Curriculum / Courses

•    BUSINESS (choose 12 credits from the following)
• + 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.
• + 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 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.
• + 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.
• + 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.
• + 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.
• + 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.
• + 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.
•    • Elective course(s) chosen in consultation with the Academic Advisor
•    CRIMINAL JUSTICE (choose 12 credits from the following)
• + CJS 310 -Criminal Law
Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews criminal law and specific offenses and applies constitutional restrictions on government’s power.  The course emphasizes basic criminal law, inchoate crimes, crimes against persons and property, contraband and regulatory offenses, public order crimes, operating while intoxicated, court functions and civil law and process.  This course will also explore Biblical expressions of law and applications to modern laws and sanctions.
• + CJS 315 -Criminal Procedure
Credit Hours: 3
The course focuses on the substantive criminal procedure and on the constitutional restrictions on government’s power to search, seize and question.   The course emphasizes basic police criminal procedure, laws of arrest, search and seizure, laws on suspect identification, admissions and confessions, use of force, and other related topics.  This course will includes an analysis from the Christian worldview of justice and on the topics studied.
• + CJS 330 -Law Enforcement and Corrections
Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews contemporary institutional and community-based correctional systems including jails, prisons, probation, parole, and alternative sanctioning. The course examines how punishment justifications impact the policy and procedures in juvenile and adult correctional systems. Specific attention is given to identification of evidence-based practices and programs in all aspects of the corrections system.
• + CJS 350 -Criminology and Social Deviance
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines why and how certain attributes and behaviors considered deviant in the United States. We will explore major types of deviant behavior and discuss how norms, values, and rules are made and enforced. This course includes sociological theories to explain deviant behaviors and is divided into the five areas of defining and explaining the deviant, creating deviance, maintaining deviance, controlling deviance, and justifying deviance.
• + CJS 370 -Juvenile Law & Delinquency
Credit Hours: 3
Juvenile Law & Delinquency focuses on the unique challenges of working with youth within the criminal justice system. Theories that seek to explain juvenile delinquency, including the nature and extent of illegal behavior will be explored, while also considering the significant role of media violence. The justice process for juveniles will be critiqued, highlighting the structure and function of juvenile justice, probation, detention, parole, diversion for child offenders and the roles of family and social institutions in addressing illegal juvenile behavior. A biblical worldview will be promoted in responding to juvenile delinquency.
• + CJS 440 -Culture, Crime, Ethics and Justice
Credit Hours: 3
An exploration of the relationships between culture, crime and social justice, with a special emphasis on ethical considerations in light of a Biblical worldview.  The course seeks to develop learner's cultural intelligence and foster compassion and greater understanding of diverse groups who are affected by the criminal justice system.
• + PSY 325 -Social Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines individual behaviors within the context of one’s society. It is a study of how people think, influence, and relate to one another. Components of these behaviors studied in this course include attitudes, beliefs, prejudices, aggression, leadership, altruism, conformity, attraction, persuasion, and stereotypes.
• + PSY 456 -Survival Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
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.
•    • Elective course(s) chosen in consultation with the Academic Advisor
•    GLOBAL COMMUNICATION (choose 12 credits from the following)
• + COM 210 -Foundations of Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide an overview of the present state of the field of communication that is anchored in a biblical worldview. By paying attention to important communication terminology, historical developments, and key communication scholars and journals, students will recognize how communication can be used to serve others.
• + COM 220 -Global Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to global communication by exploring issues related to intercultural communication practices from a biblical perspective. It examines the important role of social, cultural, and historical context in human interactions.
• + COM 250 -Interpersonal Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the importance of interpersonal communication and the common barriers that confound relationships such as culture, conflict, gender, and perception of differences. Students will evaluate current connections from a Christian worldview and from that foundation identify strategies for strengthening personal and professional influences for mission/vision-minded goals.
• + 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.
• + COM 350 -Leadership and Group Communication
Credit Hours: 3
Designed as an introduction to the principles of small group communication, Leadership and Group Communication provides a foundation for understanding teams and groups. Activities will allow students to experience the challenge of learning how to improve their group communication skills through participation. Exploring biblical characteristics of leadership and teamwork will provide students with a framework for communicating and effectively leading in a diverse world.
• + COM 370 -Crisis Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to the field of crisis communication. The course will explore through the use of case studies both internal and external as well as reactive and proactive models to crisis communication.
• + COM 420 -Public Relations
Credit Hours: 3
(Prerequisite: Global Communication) This course provides an introduction to public relations and its role in American society. Basic principles and theories are reviewed and the communications planning process is examined. Students will explore current issues and trends and analyze the ethical issues from both a legal and biblical perspective. Case studies will be utilized and discussed. In addition, the student will learn public relations writing skills and prepare a public relations plan. The course will serve as a foundation for those interested in a career in public relations as well as provide a helpful overview of the practice for those planning careers in other fields.
•    • Elective course(s) chosen in consultation with the Academic Advisor
•    LEADERSHIP & MINISTRY (choose 12 from the following)
• + BIB 342 -Life of Christ
Credit Hours: 3
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 273 -Issues in Christian Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
Issues in Christian Leadership addresses the seminal issues in Christian leadership in both the church and para-church settings, including the foundational issues of each of the five following areas: integrity, communication, leadership development, conflict management and self-care.
• + 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.
• + LEA 472 -Mobilization of Volunteers
Credit Hours: 3
This course will investigate ways to mobilize and engage volunteers.  It will defend the value of volunteers and their relationship within an organization. The topics examined will include: types of recruitment methods, importance of background checks, communicating organizational mission statements, goals and values, training, retention, volunteer tasks and expectations, motivation, reward systems and performance improvement for both volunteers and staff. Throughout the course, you will develop a practice scenario of organizing volunteers and staff for a specific event.
• + MIN 362 -Marketplace Ministry
Credit Hours: 3
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.
• + MIN 467 -Basic Counseling
Credit Hours: 3
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.
• + THE 348 -Biblical Perspectives on Wealth and Poverty
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores a biblical foundation for understanding wealth and poverty in the modern world.  These issues impact ministry at a local level and beyond, including the support of international missions efforts.  In addition, students will examine appropriate responses for Christians and churches as they seek to care for the “least, the last, and the lost.”
•    • Elective course(s) chosen in consultation with the Academic Advisor
•    PASTORAL STUDIES (Leadership & Ministry Students Only) (choose 12 credits from the following)
• + COM 220 -Global Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to global communication by exploring issues related to intercultural communication practices from a biblical perspective. It examines the important role of social, cultural, and historical context in human interactions.
• + MIN 415 -Ministry of the Local Church
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a foundation for leading staff, boards, and committees, as well as development of programming.  Included is an understanding of proper oversight of Church finances and overall stewardship of the ministry.  All of this with the goal of preparing the student for leading in the midst of change and maintaining church health.
• + THE 335 -Principles and Practice of Worship
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the biblical foundations for corporate worship and how those are applied today.   Included is a study of key biblical texts, review of common misperceptions, and development of an overall philosophy for corporate worship.
• + MIN 462 -Teaching and Preaching
Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews the method and impact of gospel communicators, both from Scripture as well as those of historical note. It also stresses the fundamentals of gospel communication, including content, which involves study; delivery, which involves mechanics; and anointing, which involves dependence upon the Holy Spirit. This course will also stress a balance of both theory and practices in gospel communication.
• + BIB 408 -Genesis
Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews the overall scope of Genesis as the foundational book in the Pentateuch.  This includes authorship, content framework, and purpose.
• + PSY 363 -End-of-Life Matters
Credit Hours: 3
Broad overview of death and dying topics including choices an aging population needs to make; ethics and Christian perspective of those choices; and the experience of grief and mourning.
• + WOM 300 -The Role of Women in Church Administration and Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to explore the role women play in church leadership and help students reflect on their own leadership style. In that context, students are to develop their mission, passion, and confidence to lead within the church.
• + YTH 300 -Philosophy and Theology of Youth Ministry
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide an overview of youth ministry philosophy, models, and theology. Emphasis is on evaluating ministry models and developing a philosophy of youth ministry.
•    • Elective course(s) chosen in consultation with the Academic Advisor
•    SOCIAL SCIENCES (choose 12 from the following)
• + CJS 440 -Culture, Crime, Ethics and Justice
Credit Hours: 3
An exploration of the relationships between culture, crime and social justice, with a special emphasis on ethical considerations in light of a Biblical worldview.  The course seeks to develop learner's cultural intelligence and foster compassion and greater understanding of diverse groups who are affected by the criminal justice system.
• + COM 250 -Interpersonal Communication
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the importance of interpersonal communication and the common barriers that confound relationships such as culture, conflict, gender, and perception of differences. Students will evaluate current connections from a Christian worldview and from that foundation identify strategies for strengthening personal and professional influences for mission/vision-minded goals.
• + 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.
• + 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.
• + PSY 310 -Abnormal Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
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 325 -Social Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines individual behaviors within the context of one’s society. It is a study of how people think, influence, and relate to one another. Components of these behaviors studied in this course include attitudes, beliefs, prejudices, aggression, leadership, altruism, conformity, attraction, persuasion, and stereotypes.
• + PSY 361 -Psychology & Culture of Aging
Credit Hours: 3
A review of the biological, sociological, and psychological aspects of age-related changes in respect to perception, memory, cognition, and personality. Major developmental theories and research will be studied. Study of aging from the perspective of prominent sociological theories in Western society with an emphasis on culture.
• + PSY 363 -End-of-Life Matters
Credit Hours: 3
Broad overview of death and dying topics including choices an aging population needs to make; ethics and Christian perspective of those choices; and the experience of grief and mourning.
• + PSY 467 -Memory Loss and Aging
Credit Hours: 3
This course contrasts normal age-related changes in the brain with the effects of diseases that cause cognitive impairment.  Prevalence, incidence, symptoms, causes, treatment, and caregiving issues are discussed, with emphasis on the history and personal, social, cultural, political, and economic impacts of Alzheimer’s disease are explored.
•    • Elective course(s) chosen in consultation with the Academic Advisor