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MBTS’ Spurgeon College to offer communications degree
MBTS and Baptist Press Staff
December 06, 2018
3 MIN READ TIME

MBTS’ Spurgeon College to offer communications degree

MBTS’ Spurgeon College to offer communications degree
MBTS and Baptist Press Staff
December 06, 2018

A new degree program in communications has been introduced at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s (MBTS) undergraduate school, Spurgeon College.

The bachelor of arts in communications, is “specifically designed to equip students to expand the footprint of Christ’s Kingdom no matter what industry, vocation or geographical location they find themselves in,” the seminary stated in a news release.

The 120-credit hour program includes ministry core courses such as biblical studies and Christian ministry intertwined with training in journalism, public relations, rhetoric, visual communications and other communications-related vocations.

“When we speak of Spurgeon College existing ‘For the Kingdom,’ offering a bachelor’s degree in communications is one of the ways we can fulfill that mission,” MBTS President Jason Allen said. “In a world filled with questions surrounding the credibility and truthfulness in many areas of communications, most notably journalism, this degree track will instill training and application from a Christian worldview for our students that will be rich in credibility, ethics and accuracy.

“Through these studies, students can take the skills they’ve learned and apply them in bivocational ministry from most anywhere in the world. This enables us to fulfill the Acts 1:8 mandate of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.”

The degree is fully accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and students can earn their degree at Spurgeon College’s Kansas City campus, completely online or through a combination of online and on-campus classes.

Spurgeon College dean Sam Bierig noted that just as Charles H. Spurgeon helped found more than 60 ministries that had great social and cultural impact, so also Midwestern wants to train students who will be engagers of the public sphere.

“Spurgeon College is preparing students for a lifetime of Christian service inside and outside of traditional ministry roles,” Bierig said. “The B.A. in communications is just one more avenue open for students to be trained for broader Christian service in the marketplace and public sphere. It is our great hope that the Lord would use our B.A. in communications graduates to advance Christ-glorifying journalism and media content throughout various industries stateside and abroad.”

One other benefit to students in the communications program will be a full semester of applying the skills they’ve learned through an intensive practicum course.

“What can be more beneficial than practical, hands on experience?” Bierig asked. “Through the practicum, students will be paired up with departments on campus and in other locations to hone the skills they’ve worked hard to learn throughout their coursework.

“Employers are constantly requiring experience from applicants. By writing journalistic stories and press releases, coordinating public relations events, engaging in public speaking opportunities and producing graphic design portfolios, students can enter the workforce with confidence and proficiency in these skills.”

Courses toward the new degree will be offered beginning in fall 2019, with core classes being developed and added into the course rotation incrementally over the next three years until the program is completely populated.

To learn more about the bachelor of arts in communications, visit spurgeoncollege.com/bacomm.