Academic Programs, Definitions, and General Education

Degree Programs

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts degree program offers a two-year degree considered a threshold credential for workforce development in many standard professional settings. It serves not only as a gateway to entry-level employment in many fields, but also as a foundation for one of the following four-year degrees at Brewton-Parker Christian University or at any other senior institution.

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science degree program offers a two-year degree as a threshold credential for workforce development in many standard professional settings, especially in the allied health professions, such as nursing and health and human performance. It serves not only as a gateway to entry-level employment in many fields, but also as a foundation for one of the following four-year degrees at Brewton-Parker Christian University or at any other senior institution.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of the Arts degree program affords students greater flexibility in exploring diverse subjects comprising the traditional liberal arts and sciences. In addition to a major field of study, students also will complete a breadth of coursework in the humanities, the social and natural sciences, and language and fine arts, equipping them not only for productive life and work, but also for graduate and professional studies.

Bachelor of Business Administration

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree combines study of both the liberal and the practical arts in a focused professional degree program designed to equip students for problem solving and strategic planning in the global marketplace of commerce, products, and services. From the rigors of accounting to the creativity of entrepreneurship, students will explore the diverse aspects of effective administration in the fast-paced environment of modern business.

Bachelor of Ministry

The Bachelor of Ministry degree affords students preparing for Christian service in diverse mission fields a solid foundation in biblical, doctrinal, historical, and practical studies. Students will explore the scriptural mandate for meeting people at the point of their need both physically and spiritually by discharging our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.

Bachelor of Music

Learning the theory, practice, and performance of both vocal and instrumental sacred music not only presents learning outcomes that lead toward mastery of an academic discipline centuries old, but also connects the present culture to the history and tradition of the church, one of the preeminent institutions of civilizations both western and global. The Bachelor of Music will prepare students for work as musicians in churches, elementary and secondary schools, and universities (whether faith-based or not), and for many other opportunities of service throughout the music industry.

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science degree is similar to the Bachelor of Arts degree but requires a more focused specialization in a major field of study to the greater breadth of a general education. Students typically will explore subject areas more technical or procedural in nature that encourage detailed analysis over the broader critical approach to problem solving preferred in the liberal arts. From ecosystems to educational systems students will learn effective stewardship of both the natural and human resources that are the cornerstones of productive society.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree is a graduate-level degree offered in the Temple Baptist Theological Seminary of Brewton-Parker Christian University, an educational unit in which we also offer bachelor’s-level degrees in Christian studies and ministry. Students may choose from three master’s degrees currently available, one a 30-credit-hour degree in ministry (M.A.M.) one a 48-credit-hour degree in biblical and theological studies (M.A.B.T.S) and the third a 36-credit hour degree in biblical proclamation (M.A.B.P).

The M.A.M. degree provides students with an introductory biblical and theological framework that adheres to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and equips students for effective ministry in a wide variety of settings through selected biblical and ministry courses. The M.A.B.T.S. degree is a research focused program that adheres to The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 with the purpose of augmenting biblical preaching and teaching in the church or general ministry, teaching in a Christian school, or preparing the student for pursuit of advanced degrees. The student will work in concert with an adviser to focus the curriculum toward a specific end goal. The M.A.B.P. degree provides students with a biblical and theological framework that adheres to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and equips students for effective preaching within the Church.

Degree Requirements

General requirements for associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees are located in the programs of study section of this catalog. Requirements specific to each degree and major are recorded under the heading for that major. Applicable degree requirements are those in the catalog at the time of original enrollment. Students who are readmitted following an interruption in their enrollment for more than one continuous calendar year from the time of last enrollment will be governed by the academic catalog in effect at the time of their re-enrollment. For a more detailed explanation of catalog policy and determination of degree requirements please refer to the “Notice ” of this catalog immediately following the “Table of Contents.”

Degree Programs, Majors, and Concentrations

Explanation of Terms

Definition of Unit of Academic Credit

The Preamble to the “Policy Statement on Credit Hours” published on August 1, 2018, by the Southern Association of College’s and Schools Commission on College’s (SACSCOC) states as follows:

As part of its review of an institution seeking initial or continuing accreditation, the Southern Association of College’s and Schools Commission on Universities (SACSCOC) conducts reviews of an institution’s assignment of credit hours. Academic credit has provided the basis for measuring the amount of engaged learning time expected of a typical student enrolled not only in traditional classroom settings but also laboratories, studios, internships and other experiential learning, and distance and correspondence education. Students, institutions, employers, and others rely on the common currency of academic credit to support a wide range of activities, including the transfer of students from one institution to another. For several decades, the federal government has relied on credits as a measure of student academic engagement as a basis of awarding financial aid.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to institutions and evaluation committees on the Commission’s expectations regarding credits and to set forth the federal regulations regarding the award of credit.

Federal Definition of the Credit Hour:

For purposes of the application of this policy and in accord with federal regulations, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates:

1. Not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined in item 1 above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practicums, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

An institution is responsible for determining the credit hours awarded for coursework in its programs in accordance with the definition of a credit hour for Federal program purposes. The definition does provide some flexibility for institutions in determining the appropriate amount of credit hours for student coursework.

Institutional Definition of the Credit Hour:

Brewton-Parker Christian University defines a credit hour and awards credit in accordance with the federal definition of a credit hour. Semester credit hours are granted for various types of instruction as follows:

• Lecture - One credit hour equals one class hour (50 minutes) plus a minimum of two class hours (100 minutes) of out-of-class student work per week or an equivalent amount of work distributed over a different period of time.
• Seminar - One credit hour equals one class hour (50 minutes) plus a minimum of two class hours (100 minutes) of out-of-class student work per week or an equivalent amount of work distributed over a different period of time. In courses and academic activities where, direct instruction is not the primary mode of learning, such as laboratory courses, internships, clinical experiences, or research, an equivalent amount of work (minimum of three hours per week for a semester) must be completed for a credit hour.
• Laboratory - One credit hour equals two class (laboratory) hours (100 minutes) plus a minimum of one class hour (50 minutes) out-of- class student work per week or an equivalent amount of work distributed over a different period of time.
• Internship - Ratio of in-class/out-of-class time engagement can be variable by discipline. Typically, one credit hour equals two class (internship) hours (100 minutes) plus a minimum of one class hour (50 minutes) out-of- class student work per week or an equivalent amount of work distributed over a different period of time.
• Clinical Experiences - Variable by program and determined in accordance with recommendations of program’s specific accrediting bodies or state regulation (if/as applicable). Typically, one credit hour equals two clinical hours (100 minutes) plus a minimum of one hour out-of-class student work per week or one credit hour = three clinical hours (150 minutes) per week or for a 15-week semester, 37.5 hours per credit hour.
• Research/Independent Study - Courses requiring students to work on independent projects, such as in directed independent studies, will conform to the standard minimum of three hours of student work per credit hour per week throughout the course of the semester or the equivalent amount of work distributed over a different period of time. For a 15-week semester, this would be 37.5 hours per credit hour.
• Distance Learning/Online Courses - Distance learning/online courses shall be defined as those courses and programs in which 95 percent or more of class time is delivered by distance technology. Actual contact time should follow the same guidelines as traditional in-seat courses. Online courses should meet an equivalent of the required 750 minutes of instruction per credit hour per 15-week semester and expect the minimum of 1,500 minutes (2 class hours; 100 minutes per week) of out-of-class student work.
• Hybrid - A course is considered hybrid (or blended) when it has the following characteristics: (1) the course is a carefully designed integration of online and in-seat experiences using aspects of both environments to meet the learning objectives and (2) a significant portion of the traditional in-seat class time is replaced by online components. For example, a course that is taught (50 percent online, 50 percent in-seat) would require that 375 minutes of instruction per semester hour must be conducted in- seat and that 375 minutes of instruction per semester hour must be conducted via distance per 15-week semester. In addition, the minimum of 1,500 minutes (2 class hours; 100 minutes per week) of out-of-class student work is expected.

Length of Semester

• Full Term - a standard semester equals 15 weeks of instruction (not counting exam weeks). Standard credit per contact hours is calculated for this time frame.
• Session Term - an accelerated 8-week term (Session I or Session II) equals 8 weeks of instruction.
• Standard credit per contact hours should be calculated accordingly.

Electives

Selection of electives should be considered with the idea of complementing the desired major. Electives may be chosen from any of the course offerings, provided the required prerequisites have been met

Writing Intensive Courses

The bachelor’s degree programs of Brewton-Parker Christian University include a requirement that all students complete at least two writing intensive (WI) courses in their program of study after completing the freshman writing sequence (ENG 101 /ENG 102 ). To accommodate all students, including those with transfer credits, the programs offer a variety of such courses at the 200-, 300-, and/or 400-level. Students must write a minimum of 3,000 words of original composition in one or more WI assignments in order to successfully complete the courses. In order to encourage students to use their best writing skills on all original composition, those assignments will be valued at 20% or more of the final course grade.

In addition, for each WI course, students are required to complete one individual tutoring session either through the Writing Studio within the Student Enrichment Center (SEC) or through TutorMe.com and also attend one workshop hosted by the SEC. For detailed information about these requirements students should consult the course syllabus upon registering for a WI course. Failure to meet the writing studio and workshop requirements for a WI course will result in assignment of an “I” (incomplete) grade for the semester, which must be removed before the end of the next ensuing semester by completion of these requirements. By academic policy failure timely to remove an “I” grade results in automatic conversion of the grade to “F,” after which students would have to retake the whole course.

By requiring all students to complete the freshman writing sequence, followed by at least two WI courses within their discipline, and finally a discipline-specific capstone course, the university promotes development in all disciplines of increasingly critical writing skills in a continuous sequence from initial matriculation to graduation. The courses designated as writing intensive for each major field of study are listed in the table below and also will be identified as “WI” in the degree programs and course descriptions following.

BPCU Institutional Core

Location(s): On-Campus, Online

General Education and Single Core Goals

The Core Learning Goals apply to all Brewton-Parker undergraduate program graduates. Each student must demonstrate competence in the overall knowledge, skills, and values associated with a Christian liberal arts institution, in addition to the specialized knowledge, skills, and values associated with a particular program of study. As both the B.A. and A.A. degrees in General Studies do not require the development of specialized knowledge, they are governed by the core learning outcomes.

In completing a BPCU core, a successful student will achieve the following goals:

• GOAL 1: Students will demonstrate integrity and respect for self and others in all academic, athletic, career, and other interactions at Brewton-Parker.
• GOAL 2: Students will develop critical and creative thinking skills.
• GOAL 3: Students will write, read, speak, and listen logically, clearly, and precisely.
• GOAL 4: Students will demonstrate numeracy, scientific literacy, and technical competence.
• GOAL 5: Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of human artistic expression.
• GOAL 6: Students will develop an understanding of the history of civilizations and of the forces shaping contemporary society.

The institution operates on a three-year assessment cycle for program learning outcomes that support the core learning goals. These learning outcomes are housed in the college’s assessment planning documents.

Policy on Degree Classification: Professional vs. Liberal Arts Degrees

In alignment with the mission of Brewton-Parker Christian University-to provide liberal arts and professional programs in a learning community shaped by biblical truth, character, servant leadership, and cultural engagement, the institution has adopted a classification framework that reflects the university’s dual commitment to both foundational education and career-focused preparation. BPCU establishes a clear framework for classifying undergraduate degree programs at Brewton-Parker Christian University as either professional degrees or liberal arts degrees. The distinction supports academic planning, curriculum development, accreditation compliance, and student advising by identifying the primary purpose, structure, and intended outcomes of each program. Students complete an approved grouping of core classes based upon that classification. Liberal Arts and Professional degrees are defined as follows:

Liberal Arts Degree

A liberal arts degree provides a broad, interdisciplinary education in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. These degrees emphasize critical thinking, communication, inquiry, and moral reflection. Although many include an internship or capstone, they prepare students for a wide range of career paths or graduate studies and are especially aligned with the university’s mission to foster lifelong learning and service in Christ.

The following majors are considered to be part of the liberal arts program at BPCU, and as such, graduates from these programs must complete the liberal arts core.

*Pre-professional programs that prepare students for graduate school or post-baccalaureate certifications receive the liberal arts designation at BPCU.

Professional Degree

A professional degree prepares students for direct entry into a specific vocation or licensed profession. These programs focus on career-specific knowledge, skills, and practices. They typically include intensive internships, practicums, fieldwork, or preparation for certification or licensure. These degrees reflect the university’s commitment to equipping students for lifelong service in applied, real-world settings.

The following majors are considered to be part of the professional degree program at BPCU, and as such, graduates from these programs must complete the professional core.

Core Policy for Double Majors

Students who pursue a double major that includes one professional major and one liberal arts major will complete the core curriculum associated with the professional major. The liberal arts core will not be required in full for the addition of a liberal arts major. If a student later removes the professional major, the student will be required to complete all core curriculum requirements associated with the remaining liberal arts major.