Student Development Model
Liberty’s Foundational Approach
In Training Champions for Christ, Liberty University is equipping men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills to impact the world.
We do this through an approach that aims for the holistic maturation of every student, seeking to shape their spiritual, intellectual, social, and mental and physical development.
Our approach is rooted in God’s Word, which is the foundation of Liberty University. In Luke 10:27, Jesus said to “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Since students enter Liberty University at various points of maturity, our goal is to meet students where they are, instilling in them biblically based core values in a holistic framework that helps move them along toward human flourishing.
Get the Student Development Model Booklet
“It is our desire that every student would come to know and love God and, in that knowledge and love of Him, become the person He has created them to be. That hope is the why behind Liberty’s Student Development Model.”
– President Dondi Costin
Our Core Values
Liberty University instills four core values into our students: Spiritual Renewal, Social Responsibility, Intellectual Rootedness, and Physical & Emotional Resiliency.
Each is integral to a fully developed Champion for Christ and is deeply rooted in the inerrant Word of God.
Together, these values form the foundation of our Student Development Model, ensuring that our graduates are well-equipped to impact the world for Christ.
Spiritual
Renewal
WE VALUE the spiritual renewal of every student and affirm that through Jesus Christ, all are invited to a restored relationship with God.
Each is called to engage in a spiritual formation process where they can become who God has purposed them to be.
Social Responsibility
WE VALUE the social responsibility of every student and affirm the calling of all men and women to treat one another in a way that honors God.
Each student grows in the knowledge of others, with humility and love, as they live out a life of stewardship.
Intellectual Rootedness
WE VALUE the intellectual rootedness of every student and affirm that through the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, grounded in the Bible, men and women have the capacity to expand their mind and form their intellect.
Physical & Emotional Resiliency
WE VALUE the physical and emotional resiliency of every student and affirm that through a holistic understanding of their health, they understand the role their bodies play in worship and service.
Our Student Development Model
At the heart of the transformative experience at Liberty University lies a commitment to shaping students. The “Discover | Develop | Deploy” model offers a holistic framework that guides students through a purposeful journey of growth, rooted in key core values, to prepare graduates to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
Discover
ORIENTATION & EXPLORATION (MATRICULATION TO FIRST YEAR)
The Discover phase, the first step in the student journey, introduces students to the resources available to support their development. As they engage in the rhythms of university life, they’re exposed to the programs, services, and opportunities Liberty University offers.
Develop
GROWTH & FLOURISHING (COURSE OF STUDY)
In the Develop phase, students deepen their engagement and begin to flourish in their chosen paths. This stage is characterized by intentional growth through academic rigor, spiritual formation, leadership development, and experiential learning – building on the various areas they were exposed to during the Discover phase.
Deploy
PURPOSEFUL LAUNCH (FINAL YEAR TO GRADUATION)
Finally, the Deploy phase prepares students to transition from the university into the world as ambassadors of Christ. This final stage focuses on equipping students to live out their callings with confidence, competence, and compassion. Students have developed habits that allow them to move forward into their careers and other spheres of influence as true Champions for Christ