Curriculum / Courses

•    ARTS & SCIENCE CORE - 30 Credits
• + GEN 122 -Introduction to Online Studies and Personal Discipleship
Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on the foundational knowledge, skills, and character development required to succeed in the digital classroom and as a follower of Jesus Christ. The digital age of online learning has transformed higher education. The pervasive reach of the Internet has expanded the boundaries of the traditional classroom and created new opportunities for students to realize their goal of attaining a college degree. In addition to the practical skills and knowledge required to succeed in the online learning environment, the need for graduates who live out the values consistent with a Christlike character, in their homes, workplaces, and society has never been more necessary than today. (Replaced GEN 121)
• + BUS 115 -Introduction to Computers
Credit Hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3 This course encourages online learners to use technology as an effective communication avenue to research and present information for life and learning. Learners will gain experience with technology tools, including Microsoft® Word and PowerPoint that can be used throughout the student’s coursework to create documents and presentations and communicate those appropriately to academic and professional audiences.
• + ENG 105 -Introduction to College Writing
Credit Hours: 3
Writing is an important skill for academic, ministry, and vocational success. This course focuses on developing writing skills, providing students opportunities to break down the writing process. Students will learn how to create strong thesis statements to drive an academic paper. They will learn how to craft introductory and concluding paragraphs, build the body of a paper, consider their audience, and improve writing skills to communicate more effectively. They will develop basic skills in APA formatting and citations. Students will also work on refreshing grammar skills.
• + SPE 200 -Oral Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides instruction and experience in preparing, delivering, and evaluating a self-introduction speech, an informative speech, and a persuasive speech.  Emphasis is on gaining skills and confidence in public speaking in academic, workplace, ministry, and community contexts.
• + HUM 231 -World Civilizations
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide students with skills in historical research and analysis, a chronological understanding and factual knowledge spanning from the dawn of civilization to 1700. Emphasis is placed on the origins and achievements of the core civilizations of Asia, Africa, America, and Greco-Roman civilizations. In addition, Christian, Islamic and Byzantine cultures will be studied. The ultimate focus will be to provide students with a historical, factual, cultural, and geographical knowledge of ancient history and its relationship to the Bible. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments up to the early modern world civilizations within the interrelations of societies and cultures.
• + SOC 343 -Cultural Diversity
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an exploration of cultural diversity and multiculturalism from a Christian faith perspective. This course provides a process to understand and practice cultural diversity competence.  It is designed to initiate and provide ongoing preparation for effective interaction with everyone in our culturally diverse world.  Growth in these skills equips individuals with the social graces needed to form bonds of mutual trust that will bridge the differences that ordinarily divide people.
• + SCI 220 -Environmental Science
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide a general understanding of environmental science, while exploring the natural world and the resources it provides. The study of environmental science is approached with an understanding of the responsibilities of human beings to practice wise stewardship of God's creation. Topics include, but are not limited to, exploration of environmental issues, the relations between living and nonliving things, human responsibility for the environment and the earth’s resources now and the future. Through readings, lecture, and discussion we will examine geological, biological, and chemical aspects of science and how these influence economic and social issues on a personal, local, national, and global scale.
•    PSY 200
• + FIN 105 -Personal Financial Management
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide a practical introduction to personal finance management and assist the student in being a good steward of God-given resources.  It addresses realistic ways to manage personal assets effectively.  Topics include the development of personal financial goals, planning and budgeting; avoiding fraud and swindles; buying, insuring and financing major assets; consumer credit; banking services; investments;  insurance; retirement and estate planning; and income tax. (Replaced LEA 271 Financial Stewardship)

• + ENG 300 -College Writing and Research
Credit Hours: 3
Students will learn the importance of using credible sources and building strong arguments. Students will develop thesis statements, introductions and conclusions, consider audience and purpose, and integrate credible and scholarly sources using APA formatting. They will develop writing skills to help in academic courses, business pursuits, ministry, as well as other career positions.
•    BIBLE & THEOLOGY CORE - 30 Credits
• + BIB 141 -Old Testament Survey
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a survey of Old Testament literature in its historical setting.  Attention is given to outstanding persons, events, and theological emphases.
• + BIB 143 -New Testament Literature
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a survey of New Testament literature including a study of its historical settings, literary types, and main theological themes.  Attention will also be given to outstanding persons, events, and major teachings. (Title and Course Description updated January 2020.) Course Title and Course Description for BIB 143 through December 2019: BIB 143 New Testament Survey This course is a survey of the background and content of the New Testament with an emphasis on learning to ask questions that will give the student a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. It is designed for students who desire to use the New Testament for the purposes intended by God both in their personal lives and in their teaching. The course is designed from a conservative, evangelical, and dispensational framework.
• + HUM 133 -Philosophy and Worldview
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the fact that our culture is confronted with a vast assortment of differing philosophies and worldviews; each claiming to be true. Focus is provided to understand and evaluate these various belief systems in an increasingly pluralistic society. Main ideas of eight different worldviews will be explored while the student develops and expresses a personal worldview. Topics will center around the nature of God, reality, nature of man, death, truth, morality, and the meaning of life. The primary purpose of this course is to challenge students to examine the timeless truths of Christianity.
• + THE 256 -Christian Theology I
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a survey of foundational doctrines of systematic theology including Bibliology, Theology Proper (God), Christology (Christ) and Pneumatology (Holy Spirit). It will include an overview of the mid-Acts dispensational perspective of theology held by the institution. The course also encourages the practical integration of these doctrines in the life and service of the Christian.
• + BIB 442 -Letters of Paul
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the background and ministry of Paul, as well as the origin and purpose of each of the Pauline epistles in the context of the development of his ministry. The study will include an analysis and synthesis of major Pauline themes, including the Pauline concept of the church and its mission.
• + LEA 372 -Organizational Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide an understanding of organizational leadership from a biblical, theoretical and practical point of view.  The topic of leadership will be discussed in four contexts that include intrapersonal, interpersonal relationships, organizational structure and processes, and organizational culture.  A biblical approach will be used as a unifying theme for leadership best practices within each of these contexts.
• + MIN 370 -Spiritual Formation
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the practical outworking of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Special consideration will be given to how the Holy Spirit equips God’s people for service, a development of a plan for lifelong spiritual growth, and appreciation for the historic spiritual disciplines.
• + THE 454 -Knowing God
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an in-depth study of Theology Proper, the study of God the Father.  Included with this will be understanding the Trinity doctrine, with an emphasis on biblical, historical and theological dimensions of knowing God as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The course supports not only knowing more about God, but actually knowing God better through the application of Christian doctrine to life, worship and mission.
• + HUM 332 -Personal and Social Ethics
Credit Hours: 3
This course lays the foundation for a Christian response to ethical issues arising in 21st Century Western culture. Attention is given to the biblical foundation of Christian personal and social ethics, the history of ethics, ethical decision-making, and personal character development. Application of these topics will be made to a range of contemporary issues.
• + THE 453 -Christian Theology II
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an in-depth study of the doctrines of systematic theology, including Anthropology (Man), Hamartiology (Sin), Soteriology (Salvation and the Atonement), Angelology (Angels), Ecclesiology (Church) and Eschatology (End Times).  These doctrines will be considered from the mid-Acts dispensational view of theology held by Grace Bible College.  The course also encourages the practical integration of these doctrines in the life and service of the Christian.
•    BUSINESS MAJOR - 51 Credits
• + BUS 110 -Fundamentals of Business
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the fundamental practices and issues involved in managing and operating a business in today’s marketplace. Areas of business explored in this course include various management theories, economic concepts, management and organization, human resources, sales and marketing, and operations. The course also examines the challenges of operating in both domestic and global markets, business ethics and business strategy.
• + BUS 230 -Introduction to Finance
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide opportunity to learn basic finance principles linking financial markets, institutions and investors. An overview of the flow of capital will be explored from the corporate perspective, including topics such as interest rates, stocks, bonds, risk and return, the time value of money, and the cost of capital.
• + BUS 245 -Accounting I
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the field of accounting and the role that accounting plays in business. Students will be introduced to journals, ledgers, postings, and adjusting/closing of the books. The course emphasis is on understanding the complete accounting cycle and preparing financial statements, bank reconciliations, and payroll.
• + BUS 255 -Fundamentals of Business Law
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the law as it pertains to business organizations. It will introduce the student to the legal system in its various forms and its impact on the legal environment of business. Topics include the Constitution and its historical foundation, ethics, business decision-making, alternative dispute resolution, torts, intellectual property, criminal law and cybercrimes, contracts, sales and lease, and employment law.
• + LEA 374 -Working with Teams
Credit Hours: 3
This course emphasizes the importance of teamwork in organizational or professional settings. In addition to reviewing the components of effective teams, the dysfunctions of teams, accountability within teams, and values will also be discussed. Success in organizations is largely dependent on teamwork. Students will become more effective team members as well as equipping them to improve team relationships. Characteristics of dynamic and thriving teams will be explored, with a special emphasis on the common dysfunctions of teams and how to avoid them.
• + MKT 265 -Social Media Marketing
Credit Hours: 3
This course will use a biblical framework to determine and guide the identification and use of this rapidly changes media. Students will develop engagement strategies using social media to advance the mission and vision of the organization by creating customer profiles in social media marketing. In addition to the identification of alternative social media platforms, this class will explore various engagement options to ensure cultural awareness. in advancing a marketing strategy.
• + BUS 430 -Management of Marketing
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines various aspects of the discipline of marketing as they relate to today’s domestic and global marketplaces. Multiple marketing strategies will be analyzed and the behavior of consumers in various target markets will be explored.  Information related to understanding and making advantageous marketing decisions related to product and service offerings, distribution, promotion, and pricing will also be examined.
• + BUS 470 -Personnel Development
Credit Hours: 3
This course will prepare the student to integrate the various theories of learning, leadership, and motivation into a practical application of different methodologies, including needs assessment, development, and execution. Other important aspects covered include job design, coaching, mentoring, and performance management techniques.
• + ECO 305 -Introduction to Economics
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the study of economics and its impact upon society. Key historical economic theories are introduced along with fundamental economic concepts. Key microeconomic topics covered include the concept of scarcity, supply and demand function, production, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, and perfect competition market structures. Macroeconomic topics include classical macroeconomic theories, basic fiscal and monetary policy and the instruments used to implement them, the economic cycle, inflation, and unemployment.
• + COM 330 -Culture and Conflict Management
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides students with a basic overview of conflict resolution. The history, methods, and theory of conflict resolution will be explored. In addition, strategies in competitive versus collaborative negotiation will be examined in the context of culture and a Christian worldview.
• + MKT 310 -Information Technology for Marketers
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores how marketers use PC to enterprise level computer systems to develop marketing plans to create sound marketing solutions in the eComerce environment. Focus on the rapidly changing business climate will from a biblical perspective evaluate best practices that IT systems proved to the life cycle of the system application. The course will explore career and mission opportunities with various information systems.
• + BUS 465 -Finance and Budgeting for Managers
Credit Hours: 3
This course will build upon basic finance concepts involving financial markets. An in depth review of the function and use of financial statements in capital markets will be surveyed. Managerial planning and decision making roles will be explored in topics such as capital budgeting, capital structure, leverage, and cash flow analysis.
• + MKT 315 -Advertising and Promotions
Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on using major marketing communication tools: advertising, direct marketing, the Internet, interactive media, sales promotion, public relations, personal selling, as well as social and consumer-driven media. Students will be expected to research and evaluate a company's marketing and promotional plan to create an effective communication plan.
• + BUS 445 -Accounting II
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide learners the opportunity to learn basic managerial accounting processes such as product and service costing, profit planning, capital investment analysis, flexible budgeting, and financial statement analysis. Special attention will be given to the use of computer applications to perform analysis and make decisions.
• + BUS 475 -Operations Management
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the foundations of the operations function from both manufacturing and services perspectives. The course will analyze operations from both the strategic and operational perspectives and highlight the competitive advantages that operations can provide for the organization.  We will cover topics in the areas of process analysis, materials management, production scheduling, quality improvement, and product design.
• + BUS 485 -Strategic Management
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the art and science of formulating, implementing, and evaluating cross-functional decisions that enable an organization to achieve its objectives. The course focuses on integrating management, marketing, finance/accounting, production/operations, research and development, and information systems to accomplish organizational success in a rapidly changing global economy.
• + BUS 498 -Program Capstone
Credit Hours: 3
This course serves as a capstone course for Grace Online BS degrees. The purpose is for students to synthesize their learning and focus their ideas on a practical application of their ideas in a local community in the context of their degree program.
•    ELECTIVE COURSES - 9 Credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 120