Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

Overview

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.

Degree Requirements

Core Curriculum

Required Courses

CHST-1301Engaging the Biblical Narrative

3

CHST-1201Interpreting the Biblical Text

2

CHST-1302Integrating a Biblical Worldview

3

ENGL-1310Composition and Rhetoric

3

ENGL-1320Composition and Literature

3

HIST-1385Western Civ in a Global Context Since 1517

3

BIOL-1310Scientific Inquiry in a Living World

3

PHSC-1430Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World

4

PHSC-1431Scientific Inquiry in a Physical World Lab

0

PSYC-2310Introduction to Psychology

3

COLL-1100NGU 101

1

CSCI-1100Computer Tech for Success

1

Communication

Choose one course from the list below.

COMM-2300Oral Communication

3

COMM-2308Small Group Communication

3

COMM-2310Interpersonal Communication

3

Literature

Choose one course from the list below.

ENGL-2300Multicultural Literature

3

ENGL-2310British Literature to 1785

3

ENGL-2320British Literature Since 1785

3

ENGL-2330American Literature to 1865

3

ENGL-2340American Literature Since 1865

3

ENGL-2390Special Topics

3

Fine Arts

Choose one course from the list below.

ARTS-1300Engaging the Arts Through Visual Arts

3

COMM-1320Engaging the Arts Through Film

3

MUSC-1300Engaging the Arts Through Music

3

THTR-1300Engaging the Arts Through Theatre

3

Civic Awareness

Choose one course from the list below.

PLSC-2310American National Government

3

HIST-2310United States History to 1865

3

HIST-2320United States History Since 1865

3

Mathematics

Choose one course from the list below.

-
Any 1000-level math course 1310 or higher

3

Total Credit Hours:44

Major Requirements

CHST-1309Spiritual Formation for Christian Minister

3

CHST-1310Old Testament Survey

3

CHST-1320New Testament Survey

3

CHST-2303Foundations for Excellence

3

CHST-2351Principles of Christian Leadership

3

CHST-2390Biblical Hermeneutics

3

CHST-3350Christian Ethics

3

CHST-4390Senior Seminar

3

-
Foreign Language

12

Total Credit Hours:36

Christian Studies Concentration

-
Biblical Studies - Complete two Biblical Studies courses, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, with at least one at the 4000-level.

6

-
Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies

6

-
CHST Practical Elective

6

-
Christian Studies Electives

6

-
Free Electives

19

Christian Studies Options

Choose one from the list below.
CHST-2355Introduction to Christian Ministry

3

CHST-2365Expository Teaching and Preaching

3

CHST-3303Practicum I

3

CHST-4303Christian Studies Practicum II

3

Total Credit Hours:46

Biblical/Theological Concentration

CHST-3330Systematic Theology I

3

CHST-3335Systematic Theology II

3

-
Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies

6

-
Practical Elective

3

-
Biblical Studies - Complete four Biblical Studies courses. Must complete at least one Old Testament course and one New Testament course at the 4000-level.

12

-
Free Electives

19

Total Credit Hours:46
 

Ministry Concentration

CHST-2330Principles of Evangelism

3

CHST-2355Introduction to Christian Ministry

3

CHST-2365Expository Teaching and Preaching

3

CHST-3303Practicum I

3

-
Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies

3

-
Biblical Studies - Complete two Biblical Studies courses, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, with at least one at the 4000-level.

6

-
Free Electives

19

 

Christian Studies Option

Choose one from the list below.
CHST-2331Christian Discipleship

3

CHST-2340Introduction to Missions

3

Practical Ministries Studies

Choose one from the list below.
CHST-2356Women's Ministry

3

CHST-3370Crisis Issues in Pastoral Ministry

3

CHST-4303Christian Studies Practicum II

3

Total Credit Hours:46

Christian Education Concentration

-
Biblical Studies - Complete two Biblical Studies courses, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, with at least one at the 4000-level.

6

-
Historical/Theological/Ethical Studies

6

-
CHST Practical Elective

6

-
Christian Studies Electives

6

EDUC-1310Introduction to Education

3

EDUC-1330Planning and Assessment

3

EDUC-3341Human Growth and Development in Education

3

EDUC-4375Family and Community Relations

3

-
Free Electives

3

Christian Studies Options

Choose one from the list below.
CHST-2355Introduction to Christian Ministry

3

CHST-2365Expository Teaching and Preaching

3

CHST-3303Practicum I

3

CHST-4303Christian Studies Practicum II

3

Education Options

Choose one from the list below.
EDSE-2340Classroom Management

3

EDUC-2370Classroom Management

3

Total Credit Hours:46
Total Degree Requirements 126