All of these small Christian Colleges have around 1000 to 1500 total students enrolled making them ideal for a graduate of homeschooling who doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by large enrollments and class sizes. There are a number of reasons that a small Christian College is ideal. Class sizes, access to professors, and teaching assistants as well as internship opportunities in local churches and non profits. These small Christian Colleges are the top schools based on editorial choice and have been vetted by a number of sources.

Westmont College

Westmont College, founded in 1937, is an interdenominational Christian liberal arts college in Santa Barbara, California.It got it’s start when it was founded as a missionaries institute by the owner of the Kerr Mason Jar company in 1937. The school was renamed because of it’s location at West Moreland and Vermont in Los Angeles. It later moved to Santa Barbara and has established itself as a leader in Christian studies.

Berea College

Berea College is a liberal arts work college in Berea, in the U.S. state of Kentucky, founded in 1855. Berea College is distinctive among post-secondary institutions for providing free education to students and for having been the first college in the Southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated. Students who enroll at this college in Kentucky work on campus or with partner organizations and then are able to study for free. It’s small enrollment makes Berea feel like a huge family.

Gordon College

Gordon College is a liberal arts college located on the former Princemere estate in Wenham, Massachusetts, United States, northeast of Beverly. Founded by Baptist minister A. J. Gordon as a missionary training institute, the predominantly undergraduate college is largely Christian. It’s small size and small town based in the Northeast gives it a close knit feel. It’s President is Pulitzer prize winner D. Michael Lindsay.

College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is a private, Christian liberal-arts college, with its campus at Point Lookout near Branson and Hollister, Missouri, United States. It is 40 miles south of Springfield on a 1,000-acre campus, overlooking Lake Taneycomo.

Goshen College

Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, in the United States. Goshen College was founded in 1894 as the Elkhart Institute, and is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA

For countless students, it’s time to start thinking about where to continue their education. One option
that’s worth looking into are Presbyterian colleges. Most of these are small, private schools that offer a
good liberal arts education. Most of these colleges are coeducational with undergraduate students.

Classes at Presbyterian colleges are small and taught by professors; graduate assistants can’t handle
any classes. This means that there’s more student participation in the classroom and professors have
more time for each student’s needs. Presbyterian colleges put a strong emphasis on learning, service
to community, teaching and healthy, personal relationships. Students of all ages and from different
cultures and faiths are all welcome in Presbyterian colleges.

Featured Online Colleges

» Click Here For More Information About Liberty University
» Click Here For More Information About Grand Canyon University
» Click Here For More Information About St. Leo University

Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College is one of the best liberal arts schools in the US. Established in 1880, this
private school is located in Clinton, South Carolina, about 30 minutes from Greenville and
Spartanburg. The school is associated with the Presbyterian Church USA. Students from all over
the country come to Presbyterian College. Average class size is around 14 and there’s a 13:1
student/teacher ratio. The school offers students 34 majors and 47 minors to choose from.
The school is continuous in its quest for excellence and expansion by opening more colleges
and garnering more awards. A recent addition to the college is the School of Pharmacy which
opened in 2010. Presbyterian College also has the distinction of being the only American
college to be awarded the right to open a Confucius Institute from the Chinese government.
Presbyterian College also gives their students numerous opportunities to study abroad via
internships or student research. The school’s philosophy of excellence in both faith and reason,
along with its focus on honor and community, has created a student body that’s very active in
projects around the city and the state.

Austin College

Austin College is a small, private liberal arts college in Sherman, Texas, 60 miles north of Dallas.
The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA and is also known as the oldest
college in Texas. It was founded in 1849 and as such, is recognized by the State Historical Survey
Committee. Austin College is famous for its excellent liberal arts curriculum and offers more
than 40 majors. The school is also known for its 5-year Austin Teacher program and its Mentor
Program where a faculty member is assigned to a student. All students are also required to
finish a January Term every year. During this time, students just enroll in one course that they’ll
study on or off campus. Austin College is proud of fostering an educational climate where all
ideas are openly and respectfully discussed.

College of Idaho

The College of Idaho is a small, private liberal arts college located in Caldwell, Idaho. The idea
for this college was first conceptualized in 1884 when a commission was formed with the
purpose of researching the possibility of creating a Presbyterian school in Idaho. The idea
was well received and the college was founded in 1891. As a premier liberal arts college, the
College of Idaho educates its students in the skills necessary to thrive and succeed in today’s
fast changing, contrary and technology-driven world. The school offers excellent training in the
various disciplines of liberal arts – the fine arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and
social sciences. The College of Idaho is also known for its PEAK program, which was inspired
by the mountain peaks the region is famous for. PEAK is an acronym for “Professional, Ethical,
Articulate, and Knowledgeable,” the program encourages students to be open-minded and
to study a wide range of disciplines as way to strengthen their foundation and prepare for
unexpected changes they might encounter in their professional life. Under this program,
students design their own course program by combining major and minor courses that they
believe will prepare them for their careers.

St. Andrews University

Initially known as St. Andrews Presbyterian College, this private liberal arts college is located
in Laurinburg, North Carolina. The university was the result of a merger between the Flora
MacDonald College of Red Springs and the Presbyterian Junior College. It was called St. Andrews
Presbyterian College from 1960 to 2011 when the name was changed to St. Andrews University.
The college also became a branch of Webber International University that same year. This
small university is renowned for providing affordable, quality education and offers students a
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. The school also has a
Creative Writing program. The university also offers students a non-traditional way to pursue
degrees in Business Administration, Elementary Education, Equine Business Management and a
Teacher Certification program through online or traditional classes or a combination of the two.
Students of St. Andrews University are known to be masters of critical thinking, a skill which is
honed in the classroom and through the guidance of their professors.

Conventional wisdom states that a college degree increases one’s chances of landing a good job. The
slumping economy might make one wary about going down this road, but it has been proven that the
sacrifices you make while pursuing your degree will pay off in the end.

There are several good reasons why college prepares you for a lucrative career and a good life. College
teaches you discipline, it builds creative thinking, it molds you into becoming a responsible citizen and it
teaches you about yourself. A good Baptist college will help you develop all of these.

Baylor University

Baylor University is a private Baptist university that also has the distinction of being the oldest
university in Texas. The university sits on 1,000 acres near the banks of the Brazos River which
is between Austin and the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex. Baylor University is also known as an
excellent research university with good Business, Law and Pre-Med undergraduate programs.
The school’s very active in research and Baylor has established strong ties with the city and
other companies to allow its students and professors to hone their research skills. Baylor
University has worked with the city of Waco in conducting research for the Center for Reservoir
and Aquatic Systems Research while students can intern at the Baylor Lariat. The school is very
serious with providing excellent education so the number of students is limited, with a 16:1 ratio
between student and faculty. This approach has worked well for Baylor University which has
numerous Fulbright Scholars, Marshall Scholars, Rhodes Scholars and Truman Scholars.

Samford University

Samford University is a private university affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention and
located in Homewood, Alabama. It was originally known as Howard College and includes the
Brock School of Business, Cumberland School of Law, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, the
McWhorter School of Pharmacy and the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education. Samford
University was established in 1841 and has remained loyal to its Christian roots. This popular
Baptist college consistently lures students and professors from different faith and cultures. The
school has 26 undergraduate, graduate and masteral degree programs and around 135 majors
and minors in eight disciplines – arts, arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, pharmacy,
law and divinity. Samford graduates consistently get top scores on the country’s certification
and board examinations. The school is accessible from anywhere in America. Aside from its
academic achievements, the school is also famous for its beautiful campus set at the feet of the
Great Smokey Mountain.

Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) is a private, liberal arts educational institution established in
1886 and situated in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, about 65 miles southwest of Little Rock. Its distinct name is taken from the Ouachita River which bounds the school’s eastern campus. The school is affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and has eight colleges – the Chesley and Elizabeth Pruet School of Christian Studies, the Frank D. Hickingbotham School of Business, the J.D Patterson School of Natural Sciences, the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, the School of Fine Arts, the School of Humanities, the Michael D. Huckabee School of Education and the W.H.
Sutton School of Social Sciences. There are also several good programs, like the Carl Goodson Honors Program, that encourages students to take on more academic challenges. OBU also takes great pains in ensuring the mental, social and emotional health of its students. The school has the Academic Enrichment Center that helps students through a combination of counseling and tutoring.

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University is a private educational institution located in Campbellsville, at the
heart of Taylor County, Kentucky. Originally known as the Russell Creek Academy, this Baptist
affiliated school welcomes students of all denominations and cultures. Campbellsville University
offers its students numerous bachelor and master degrees with complementing extracurricular
activities that focuses on a Christian life and service to the community. The university aims to
educate and train its students to become well-rounded, respectable individuals. It emphasizes
integrity, fellowship and personal growth fostered in a caring environment.

Shorter University

Shorter University is a private liberal arts learning institution in Rome, Georgia. It was
established in 1873 and is historically affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention. The small
university follows a semester-based academic schedule and usually has around 3,500 students
enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate programs offered in its seven colleges. Shorter
University has distance learning offices in Duluth and Riverdale that offers graduate programs.
The school also runs the off-campus School of Nursing and the Robert H. Ledbetter College
of Business. Shorter University focuses on a personalized education in a decidedly Christian
environment. During their time in Shorter, students are challenged to reach their ultimate
potential and to meet the challenges and responsibilities of being leaders in their churches,
communities and professions.

Academic excellence is one thing that Catholic colleges are known for. Most are challenging intellectual
centers where students can pursue a wide sphere of discipline and hone attitudes that will keep them in
good stead throughout their life. Research has shown that studying in a Catholic college can have good
effects on students, both academically and personally. This positivity is said to be due to three traits that
are the keys to Catholic education – the belief in the freedom to instill ethical principles in the students,
the desire to promote justice and create opportunities for every man and the ability to live a values-
oriented life in modern society.

Some of the top Catholic colleges in the country can be found in California. The atmosphere and cultural
mix of the region have contributed in fostering the environment these colleges are aiming for. Here are
the top Catholic colleges to consider if you want to study in California.

Thomas Aquinas College

The college is known for its distinct liberal arts education. Since the college looks at liberal
education in its totality, Thomas Aquinas College has no majors, specializations or electives.
There are also no textbooks or lectures. Instead, students study the greatest books of Western
civilization and discuss them in small classes. These are supplemented by tutorials, lab work and
seminars. This approach obviously works well for the college as it always gets top ranking among
America’s liberal art colleges.

Santa Clara University

A Jesuit and Catholic university, Santa Clara is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning
and aims to educate and prepare students for a life of leadership and service. Its campus
is located in sunny Silicon Valley and boasts of 106-acres of beautifully landscaped gardens
and more than 50 buildings. The school offers courses in Arts and Sciences, Business and
Engineering. The Leavey School of Business and the Jesuit School of Theology are some of its
graduate programs. The school has a long and distinguished list of alumni and has been ranked
number 2 in the 2013 list of Best Colleges (West Region).

University of San Diego

The USD is a renowned private and Roman Catholic research university in San Diego, California.
The campus stands on 180 acres of land overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Renowned for its
beautiful, Renaissance-inspired buildings, the university is made up of six schools- the
College of Arts and Sciences, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the School of Business
Administration, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and
the School of Nursing and Health Science. The university is dedicated to Catholic values and
academic excellence and aims to give the best liberal arts education to students of all faiths.

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University is a private co-ed Catholic school following Jesuit and Marymount
ways. The university is located in Los Angeles, California and is a member of the Association of
Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The 100 year old school aims to educate ambitious students
who want to lead lives with purpose and meaning. It encourages the promotion of justice, faith-
based service and the education of the person as a whole. Students who want to attend Loyola
Marymount the option to choose from 60 major and 54 minor undergraduate degrees plus 36
masters programs.

St. Mary’s College

This is a private learning institution that was established in 1863. Shaped by liberal arts
teachings and Catholic and LaSallian ways, the college works on a 4-1-4 schedule that allows
students to travel, work on personal change and development, explore new ideas and lifestyle
and do volunteer work during the January term. As a premier liberal arts school, St. Mary’s
is committed to critical thinking, reflection, personal growth and global awareness. Students
can choose from 30 degrees in the fields of arts, business, education, humanities, sciences
and social sciences. Classes and labs range from small to average to encourage discussion and
debates. St. Mary’s sits on a 420-acre campus located 20 miles east of San Francisco. The school
is surrounded by sweet-smelling pines and majestic redwoods. It boasts of beautiful villa-style
architecture and a new state of the art science building.

Dominican University of California

The Dominican University of California is an independent, private university located 12 miles
north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Founded in 1890, it’s one of oldest universities in California.
Dominicans value community, reflection, service and study and is dedicated to teaching and
preparing students to be leaders who are ethically and socially responsible. The school is known
for its Senior Thesis and the Honors Program. The former is an intensive research project that
every student has to undergo while the latter provides enrichment chances for academically
advanced students. The university has four groups of schools, Arts, Business and Leadership,
Education and Counseling Psychology, Health and Natural Sciences and Humanities and Social
Sciences. The Dominican University of California is currently ranked at number 36 in the Best
Colleges is Regional Universities.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth major religion in the US and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Also known as LDS, or informally as the Mormons, the church has over 55,000 missionaries working around the world and boasts of a membership of more than 14.7 million. There are a large number of Catholic or Christians schools but strangely, very few Mormon owned and run schools. The church doesn’t have any elementary, secondary or high schools. However, young Mormons who want to remain close to their peers and receive a good education at the same time have the option to go to one of four very good schools operated by the church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints maintains and operates the Brigham Young University, Brigham Young University Idaho, Brigham Young University Hawaii and the LDS Business College.

Brigham Young University Provo

Brigham Young University (BYU) has the distinction of being the most popular university in the
US in 2010, overtaking perennial favorite Harvard University. Founded in 1875, Brigham Young
University Provo is known for its exceptional language education. The school offers 55 different
language courses. More than half of the students are fluent in another language. Brigham
Young is maintained by the LDS so there’s a lot of focus on religion, ethics and responsibility.
The university is known for the strict honor code that students have to follow. The code is
admittedly challenging for some young people to follow and even considered outdated by
others. For example, growing a beard and camping with members of the opposite sex are not
allowed. Extramarital affairs and gay sex are also strongly frowned upon. BYUS sits on 557 acres
of land situated at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, giving students plenty of opportunities to
indulge in camping, biking and hiking.

Brigham Young University Idaho

Originally known as Ricks College, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private university in
Rexburg, Idaho. Owned and maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
the university started out as a junior college before it became a four-year institution in 2001.
The school has excellent programs in agriculture, engineering, liberal arts, management and
performing arts and concentrates primarily on undergraduate programs. It offers 18 associate
and more than 70 bachelor’s degree courses on a three-semester system called “tracks”. Most
of the student’s are active LDS members. A large percentage of the students also go on an 18-
24 month break from their studies to travel and serve as missionaries. Like BYU Provo, students
at Brigham Young Idaho also follow an honor code that requires students to act in accordance to
LDS teachings. This means honesty, following strict standards of dress and grooming, abstinence
from alcohol and avoidance of drugs and extramarital sex. The BYU Idaho campus sits on 400
acres of lush land that overlooks the city of Rexburg and Snake River Valley. The campus boasts
of around forty major buildings and residence halls, an expansive family history center, athletic
fields, an arboretum, planetarium and wildlife museums. The school also has off-campus buildings like the Fork Outdoor Learning Center and the Livestock Center in Rexburg. There’s also the Outdoor Learning Center, the Natural Science Center in Island Park, the Teton Lodge and Quickwater Lodge. The last two are used by students as centers for student leadership and service.

Brigham Young University Hawaii

BYU Hawaii is another private learning institution owned and maintained by the LDS church.
The school was established in 1955 and is located in Laie, Hawaii. The school also has a good
liberal arts programs as well as mathematics and management courses. The school has quite
an international student makeup, with its more than 2,500 students coming from the Asia, the
U.S and the Pacific. Whatever country the student comes from, everyone at BYU Hawaii are
trained mentally and spiritually to lead communities, have good careers and serve the church
in different parts of the world. The school’s mix of cultures has amazingly become a template
for maintaining harmony despite cultural diversity. The student body is composed mostly of LDS
Church members. And like its 2 other sister schools, students at BYU Hawaii are also required
to follow the university’s strict honor code. Most of the behavior emphasized in the code is in
keeping with LDS beliefs and teachings.

Latter Day Saints Business College

The LDSBC is a member of the church’s international Church Education System. Located in
the middle of Salt Lake City, Utah, the two-year college is focused more on training students
about business. The school offers certificate courses as well as two-year degrees in accounting,
business administration, computers, healthcare, interior design and office management.
Students are encouraged to go to a four-year program after getting their associate degrees.

Honorable Mention: Southern Virginia University

Southern Virginia University is not officially a Mormon College, it is a liberal arts school that embraces and welcomes the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However a majority of it’s members are Mormonss although it welcomes others from outside the Mormon Church to attend and participate as well.

Lutheran colleges and universities are liberal arts colleges dedicated to molding future leaders. These schools challenge students to study various subjects and learn through different methods to ensure that they can successfully meet the expectations and challenges of the world today.

Most students in Lutheran Colleges live within the campuses. The schools accept students from every culture, even those who don’t follow the Lutheran faith. However, those who believe that faith is separate from higher education might have difficulty finding their place in the school’s fabric. Lutheran Colleges are committed to enhancing the student’s faith. There’s a wide array of spiritual activities offered to students of different religions, from holding chapel services to choirs that sing various faith based songs to volunteer organizations.

The best Lutheran Colleges in the country are dedicated to exposing their wards to a good set of values. Students are encouraged to join challenging conversations about their beliefs and how it will help them in the future. These will ensure that when students leave Lutheran Colleges, they are strong, ready and will live meaningful lives.

Bethany College

Bethany College is a small private institution in West Virginia that is big on distinction. The
school was established in 1840 and has a long history of excellence. As a liberal arts school,
Bethany College puts value on leadership and designed its curriculum to meet the needs of
each student through the integration of various disciplines. And as a Lutheran College, it values
community, integrity, hospitality, leadership and sustainability. The college has a rural feel to it
and sits on a 1,300 acres campus. It follows the 4-1-4 academic calendar and is currently number
178 in the list of Best Colleges.

California Lutheran University

A private learning institution that sits on 225-acres in Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran
University aims to guide its students in discovering their passion and purpose. Founded in 1959,
the school is home to students who come from all 39 states. While the name clearly states that
it is connected to the Lutheran Church, the school also accepts students from different faiths
and cultures. The California Lutheran University has strong and well-established programs
geared towards creative and performing arts, education, humanities, management, natural
sciences and social sciences. Students have 37 undergraduate majors to choose from, plus a
number of doctoral programs. The university has been growing steadily and now boasts of
having the Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center and the Swenson Center for the Social and
Behavioral Sciences.

Luther College

Luther College is a liberal arts college located in Decorah, Iowa. The school is connected with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or ELCA. Established in 1861, it’s one of the more
distinguished institutions in the Midwest and offers students a choice of 60 majors, minors and
special programs that culminates in a bachelor of arts degree. The college sits on 1,000-acres
of land near limestone cliffs and wooded hills, providing more than enough room for student
activities. Another 125 acres connected to the campus is dedicated to biological studies and
environmental research. Most of Luther’s students live on the campus so there’s a convivial
residential feel to it.

Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University is a distinguished intellectual community that was founded in 1890
and is situated in Parkland, Tacoma, Washington. This private university offers liberal arts
programs and is also renowned here and abroad for its international study programs. The
university is made up of the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Arts and Communication,
the School of Business, the School of Nursing and the School of Education and Movement
Studies. Its international study programs provide students with great internship options in
international companies where they learn under experts in their field. PLU’s challenging
academic programs are offset by a caring and supportive community of students and teachers.
Artsy students will enjoy the Seattle area’s art exhibits, cultural events, museums and theatre
performances. Pacific Lutheran is at number 12 in the list of Best Colleges (West).

Texas Lutheran University

Texas Lutheran University is a premier undergraduate school located in Seguin, Texas. It was
established in 1891 in Brenham and was initially an academy of the First German Evangelical
Lutheran Synod. It later adopted the name Texas Lutheran in the early 1930s when it moved
to Seguin. This private institution has a semester-based academic calendar and is the 3 rd Best
Regional College in the West. The university admittedly has a rigorous academic program which
is balanced by a caring community and an environment that pushes students to grow and
succeed. TLU offers about 40 different majors and boasts of a top-ranked accounting program as
well as a celebrated science program. The school’s academic excellence is seen by the student’s
high acceptance rate in medical schools and other doctoral programs. Texan Lutheran also has
an excellent reputation in its education, kinesiology, music, psychology and theology programs.

Grand Canyon University

This program prides itself of both classroom and real-world experience. Students must have access to a K-12 special education classroom in order to complete class projects. Formal classroom instruction is required in at least three of the five main disability categories, including emotional, learning, physical, intellectual or health impairment.

School Rankings
The school was ranked among the nation’s leading online special education masters programs by Fox.com, Fortune Small Business and Technology & Learning magazines, and the Online Education Database.

Tuition
Cost for their 34-credit master’s program is $495 per credit hour.

Unique Features
One course in the Master’s program is worth four credits allowing students to finish faster.

>>>Click HERE for more info on Grand Canyon University’s M.Ed. Special Education Programs<<<<

Liberty University

Liberty’s Md.E. Special Education program is designed for adults with no previous teaching experience. Participants study educational assessment and behavioral management, as well as strategies for building a collaborative, inclusive teaching environment.

School Rankings
Liberty has consistently made the list of the nation’s Top 10 Online Universities based on the Online Education Database.

Tuition
The school charges $505 for part-time students and $465 for full-time students per credit hour.

Unique Features
Liberty offers an accelerated eight-week online master in special education for online participants. Students can complete coursework at any time, with no required log-in times.

University of Texas Online Consortium

The 36-hour program was specifically created for adults already working as K-12 educators. Students have the flexibility to choose from six hours of elective courses, including education leadership, bilingual education or other specialties approved by the program coordinator.

School Rankings
BestMastersinEducation.com ranks the school No. 8 on its list of Top Online Master’s Degrees in Education. In addition, UT-Austin came in No. 45 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Colleges and The Center for World University Rankings placed UT at No. 30 on its list of the World’s Top 100 Universities.

Tuition
The school charges $810 for Texas residents and $1,750 for out-of-state students per course.

Unique Features
This school system offers an array of resources from various institutions in the University of Texas education system. Thus, students have the opportunity to combine benefits offered from different campus locations, while completing all their coursework through the distance learning program.

Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University’s online masters in special education is structured for teachers seeking to teach special education in Minnesota.

School Rankings
U.S. News & World Report ranked Bemidji in the upper tier of its America’s Best Colleges survey among master’s institutions in the Midwest. Additionally, the school’s online master’s programs in education were ranked 15th most affordable on GetEducated.com’s list of Best Online Colleges.

Tuition
Costs are $350.50 per credit hour.

Unique Features
Master’s programs are completed through discussion boards, video links, posted readings and live chats, although students are never required to be present at a certain time.

Capella University

Capella’s online program offers 10 to 12 week courses that engage students in an interactive experience via discussion groups, video instruction, and feedback from classmates and instructors.

School Rankings
The Online Education Database ranks Capella No. 30 on its list of Best Online College Rankings. The Global Language Monitor ranked them No. 3 in its list of Best Online Universities.

Tuition
Master’s programs cost $415 per credit hour.

Unique Features
Ninety-eight percent of former students at Capella say they are satisfied with their education.

Ashford University

This degree gives students a
Tuitionbroad knowledge of instructional methods, assessment and curriculum strategies, and the leadership skills to obtain senior level positions in the education field.

School Rankings
Thebestcolleges.org ranks Ashford No. 12 on its list of Top 21 Colleges and Universities for 2012.

Degrees cost $525 per credit hour.

Unique Features
Ashford offers a program they call Smart Track, which allows students to count up to nine of their undergraduate credits toward their graduate degree.

The first step in becoming a pastor is to be certain your desire is genuine. If you want an easy job with housing and car allowances, good pay and good hours, you probably do not really want to be a pastor. The pay, especially in small congregations, is sometimes less than adequate, and the nature of the job requires you to be on call at all times. A congregation often expects the pastor’s spouse to perform a multitude of duties that can include anything from typing the weekly bulletin to hosting special church events. If you have a spouse, it is essential that he or she be in agreement with your decision to be a pastor because spouses are definitely involved in their partners’ ministries.

Recommend Colleges & Degrees

Liberty University
Grand Canyon University
Azusa Pacific University

However, if you sincerely feel that God has called you to become a pastor, you will normally need additional training. Most churches require pastors to have a college education and attend a seminary. There is more than one way to become a pastor, and most of the differences depend on your church affiliation. If you are not comfortable with some of your denomination’s practices, investigate other denominations before beginning the training program recommended by your church. You can get general pastoral training and study God’s Word as you consider other churches and their beliefs.

After determining the denomination that has the religious doctrine and creed with which you want to be associated, study more about the particular beliefs of that church, and inquire about admission to its seminary. There are some online seminaries that can provide an excellent education if you prefer not to live on campus. Ask church leaders about the requirements, and after completing them, apply for ordination as a pastor. The Ordination Council will meet with you and ask appropriate questions to determine your suitability for the ministry. After their approval, the church leaders or members of the congregation will vote to ordain you, and you will become a pastor at your ordination service.

The synod or governing body of the church will have a list of churches that are seeking pastors. You will need to create a resume and send copies of it to those churches. If they are interested in learning more about you, they will usually ask you to answer some questions and supply additional information. They will ask you to preach at their church and answer questions from the congregation as well. If the church leaders and the congregation decide to hire you, they will offer you a contract for employment.

Although the difficulties of being a pastor are many, the rewards far outweigh them. When you can help people through the grief of losing loved ones or convince the partners in troubled marriages to remain together and work on their problems, you feel that your training was worthwhile. Participating in the joy of weddings and baptisms creates lasting memories. Watching church members grow in their faith and love for our Lord is especially meaningful, and when you can have a part in bringing an unbeliever to Christ, your rewards are incomparable.

For many graduates of Bible Colleges, and Christian Colleges they seek an online seminary degree to expand their career possibilities. We have partnered with two of the best Online Seminaries to help you choose the degree program that is right for you.

Liberty University Online
With the outstanding faculty at Liberty University, students receive a world class education. Liberty University has time and time again been rated one of the best schools in the country. Both among Christian Colleges and Secular Institutions. It has both on campus, and distance education options. It has a number of Online Seminary Programs including the following:

Online Seminary Degrees at Liberty University:

• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
• Master of Arts in Human Services – Christian Ministries
• Master of Arts in Religion – Chaplaincy
• Master of Arts in Religion – Pastoral Counseling
• Master of Arts in Religion – Pastoral Ministry
• Master of Arts in Religion – Worship Studies
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies
• Master of Arts in Worship Studies – Church Planting
• Master of Arts in Worship Studies – Leadership
• Master of Divinity – Chaplaincy – 72 hour
• Master of Divinity – Chaplaincy – 93 Hour
• Master of Divinity – Pastoral Ministries
• Master of Divinity – Professional Ministries
• Master of Divinity in Missional Studies
• Master of Divinity in Theological Studies
• Master of Religious Education
• Master of Theology (non-thesis)

Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University is a Christian-based learning institution. Grand Canyon is an accredited university with a strong reputation as a leader in distance education amongst Christian and Secular Institutions. It has one of the lowest student to teacher ratios in the country.

Online Seminary Degrees at Grand Canyon:

• M.A. in Christian Studies: Christian Leadership
• M.A. in Christian Studies: Pastoral Ministry
• M.A. in Christian Studies: Urban Ministry
• M.A. in Christian Studies: Youth Ministry

There are 3 books that every nurse should own. To inspire them to be all they can. To realize the importance of their daily work, their commitment to being the best nurse in the world. Sometimes it’s hard to be the best when you lack inspiration. And that’s the purpose for this short list of books. it help inspire you. To help you realize the importance of what you do, and who you are.

I chose these 3 books because they do just that. They inspire. And I truly believe when you inspire someone you awaken the greatness that is naturally inside them. Inside all of us.

Nurses deserve a certain amount of respect that they never get. The first two books are amazing because they document the everyday heroism that truly embodies all nurses, the last book is encouraging because it encourages nurses to realize their calling is not only secular but often divine in nature….

Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul

101 Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession These stories cannot help but touch the hearts and souls of all who read it, nurses or not. Nurses will recognize their own experiences somewhere in these stories, which affirm the personal nature of nursing and the importance of personal touch involved in the care of others. The authors have done nursing a wonderful service in bringing to light the touching, funny, heartfelt anecdotes shared by those at the bedside.

This book seriously will allow nurses to see themselves in these stories, and brings out the best in them.

Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul: Second Dose

If you didn’t think you got enough in edition one. The second dose of Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul warms you up even more.

Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul, a book which honestly depicts the many difficulties that come from being a nurse. Nursing in today’s hospitals can become routine, mundane, over-worked by the long, difficult hours and high census, with little rewards–except for the patients and their families, who require gentle, loving care in a time of greatest need. Who are there on the front line save for the doctors and nurses? Should care-givers temporarily forget why they went into the field, the sweet stories inside the covers will motivate them as to why they underwent the trials of nursing school. The patient experiences that nurses leave the hospital with are probably what keeps nurses returning for another and another shift, when they reach down inside of themselves to lift both patient and families with care and, at times, inspiration. This book, a shining tribute to nursing, contains remarkable accounts of nursing found in few places!

Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing

“Nursing keeps changing. The role of the nurse grew out of a Christian understanding of the human person as created in the image of God, and viewed the body as a living unity and the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19). Contemporary nursing, however, is increasingly characterized by a diminished understanding of personhood. The impact on patient care has proven confusing and discouraging to many nurses. In the newly revised and expanded Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing, Judith Allen Shelly and Arlene B. Miller define nursing for today based on a historically and theologically grounded understanding of the nurse’s call: Nursing is a ministry of compassionate care for the whole person, in response to God’s grace toward a sinful world, which aims to foster optimum health (shalom) and bring comfort in suffering and death for anyone in need. Called to Care asserts that nursing is a vocation, giving nurses a framework for understanding their mission and living out their calling: service to God through caring for others.”

This book opens your eyes and helps you truly realize your calling both as a Christian, and as a nurse.