Biblical and Theological Studies Major (B.A.)

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The Biblical and Theological Studies major blends a biblical and theological foundation with a flexibility of electives.

Program Requirements

Christian Studies Core

I. Christian Studies - 24 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 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
THE 331 - Theology I: God’s Word and Work 3 Credits

General Education Core

II. General Education - 39 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits⁴
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits³
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
History Elective 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits¹
MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits
PED - P.E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits²
Social Science Elective 3 Credits²

Major Core

III. Biblical and Theological Studies Major - 45 Credits

BIB 231 - Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 Credits
BIB 330 - Galatians 3 Credits
BIB - Old Testament Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
BIB - Old Testament Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits⁵
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits⁵
HIS 332 - Church History 3 Credits *
or
HIS 333 - Ancient Civilization: Near East and Early Greece 3 Credits *
or
HIS 334 - Ancient Civilization: Classical Greece and Rome 3 Credits *
LAN 341 - Greek I 4 Credits *
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
PHI 232 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credits *
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny 3 Credits
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
THE 443 - Topics in Theology 3 Credits
THE 444 - Senior Seminar 3 Credits

IV. Electives or Minor - 20 Credits *

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level.

Total - 125 Credits

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

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

³Click 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.)

⁵Department students planning on C&MA ministry should take THE 349 as a BIB/THE elective.

* 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 Biblical and Theological Studies Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS - History Electives 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ³

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 231 - Principles of Biblical Interpretation 3 Credits
LAN 341 - Greek I 4 Credits (fulfills Humanities elective)
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ³
Minor/Elective 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 2 Credits

Spring Semester - 17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
PHI 232 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credits
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
THE 331 - Theology I: God’s Word and Work 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the Biblical and Theological Studies major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 15 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
THE 332 - Theology II: Human Redemption and Destiny 3 Credits
THE 443 - Topics in Theology 3 Credits
or
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 330 - Galatians 3 Credits
BIB - Old Testament Elective 3 Credits ¹
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ⁴

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 15 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁵
THE 443 - Topics in Theology 3 Credits
or
THE 434 - Contemporary Theology 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB - Old Testament Elective 3 Credits ¹
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits ⁵
HIS - History Requirement (HIS 332 , HIS 333 , or HIS 334 ) 3 Credits
THE 444 - Senior Seminar 3 Credits
Minor/Elective 3 Credits

Footnote:

¹ Biblical Perspectives of Worship and Methods of Bible Study may not be used to satisfy this requirement.

² Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

³ Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

⁴ Click here for a list of Global Awareness courses.

⁵Department students planning on C&MA ministry should take THE 349 as a BIB/THE elective.