Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies at California Baptist University is a 45-unit major designed to provide students with biblical and theological foundations for the development of ministry careers; it also provides a strong preparation for graduate seminary degrees.

The program includes a core of classes required of all Christian Studies majors and a set of concentration classes of the student's choice.

Concentrations include:

  • Apologetics
    Equip yourself for credible engagement with a secular world. 
  • Bible & Theology
    Dig deeper into the biblical materials and/or specific theological topics. 
  • Biblical Languages
    Get an introduction to original languages, including Hebrew and Greek. 
  • Christian Ministry
    Choose areas of particular ministry interest. 
  • Focus-on-the-Family
    Study in Colorado Springs for a semester at the Focus on the Family Institute. The coursework focuses on worldview study, cultural study, and the study of issues related to the family.  Application to and approval by the Focus on the Family Institute are required.  Contact the Dean of the School of Christian Ministries (dwilson@calbaptist.edu or 951-343-4248) for more information.
  • Global Studies
    Learn about world missions and development of personal evangelism.  Participate in a three- to five-week international experience. 
  • Pastoral Leadership
    Receive training related to church leadership from the perspective of a lead pastor.
  • Theology & Church History
    Examine specific topics related to theological and Church History.
  • Theology & Philosophy
    Conduct intensive examinations of theological and/or philosophical issues. 
  • Youth Ministry
    Learn to develop a church-based ministry with teenagers.

Program Requirements

Core Curriculum (33 Units)

Lower Division Requirements  Christian Studies majors should not take CST 110 and CST 130.

CST 210 Pentateuch and Former Prophets

CST 220 Latter Prophets andWritings

CST 230 Jesus and the Gospels

CST 240 Paul and the Early Church

Upper Division Requirements

CST 300 History of Baptist Thought

CST 350 Biblical Interpretation

CST 360 Church History

CST 370 Christian Doctrine

CST 490 Supervised Ministry

Three (3) Upper Division units of Old Testament coursework

Three (3) Upper Division units of New Testament coursework

 

Concentration Curricula (12-21 units)

Apologetics (15 units)

PHI 303 Apologetics

PHI 343 Philosophy of Religion

PHI 403 Cultural Apologetics

PHI 433 Apologetics: Theory and Method

Three (3) units of additional upper division philosophy coursework from the following: PHI 353, 400, or 421.

 

Bible and Theology (12 units)  Prerequisites for concentration: CST 210 and 220 for Old Testament coursework, CST 230 and 240 for New Testament coursework, CST 370 for theology coursework.

At least three (3) units of upper division Biblical Studies coursework

At least three (3) units of upper division Theology coursework

Six (6) units of additional upper division Biblical Studies and/or Theology coursework

 

Biblical Languages (12 units)

GRK 213 Introduction to Koiné Greek I

GRK 223 Introduction to Koiné Greek II

GRK 313 Intermediate Greek I

GRK 323 Intermediate Greek II

HEB 213 Biblical Hebrew I

HEB 223 Biblical Hebrew II

Christian Ministry (12 units)

Twelve (12) units of upper division Christian Ministry coursework, including from the following: CST307, 380, 381, 382, 383, 414, 451, 480, 484, and 491, ICS 305, 375, 405, 415, 430, 431, 435.

 

Focus on the Family (12-16 units)

As a participant in the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities and a “sending institution” for the Focus on the Family Institute, CBU affords students the opportunity to study for one semester at the Institute in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Coursework will be determined by the Institute and acceptance into the Institute program is required.As a part of this program, students may also be able to complete the core requirement of CST 490 Supervised Ministry.Application to this program can be made through the School of Christian Ministries.

Global Studies (18 units)  Recommended general education courses: ANT 225 Cultural Anthropology and ANT430 Culture and Personality.

ICS 105 Introduction to Global Studies

ICS 205 Models of Discipleship

ICS 305 Global Perspectives

ICS 405 Marketplace Strategies for Global Advancement

ICS 430 Intercultural Communication

ICS 431 Cross-cultural Immersion

Pastoral Leadership (21 units)

APT 452 Advanced Biblical Preaching

APT 482 Pastoral Leadership

APT 483 Pastoral Ministry

CST 382 Evangelism

CST 451 Biblical Preaching

ICS 305 Global Perspectives

ICS 435 Community Development

 

Theology/Church History (12 units)  Prerequisite for concentration: CST 360 for Church History coursework; CST 370 for Theology coursework

Three (3) units of upper division Theology coursework

Three (3) units of upper division Church History coursework

Six (6) additional units of upper division Theology and/or Church History coursework

 

Theology/Philosophy (12 units)  Prerequisite for concentration: CST 370 for Theology coursework.

Three (3) units of upper division Theology coursework

Three (3) units of upper division Philosophy coursework

Six (6) additional units of upper division Theology and/or Philosophy coursework

 

Youth Ministry (12 units)

CBS 403 Christian Institutions and the Church or CBS 303 Marriage and Family in the Christian Community

CST 380 Introduction to Christian Education

CST 383 Ministry with Youth

CST 484 Current Trends in Youth Ministry