Academic Catalogs
Graduate Catalog: |
2005 - 2006 General Information
Statement of Purpose
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a Bible-based institution for theological and professional studies. It is rooted in the great commission of Jesus to "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" and to "make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Mark 16:15a; Matthew 28:19, 20), which is the primary emphasis of Southwestern's parent body, the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
The purpose of Southwestern Assemblies of God University is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students spiritually, academically, professionally, and cross culturally so as to successfully fill evangelistic, missionary and church ministry roles and to provide quality educational and professional Christian service wherever needed throughout the world.
Objectives
Upon graduation students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate spiritual maturity with a priority of using their preparation at Southwestern as a foundation for further spiritual development and experiences.
2. Demonstrate competence in the area of academia. Therefore, all of Southwestern's resources, both physically and financially, are designated toward providing the students with educational studies on the undergraduate and graduate levels that will appropriately qualify them for their selected vocations.
3. Matriculate into Christian service both nationally and internationally in ministerial and professional roles.
4. Adjust politically, culturally, and spiritually to a global society by means of courses related to cross-cultural diversity, contemporary world issues, workshops, and other events supporting societal awareness and application.
Doctrinal Statement
Southwestern embraces and supports the doctrinal teaching of the General Council of the Assemblies of God as set forth in Article V, Statement of Fundamental Truths, of its Constitution. The following statements summarize these doctrines.
We Believe
.....the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word
of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
.....there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God
the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mattthew 28:19).
.....in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life,
in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resur-
rection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal
future return to this earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years
(John 1:1).
.....in the blessed hope -- the rapture of the Church at Christ's coming (Titus
2:13).
.....the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith
in the precious blood of Christ (John 14:6).
.....regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salva-
tion (Titus 3:5).
.....in water baptism by immersion (Matthew 28:19).
.....the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human
body in answer to believing prayer (I Peter 2:24).
.....the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers
who ask for it.
.....in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Chris-
tian is enabled to live a holy life (Galatians 5:16-25).
.....in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting
life and the other to everlasting damnation (Revelation 20:11-15).
Personal Standards
Southwestern Assemblies of God University emphasizes and adheres to standards of living and conduct that are becoming to an evangelical Christian. These standards include modesty in dress and appearance, high standards in moral conduct and conversation, and a deep devotion to Jesus Christ and His Church. It follows that a commitment to personal development and the pursuit of academic excellence should be the goal of everyone involved in the academe.
The Student Handbook elaborates on expectations for student conduct. The Student Conduct Committee is charged with the responsibility of assuring that students comply with the rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook. The committee may require a student who takes exception to the aims and ideals of the University to withdraw.
History
Three Bible schools joined together to form Southwestern Bible Institute. The first, known as Southwestern Bible School, was established at Enid, Oklahoma, in 1927 under the leadership of the Reverend P. C. Nelson. The second, Shield of Faith Bible School, was founded in Amarillo, Texas, in 1931 under the direction of the Reverend Guy Shields. It included not only a Bible school, but also a grade school and high school. The third, which was operated as Southern Bible College in connection with the Richey Evangelistic Temple, began at Goose Creek, Texas, in 1931. It was started by Reverend J. T. Little in Trinity Tabernacle and later moved to Houston in 1933.
The Bible School Division of Shield of Faith was moved to Fort Worth in 1935. The High School Division was transferred the following year. In 1940, a merger resulted in Southern Bible College moving to Fort Worth. The combined school, operating as South Central Bible Institute, came under the ownership and direction of the Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God.
The school in Enid merged with South Central in 1941, at which time the name was changed to Southwestern Bible Institute. In 1943, the institute was moved to its present facilities in Waxahachie, Texas.
During the 1944-45 term, a junior college curriculum was added to the school's program. The Junior College Division soon accounted for about half of the enrollment in the College. Southwestern Bible Institute became a regional school in 1954. At that time, seven districts of the Assemblies of God--Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Texas, Oklahoma, South Texas and West Texas-owned and operated the school. The Mississippi District was added to the region in 1979.
The proposal to change the name of Southwestern was ratified by all seven districts, and the name became Southwestern Assemblies of God College. In 1963, the upper two years of the College were renamed Southwestern College of the Bible. In 1968, the separation of the divisions of the College was made more complete, and the Junior College was designated Southwestern Junior College of the Assemblies of God. In 1984 the School of Distance Education was established. In 1987 the Junior College and Bible College divisions were reunited. In December 1994, the Board of Regents unanimously approved the name change to Southwestern Assemblies of God University. In the same meeting the Board authorized the development of the School of Graduate Studies providing masters degree programs.
The vision for a higher level of education was born under the administration of former President Dr. Delmer Guynes. In the summer of 1996, Southwestern Assemblies of God University started a Graduate School. Dr. H. Glynn Hall was appointed as the first Dean of Graduate Studies at SAGU. With conditional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and two masters degrees available - Practical Theology and Education, the graduate school offered its first course of study in the fall of 1996. The masters in Counseling Psychology and Graduate Distance Education courses were still in development when the first 23 students registered that fall.
Within a year, the graduate school was named Thomas F. Harrison School of Graduate Studies (HSGS), as the beneficiary of the estate of the late Dr.'s Thomas F. and Louise K. Harrison. Within two years, the Thomas F. Harrison School of Graduate Studies received full accreditation from SACS. By the year 2000, HSGS reached an enrollment of 114. The foundation established under the leadership of Dr. Hall gave way to the continuity of the growth rate of HSGS, as well as the expansion of academic programs.
In the year 2000, Dr. Hall relinquished his position as Dean of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Robert N. Harden was appointed. Even upon his resignation, Dr. Hall continued to carry a vision of growth for the graduate school, which he left in the hands of a new leader. That vision included the addition of diverse programs of study, doctoral degree programs, higher enrollment, and physical plant development. HSGS now offers masters degrees via evening and weekend on-campus and Distance Education courses offering with various tracks of specialized study in Bible & Theology, Counseling Psychology, and Education.
Campus and Facilities
Southwestern is located in the heart of the rich blacklands of North Texas in Waxahachie, the county seat of Ellis County (population circa 20,000). This unique city provides an excellent setting for a university outside of the big-city congestion, yet it affords the benefits of the Greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The university occupies 70 acres providing ample area for its present facilities and future growth.
Administration Building
The Blake L. Farmer Administration Building is a four-story structure of early twentieth century architecture. It houses administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, conference rooms, and the SAGU Media Center.
Barnes Student Center
The James L. Barnes Student Center serves as a central social gathering place for students. The facility is home for the administrative offices of Student Services, Career Services, the Student Congress, and Career Services. It also includes a game room, snack bar, lounge and study areas, and student mail boxes.
Claxton Athletic Center
The physical education program utilizes the Virgil Claxton Athletic Center as well as the football, soccer, and softball fields for sports activities. Tennis courts and outdoor sand volleyball pits are also available for athletic activities.
Davis Building
The F. D. Davis building is open during regular business hours. It houses offices for the Dean of Students, Financial Aid, Health, Computer Services, Student Activities Director, Student Housing and the Student Counseling Center. It also contains a residence hall for men.
Ellis Learning Resource Center
The Pearl Ellis Learning Resource Center is a two-story structure that includes multiple classrooms, faculty offices, and the Education Department.
Foster Music Center
The 14,000 square foot E. R. Foster Music Center is a new complex on the SAGU campus containing classrooms, band hall, piano lab, music library, practice rooms, and faculty offices. Sound-proof construction, internet, and audio-visual services make this an outstanding learning environment.
Harrison School of Graduate Studies
The Thomas F. Harrison School of Graduate Studies is centrally located on the SAGU campus. It houses offices for the Dean and graduate faculty, as well as classrooms and a lounge.
Information and Security Center
Campus Security is available 24 hours a day and can be reached by dialing extension 5400 from any on-campus telephone. For on-campus emergencies dial 5555. From off-campus phones contact Campus Security by dialing 972.923.5400. The Information and Security Center (ISC) is located on the north side of the East University Dr. entrance. This is where ID cards and vehicle registration concerns are administered. For other available services, contact the dispatch office at 5400.
Nelson Memorial Library
The P.C. Nelson Memorial Library houses a collection of approximately 107,000 volumes. The Library is a member of the international Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) as well as other consortia. The facility is divided into various sections: computer center (equipped for student research), electronic research computers for on-line databases, audio-visual study area, reserve shelves, leisure reading and current periodical area, periodical room, circulation area, bibliographic section, micrographic area, indexes and bound periodical area, archive section, classrooms, and offices.
Sheaffer Full Life Center
The Sheaffer Full Life Center is a 111,000 square foot facility which serves as a center for everyday student activities and special events. It houses a chapel with a 2,500 seat capacity, a 1,000 seat dining commons and food court serving students and guests daily during the academic year, an athletic center with two regulation basketball courts, racquetball courts, weights and training rooms, locker rooms and spectator seating for sporting events. Additionally, the Full Life Center houses classrooms, faculty offices, and the offices for Admissions, Student Ministries and the University Chaplain. The second floor also houses the Hugh Jeter World Prayer Center.
University Housing
Southwestern is a residential university. However, graduate students are not required to live on-campus. Affordable facilities are available on campus for graduate students on a first come basis. Contact the business office for information.