GCU
PURPOSE
The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education (BACE) program equips students with personal integrity and integrates theoretical and practical learning specially designed for educators. Graduates of the program will be ready for competent leadership in the church and school educational ministries. This degree is designed to explore faith, understand human lives, and help students choose from various ministry career choices. The courses are designed to give students the academic preparation and skills necessary for more profound and informed service and ministry to the Church and the world. In particular, this degree serves the immigrant church and allows students to study the immigrant context and understand Christian education in a multicultural environment.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the BACE program, students will demonstrate the following:
- basic understanding of the Bible, theology, & ministries to shape Christian educational praxis,
- knowledge of the foundations of teaching and learning theories in a Christian context,
- the ability to use appropriate teaching skills and methods in various age groups in ministries, and
- the ability to synthesize theories and practice a lifelong pattern of spiritual growth.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education degree program requires 126 credit hours. IR (WS305 Institutional Requirement) is required of all students every semester of enrollment. The curriculum includes 45 credit hours in general education courses, 81 credit hours in major coursework, and the Institutional Requirement. A full-time student following the course sequencing provided will be able to complete the program in eight semesters or four years.
CURRICULUM
| Bible and Theology* (30 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BS101 A Survey of the Bible | 3 |
| BS230 Interpretation of the Bible | 3 |
| OT200 Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| NT200 Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| BT100 Christian Worldview | 3 |
| BT101 Jesus Christ in Global Society | 3 |
| NT310 The Parables of Jesus | 3 |
| OT206 Wisdom Literature | 3 |
| TH200 Systematic Theology | 3 |
| PT210 Foundations of the Church | 3 |
*BA program students must complete a minimum of 10 courses (30 credits) in Bible & Theology (ABHE standard).
General Education (36 Semester Hours)
All undergraduate students must complete 36 credit hours in general education courses. To meet the general education requirements, every undergraduate-level student in Christian Education will complete two English writing and communication courses, two foreign language courses, one fine art/music course, two humanity courses, three behavior/social science courses, one math course, and one science course.
| Writing and Communication (6 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENGL101/102 English I/II | 6 |
| ENGL103/104 Theological English I/II* | 6 |
| Foreign Language (select one language: 6 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| LAN101/102 Spanish I/II | 6 |
| LAN111/112 Biblical Greek I | 6 |
| LAN121/122 Biblical Hebrew I | 6 |
| LAN131/132 Chinese I/II | 6 |
| Humanities (6 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| HUM101 Spiritual Classics | 3 |
| HUM102 Introduction to Philosophy and Theology | 3 |
| HUM103 Introduction to Christian Ethics | 3 |
| HUM104 Religions of the World | 3 |
| HUM105 Multi-Cultural Leadership in Education | 3 |
| SFE200 Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| Fine Arts/Music (6 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ART120 Western Art History | 3 |
| ART121 Theories of Design & Color | 3 |
| MUS105 Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUS100 Music Appreciation | 3 |
| MUS351 Music & Worship | 3 |
| MUS106 University Chorus | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Sciences (6 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ECON101 Fundamental Economics | 3 |
| SOC101 Sociology of Religion | 3 |
| SOC102 Marriage and Family | 3 |
| SOC103 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| SOC104 Education and Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SOC105 Seminar on Urban Problems | 3 |
| PSY106 Psychology of Religious Experience | 3 |
| SOC107 Moral Development and Moral Education | 3 |
| SOC108 Theories of Faith Development | 3 |
| SOC110 Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC146 Christianity and Economic Thoughts | 3 |
| PSY130 Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Mathematics/ Statistics (3 Credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MATH101 College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH102 Calculus | 3 |
| MATH204 Probability | 3 |
| MATH202 Statistics for Management I | 3 |
| Science (3 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| SCI101 Chemistry | 3 |
| SCI102 Biology | 3 |
| SCI103 Physics | 3 |
Major Fields of Study – Christian Education (60 Semester Hours)
The major coursework for the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education is 60 semester hours in essential Biblical/theological/historical competencies, theoretic education areas, and practical Christian education of the curriculum.
| Department Core (30 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CE200 Foundations of Christian Education | 3 |
| CE202 Philosophy & History of Christian Education | 3 |
| WS200 Christian Worship | 3 |
| CE205 Teaching the Bible | 3 |
| CE207 Christian Education and Human Development | 3 |
| CE212 Curriculum Survey | 3 |
| CE271 Teaching/Learning Methods | 3 |
| CE225 Church’s Educational Ministry | 3 |
| CE227 Psychology and Christian Education | 3 |
| CE340 Education Practicum | 3 |
| Electives (30 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CE208 Christian Education and Theology | 3 |
| CE210 Christian Education and Spirituality | 3 |
| CE211 Christian Education and Practical Theology | 3 |
| CE215 A Biblical Theology of Christian Education | 3 |
| CE218 Principles of Teaching | 3 |
| CE220 Children and Christian Education | 3 |
| CE224 Ministry with Youth and Their Families | 3 |
| CE300 Educational Leadership Development | 3 |
| CE216 Biblical Models of Education | 3 |
| CE226 Teaching with Imagination | 3 |
| CE230 Teaching/Learning Styles | 3 |
| CE272 Teaching Adults and Teachers of Adults | 3 |
| CE273 Theory and Practice of Christian Education | 3 |
| CE280 Assessing Christian Education Ministry Effectiveness | 3 |
| CE301 Educational Ministry in Conflicts | 3 |
| CE303 Ministry with Second Generation Asian-Americans | 3 |
| CE305 Youth and Young Adult Ministry | 3 |
| CE309 Current Issues in Christian Education | 3 |
| CE310 Christian Education in a Changing World | 3 |
| CE320 The Christian Home | 3 |
| CC200 Introduction to Christian Counseling | 3 |
Institutional Requirement (IR)
Students are required to take WS305 Institutional Requirement (chapel attendance) every semester and enroll until graduation. Students will receive a Pass/Fail grade for WS305 IR.
SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCING
Students must work with an advisor to plan their course of study and select courses each semester to meet program and curriculum requirements and individual goals. The following course sequencing is a suggestion for meeting the program requirements and completing the program within eight semesters of full-time enrollment. An individual student’s course plan may differ if alternate (approved) courses are selected to meet the program requirements in consultation with the advisor.
| First Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENGL103 Theological English I | 3 |
| Select One from Behavioral/Social Sciences | 3 |
| Select One from Fine Arts/Music | 3 |
| CE203 History of Christian Education | 3 |
| BT101 Jesus Christ in Global Society | 3 |
| SP101 Spiritual Discipline | 1 |
| Total 16 |
| Second Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENGL104 Theological English II | 3 |
| Select One from Behavioral/Social Sciences | 3 |
| Select One from Mathematics/Statistics | 3 |
| CE200 Foundations of Christian Education | 3 |
| BS101 A Survey of the Bible | 3 |
| SP101 Spiritual Discipline | 1 |
| Total 16 |
| Third Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Select One from Foreign Language I | 3 |
| Select One from Behavioral/Social Sciences | 3 |
| BT100 Christian Worldview | 3 |
| OT200 Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| CE201 Philosophy of Christian Education | 3 |
| SP101 Spiritual Discipline | 1 |
| Total 16 |
| Fourth Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Select One from Foreign Language II | 3 |
| Select One from Science | 3 |
| Select One from Humanities | 3 |
| The Parables of Jesus | 3 |
| CE204 Christian Education in Multi-Cultural Context | 3 |
| SP101 Spiritual Discipline | 1 |
| Total 16 |
| Fifth Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| NT200 Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| CH201 Church History I | 3 |
| CE216 Biblical Models of Education | 3 |
| CE227 Psychology and Christian education | 3 |
| PT210 Foundations of the Church | 3 |
| SP101 Spiritual Discipline | 1 |
| Total 16 |
| Sixth Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CE271 Teaching Learning Methods | 3 |
| CE207 Christian Education and Human Development | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 |
| CE205 Teaching the Bible | 3 |
| TH200 Systematic Theology | 3 |
| SP101 Spiritual Discipline | 1 |
| Total 16 |
| Seventh Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BS230 Interpretation of the Bible | 3 |
| SFE200 Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| CE225 Church’s Educational Ministry | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 |
| WS200 Christian Worship | 3 |
| Total 15 |
| Eighth Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CE300 Educational Leadership Development | 3 |
| ME201 Introduction to Christian Mission | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 |
| OT206 Wisdom Literature | 3 |
| CE340 Education Practicum | 3 |
| Total 15 |
Total Course Hours Required for Graduation 126