Books by Dr. Rick Upchurch

Coming soon: The Bama Llama Leader

Curriculum Development and Assessment, 3rd Edition is a practical guide for anyone responsible for developing, evaluating, or teaching college-level courses. Written for faculty, program directors, instructional designers, and academic leaders, this book provides a clear, systematic framework for building courses that promote deep, meaningful learning.

Grounded in decades of teaching and administrative experience, the text moves beyond theory to offer concrete steps, examples, and templates that help educators design curriculum with intention and clarity. Each chapter addresses a critical component of course construction—from crafting effective course descriptions and measurable learning objectives to aligning assignments, learning activities, assessments, and faith integration within a coherent educational philosophy.

courses that truly facilitate student learning.

The book of James in the Bible is one of the most read and loved for its practical application of Christian Principles. This devotional works through James over the course of a month, providing insights and observations from the text and connecting the words to day-to-day living. Included with the devotionals is a bonus retreat schedule which can be used individually or as part of a small group experience.Those using this devotional guide will find themselves connecting the dots between theory and practice. They will also find themselves growing in their faith and how that faith was meant to be applied.

Spiritual Warfare is about the principles of spiritual warfare set in the framework of discipleship training. Those reading this book can expect to learn about the weapons which the Christian can effectively employ in the battle against the enemy, as well as the weapons and tactics employed by Satan. The foundation for Spiritual Warfare is based in the holiness tradition and applies the strength of that tradition when facing spiritual attacks. The reader will learn about both offensive and defensive strategies and how to employ them for effective spiritual growth and victory. The chapter on tearing down strongholds will provide insight into a dimension of spiritual maturity often overlooked.

What you believe makes a difference! Everyone is guided by a set of principles. The problem is that those principles are rarely, if ever, taken out of the deep places in our lives and examined; they are never tested against the truth and the value of life. Like a ship without a rudder, the winds of life push those with undefined principles into situations that cause hurt and shame to ourselves and others. They provoke us to decisions that have negative consequences. They invisibly guide our lives, while we constantly wonder why we make the choices we make and why our lives are such a mess. This book looks at five “principles of life.” which can provide an effective rudder to steer your life toward fulfillment.

The proverbs contained in this book are short, easy to read and, if embraced, will help you lead a more fulfilling life with greater satisfaction. They are directed at you improving you, bit by bit, in ways that will build personal confidence and transform your ability to interact with others. Think of these proverbs in terms of “what I wish I had been told about life when I was young”, and you get the sense of what this book is trying to accomplish.

This journal is designed to help you build self-awareness and your emotional intelligence. By making daily observations, those using this journal can pinpoint triggers and learn more about themselves and their interactions with others. Over the course of journaling, the user will become more confident, more in control. They will be less likely to have knee-jerk reactions that disrupt relationships or fall prey to emotional outbursts.