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Undergraduate Programs

Certificate in Religious Studies

The Certificate in Religious Studies requires 30 semester hours of prescribed credits, normally taken in the order listed below.  Transfer credit cannot be substituted.  The Certificate in Religious Studies is awarded automatically when the student completes the required courses, unless the student presents transfer credits that make him/her eligible for a higher award.  In that case, the higher award will take precedence.  The certificate has two basic purposes: (1) to enable the University to evaluate the student's potential for achieving an academic award and (2) to provide encouragement to the student with recognition of accomplishment.  

A Search for Spirituality (BRS 16.6)
The Hebrew Scriptures (BRS 1)
The Greek Scriptures (BRS 2)
Theology of the Hebrew Scriptures (BRS 3) 
The Church of the First Five Decades (BRS 13)
Exegesis of the Hebrew Scriptures (BRS 19)

The above pattern has been the normal one since July 18, 2008.  However, students who enrolled before July 18, 2008 may substitute BRS 4 for BRS 3.  They may also substitute BRS 21 for BRS 13 or BRS 19.

Associate in Religious Studies--Not open to students who register after August 15, 2009

The Associate in Religious Studies degree requires 60 prescribed semester credits.  Thirty (30) of these must be taken with NU and must include all the credits specified for the Certificate (see Certificate in Religious Studies, above).  The remaining 30 must include a minimum of 27 credits in the following disciplines: communications, English, mathematics, science, and social science.  These may come via transfer or NU courses.

Students who registered prior to January 1, 2009 are under the former regulations, which included the Certificate courses and 30 NU and/or unspecified transfer credits.

Diploma in Religious Studies--Not open to students who register after August 15, 2009

The Diploma in Religious Studies is a 90 semester credit program.  It includes courses listed for the Certificate (see Certificate in Religious Studies above) and 60 additional elective credits in religious or closely related studies.  Up to 60 transfer credits can be applied, but must include courses not duplicated with the required Certificate courses.  Should the student complete the diploma and then desire to pursue the B.R.S., 30 credits in General Education will be required in communications, English, mathematics, science, and social studies.    

Students who registered between July 25 and December 31, 2008 may complete the Diploma with the Certificate courses, the courses listed below, and electives drawn from any discipline.  Transfer credit can not be applied toward the Certificate courses, but may be applied as electives and in substitution for the courses listed below when it covers the same general content.

Comparative Religions (BRS 17) (5 cr.)
The Prison Epistles (BRS 22.0) (3)
The Book of Revelation (BRS 22.9) (1)
Ministry (BRS 23) (5)
Worship (BRS 24) (5)

Students who registered in NationsUniversity before July 25,2008, may complete the old pattern (consisting of BRS 4, BRS 5 or 6, BRS 7, BRS 10 or 17, BRS 11 or 13, any course drawn from the BRS 20 category, any course drawn from the BRS 22 category, BRS 23, and BRS 24) or they may move to the new pattern.  If they decide to move to the new pattern, they must also complete the most recent Certificate requirements as well.

Bachelor of Religious Studies

The Bachelor of Religious Studies degree requires 120 semester hour credits.  Thirty (30) of these must be taken with NU and must include all the credits specified for the Certificate (see Certificate in Religious Studies, above).  A minimum of 27 additional credits must be in the following disciplines: communications, English, mathematics, science, and social science.  Thirty (30) more religious studies credits must include courses in worldview, ministry, worship, and two courses that exegete individual biblical books.  The following NU courses are recommended.

Comparative Religions (BRS 17) (5 cr.)
The Prison Epistles (BRS 22.0) (3)
The Book of Revelation (BRS 22.9) (1)
Ministry (BRS 23) (5)
Worship (BRS 24) (5)

Students who registered prior to January 1, 2009 may complete the degree under requirements in effect when they registered.  These are displayed in the curriculum assigned to their username.  Students may opt for later requirement upon demand.