SCU was established in 1946 by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church primarily for training men and women for church leadership. In its early years, the university became known as Southwestern Bible College because of its emphasis on the Bible as the nucleus and pivot around which all other studies revolved.

In the 1960's, the student body expanded and studies in various junior college programs were developed. The junior college was accredited in 1964 by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. In 1973 the junior college received accreditation by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. SCU was approved in 1979 by North Central as a four-year baccalaureate level degree-granting college in the field of religion.

In the fall of 1981, SCU phased out its junior college curricular offerings, maintained its baccalaureate program in religion and underwent substantive institutional change. Changing its name to Southwestern College of Christian Ministries, the college sold its campus at 4700 N.W. 10th Street and moved to its present location in Bethany, Oklahoma. The associate of arts degree program was reinstated in SCU's curriculum in the fall semester 1986.

In the fall of 2001 the name of the college was changed to Southwestern Christian University.  The vision has not changed, however, with the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan in 1998, the university is now enhancing its curriculum offerings to include business courses and a Pastoral Ministry/Youth Ministry concentration that features Christian Recreation/Coaching.  Other curriculum enhancement programs will be announced as developed.