In partnership with the Church, the purpose of William Jessup University is to prepare Christians for leadership and service in church and society, through Christian higher education, spiritual formation, and directed experiences. Since 1939, we have consistently adjusted to meet the current needs of a society in dramatic change. At William Jessup University, you will find a healthy balance between serious study, recreation, ministry, fellowship, and spiritual development. You will be prepared to live...to serve...to lead.
Educational Philosophy
William Jessup University fulfills its mission with an emphasis on education that prepares Christians for leadership and service in the church and society, the one institution commissioned by God to fulfill His plan in the world. Such an emphasis mandates a curriculum which prepares persons who are thoughtful, compassionate, culturally sensitive, and capable of integrating personal faith and vocation in all avenues of society.
Educational Goal
The primary goal of education at William Jessup University is the integration of faith and learning. In pursuing this goal, we accept the unity of all knowledge under God and perceive no contradiction between the truth of the Christian revelation and that of scholarly investigation. WJU offers both general education courses that provide the broad scope of human knowledge and a biblical studies core that establishes a perspective which gives coherence and purpose to that knowledge.
Educational Objectives
The integration of faith and learning is facilitated by a curriculum and learning environment which:
- offers an appropriate balance between courses in Bible and theology, practical ministry, and general education, and erase any artificial barriers between these areas of study;
- encourages a well-conceived system of values and beliefs;
- celebrates and honor all cultural groups;
- personalizes the educational process by emphasizing the priority of relationship-building throughout the University experience.
Student Learning Outcomes
William Jessup University desires that its students will exemplify servant leadership in church and society through the integration of faith, learning, and critical thought in the arenas of Christian literacy, spiritual formation, communication, systematic inquiry, sociocultural perspective, aesthetic responsiveness, and ethical leadership.
WJU graduates will:
- Exemplify Christian literacy through applied biblical knowledge, a theological foundation, and a Christian worldview.
- Describe the nature and mission of Jesus and his church as revealed in the Scriptures
- Explain the contribution of the Bible to an understanding of God, themselves, and the world.
- Demonstrate the use of hermeneutical principles to develop an interpretation and application of a biblical text to oneself and the church.
- Engage in a life of Christian discipleship that integrates faith, character, and service.
- Utilize Christian teaching for personal growth, witness, and service in the world
- Develop skills and habits of spiritual formation
- Implement a personal and social ethic that results in informed participation in multiple levels of community
- Actively serve the Kingdom of God
- Demonstrate competence and effectiveness in written expression, oral communication, and multimedia literacy.
- Express ideas and facts to others effectively in a variety of written formats
- Express ideas and facts effectively in one-on-one and group settings
- Utilize information resources and technology as communication tools
- Utilize systematic inquiry in the critical analysis of data and argument.
- Employ the scientific method as a problem solving technique
- Identify and evaluate sources and information critically
- Synthesize information in order to arrive at reasoned conclusions
- Achieve an informed sensitivity to the variety of human experience through the study of human culture, society, history and behavior.
- Articulate values and cultural perspectives other than their own
- Interpret the influence of past eras on contemporary beliefs and practices
- Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes
- Demonstrate respectful relationships with persons from diverse backgrounds
- Demonstrate an appreciation with discernment of various forms of artistic expression.
- Critically analyze various examples of artistic expression
- Synthesize ideas or elements to engage in original creative expression
- Demonstrate ethical and professional competence in their chosen disciplines.
- Identify and develop skills and experiences relevant to achieving selected career goals
- Integrate content knowledge and experience
- Demonstrate discernment of the ethical consequences of decisions and actions
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and personal flexibility to sustain personal and professional development