ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Associate of arts in biblical studies(AA) Program
The Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies(AA Degree) provides a solid foundation for further academic achievement providing students opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that are readily applicable to the student’s personal or professional interests. The program also prepares students for entry into baccalaureate degree programs.

Associate programs are designed for students who seek a two-year degree as either their final degree in higher education or the foundation for further study at the bachelor's level. An Associate degree typically requires 60-63 semester hours (20 courses and 1-4 labs). Students must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent to be admitted to an associate program

The undergraduate program at VACU, the Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies(AA Degree) prepares students for further study in undergraduate school for Biblical studies. The student is given opportunity to take advanced language courses usually required for entrance into undergraduate school. The AA Degree is designed for students who do not anticipate graduate work but view their preparation at VACU as the termination of formal studies.

Program Requirements

The A A Degree requires satisfactory completion of 60 units as outlined in the curriculum with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. It requires 100 hours of supervised field education. The curriculum offers students the most vocational flexibility and is the focus of our placement efforts. The curriculum may be completed in two years, although many students take three years due to family, church and job responsibility.
The maximum time limit for completion of the A A Degree is four years. Courses taken more than three 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 2.0 (C) or above. A minimum of 60 credits must have been taken at VACU.
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 3 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 more than 18 credits per semester and have the approval of the Academic Dean.

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.

EDUCATION COURSES

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 courses are 3 semester units unless otherwise noted. All candidates for degree may meet these requirements to graduate or Some candidates may choose 12 credit hours from the following BABS course;
ED 219 Christian Education
ED 218 Foundation of Education
EN 213 English Composition (I)
EN 213 English Composition (II)
EN 214 English Conversation (I)
EN 214 English Conversation (II)
ET 215 Christian Ethics
BI 209 NT John English Bible
HI 201 World Civilizations (I)
HI 203 Church History
BI 207 OT Genesis English Bible
MU 216 General Music Theory
MU 217 Church Music
PH 100 Introduction to Philosophy
PH 101 Christian Philosophy
PH 102 Philosophy of Religion
SO 220 World Religions I
SO 222 Christian World View
SO 223 Pnrinciples of Sociology


COLLEGE PROGRAM( B.A.)
The College Program(Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies) 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(B.A.) is designed for students who do not anticipate seminary or graduate work but view their preparation at VACU 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.


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.


Program Requirements

The BABS requires satisfactory completion of 120 units as outlined in the curriculum with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. It requires 200 hours of supervised field education. The curriculum offers students the most vocational flexibility and is the focus of 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 maximum time limit for completion of the BABS 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 2.0 (C) or above. A minimum of 60 credits must have been taken at VACU.
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 6 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 more than 18 credits per semester and have the approval of the Dean.

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 OF 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.
DEGREE PLAN: All courses are 3 semester units unless otherwise noted. All candidates for degrees must meet these requirements to graduate;
General Education Courses............................................45 Credits
Department of OT, NT...................................................30 Credits
Department of Church History.........................................9 Credits
Department of Systematic Theology..............................18 Credits
Department of Practical Theology.................................18 Credits


GENERAL EDUCATION - 45 UNITS
ED 219 Christian Education
ED 218 Foundation of Education
EN 213 English Composition (I)
EN 214. English Conversation(I)
ET 215 Christian Ethics
BI 209 NT John English Bible
HI 201 World Civilizations (I)
BI 207 OT Genesis English Bible
MU 216 General Music Theory
MU 217 Church Music
PH 100 Introduction to Philosophy
PH 101 Christian Philosophy
SO 220 World Religions I
SO 222 Christian World View
SO 223 Principles of Sociology

OT AND NT BIBLE - 30 UNITS
OT 405 The Background of the Bible
OT 404 Introduction to OT
OT 407 Pentateuch
OT 406 Genesis
NT 408 Introduction to NT
NT 409 Synoptic Gospels
NT 410 The Fourth Gospel
NT 411 The Acts
NT 412 Pauline Epistles
NT 413 Romans
CHURCH HISTORY – 9 UNITS
HI 400 Church History
HI 402 Church in the Modern Age
HI 403 USA Church History

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY - 18 UNITS
TH 300 Introduction to Doctrine I
TH 301 Introduction to Doctrine II
TH 401 Doctrine of Scripture
TH 403 Westminster Confession I
TH 405 Westminster Confession II
TH 407 Trinitarianism

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY - 18 UNITS

ED 403 Introduction to Christian Education
BC 405 Introduction to Counseling
EV 406 Church Growth
MI 410 Introduction to Mission
PA 400 Sermon Theology
PA 402 Christian Worship