Type Private President Dr. Barry K. Creamer Acceptance rate 100% (2014) Phone +1 214-821-5433 Founded 1970 | Established 1970 Location Dallas, Texas, USA Undergraduate tuition and fees 7,870 USD (2015) Founder W. A. Criswell Graduation rate 26.3% (2014) | |
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Former names Criswell Bible Institute; Criswell Center for Biblical Studies Affiliation Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Address 4010 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246, USA Notable alumni Daniel L Akin, K P Yohannan, June Hunt Similar Wade College, Texas A&M University College o, El Centro College, Dallas Christian College, Argosy University‑Dallas Profiles | ||
Criswell College is a Christian liberal arts college and divinity school in Old East Dallas, Texas. Criswell College's stated mission is to provide ministerial and professional higher education for men and women preparing to serve as Christian leaders throughout society, while maintaining an institutional commitment to biblical inerrancy.
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History
Classes began on January 12, 1971, after being founded in 1970 as the Criswell Bible Institute. The school would later be known as the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies before assuming its current name in 1985. The college is named after its founder, W. A. Criswell, long-time dispensationalist pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas. Dr. James Bryant was the founding Dean.
Texas oilman, conservative activist, and First Baptist Church of Dallas member H.L. Hunt provided much of the financial support establishing Criswell College.
The college has been affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention since 2001. The college offers Diplomas, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees.
Presidents
Past presidents include Criswell, H. Leo Eddleman, Paige Patterson, Richard Melick, C. Richard Wells, and Jerry A. Johnson. Barry Creamer is the seventh and current president.
Curriculum
In 2013, the Board of Trustees approved plans for an expansion of the undergraduate curriculum and relocation. The expanded curriculum now includes undergraduate majors such as Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE), Education, and Psychology.
Accreditation
In 1985, Criswell was first accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The school is fully accredited through SACSCOC with a renewal date of 2020.
Controversies
Former president Jerry Johnson resigned from the school in 2008 citing "philosophical differences with the chancellor and trustee leadership about the future of Criswell College." In a related development in 2010, the school officially separated from First Baptist Church of Dallas. Johnson returned as president later that year before leaving in 2013 to become President and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).