In keeping with North Greenville University’s Statement of Purpose, the Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Studies seeks to equip students to integrate academic discipline, theological understanding, and biblical worldview in a comprehensive effort to “cultivate transformational leaders for church and society” by offering a program of study in biblical, historical, theological, and practical courses.
The goals of the Bachelor of Arts program in Christian Studies are to (1) provide students with biblical and theological foundations for ministry by combining spiritual development and field experience in a robust course of study; (2) shape students in a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and a deeper love for Christ and his church by developing the heart and mind holistically; (3) equip students to understand and communicate the Bible and its message in fulfilment of the church’s worldwide mission through proper methods of interpretation and use of accepted English standards in speaking and writing; (4) teach students the research procedures necessary to discover high quality, doctrinally faithful resources for academic discipleship in the classroom and the church; (5) and train students to comprehend, analyze, and integrate primary and secondary sources of biblical, theological, historical, and ethical thought in preparation for ministry and for advanced study in seminary or graduate school.
The BA in Christian Studies requires that the student earn at least 126 hours of course credit. Students choosing the Christian Studies major must complete the core curriculum requirements listed below as a part of the degree program. Students must complete the foreign language component of the degree either with at least six (6) hours in two languages or twelve (12) hours in one. American Sign Language (ASL) does not count as a foreign language for the purposes of this requirement. Transfer students must earn at least twenty-four (24) hours in the Christian Studies major at North Greenville University.
The major consists of fifty-one (51) hours within the College of Christian Studies. The following courses are required of all Christian Studies majors: CHST-1309, CHST-1310, CHST-1320, CHST-2303, CHST-2351, CHST-2390, CHST-3350, and CHST-4390. At least fifteen (15) hours in the major must be taken at the 3000 level or higher. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 in all Christian Studies courses that apply toward the major is required for graduation. At least six hours (6) must be taken from each of the following three areas: Biblical Studies, Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies, and Practical Ministry Studies. For these three areas, the course classification is given at the end of individual entries in the course description section of the catalog. Courses with no designation there are either required courses or may be used as a Christian Studies elective or a free elective only. Majors in the College of Christian Studies cannot minor in the College of Christian Studies.
Core Curriculum
First Year Experience, Choose 1 (1 Credit)
Communication, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
Literature, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
Fine Arts, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
Required
| HIST-1385 | Western Civ in a Global Context Since 1517 | 3 |
Math, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
| - | Any 1000-level math course 1310 or higher | 3 |
Required
| PSYC-2310 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL-1310 | Scientific Inquiry in a Living World | 3 |
| PHSC-1430 | Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World | 4 |
| PHSC-1431 | Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World Lab | 0 |
Civic Awareness, Choose 1 (3 Credits)
| PLSC-2310 | American National Government | 3 |
| HIST-2310 | United States History to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST-2320 | United States History Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 44 |
Major Requirements
Major Electives
Choose one course:
Required
| CHST-x3xx | Biblical Studies (OT)* | 3 |
| CHST-x3xx | Biblical Studies (NT)* | 3 |
| CHST-x3xx | Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies | 6 |
| CHST-x3xx | Practical | 6 |
| - | Christian Studies Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
*Choose two Biblical Studies courses, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, with at least one at the 4000-level.
| Total Free Elective Requirements |
19 |
| Total Degree Requirements |
126 |