PRESEMINARY PROGRAM (Th.B)

The College Program prepares students for further study in seminary or graduate school. The student is given opportunity to take advanced language courses usually required for entrance into seminary.

The College Program is designed for students who do not anticipate seminary or graduate work but view their preparation at the VCU as the termination of formal studies. This program gives students exposure to many areas of ministry in church or mission. A broad range of courses provides the basic preparation needed for ministry.

Program Requirements

Th.B requires satisfactory completion of 120 units as outlined in the curriculum with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. Th. B requires 200 hours of supervised field education of every Th. B student. The Th. B offers students the most vacational flexibility and is the focus of the our placement efforts. The curriculum may be completed in four years, although many students take five years due to family, church and job responsibility.

The time limitation for completion of Th. B degree is seven years. Courses taken more than seven years prior to the completion of this degree may be credited toward the degree only by specific faculty approval. Such approval may include instructions for re-examination or additional study.

Graduation Requirements

The College confers degree on those students who have fulfilled the following conditions:
1. Completion of one of the programs offered by the College with a grade point average of 2.(C) or above. A minimum of 60 credits must have been taken at VCU.
2. Evidence of dependability and progress in Christian ministry as mutually evaluated by the directors of student ministries and of the candidate's chosen program.
3. Approved Christian character as evidenced by stability, maturity and corporation.
4. Approval of the faculty and board of trustees.

Academic Load

A full academic load is considered to be 12 to 18 credits during the regular semester and 4 credits during a summer and winter session. Students wishing to take more credits may do so according to the semester overload policy which states the student must have a 3.0 GPA to take 19 to 20 credits and a 3.5 GPA to take 21 credits or more.

Educational Goals

1. To enable the student to demonstrate a general knowledge of common sense and the Bible, including a synthetic understanding of the major books.
2. To enable the student to evidence an understanding of the historical development of theology, a knowledge of reformed theology, and an ability to support his or her theological views and apply them to contemporary issues.
3. To enable the student to develop a biblical philosophy of and commitment to Christian education and service in home, church, and school.

Spiritual Goals

To enable the student to give evidence of an increasing likeness to Lord Christ as manifested in love for God, love for other, and evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit through prayer and reading the Bible every day.

Ministry Goals

1. To enable the student to demonstrate an increasing involvement in the local church or other ministry with which he or she is associated.
2. To enable the student to minister within a local church or other group by means of leadership skills, evangelism, and service.

FIELD EDUCATION

Students enrolled in the College for any degree program are required to participate in Christian service ministries for each academic semester specified in the program of study. Students are encouraged to choose a variety of ministries to obtain a broad background of experience and to discern the areas of their special capabilities. All candidates for degrees must meet these requirements to graduate;

General Education Courses................................................14 Credits
Department of OT, NT..................................................48 Credits
Department of Church History.................................... 8 Credits
Department of Systematic Theology............................16 Credits
Department of Practical Theology...............................34 Credits

CURRICULUM OF TH. B

Summer Session: General/ Elective..............................4 Credits
Winter Session: General/ Elective.................................4 Credits

First Year
Fall Semester	Spring Semester
GE 300. Introduction to Philosophy OT 505. The Background of Bible NT 505. The Gospel of Matthew ST 500. Introduction to Doctrine NT 503. NT Introduction ST 501. The Doctrine of Scripture CH 501. The Ancient Church	GE 301. Christian Philosophy GE 302. English Bible Survey OT 506. Genesis AE 609. Ten Commandments PTE 503. History of World Mission NT 620. The Life of Christ OT 504. OT Introduction.
Second Year
Fall Semester	Spring Semester
NT 401. Beginning of Greek GE 303. English Writing Skills GE 305. General Music Theory OT 507. Exodus PT 611. Teaching the Bible ST 502. Trinitarianism CH 501. The Ancient Church	OT 401. Basic Hebrew Grammar PE 304. Christian Ethics GE 306. Church Music OT 508. Exegesis of Leviticus NT 506. The Gospel of Mark AE 500. Introduction to Apologetics ST 612. Westminster Confession
Third Year
Fall Semester	Spring Semester
OT 512. Major Prophetic Books OT 513. The Book of Isaiah NT 507. The Gospel of Luke NT 508. The Fourth Gospel PT 613. Educational Ministry of S S AE 608. New Testament Ethics ST 501. The Doctrine of Scripture	OT 516. Minor Prophet Books I. NT 509. The Acts NT 510. The Epistles of Romans TC 502. Introduction to Psychology CH 609. Major Sects of Korea NT 626. The Kingdom of God PT 612. Introduction to Education
Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Spring Semester
NT 512 The Epistle of Gorintianns NT 513. Epistle to the Galatians OT 514 Book of Ezekiel, Daniel OT 517. Minor Prophet Books II PTC 500. Introduction to Counseling CH 502. The Medieval Church ST 504. Christology	OT 515. Jeremiah-Lamentations OT 618. Holy Land Studies NT 514. Prison Epistles NT 515. The Pastoral Epistles NT 622. New Testament History CH 504. Church in the Modern Age ST 509. Doctrine of Eschatology