Discover through doing.
Take on responsibilities, notice what draws your interest, and reflect on what you're learning about yourself.
Explore your next step
Not sure what's next?
You can still move forward.
You don't have to choose your whole future today. Explore college learning connected to meaningful ministry experiences—and discover what you want to grow toward.
Make your next step count
Room to explore.
Reasons to keep growing.
A meaningful experience can help you ask better questions about your future while building abilities you can take with you.
Build real capability.
Practice communicating, collaborating, solving problems, and learning from feedback.
Connect experience to study.
Explore courses and degree pathways that fit your goals. Academic credit depends on enrollment and completing course requirements.
Choose a place to begin
What would help you move forward?
Experience first
Find a ministry context.
Explore partner settings and ask about available internships, gap-year experiences, or serving roles.
Explore the ministry network ↗Academic direction
Explore a degree.
See what you would study, what you could demonstrate, and how a program connects to real work.
Explore Degree Programs →A broader destination
Consider a partner pathway.
Have a different degree in mind? Explore university pathways and confirm how courses could fit your plans.
See university partner pathways →Ministry experiences are operated by their respective organizations. Availability, eligibility, housing, costs, and academic options vary.
A clear way forward
Start with a conversation.
Build a plan you understand.
01
Tell us where you are.
Bring your interests, questions, and any experience you're considering. You don't need a chosen major.
02
Explore the fit.
Discuss the ministry setting, academic options, workload, and costs. Ask what is offered by ACU and what is offered by the partner.
03
Choose your next step.
Review the relevant requirements before applying. A partner application and ACU academic admission are separate steps where both are needed.
Stories from the ACU Community
Your path can take an unexpected turn.
“I didn't want to do it. I had a plan. But now I'm glad I chose it.”
Bethany Kunz
Touch the World
Read the Story →For students, parents & mentors
Questions worth
asking together.
Do I need to know my major?
You can start by exploring your interests and options. An admissions conversation can clarify which academic pathway, if any, fits your next step.
Does a ministry experience automatically earn credit?
No. Ask about the specific ACU courses available, enrollment requirements, assessed work, and how earned credits apply to a degree.
What will it cost, and where will I live?
Academic tuition and partner experience costs are different parts of the plan. Confirm tuition, any program fees, housing, meals, and available support with the appropriate organization.
Explore a tuition estimate →What if I want to study somewhere else later?
Explore the relevant transfer agreement and confirm applicability with the receiving university. Admission and credit acceptance depend on that institution and your intended program.
Review university transfer pathways ↗You bring the questions.
Let's explore the possibilities.
Start with what you know—and what you're still figuring out.