Curriculum / Courses

• SEMESTER 1
• + ENG 300 -College Writing and Research
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.
• + LEA 374 -Working with Teams
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.
• + BIB 342 -Life of Christ
This course is a journey in the steps of Christ to experience authentic and transformative Christian living, which prepares students to follow the steps of Christ and serve the Church and society. Students will explore context, life examples, teachings, and theology inherent in the life of Christ in order to develop a personal theology. The four Gospels serve as the knowledge base.
• + LEA 372 -Organizational Leadership
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.

• SEMESTER 2
• + MIN 362 -Marketplace Ministry
The purpose of this course is to learn and live the foundational tenets of biblical Christianity in the marketplace of life; at home, at work, and in the school; in short, in the public arena.  Attention will be given to the lifestyle of the believer as a statement to the non-Christian, relationship building, lifestyle evangelism, spiritual conversation with the non-Christian, and the biblical elements of conversion.
• + THE 454 -Knowing God
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
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 352 -Theology of Leadership
This course provides a biblical, Christ-centered perspective of leadership ideas.  Historical trends in the development of leadership thinking—both from a secular and Christian perspective—are discussed and evaluated in light of biblical truth, and students will be challenged to apply this truth to their own lives and their understanding of organizational behavior.
• SEMESTER 3
• + PSY 461 -Physiological Psychology
A general presentation of physiological psychology will be offered. Students will study introductory information on the various physiological systems to help them understand the basic processes and applications of the physiology involved in psychology.
• + PSY 339 -Health Psychology
Health Psychology examines psychological influences on health, well-being and longevity.  This course evaluates the interplay between emotions, cognitions and behavioral factors that affect the onset, duration, recovery and prevention of chronic illness and disease over the life span.  Topics will include depression and illness, traumatic injuries, neuromuscular diseases, cancer and chronic pain.  Psychological treatment involving wellness behaviors, smoking cessation, substance abuse, proper nutrition and exercise are studied from the biopsychosocial model.  Students will be encouraged to apply all course learning through a critical, biblical worldview.
• + PSY 310 -Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology is designed to introduce students to models of thinking concerning mental health, mental disorders, and classification of mental disorders.  The general goals are to expose students to the range of thinking within the field of mental health and to help students understand the complexities of modern day classification of various mental disorders. The students will be challenged to define what is considered “normal” and “abnormal.” They will become familiar with the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of abnormal psychology, including the various theories developed and used to explain causes and treatments for mental disorders. Emphasis in this undergraduate class will focus on symptoms and causes, although treatment will certainly be included. All information will be compared and contrasted with a Christian worldview of the various theories and concepts of Abnormal Psychology.
• + PSY 456 -Survival Psychology
This course focuses on the traits responsible for surviving in high-stress environments, including responding directly to high-threat encounters. Pro-survival behaviors are presented, including “the gift of fear” and balancing independence and leadership versus the need for teamwork collaboration in responding to stressful events. Organizational and professional psychological traits present in law enforcement, paramilitary organizations and high stress organizations are explored, as well as healthy lifestyle factors that lead to career effectiveness and avoiding burnout, such as managing vicarious trauma and promoting self-care.
• SEMESTER 4
• + PSY 383 -Studies in Research Statistics
This course is an introduction to fundamental constructs of statistics as they are applied to research. Learners are introduced to core concepts, including: sampling, reliability and validity, descriptive and inferred statistics, hypothesis formulation, statistical significance, confidence intervals, interpretation of research, common statistical tests, and ANOVA computations. Learners will also become familiar with software for statistical computing and graphics.
• + PSY 349 -Theories and Foundations in Counseling
This course has three main purposes, which include analysis of several psychological theories regarding personality, simulated theory application, and personal application of theoretical concepts to their own lives.  In this way, students should begin to develop a solid foundation for his/her own counseling skills and increase their self-understanding. Integrated with the understanding of theories will be compatibility of scriptural teaching.
• + MIN 467 -Basic Counseling
This course will provide an overview of basic counseling skills, integrating these skills with biblical concepts. We will learn how the Bible and the basic counseling skills can be used together to effectively help others in overcoming some of the challenges one faces in life.
• + PSY 498 -Program Capstone
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.
TOTAL CREDITS: 48