General Studies Major (B.S.)

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This program is designed for students who desire a biblically-based education, who have an educational background in technical fields, or who are undecided about declaring a major. This degree gives students a variety of vocational choices to pursue according to their individual interests.

Program Requirements

I. Christian Studies - 30 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

II. General Education - 38 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹ *
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits ⁴
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
HIS - History Elective 3 Credits *
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³

III. General Studies Major - 57 Credits

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level. If you choose to take lower-level Christian Studies core classes (CHM 201 or CHM 210), then you must take enough upper-level general electives to meet this requirement.

HUM 461 - Senior Interdisciplinary Seminar 3 Credits *
General Electives (100-200 level) 24 Credits *
General Electives (300-400 level) 30 Credits *

Total - 125 Credits

At least 45 hours through this program must be 300- and 400-level courses.

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

³ Click here for a list of Global Awareness courses.

⁴ Fine arts courses include music, art, drama, and dance. COM 328 and COM 446 also qualify as fine arts electives. (Only three credits of music organizations and/or lessons can be counted toward humanities/fine arts requirements.)

* Some courses from the Christian Studies Core and Major Core can be used to fulfill requirements in the General Education Core. By doing that the number of electives needed would increase so that the minimum of 125 credits is reached.

Four-Year Suggested Program for the General Studies Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
General Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS - History Electives 3 Credits
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
or
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits
SCI - Science Lab Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
General Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹
General Electives 6 Credits

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the General Studies major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
General Electives 10 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³
General Electives 9 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
General Electives 12 Credits

Spring Semester - 17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
HUM 461 - Senior Interdisciplinary Seminar 3 Credits
General Electives 11 Credits

Footnote:

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

³ Click here for a list of Global Awareness courses.