Division of Religion and Philosophy

The programs available in the undergraduate Division of Religion and Philosophy’s four departments offer courses of study that encourage the search for truth about God, human existence in relationship to God, and the world as God’s creation.

About the Division

The programs available in the undergraduate division’s four departments offer courses of study that encourage the search for truth about God, human existence in relationship to God, and the world as God’s creation. Students are guided in this search through an analysis of the Christian Scriptures, historical and contemporary statements of Christian belief, human experience of God and the world, and rational reflections on the nature of reality by great thinkers past and present. The goal of this study is to prepare men and women for service to God, as either lay or professional ministers in His Kingdom. Academic study is therefore balanced with a concern for individual involvement in practical ministry.

The departments offer majors in biblical studies, Christian ministries, philosophy, theology, and youth and family ministries; minors in ancient languages, biblical studies, Christian ministriescultural engagementphilosophical apologetics, philosophypractical and professional ethicsreligious studies, theology, and youth and family ministries; and Certificates of Distinction in biblical studiesphilosophy, and theology.

Each major course of study builds on the General Education program’s Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation requirement. Transfer students take the number of units required by the registrar. Courses are selected from the list of core courses for General Education in consultation with a department advisor. All majors in the undergraduate division must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade-point average in all courses for the major.

In general, correspondence courses are not accepted as fulfillment of religion or philosophy requirements. A student may, however, petition to have 3 correspondence units count toward his/her major or minor upon department approval. The course(s) must match existing courses, and the student may be asked to pass an exam. Double majors require 24 units that are distinctive to one major; 18 units must be upper division.

General Education

Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation 

Required Courses for All Majors in the Division of Religion and Philosophy

MIN 108Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry3
UBBL 100Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy3
UBBL 230Luke/Acts3
UBBL 3XXAny UBBL General Education Bible course3
Select one of the following: 13
Theology and the Christian Life 2
Faith and the Arts
Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation
Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present
Select one of the following:3
Core Texts in Philosophy
Introduction to Philosophy
Total Units18
1

For the General Education Theology requirement, the School of Theology recommends either THEO 200, THEO 301THEO 352, or THEO 354. HUM 325 also fulfills the requirement.

2

THEO 200 is required of all Christian ministries and youth and family ministries majors.

Major Sr. Seminar Requirement
Biblical Studies UBBL 496, THEO 496, or MIN 496
Theology THEO 496
Philosophy PHIL 496 or THEO 496
Christian Ministries/Youth and Family Ministries: Church and Pastoral Ministries Practices concentration MIN 496, THEO 496, or UBBL 496
Christian Ministries/Youth and Family Ministries: Intercultural Christian Ministries concentration MIN 496, THEO 496, or UBBL 496
Christian Ministries/Youth and Family Ministries: Ministry in Urban and Social Service Contexts concentration MIN 496, THEO 496, or UBBL 496

Students transferring into the university may waive some of the General Education Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation requirements for the major as follows: sophomore standing, 3 units; junior standing, 9 units; and senior standing, 12 units. The specific courses waived are selected in consultation with a department faculty advisor.