The James & Rosa McKissic School of Christian Studies is a division of Arkansas Baptist College (ABC), a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Founded on a legacy of Baptist faith and academic excellence, the McKissic School is building the region's most accessible, fully online Christian Studies certificate program — designed from the ground up for working church leaders.
The NBC's Certificate of Progress Program has trained church leaders since 1937 across four structured phases. Every phase of the COPP curriculum finds a direct academic counterpart in McKissic's certificate framework — this is not coincidence. We are rooted in the same tradition, serving the same people.
| COPP Phase | COPP Focus | McKissic Certificate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Biblical Foundations — Introduction to Bible, OT/NT Survey, Spiritual Formation | Certificate in Biblical Foundations | ✓ In Development |
| Phase 2 | Historical — Baptist History, NBC History, Early Church Theology | Certificate in Baptist Heritage & Polity | 2026–27 |
| Phase 3 | Nurturing — Educational methodology, teaching, leadership | Certificate in Christian Education & Teaching | 2026–27 |
| Phase 4 | Spiritual Growth — Theology, evangelism, practical ministry | Certificate in Ministry Leadership | ✓ In Development |
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the McKissic School of Christian Studies and the Sunday School Publishing Board / NBC Congress of Christian Education, recognizing the McKissic School as an academic partner institution for NBC church leaders.
A formal credit-mapping document that defines how COPP phase completions are recognized within McKissic's certificate framework, and how McKissic certificates satisfy COPP exemption requirements. Developed jointly with NBC Christian Education leadership.
NBC and COPP coordinators promote the McKissic School's fully online certificate program to local church Christian Education directors, Congress participants, and COPP enrollees as the recommended academic partner for college credit.
NBC Christian Education leadership is invited to serve in an advisory capacity on the McKissic School's certificate curriculum development — ensuring our content reflects NBC's training culture and community standards.
We are not asking for a commitment today. We are asking for the opportunity to bring this proposal before NBC Christian Education leadership and the Sunday School Publishing Board in a formal follow-up meeting — with the McKissic School's Dean, Dr. Phillip L. Pointer, and ABC administration represented.
We are specifically requesting:
Arkansas Baptist College holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — the same regional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for institutions across the North Central region. The McKissic School is concurrently pursuing programmatic affiliation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), one of only four nationally recognized faith-based accrediting agencies in the country. ABHE explicitly accredits certificates and programs in biblical, theological, and ministerial education delivered via distance learning. When this partnership is formalized, NBC church leaders pursuing McKissic certificates will hold credentials backed by both HLC institutional accreditation and ABHE programmatic recognition — the most credible combination available in biblical higher education.