Christian Studies
The course offerings in the Core Curriculum provide a foundation for ministry by equipping students with knowledge and practical skills in the areas of Biblical Studies, Historical-Theological Studies, and Practical Ministry Studies.
The Christian Studies Core is required and takes forty-two (42) hours to complete. Students must also choose an area of specialization and complete twenty-nine (29) semester hours of Foundational Core courses as part of the program of study. Including unrestricted electives, the degree requires the successful completion of 120 semester hours.
Christian Studies Core Courses (42 Hours Required)
Required Courses
BIB-101 Old Testament I
BIB-102 Old Testament II
BIB-105 New Testament I
BIB-106 New Testament II
BIB-308 Christian Doctrine
CH-201 Introduction to Church History
PHIL-105 Critical Thinking
PHIL-220 Introduction to Ethics
PHIL 301 Christian Ethics (Prerequisite: PHIL 220)
PS-100 Introduction to Ministry and the Church
PS-310 Introduction to Preaching
PS-445 Practicum in Ministry
RS-425 Senior Capstone
Choose One Course *
CH-401 GB Heritage
CH-410 History of American Christianity
*GB Students Must Take CH-401
Christian Education Specialization (15 Hours)
The course offerings of the Christian Education Specialization aim to provide the student with greater skills in the church setting to help others know God better and to follow Him more closely. These skills are often utilized in lay leadership positions of education ministry, youth ministry, women’s ministry, and family ministry.
Required Courses
CE-201 Introduction to Christian Education
Choose Three Additional Christian Education Courses (9 Hours)
CE-301 Church Administration
CE-305 Worship Leadership
CE-310 Teaching in the Church
CE-315 Lay Leadership in the Church
CE-400 Family Ministry
CE-410 Teaching and Learning in the Online Classroom
CE-445 Studies in Christian Education
Choose One Missions Course (3 Hours)
CM-201 Introduction to Christian Missions
CM-205 History of Christian Missions
CM-206 Survey of World Religions
CM-210 The Biblical Basis of Missions
CM-225 Perspectives in Christian Missions
CM-301 Evangelism and Church Growth
CM-305 Current Trends in Missions
CM-401 Principles of Missionary Service
CM-445 Studies in Christian Missions
CM-446 World Religions
CM-447 Practicum in Missionary Service
Christian Missions Specialization (15 Hours)
The course offerings of the Christian Missions Specialization intend to inspire the student to participate in God’s mission by: 1) helping the student to become a better interpreter of political, economic, and social contexts, and 2) helping the student to grasp better the project and programs of the church on mission.
Choose 1 Course (3 Hours):
CM-201 Introduction to Christian Missions
CM-225 Perspectives in Christian Missions
Choose Three Additional Missions Courses (9 Hours):
CM-205 History of Christian Missions
CM-206 Survey of World Religions
CM-210 The Biblical Basis of Missions
CM-301 Evangelism and Church Growth
CM-305 Current Trends in Missions
CM-401 Principles of Missionary Service
CM-445 Studies in Christian Missions
CM-446 World Religions
CM-447 Practicum in Missionary Service
Choose One Christian Education Course (3 Hours):
CE-201 Introduction to Christian Education
CE-301 Church Administration
CE-305 Worship Leadership
CE-310 Teaching in the Church
CE-315 Lay Leadership in the Church
CE-400 Family Ministry
CE-410 Teaching and Learning in the Online Classroom
CE-445 Studies in Christian Education
Pastoral Specialization (15 Hours)
The course offerings of the Pastoral Specialization feature a professional orientation intended to prepare students for vocational ministry in the highest leadership positions of a church. The faculty of the Chapman School of Religious Studies encourages students in the Pastoral Specialization to consider furthering their education at the Seminary level upon the completion of the degree.
Required Courses
PS-300 Pastoral Counseling
PS-311 Preaching Practicum
Choose One Missions Course (3 Hours)
CM-201 Introduction to Christian Missions
CM-205 History of Christian Missions
CM-206 Survey of World Religions
CM-210 The Biblical Basis of Missions
CM-225 Perspectives in Christian Missions
CM-301 Evangelism and Church Growth
CM-305 Current Trends in Missions
CM-401 Principles of Missionary Service
CM-445 Studies in Christian Missions
CM-446 World Religions
CM-447 Practicum in Missionary Service
Choose Two Christian Education Courses (6 Hours)
CE-201 Introduction to Christian Education
CE-301 Church Administration
CE-305 Worship Leadership
CE-310 Teaching in the Church
CE-315 Lay Leadership in the Church
CE-400 Family Ministry
CE-410 Teaching and Learning in the Online Classroom
CE-445 Studies in Christian Education
Pre-Seminary Specialization (15 Hours)
The faculty of Chapman fervently hopes that graduates will consider further education at the seminary level. With the Pre-Seminary specialization at the Religious Studies level, a student can graduate with advance standing in Chapman Seminary. The seminary offers both master and doctoral degrees.
The course offerings of the Pre-Seminary Specialization prepare those students who are interested in furthering their education at the Seminary level. These courses provide a broader foundation for theological reflection through a focus on the philosophical tradition and language studies.
Required Courses
PHIL-310 Introduction to History of Philosophy I
PHIL-320 Introduction to History of Philosophy II
Choose Two Semesters of One Language and One Semester of the Other (9 Hours):
BIB-401 Elementary Greek I
BIB-402 Elementary Greek II
BIB-403 Old Testament Hebrew I
BIB-404 Old Testament Hebrew II
Worship Leadership Specialization (15 Hours)
The course offerings of the Worship Leadership Specialization train students to lead worship through music in both aspects of performance and production.
Required Courses
CE-305 Worship Leadership
MUS-111 Music Theory I
MUT-210 Sound Mixing/Critical Listening
MUT-220 Recording Technology
Choose One Music Elective (3 Hours)
