Religion Major

Why Religion?
In keeping with the mission of the University, the purposes of the School of Religion and
Philosophy are:

  • Provide education in religion and philosophy for all students
  • Provide theological education and training for students interested in ministry
  • Provide services to persons, churches, and denominational entities.

Goals:

  1. Students will qualify for advanced standing graduate degree programs in accredited seminaries or admission into theological graduate programs.
  2. Students will demonstrate competency in the theological, historical, biblical, and practical areas of Christian studies.
  3. Students will articulate clearly their personal faith in relation to historic Christian beliefs and practices.
  4. Students will demonstrate skills in critical thinking, analysis, and expression.
  5. Students will demonstrate an awareness of the historical Christian disciplines that produce a growing Christlike character.

Religion Requirements
The Religion major requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of school courses, with a core of 21 semester hours. The core includes courses that are basic for all students in ministry. In addition, these courses help students to qualify for advanced standing graduate seminary degree programs. One or more courses from RLED 3301, 3309, or 4302 may be required as part of a specialization. RLED 3309 is required for those students who are on the Ministerial Financial Aid program.

The core courses required in the Religion major are as follows:
RLGN 0001 – Theological Research and Writing Lab
*RLGN 1301 – Old Testament History
*RLGN 1302 – New Testament History
RLGN 4302 – Christian Theology
RLGN 4314 – Biblical Interpretation
RLGN 4315 – The Christian Ministry
Select three hours from the following three courses:
     RLED 3309 – Spiritual Formation
     RLED 4301 – Survey of Christian Education
     RLED 4302 – Church Administration
Select three hours from the following three courses
     RLGN 4307 – Church History
     RLGN 4325 – Historical Theology
     RLGN 4330 – Baptist History

* Six hours are included in the general education core curriculum.

Students should select one of the following six specializations for the Religion major:

General Christian Studies
Pastoral Ministry
Youth Ministry
Chaplaincy Ministry
Missionary Ministry
Bivocational Ministry

Requirements for Pre-Seminary Students:
All students preparing to attend seminary and seeking eligibility to qualify for certain advanced standing graduate degree programs must take a major in Religion or Religious Education and take:

GREK 1301 – Elementary Greek
GREK 1302 – Elementary Greek
GREK 2301 – Intermediate Greek
GREK 2302 – Intermediate Greek