ADDITIONAL NAVIGATION
FAITH INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
3504 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, Washington 98407
Toll-free: 888.777.7675
Reception: fsinfo@faithiu.edu
BACHELORS OF ARTS IN RELIGION
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Religion (BAR) is to prepare students for effective Christian ministry through the integration of academic coursework and applied studies. The program offers a broad biblical, theological, and Christian studies foundation to prepare for such ministries. The program can be taken online or through a combination of online and resident courses. The program requires courses in the following areas: Orientation, General Education, Bible and Theology, Religion, and electives, which may be used to create an emphasis (minimum 20 hours) in an area such as Pastoral Ministry, Worship, Missions and Evangelism, Chaplaincy, Christian Education, Youth Ministry, or Church/Nonprofit Administration. The program is for the following:
- Christian workers in positions where an undergraduate degree will allow entrance into a Christian vocation or lay ministry which would not otherwise be possible;
- Those who need a general education and wish to gain further knowledge in the areas of biblical and religious studies; and
- Those who desire to apply for future admission to a graduate program in an area of Christian studies.
The degree calls for students who demonstrate a potential for ministry, a faithful commitment to the Word of God, a heart for Christian service, and the personal discipline necessary to complete degree requirements. The academic prerequisite for this degree program is a high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must sign that they have read and are in agreement with the Doctrinal Statement and will uphold it, and that they will abide by the Biblical Code of Conduct, Academic Code of Honor, Drug and Alcohol Policy, Payment Policy, and all other academic and financial policies. Additional requirements can be found in the Academic Catalog on page 55.
- Acquire basic liberal arts knowledge through selected general education courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences;
- Acquire an understanding of the basic contents of the Old and New Testaments;
- Acquire a basic understanding of biblical theology and church history;
- Acquire an understanding of the relationship between academic studies and practical Christian ministry; and
- Acquire an understanding of the Christian worldview, its implications for one’s life, and demonstrate an ability to communicate that worldview especially as it relates to other philosophical worldviews and other religions.