Dr. Brett Golson

Dr. Brett Golson serves as Vice President for Spiritual Development and Church Relations and Dean of the Owen and Elizabeth Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies (Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies) at William Carey University. He joined the faculty in 2012 as assistant professor of religion and was named chair of the Department of Christian Ministries in 2014.

His teaching interests include Biblical Hermeneutics, World Religions, Theology, and Expository Preaching.  He holds a B.S. degree in history from the University of Southern Mississippi, a B.A. degree in biblical studies from William Carey, a Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, and a Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Before employment at William Carey, he ministered as a full-time pastor for 18 years, taught as an adjunct professor in the philosophy and religion department at Mississippi State University, and served as the president of the Mississippi Baptist Pastor's Conference in 2010. Dr. Golson led mission trips and conferences in Central America, South America, the Far East, the Middle East, East Asia, Eastern Europe, and throughout North America.

The Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies operates on the belief that the Bible is the inspired, true, and trustworthy Word of God. While history, tradition, and reason play no small role in Christian education, the Bible holds ultimate authority in Christian education, doctrine, and practice. We hold to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as our confessional statement. 

The goal for professors within the Cooper School of Missions and Ministry Studies is to prepare future scholars, missionaries, pastors, youth ministers, children’s ministers, and church planters for 21-century ministry. Our professors are both scholars and practitioners.

All students are encouraged to double major in ministry and a professional field, such as education, pre-professional medicine, English, business, nursing, psychology, or mass communication. Because William Carey University divides the school year into three trimesters, students can choose to complete a graduation path that includes a double major within four years.

Built in the curriculum is a ten-week internship program. Students are paired to serve locally or internationally. This unique opportunity allows students to combine their professional major and ministry major into a customized, real-world experience.

Students interested in using business as a means for ministry can major in cross-cultural business management (CCBM). The CCBM is a Bachelor of Science degree in business, but it also incorporates 30 credit hours of intercultural studies/mission courses. The major is offered as a 3 plus 1, which means students can complete their undergraduate degree in 3 years and their Master's in Business Administration (MBA) in 1 year. 

Students who desire to pursue graduate studies can choose to complete the Christian ministries or biblical studies major in 3 years (without a double major). WCU graduates in these programs are eligible for advance standing at several seminaries, which allows them to transfer up to 25 credit hours towards a seminary master’s degree.

These innovative approaches to ministry allow WCU graduates versatility and marketability in the workforce as qualified candidates of both professional fields and ministry studies.