For Christian undergraduates and professionals thinking about an advanced degree, today's Christian colleges and universities have a lot to offer: varied and growing programs, accessibility, and curricula firmly rooted in nurturing faithful, thoughtful Christian disciples.

"One of our major thrusts is the integration of faith, learning and practice," says James O. Fuller, dean of the College of Graduate Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University. Some courses are fully dedicated to this goal; others integrate faith and biblical understanding into course objectives. In addition, Fuller says, "Through the work of chaplains and other university personnel, students hear a clear message of how God can be involved in their everyday lives."

These days, students at Christian colleges and universities are earning graduate degrees in fields as diverse as business and management, psychology and counseling, education, nursing, technology, music, intercultural studies, government, and law, all with a sense of Christian vocation as a necessary starting point.

"Since leadership is wrought with issues involving more than superficial learned responses, it is critical that one prepare in an environment where moral, ethical, intrapersonal, interpersonal and even eternal ramifications are considered," says Sam Hemby, director of the master of arts in ministerial leadership at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

These qualities carry over into Southeastern's other graduate programs. "The MBA has generated a lot of interest, since students now feel that they can continue their business education in a comprehensive Christian environment," says Margaret Britt, MBA program coordinator and associate professor of management. "This enables them to see the impact of Christianity in a secular vocation."

At Wheaton College Graduate School, near Chicago, one of the most sought-after graduate programs is in clinical psychology. Established in 1977 as a concentration within the counseling program, clinical psychology has blossomed into a competitive program offering masters and doctoral degrees. The program aspires "to train students to become highly competent mental health professionals with a responsibly eclectic clinical perspective for work with individuals, couples, families, and groups," says Julie Ann Huebner, director of graduate admissions. "As part of this training, faculty instill a vision for creative ministry informed by Christian tradition and by professional theory and research, and carried to the widest possible community throughout the world."

Christian institutions offer quality programs in the arts as well. According to its website, the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College in New York "seeks to prepare the finest 'Christian- Scholar-Musicians' for careers of service in music." With graduate programs launched in 2004, Greatbatch prepares students for careers as professional performers and teachers, and for doctoral studies in music. The program strives to nurture the faith commitment of students along with their musical gifts, and seeks students who are interested in "exploring the nexus of faith walk and musical endeavor," says Ben R. King, professor of voice, director and associate dean. "We're looking for people who want to make a practical difference for the good in a fallen creation."

Christian colleges and universities offer today's students a lot of options to make graduate education as accessible as possible. At Regent University, with campuses in Virginia Beach and Alexandria, Virginia, eight schools—business, communication and the arts, divinity, education, government, law, leadership studies, and psychology and counseling—offer 25 graduate degrees. "Regent has gained the attention of Christian scholars, political figures and even international heads of state because of the unique nature of the Christian academic environment," according to Regent's marketing department. "By equipping students to work with excellence, innovation and integrity, Regent is preparing effective, principled Christian leaders who are making a positive impact on our world."

At Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota (near Minneapolis), graduate programs focus on several facets of Christian leadership: organizational, educational, ministry, and intercultural. Leading a modern organization "takes a lot of skill, energy and passion," says Scott Moats, vice president for academic affairs. "A program like organizational leadership gives our students the background to run complex enterprises with kingdom impact."

Like Crown and Regent, many colleges and universities offer graduate programs at multiple sites and online. Indiana Wesleyan, for example, offers degrees at seven locations in Indiana, as well as locations in Ohio and Kentucky. "We are entrepreneurial in our approach to offering graduate education," Fuller says.

Students can also pursue graduate degrees from Christian universities dedicated solely to distance education. At Harrison Middleton University, based in Tempe, Arizona, graduate degrees are offered in imaginative literature, natural science, philosophy and religion, social science, jurisprudence, and education. "At the heart of our curriculum is discussion," says Kathleen Mirabile, Harrison Middleton's vice president. "Students have a series of in-depth discussions, one-to-one with a faculty member on the readings they choose to explore. In addition, students work closely with their instructional team to design the courses for their degree program, choosing the authors and ideas they are interested in pursuing. This allows for a tailor-made program."

With quality programs at hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States, undergraduates and working professionals face myriad choices with regard to graduate school. There are compelling reasons, however, to choose a Christian college or university, beginning with the fact that, for Christians, career decisions are usually inseparable from a sense of vocation.

"Most music study in the U.S. is deliberately value-neutral, except that the making of music is implicitly or—often— explicitly, held to be an Ultimate Good," King says. "At Houghton, we overtly consider how a life in music should fit into one's Christian walk." To that end, all of the graduate curricula in music centers on a two-semester seminar called "Music in Christian Perspective." Bringing together faculty in philosophy, theology, visual arts and religion, the seminar encourages students to "engage and grapple with a host of ideas and concepts toward a common goal: an in-depth examination of musical activity in light of the call of Christ."

In 2007, Southeastern University will meet a similar need with the addition of graduate programs in elementary education and educational leadership. "I think that many believers are searching for a way to integrate their faith into public schools that have become increasingly antagonistic to traditional Judeo-Christian values. Many prospective students want to surround themselves with other believers as they study and grow," says Patty LeBlanc, education professor. "I think it must be a blessing to come to a graduate course in the evening after a hard day of teaching and open the class with prayer for the teachers, students, and administration. The Christian focus at SEU surely lends perspective to the work of the teacher."

In the business arena, the need for Christian ethics in leadership is just as pressing. "With the recent corporate scandals, people are searching for answers. Why did this happen? What is the impact of ethics upon the vocation of business? Only in a Christian environment can these questions be dealt with in a comprehensive manner," says Southeastern's Britt. "Our MBA curriculum integrates Christian morality and ethics throughout the program. The use of Scripture in class emphasizes the importance of Christian concepts and the businessperson's responsibilities in a secular society."

Huebner of Wheaton College says, "As I meet with prospective students and read applications, one of the strongest reasons for interest in the clinical psychology degree is the department's mission statement." That statement highlights commitments to providing an education that is grounded in the Christian faith, produces highly competent, service-oriented "practitioner-scholars," and emphasizes "a balanced approach to spiritual, personal, professional, and interpersonal growth and development." In addition, she says, "Many are attracted to the idea of using psychology to serve the marginalized and wounded in a holistic type of work or ministry."

Regardless of the discipline or degree, Huebner is convinced that when students choose to study at a Christian college or university, their careers will benefit. "By doing graduate work at a Christian institution," she says, "I believe students are challenged to see that they can serve Christ and his kingdom throughout the world no matter what profession or career track they pursue."

Kathy Furlong is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia.

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