block tuition normalized to 15 credits per semester. This is a selected-school comparison, not a national average.
- Liberty: $410/credit
- Southeastern: $399/credit
- Lancaster Bible College: $450/credit
- Cedarville: $375/credit
- Moody: $425/credit
- Cairn: $4,900/semester; $326.67/credit at 15 credits
- Grand Canyon: theology programs, $415/credit
Savings compare tuition for the same modeled credits at ACU and the online benchmark. Transfer credit and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) acceptance vary by school; equal remaining credits are an assumption, not a promise. Actual part-time and block tuition may differ. Fees, books, financial aid, additional ministry subsidies, and future price changes are excluded.
Campus reference: average annual tuition and fees at 40 reporting institutions in the 2025 Bethel survey of CCCU institutions, slide 65. Includes fees; ACU’s estimate is tuition only. Shown for context, not used to calculate savings. Housing is excluded. Sources reviewed October 29, 2026.
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 disability ministry.
Let's explore how this degree can equip you to serve people with disabilities and lead more inclusive ministries.