Christian Studies, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Assistant Dean, Karelynne Ayayo, Th.D.

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies (BACS) program at Palm Beach Atlantic University provides non-traditional learners an opportunity to earn a bachelor degree in Christian thought and practice. The overall goal of the program is to offer a quality, flexible degree-completion curriculum that:

Deepens understanding of Scripture and Christian thought;
Encourages engagement in ethical reflection on issues arising in contemporary society;
Equips in basic disciplines of Christian discipleship and service;
Develops written and oral communication skills;
Instills a commitment to be critically reflective, self-directed, life-long learners;
Promotes an appreciation of the multicultural environment in which students live and work.

Students who discern a call to vocational ministry may find the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program to be a better fit.

Program Format

The Christian Studies major is available only in the online format.

The Online Christian Studies program provides an entirely online and primarily asynchronous setting for non-traditional students who are self-motivated and wish to complete their degree with the utmost flexibility in scheduling.

Courses in the Online Christian Studies program are delivered electronically through the University’s Learning Management System. Students in the Online Christian Studies program complete all of their coursework entirely online. Each fully online course is primarily, although not entirely, asynchronous. Students may view lessons and complete assignments at the time of their choosing within stated course deadlines, which typically follow a weekly rhythm. Some fully online courses also require students to remotely attend several synchronous virtual class sessions through designated technology. Generally for each 8-week course, students can expect to attend a maximum of two or three of these live virtual meetings on designated days and times, which are published in advance. Students commit to these online meeting days and times during the course registration process.

Program Structure

The required curriculum for the Christian Studies major is composed of three-credit hour courses normally offered during eight-week subterms. As an accelerated program, it is designed with the expectation that full-time students complete 30 credits each academic year: 12 credits each fall, 12 credits each spring, and 6 credits each summer. Some courses that are required for the Christian Studies major are available only during the summer term.

To qualify for graduation, students must earn a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 42 upper-level credits (courses numbered 3000 and above). The curriculum is divided between the Faith, Roots, and Reason requirements, Christian Studies major requirements, and free electives.

Students enrolled in the B.A. in Christian Studies program take many of their Faith, Roots, and Reason (general education) core requirements and some of their Christian Studies electives through schools other than the School of Ministry. It may be possible for students to take some of these courses on ground.

Required courses in the Christian Studies major directly reflect the learning objectives stated in the mission of the School of Ministry. MIN 3723 Worship is the capstone course for the program in which students formulate the theological basis and application for worship in the church. This course should be taken as near as possible to the final term of study at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Students should pay particular attention to the School of Ministry Attendance Policy.

Christian Studies majors may select their free electives from the various course offerings in the Evening and Online catalog provided that they meet the course prerequisites. Free electives may also be filled by transfer credits that do not meet specific requirements or by Professional Education Credits (PECs). Professional Education Credits consist of credit awarded to adult students for work and life experience. Students must apply for PEC credits within stated deadlines.

Major in Christian Studies Curriculum Requirements

120 Credit Hours

Note: Courses offered for students who are enrolled in the fully online program may be coded with an E-prefix (for example: EMIN 1003 rather than MIN 1003).

Program Learning Outcomes

“Expected student learning outcomes specify the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes students are expected to attain in courses or in a program.” Page 69. Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), 2018.

1. Grow in foundational knowledge of Scripture and Christian thought.

2. Develop skills in basic disciplines of Christian discipleship and service.

3. Demonstrate character appropriate for a follower of Christ.

Technology Prerequisite - 0 Credit Hours

Full completion of “Sailing for Success at PBA,” the University’s new online student orientation, is desired prior to or within 10 days of the start of the student’s first for-credit course.

Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Requirements - 45 Credit Hours

ORL 1003 - Leadership for Academic Success 3 Credit Hour(s)
(Students who change in to the Christian Studies major after already completing MIN 2003 Foundations for Christian Ministry do not need to take ORL 1003 Leadership for Academic Success. The Faith, Roots, and Reason Orientation course requirement will have already been met.)
EECO 3813 - American Free Enterprise 3 Credit Hour(s) or
GPLS 3003 - Freedom in American Society 3 Credit Hour(s)
COM 1113 - Public Speaking 3 Credit Hour(s)
GENG 1123 - Composition I 3 Credit Hour(s)
GENG 1223 - Composition II 3 Credit Hour(s)
GHUM 1013 - Humanities I 3 Credit Hour(s)
(Humanities courses should be taken in sequence whenever possible.)
GHUM 1023 - Humanities II 3 Credit Hour(s)
GHUM 1033 - Humanities III 3 Credit Hour(s)
GHHP 1091 - Lifetime Fitness 1 Credit Hour(s)
GMAT 1803 - Survey of Finite Mathematics 3 Credit Hour(s)
(or any other course listed in PBA’s daytime catalog as an approved Faith, Roots, and Reason Mathematics course)
CIN 1202 - Film Appreciation 2 Credit Hour(s) or
MUS 2162 - Music Appreciation 2 Credit Hour(s)
(or any other course listed in PBA’s daytime catalog as an approved Faith, Roots, and Reason Fine Arts course)
MIN 1003 - Exploring the Bible 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 4153 - Christian Values & Biblical Faith 3 Credit Hour(s)
GSCI 1333 - Introduction to Natural Science 3 Credit Hour(s)
(or any other course listed in PBA’s daytime catalog as an approved Faith, Roots, and Reason Science course)
MIN 3503 - World Religions 3 Credit Hour(s) (This course satisfies the Faith, Roots, and Reason Global Studies requirement and counts as a required course in the BACS major.)
MIN 4063 - Church in Society 3 Credit Hour(s) (This course satisfies the Faith, Roots, and Reason Social Science requirement and counts as an elective for the BACS major.)

Required B.A. in Christian Studies Courses - 18 Credit Hours

MIN 2043 - Spiritual Formation 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 2063 - Introduction to Christian Thought 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 2213 - Introduction to Bible Study 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3503 - World Religions 3 Credit Hour(s) (This course satisfies the Faith, Roots, and Reason Global Studies requirement and counts as a required course in the BACS major.)
MIN 3723 - Worship 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3043 - Exploring the Old Testament 3 Credit Hour(s) or
MIN 3053 - Exploring the New Testament 3 Credit Hour(s)

B.A. in Christian Studies Elective Courses - 24 Credit Hours

Select eight of the following courses (24 credit hours). NOTE: No more than three electives (9 credit hours) toward the major can come from courses without the MIN or MINV prefix.

MIN 2413 - Principles of Christian Leadership 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3043 - Exploring the Old Testament 3 Credit Hour(s) or
MIN 3053 - Exploring the New Testament 3 Credit Hour(s) (cannot overlap with the course used to meet the Required Christian Studies Core Course above.)
MIN 3083 - Interpreting the Bible 3 Credit Hour(s) (BACS majors who select this elective are strongly encouraged to complete MIN 2213 Introduction to Bible Study prior to taking this course.)
MIN 3093 - Inner City Church 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3103 - History of Christianity 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3133 - History and Theology of Missions 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3183 - Conflict and Crisis in Ministry 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3193 - Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3213 - Jesus 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3253 - Paul 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3303 - Homiletics 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 3373 - Evangelism and Apologetics 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 4063 - Church in Society 3 Credit Hour(s) (This course satisfies an elective for the BACS major and also meets the Faith, Roots, and Reason Social Science requirement.)
MIN 4093 - Systematic Theology 3 Credit Hour(s) (BACS majors who select this elective are strongly encouraged to complete MIN 2063 Introduction to Christian Thought prior to taking this course.)
MIN 4103 - Ministerial Care 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 4113 - Urban Justice Issues 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 4123 - Islam 3 Credit Hour(s)
MIN 4213 - Education in the Church 3 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 3101 - Selected Topics in Ministry 1 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 3102 - Selected Topics in Ministry 2 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 3103 - Selected Topics in Ministry 3 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 3104 - Selected Topics in Ministry 4 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 4001 - Special Topics: Biblical & Theological Studies 1 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 4002 - Special Topics: Biblical & Theological Studies 2 Credit Hour(s)
MINV 4003 - Special Topics: Biblical & Theological Studies 3 Credit Hour(s)
CIN 2303 - Redemptive Storytelling 3 Credit Hour(s)
DMP 3513 - Emerging Media Technologies 3 Credit Hour(s)
DMP 3553 - Social Media Management 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 3223 - Career Assessment & Planning 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 3273 - Strategies for Personal Success 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 4023 - Balancing Work and Life 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 4033 - Faith and Culture 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 4063 - Effective Interpersonal Relationships 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 4083 - Dynamics of Change 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 4213 - Biblical Leadership 3 Credit Hour(s)
ORL 4273 - Portrayals of Leaders in Literature 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 2113 - Marriage & Family Dynamics 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 3033 - Social Psychology 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 3123 - Personality Theories 3 Credit Hour(s)

Additional Required Credit Hours – 33-39 Credit Hours

These additional hours may be fulfilled by a minor, second major, general electives taken concurrently, previous coursework taken at PBA or through transfer credits.

Up to 30 credits are possible through Professional Education Credits. See Academic Policies for information on PECs.

NOTE:

No more than one-third of a student’s required credits for a major or a minor in the School of Ministry may come from transfer or transient credits.

Sample Degree Plan

Christian Studies, B.A. Degree Plan