Students can pursue a variety of opportunities to complement their studies through international education and other special programs. Participation in these opportunities is an educational privilege awarded to the students in good standing in the areas of academics, discipline, Workship, and Chapel.
The Center for Experiential Learning
Dr. E. Randolph Richards, Director
Dr. Jonathan Grenz, Associate Director
PBA students are encouraged to study abroad during their junior or senior year for a semester or a summer through the Center for Experiential Learning. With planning, many PBA students can study abroad without delaying their graduation. Students receive regular college credit and can utilize most or all of their financial aid. Details about credit hours and financial aid vary by program.
To participate in a study abroad program, a student must:
- Have attained a minimum GPA (varies by program).
- Have demonstrated high standards of personal maturity, responsibility, conduct, and motivation (any student involved in major or minor disciplinary action may forfeit participation in the program).
- Have completed two semesters as a full-time student at PBA prior to enrollment in the program.
- Successfully complete CCS 4043 Experiential Learning Abroad while studying abroad.
- Be in good standing with the university.
Interested students should contact Dr. Jonathan Grenz, associate director, at CEL@pba.edu for further information. Information is also available through the CEL webpage on myPBA (under the Department tab). The Center is located in Okeechobee Hall. Some of the programs available include:
PBA London Semester
The program is designed to give PBA students an opportunity to study for one full semester at the University of Roehampton in London. Students also have ample opportunity for travel in Great Britain and Europe. Students enroll for a regular load of 12-18 credit hours of on-ground and online courses, taught by the PBA professor residing in London for the semester, by a PBA professor online, and/or by British faculty at the University of Roehampton.
University of Edinburgh
PBA has a cooperative agreement with New College at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, that gives students the opportunity to study for a semester at this historic university. Students can take select courses in biblical studies and languages, philosophy, history of Christianity, religious studies, world religions, theology and ethics, taught by world leading researchers.
University of Aberdeen Exchange Program (International Christian College)
This exchange program is designed to give a student an opportunity to study for a semester at the International Christian College (ICC) at the University of Aberdeen, located in Glasgow, Scotland. ICC stands in the evangelical tradition of Bible colleges that brings together an international community of faculty and students committed to the mission of God. Students can take courses in biblical studies, cross-cultural studies, and ministry.
Hong Kong Baptist University Study Abroad Exchange Program
This program is designed to give a student an opportunity to study for a semester at the Hong Kong Baptist University in Hong Kong, China. The cost will be PBA tuition and housing plus textbooks, food, and travel. The student will have access to a wide choice of standard courses from the HKBU curriculum, limited only by their own individual academic qualifications and prerequisites, and will not be required to take any special courses outside the regular curriculum. Most courses are taught in English.
Best Semester Programs
Through PBA’s membership with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, an association of more than 90 private liberal arts Christian colleges and universities, a variety of programs are available. Best Semester provides opportunities for students to study in various locations, such as Australia, Oxford, Uganda, India, and China.
BCA Study Abroad
Rooted in the values of peace and justice, BCA promotes international understanding, awareness of global citizenship and academic scholarship through international educational programs. BCA provides students the opportunity to study for a semester in over 18 locations around the world, such as India, China, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
ROTC Military Science Minor
The Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a program that is offered as a Military Science Minor (21 credit hours) under the Management degree in the Rinker School of Business and incorporates extensive leadership, management, problem solving, fitness, and level-one military skills into the college student’s curriculum, regardless of the student’s selected major. This program has proven its unparalleled value to students long after graduation and well into their desired career, whether civilian or military. ROTC Military Science is an elective course that is taken each semester of college, and upon completion of the program requirements and award of a Bachelor’s degree (or graduate degree), the student is commissioned as an officer in the active army, Reserves, or National Guard. Students interested in ROTC, but not ready to make a commitment, may take classes as freshmen and/or sophomores and incur no military obligation. Students entering their junior year or about to begin a two-year graduate program in the fall of an academic year may spend five weeks in summer training at Camp Challenge in Fort Knox, Kentucky. At the camp, students learn skills normally taught in the first two years of ROTC, earn pay, and then without obligation, make a decision about ROTC and the Army. The program is open to all full-time students attending Palm Beach Atlantic University. Courses are taken at both Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University.
There is no military service obligation associated with the first two years of the program unless a student is an ROTC scholarship recipient. These courses introduce students to skills taught at U.S. Army Basic Training. They include military customs and courtesies, organization and rank structure, leadership assessment, patrolling, weapons handling and firing, map reading, first aid, and many others. Courses consist of outdoor/indoor instruction and are, by design, 80 percent practical “hands-on” training conducted both on campus and throughout South Florida. Juniors and seniors continue to use these hands-on techniques while the emphasis is on developing and refining leadership skills. As juniors and seniors and advanced course cadets, they are also charged with teaching and mentoring basic course students. Closely monitored and supervised by experienced active duty military officers and senior-enlisted soldiers, these juniors and seniors plan and organize events and other training far beyond their personal expectations.
Army ROTC has two and three-year campus-based scholarships. These scholarships pay full tuition to Palm Beach Atlantic University. The scholarship also pays $600 annually for books and $350 per month spending money. Applications for scholarships are accepted in the spring semester and priority is given to enrolled ROTC students. Scholarship winners are usually committed to four years of active duty, earning salaries comparable to civilian sector incomes but with the adventure and experiences that few civilian careers can offer. Non-scholarship and selected scholarship cadets can request either full-time active service or part-time service in the Reserves or National Guard.
Students unable to participate in ROTC during the freshman and sophomore years may qualify for admission to advanced ROTC (junior and senior years) by attending a five-week course (basic camp) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the summer between their sophomore and junior year. Attendees incur no military obligation. An alternative entry program is also available for students who meet certain criteria and are unable to attend basic camp.
Outstanding cadets may be qualified to attend special army schools such as Mountain Warfare Training, Northern Warfare School, Air Assault School, or Airborne School. Selection is competitive and based on the student’s academic and physical performance record. Cadets receive uniforms, shoes, boots, and other equipment necessary for all ROTC classes and training. Outstanding cadets are honored at frequent award ceremonies. Scholarship cadets can fly, providing space is available, aboard military aircraft.
Note: For detailed program of study information for the Military Science Minor, see the minors under the Rinker School of Business. |