Private university in Michigan, U.S.
Grace Christian University is a private evangelical Christian university in Wyoming, Michigan. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association for Biblical Higher Education to award associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees.[5] The university is affiliated with the Grace Gospel Fellowship.
History
Grace Christian University began in 1939 as an evening Bible institute, led by Charles F. Baker. It was an outgrowth of the late 19th-century Bible college movement. Initially, the main purpose of Grace was to train Sunday School teachers and church members of the Fundamental Bible Church, which was led by Pastor Charles F. Baker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [6]
In 1945, the program expanded to a day school called Milwaukee Bible Institute, which was founded by John C. O’Hair, a teacher of ultra-dispensationalism. In 1853, it was then renamed Milwaukee Bible College as curricular options were added. Charles Baker served as president at this time.
In 1961, the college moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Wyoming, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.[7] Its name was changed to Grace Bible College. Grace was granted authority from the State of Michigan to give Associate and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees, as well as a five-year degree for vocational ministers.
In 1967, Grace received accreditation from the Association of American Biblical Colleges, now called the Association of Biblical Higher Education.[8] Since then, the degree programs have expanded to include Associate of Arts degrees, Bachelor of Science degrees and Master of Arts degrees.
In 2010, Grace began offering online education, allowing students to continue with their education exclusively online.[9]
In 2017, the college’s name was officially changed from Grace Bible College to Grace Christian University by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Officially, the change took place on July 1, 2018.
Grace Christian University incorporates the study of the Bible as a core value in every degree program.[10]
Successive presidents of Grace have been Jack T. Dean, Samuel Vinton, Jr., Bruce Kemper, and Ken B. Kemper, who is the current president.
Academics
Today, the university has programs across numerous majors such as business, education, exercise science, history, human services, and others. Its most popular majors, by 2021 graduates, were:[11]
- Lay Ministry (28)
- Human Services (25)
- Psychology (12)
- Business/Commerce (11)
- Bible/Biblical Studies (10)
Grace Christian University offers a variety of degrees both on campus and online. Each degree at Grace integrates a biblical focus, with required Bible credits. Students have the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor, or master’s degrees.
On-campus undergraduate degrees:[12]
- AA Business
- BS Business
- BS Business Management
- BS Business Marketing
- BS Communication
- AA General Studies
- BS Interdisciplinary Studies
- BS Interdisciplinary Studies (+Dual Degree)
- BS Biblical Studies
- BS Leadership & Ministry
- BS Criminal Justice
- BS Human Services
- BS Psychology
- AA Social Science
Online undergraduate degrees:[13]
- AA Business
- BS Business
- BS Communication
- AA General Studies
- AA Leadership & Ministry
- BS Leadership & Ministry
- BS Criminal Justice
- BS Human Services
- BS Psychology
- AA Social Science
Online master’s degrees:[14]
- MA Higher Education Leadership
- MA Ministry
- MA Organizational Leadership
- MBA Business Administration
In 2018, the institution changed its name to Grace Christian University to reflect its broader educational mission.[15]
Campus Life
Housing
Grace Christian University offers dorm rooms, apartments, married housing, and townhomes. The men’s dorm, Preston Hall, houses 40 students with two students per room. Aletheia Hall is a similar dorm that houses 40 women. Grace is also home to eight, double-occupancy apartments, married housing apartments, as well as new townhomes that were built in 2022 and house more than 100 students.[16][17]
