New program will prepare students for ministry, seminary, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, social justice, education, and community service
HOLLY SPRINGS, MS – Rust College is pleased to announce the development of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, a four-year academic program designed to prepare students for lives of faith, scholarship, service, and leadership.
Rooted in Rust College’s historic mission and United Methodist heritage, the Bachelor of Arts in Religion will provide students with a strong foundation in biblical studies, world religions, theology, ethics, philosophy, African American religious history, social justice, pastoral care, preaching, church leadership, and religious research.
Founded in 1866, Rust College has long maintained a deep commitment to faith, character formation, and service. As Mississippi’s oldest historically Black college, Rust is uniquely positioned to offer a religion program that honors the College’s heritage while preparing students to address the needs of churches, communities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and service-based professions.
“The Bachelor of Arts in Religion reflects Rust College’s commitment to preparing students not only for careers, but for lives of purpose, leadership, and service,” said Dr. Johnny M. Moore, President of Rust College. “This program will build upon Rust’s historic foundation while equipping students to engage faith, culture, justice, and community with knowledge, compassion, and critical thought.”
The program is designed as a 124-credit-hour Bachelor of Arts degree housed in the Division of Humanities. Students will complete general education courses, religion major core courses, upper-division religion electives, and a senior capstone experience. The capstone will allow students to complete either a senior thesis or a ministry/community project that demonstrates research, leadership, and applied learning.
The curriculum places special emphasis on the African American religious experience, the role of the Black Church in America, interfaith dialogue, theological and ethical reasoning, and the connection between religion and contemporary social issues.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to pursue seminary and graduate study in theology, divinity, religious studies, or related fields. The degree also supports career pathways in ordained ministry, chaplaincy, faith-based nonprofit leadership, religious education, journalism and communications, law school, social work, advocacy, and community leadership.
Program courses will include Introduction to Religious Studies, Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Survey, New Testament Survey, Introduction to World Religions, The Black Church in America: History and Theology, African Religious Traditions, Religion, Race, and Social Justice in America, Introduction to Christian Theology, Ethics and Moral Theology, Research Methods in Religious Studies, and Sociology of Religion.
Students will also have the opportunity to select upper-division electives aligned with their interests, including United Methodist History and Doctrine, Liberation Theology, Women and Religion, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Preaching and Homiletics, Church Administration and Leadership, Religion and Health/Chaplaincy Foundations, Religion and Politics, and Religion Internship.
The Bachelor of Arts in Religion will further strengthen Rust College’s mission to remove financial barriers and provide access to a life-changing education. Through this program, Rust College seeks to prepare students who will lead with faith, think critically, serve ethically, and make meaningful contributions to communities locally, nationally, and globally.
Students interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Arts in Religion at Rust College may visit www.rustcollege.edu or contact the Office of Admissions
For media inquiries, contact the Office of Public Relations and Marketing, Rust College, mlesueur@rustcollege.edu or 662-544-0950.
