Degree Completion Program


GOAL Program Majors - Religious Studies


Gardner-Webb's Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies, provides a fully accredited baccalaureate degree in religion.  Graduates will be prepared to assume positions in churches or social agencies or to go on to seek higher academic degrees at a university, school of divinity, or seminary.

Prerequisites

 Prior to enrolling in the Religious Studies Program, the applicant should have the following in his or her academic transcript:

  • An Associate degree or the equivalent (60-64 semester hours from a regionally accredited institution);
  • English 101 and 102 (Basic English Composition and Literature)
  • Religion 304 and Religion 305 or their equivalents.

Academic Curriculum

As with all GOAL majors, approximately half of the Religious Studies major consists of our Core Curriculum of Liberal Arts [see Core Curriculum], providing 33 hours towards the 128 hours needed to graduate. The other half will be particular to the Religious Studies major, consisting of the following courses:

• 2 Biblical Studies Courses (1 from each cluster below)

                        REL 302 Sacred Writings

                        REL 303 Old Testament Prophets

                        REL 306 Old Testament Thought

                        REL 307 Studies in the Pentateuch

                        REL 311 The Teachings of Jesus

                        REL 312 Life and Letters of Paul

                        REL 314 New Testament Thought

                        REL 316 The Writings of John

                        REL 317 The General Epistles and Hebrews


• 1 Church History

                        REL 325 Baptist Heritage


• 1 Christian Thought

                        REL 306 Old Testament Thought

                        REL 314 New Testament Thought

                        REL 333 Christian Beliefs

                        REL 337 Philosophy of Religion

                        REL 341 Christian Ethics


• 1 Christianity and the World

                        REL 343 Religion and Modern Experience

                        REL 326 Christian Missions

                        REL 346 World Religions

                        REL 378 American Religious Groups


• 1 Communication

                        REL 354 Christian Preaching


• 2 Education Studies

                        RED 370 Intro to Religious Ed. Foundations

                        RED 371 Religious Education Ministries

                        RED 372 Religious Education of Youth and Adults

                        RED 373 Religious Education Foundations:


Leadership I

                        RED 374 Psychology of Religion

                        RED 375 Organizations & Curriculum: Leadership II


• 1 Senior Seminar

                        REL 491 Old Testament Seminar

                        REL 492 New Testament Seminar

                        REL 493 Church History Seminar

                        REL 494 Contemporary Theology Seminar


• 1 Internship/Practicum

                        REL 397 Pastoral Internship

                        REL 358 Ministry Practicum


• 1 Religion Elective

                        Any Religion or Religion Education course