Highlands College
America’s Ministry Leadership University
Our Vision
To educate, equip, and empower leaders in a ministry academy model, applying leading-edge methods in world-class facilities where students launch into their calling to expand the Kingdom of God.
Our Mission
Highlands College is a biblical higher education institution that exists to supply the Church with leaders of competence, character, and spiritual maturity, holistically trained to lead lives of eternal impact by fulfilling the Great Commission.
The History of Highlands College
2011
Highlands College is established. Classes are first held in the extra space available at the Grants Mill campus of Church of the Highlands.
2013
Highlands College relocates to the Greystone campus of Church of the Highlands.
2015
Church of the Highlands Trustees see the opportunity to turn an available commercial property on Highway 280 in Birmingham into a permanent campus for Highlands College.
2016
Church of the Highlands acquires the Grandview building for a new campus, central offices, and the future home of Highlands College.
2018
The College, having outgrown the Greystone campus, begins teaching some classes in available space in the Grandview building prior to renovation.
2020
Construction begins to convert this former office building into an innovative facility designed to train 1,000 students at a time to lead in ministry.
2022
The new 70-acre campus of Highlands College welcomes students into an environment as innovative as their education with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
2023
January: Highlands College opens its first on-campus student housing—the Residence Hall.
February: The Association for Biblical Higher Education grants Highlands College initial accreditation.
March: The State of Alabama authorizes Highlands College to award bachelor’s degrees in Technical Arts, Visual Arts, Worship Ministry, Family Ministry, Global Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, and Student Ministry.
Fall: Highlands College welcomes the first freshmen class and launches its seven bachelor’s degree programs.
Today
Highlands College continues to train ministry leaders. Over 1,300 students trained by Highlands College have been launched into 370 churches and ministries across 36 states, the District of Columbia, 1 US territory, and 22 countries.
Student Learning Objectives & Institutional Objectives
Student Learning Objectives
Graduates are known for their commitment to:
The Authority of Scripture, as evidenced by the knowledge, interpretation, and integration of the Scripture, and the possession of a biblical worldview.
The Pursuit of a Christ-Centered Life, as evidenced by a personal devotional life with God, godly character, a healthy, active lifestyle, and an investment in life-giving relationships.
The Passion for Lifelong Learning, as evidenced by the intentional pursuit of truth and creative problem solving.
The Calling of Ministry Leadership, as evidenced by the discovery of and devotion to personal calling and the development of leadership and vocational skills.
The Advancement of the Kingdom, as evidenced by service to the local and the global church, stewardship of time and resources, and commitment to finishing well.
Institutional Objectives
Highlands College will:
Deliver a premier biblical higher education.
Provide excellent educational resources.
Promote a life-giving environment based on biblical values.
Champion a ministry leadership culture.
Prepare students academically and experientially to live out their calling.
Cultivate holistically healthy leaders.
Steward finances to empower graduates for their future.
Launch leaders who are committed to the mission of the Church.
2024 – 2025 Annualized Enrollment
401 Undergraduate Students Attended Highlands College.
401
Students Enrolled
36
States Represented
63%
Out-of-State Students
6:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
*Non-TA Faculty
54%
Female Student Body
46%
Male Student Body
676 Students Attended Highlands College Leadership Institute.
676
Students Enrolled
9
States Represented
91%
In State Students
9%
Out-of-State Students
1
HCLI Church
18
HCLI Churches Students
1,077 total students attended Highlands College and Highlands College Leadership Institute.
Institutional Success
77%
Graduation Rate
Members of the Fall 2022 cohort successfully earned their HC Associate of Arts degree or continued their studies in the HC Bachelor’s Degree program.
94%
Recent Graduates Employed in Ministry, Pursuing Further Education, or Serving in Ministry
From 2024 survey with 281 respondents
“We’ll never stop championing the destiny that God has placed inside our students.”
— Mark Pettus, Church of the Highlands Lead Pastor
The Future of Highlands College
Visit Highlands College
The best way to find out if Highlands College is the right fit for you is to experience it in person. We invite you to join us for an upcoming Discovery Day or to schedule a Campus Visit to explore life as a Highlands College student.
ABHE Accreditation Statement
Highlands College is initially accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate and Baccalaureate levels.
State Licensing & Accreditation
Highlands College is an Alabama non-profit corporation licensed through the state of Alabama’s Private School Licensure Division and accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407-207-0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate and Baccalaureate levels. HCLI provides its students with the opportunity to earn non-credit-bearing certificates in Christian Leadership, Ministry Leadership, Missions Leadership, and Biblical/Theological Studies.
Exemption Statement
Highlands College Leadership Institute (formerly the “Evening Program”) is approved as an exempt organization with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-250.3 (a)(6)).