Beginning this fall, students in Howard Payne University’s School of Christian Studies will have the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in as few as five years.

Through the Accelerated Program in Christian Studies, a student will complete 75 hours toward an undergraduate degree, choosing from any of the Christian studies majors – Bible, biblical languages, Christian education, cross-cultural studies, practical theology and youth ministry.

If the student maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0, he or she may then apply for admission to the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry program or the Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry program. Upon acceptance, the student will complete 12 hours of graduate coursework, which counts toward the undergraduate degree requirements as well as toward a 42-hour graduate degree.

“The Accelerated Program in Christian Studies provides a tremendous opportunity for our undergraduate students, and we are thrilled that so many of them are expressing interest,” said Dr. Gary Gramling, director of the programs and professor of Christian studies.  “We feel that this program will help us accomplish our mission of preparing students for the ministries to which God has called them.”