HSBC Online Program
Degree Programs  »   Undergraduate  »   General Christian Studies
Bachelor of Arts

General Christian Studies

Degree Type
BA
Credit Hours
120
Get more info
Overview
The General Christian Studies degree provides the student with the equivalent of a 4-year degree with a major in Bible. Besides a broad survey of general education courses, the student will also select a minor which will focus on the particular area of ministry suitable for the student.
Objectives
  1. To enable students to understand essential Christian theology and basic systems of doctrine.
  2. To provide a basic knowledge of general education with a Christian worldview that can be used in all areas of life.
  3. To provide students with a solid Biblical foundation for Christian living.
  4. To prepare students to effectively serve in their chosen field of ministry.
Curriculum

Bible (30 hours)

  • Old Testament Survey
  • New Testament Survey
  • Pentateuch
  • Gospels
  • Acts
  • Romans
  • Theology of Holiness
  • Foundations of Faith
  • Bible Electives

General Education (45 hours)

  • English Composition
  • Rhetoric and Research
  • History of Western Civilization I or II
  • Lifespan Development
  • Philosophical Studies
  • General Psychology
  • Public Speaking
  • Fine Arts: (Music, Art, etc.)
  • Social Studies Elective
  • Literature Elective
  • Math Elective
  • Science Elective
  • Evangelism
  • Electives

Selected Minor (18 hours)

General Electives (27 hours)

Minors

The General Christian Studies Degree has a major emphasis in Bible.  The selection of a minor emphasis should reflect what the student feels will be directly applicable to his/her own area of calling.

Pastoral Ministries

  • Objectives
    1. To acquaint the student with the various areas of need that he might encounter in fulfilling his role as leader of his congregation.
    2. To enable a student to analyze a passage of Scripture from an exegetical viewpoint and organize the truth so it may be presented in a sermon with clarity of thought.
    3. To acquaint the student with the role of evangelism so that he may be able to do the work of an evangelist, present the Gospel to individuals and groups, and develop outreach programs, both national and international, for the local church.
    4. To help the student demonstrate the basic principles, methods and skills needed for a vibrant, healthy, and prosperous church community.
  • Courses
    • Homiletics
    • Hermeneutics
    • Pastoral Ministries
    • Pastoral Counseling
    • Church Growth
    • Elective

Christian Counseling

  • Objectives
    1. To acquaint the student with basic counseling techniques that will assist him or her in nurturing emotional well-being in the lives of their parishioners or counselees.
    2. To prepare the student for handling losses and in-crises situations in the lives of his people.
    3. To assist the student in developing his/her ability to integrate the core concepts of psychology and counseling with the basic teachings of the Bible.
  • Courses
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Family Counseling
    • Lifespan Development
    • Crisis Counseling
    • Electives

Intercultural Studies

  • Objectives
    1. To acquaint the student with the historical mandate of missions and efforts which have been made in earlier times and with earlier methods.
    2. To acquaint the student with various kinds of missionary service, methods, and forms of strategy training that are needed to “disciple all nations”.
    3. To provide a right concept of the missionary’s role in relation to the national church, the local government, the mission board and the home church.
  • Courses
    • Introduction to Missions
    • Principles of Missions
    • Church Growth
    • Cross-Cultural Communications
    • World Religions
    • Elective

Christian Education

  • Objectives
    1. To provide the student with a Christian philosophy of instruction and purpose both in the classroom and in the church.
    2. To help the student understand the learning needs of various age groups and the levels of learning to be attempted.
    3. To acquaint the student with various teaching methods and skills which are effective in the learning process.
    4. To instill within the student a framework of professional attitudes and motivational techniques which are necessary for performing the role of teacher.
  • Courses
    • Fundamentals of Education I and II
    • Educational Psychology
    • Philosophy of Christian Education
    • Electives

Theological Studies

  • Objectives
    1. To enable the student to analyze a passage of Scripture from an exegetical viewpoint and organize the truth into a sermon with clarity of thought.
    2. To prepare the student in understanding theological concepts so that he may present apologetic and doctrinal defenses of his faith.
    3. To equip the student with tools for effective communication of doctrinal material for community ministry through the local church and/or its denominational affiliations.
  • Courses
    • Hermeneutics
    • Foundations of Faith
    • Theology I & II
    • Apologetics
    • Elective

Biblical Literature

  • Objectives
    1. To build on the required Bible core and provide the student with an overview of the entire scope of the books of the Bible.
    2. To equip the student with a proper means for interpretation and exegetical reading of the Scriptures.
    3. To acquaint the student with the historical journey of the Scriptures from their original writing to our contemporary society.
  • Courses
    • Hermeneutics
    • Genesis
    • Old Testament Historical Books
    • Daniel and Revelation
    • Major Prophets
    • Minor Prophets
    • History of the Bible
Get More Information
Back to Degrees