Mission, Values, & Goals

Criswell College’s mission, values, and goals define why we are here, who we are, and where we are going. The College’s mission statement drives our institutional planning, affecting both curricular and co-curricular activities. It shapes everything from our financial goals and plans, to our hiring decisions and marketing strategies, and provides purpose and vision to our everyday tasks. Most importantly, however, it shapes the Criswell student experience, equipping all our students – whether their plans are to serve in traditional paid ministry, in some other career, or a combination of both – to influence the culture for Christ.

Mission

The mission of Criswell College 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.

Dallas, Texas Criswell students on campus walking down the front steps of the Wallace Library, a historic building erected in 1905.

Core Values

Certain values have been at the core of Criswell College throughout its history, driving not only what we do but why we do it. The emphases and applications have adapted as culture has changed, but they have always provided a baseline for the College’s mission.

Doctrinal Integrity

The Christian faith is defined by Scripture, so our commitment to doctrinal integrity is grounded in our affirmation of Scripture’s inerrancy. Every other doctrinal position as expressed in our Articles of Faith is rooted in this conviction.

Service Experience

Christianity entails emulating a Savior who descended to serve people—some who were already faithful, some who became disciples, and even those who were His enemies. We understand that service means seeing, respecting, and understanding the needs of people often overlooked, in addition to those we are already inclined to serve. We are committed to reaching others with the good news and love of Jesus Christ.

Academic Engagement

Christian education integrates challenging intellectual interaction with exposure to demonstrable expertise in an environment that is tailored to produce lifelong learners. We value the key ingredients of an exemplary academic environment, including faculty excellence, educational best practices, and a supportive network committed to student success.

Cultural Influence

Christians are called to testify to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and embody the reality and goodness of the Kingdom of God. Our hope for the transformation of the world ultimately depends on the return of Christ, and we are committed to testifying to that hope by engaging culture rather than running from or warring against it. We value Christian leadership that shapes the ideas and ideals of society through engagement both in and beyond the church.

Goals

Criswell College’s institutional goals represent its fundamental ambitions and are the basis of departmental planning and operation. All departments establish outcomes that contribute to the fulfillment of each institutional goal.

Goal 1: Cultivate a campus community that fosters transformation by supporting diversity, building strong relationships, and encouraging personal and professional growth

  • Improve the College’s integration into and support of its internal and external communities
  • Work to increase diversity across the institution while creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all
  • Build a stronger sense of belonging for alumni and deepen the College’s connection with them
  • Encourage staff and faculty toward greater opportunities and resources for personal and professional development

Goal 2: Optimize the use of College resources and pursue opportunities for growth and innovation

  • Create and begin implementing a campus master plan
  • Explore new academic content and programs, developing various options for enrollment and delivery
  • Prepare for the impact of anticipated bequests on the institution’s operations and service to students
  • Improve and expand relationships with foundations, organizations, and institutions that can help the College with resources and connections

Goal 3: Strengthen institutional identity and the integration of campus operations

  • Foster data awareness and develop processes that inform decision-making
  • Enhance the College’s identity utilizing the Criswell 360° to shape the institution’s communications
  • Assess and improve the Criswell 360°
  • Create institutional onboarding and develop practices to improve and maintain collaborative inter-divisional work

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NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Criswell College admits students who are Christians of good character, without regard or reference to race, national or ethnic origin, color, age, disability, or sex (except where regard to sex is required by the College’s religious tenets regarding gender and sexuality) to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of these classifications in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.