BA Degree Objectives
The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies grants students a broad learning experience and a wider perspective than that provided by traditional undergraduate majors. This degree is designed to offer students the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary, academically sound, and goal-oriented education.
In addition to the shared Biblical Core and the robust General Education Core, students will work with their faculty advisor or with the dean of the college to craft a plan of study that is directly relevant to the student’s intellectual pursuits along with his or her career or ministry callings. The 30 hour Interdisciplinary Studies major must include at least 15 credit hours of selected upper level (300 or 400 level) classes.
Minors and double majors are not allowed with the Interdisciplinary Studies degree. In order to allow the degrees to be reflective of their intentionally broad base, no more than 21 hours of courses with the same prefix are allowed in the combined major requirements.
The Interdisciplinary track offers two different pathways to a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Option 1: Designed for mature Christian students who are over 25 and come to MBTS with extensive college level learning in non-traditional frameworks, this option allows students to enroll in GS495 Portfolio as part of the curriculum in order to create portfolios of learning (DELAC) to demonstrate competency in the subject matter. Students are able to portfolio for up to 24 credit hours of the degree allowing them to make significant progress toward their degree.
Option 2: Students work with their faculty advisor to craft an individualized plan of study that is relevant for the student’s ministry or career calling.
The objectives for students graduating with the Bachelor of Arts degree are as follows:
- Demonstrate an increased understanding of the Christian worldview in relation to the natural and social world
- Demonstrate an increased understanding of the theological foundations of Christian ministry
- Demonstrate increased competence in practical skills of Christian ministry such as information management, strategic decision-making, and communication
- Demonstrate an enhanced foundation for subsequent formal and informal education.
Interdisciplinary Studies Course Catalog
GENERAL EDUCATION CORE (42 HOURS)
BN170 Introduction to Business and Finance
CM110 Introduction to Public Speaking
GE101 English Composition I
GE102 English Composition II
GE135 Quantitative Reasoning
GE185 Introduction to Physical Science
GE240 Survey of World Literature
HM300 Introduction to Philosophy
HM344 Christianity and the Arts
HS210 or HS211 American History I or II
HT411 World Religions
MS201 Global Missions
PY100 Introduction to Psychology
GS101 Foundations for Kingdom Success
BIBLICAL CORE (30 HOURS)
BS115 Old Testament Survey I
BS116 Old Testament Survey II
BS117 New Testament Survey I
BS118 New Testament Survey II
BS204 Introduction to Hermeneutics
HT200 Introduction to Ethics
HT350 Christian Doctrine I
HT351 Christian Doctrine II
HT450 The Church
MN201 Personal Evangelism and Discipleship
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES major (30 HOURS)
*15 hours must be upper-level courses
ELECTIVES (18 HOURS)