The 2019–20 school year is bringing changes of all kinds to BJU. Not only is Mack Library making room for the School of Health Professions, but The Den is expanding to include a student lounge and game room.
The buildings aren’t the only parts of BJU expanding this fall. BJU is adding several new academic programs, including three bachelor’s degrees, four associate degrees, four minors, four concentrations and several certificate programs.
See Also: Creating a Sense of Home | New Facility to Enhance Health Professions Programs
New Major Programs
Child Development, B.S.
The new child development bachelor’s degree combines psychology, communication and special education with traditional early childhood education coursework. Graduates will understand the biological, cultural and experiential factors that impact children’s development. And they’ll have the skills to pursue a variety of careers working with children, families and communities.
Visual Studies, B.S.
The visual studies degree helps students develop their skills as creators while also helping them understand how theory, practice and vision shape art. By graduation, students will be equipped to conquer a wide variety of artistic pursuits and to continue learning throughout life.
Professional Studies, B.S. (online)
The professional studies bachelor’s degree is an online degree completion program designed for adult learners. Students in this program can use college credits they’ve already earned and apply them to a degree. As a part of the School of Continuing, Online and Professional Education (SCOPE), this degree can be completed via online courses, residence courses or a combination of both. BJU currently offers six concentrations—business, educational studies, liberal arts, marketing, biblical/ministry studies, social science—and more opportunities will be available. For more information, email [email protected] or call (888) 253-9833.
Liberal Arts, A.A.
The associate degree in liberal arts allows students to experience a bit of everything the University offers in academics and biblical training. Students can choose from one of the available concentrations (mathematics, art, history, Bible, language and others) or try a little of everything. The program is designed both to help students determine what their next step is and to prepare for that next step.
Paralegal, A.S.
By the end of their two years of study, students in the paralegal program will know how to navigate the trial process. Many of the faculty teaching the courses will come straight to class from their law offices in town, bringing students current information, a passion for law and a biblical worldview. Through a real-world internship experience, students will also learn how to support their future employers. The rigorous curriculum combined with experiences and faculty from real-world law firms prepares students for an exciting career as paraprofessionals.
Criminal Justice, A.S.
Students in the two-year criminal justice associate degree program learn how various people relate to the justice system—from perpetrators to arbiters to enforcers. Students also grow in their understanding of the United States criminal justice system and learn both its strengths and weaknesses. The associate degree in criminal justice prepares students to enter the workforce in county sheriff departments, local police departments and state/federal police departments.
Media and Technology, A.S.
The associate of science degree in media and technology prepares students for a career in video, cinema, audio, design and broadcast production environments. Media technology professions are growing in number, scope and profitability. This program is designed to get students started on a path toward a career as a multimedia specialist, a broadcast journalist, a social media manager, or one of many other similar careers. The degree can be completed online or on campus.
New Minor Programs
Four new minors will be available this fall: cybersecurity, linguistics, fashion design and health sciences. Students who minor in cybersecurity will learn to defend from and respond to security breaches in a general business environment.
The linguistic minor will expand students’ ability to learn new languages and opens the door for further study of linguistics. And pairing the linguistics minor with certain majors can add diversifying experience to students’ résumés. The fashion design minor will prepare students to design clothing and prepare those designs for presentation. The health sciences minor can be combined with programs such as business administration or communication for students who might be pursuing a nonmedical career but still would like an understanding of health. An example would be hospital public relations personnel or hospital administration.
New Concentrations in Programs
Four new concentrations are now available in two of BJU’s major programs. In the biology program, students can now concentrate on biomedical research, biomechanics or environmental technologies/resources. The biomedical research concentration combines cell biology and premed for students who plan to go into medical research. The other two concentrations allow biology students to use principles of engineering, physics and chemistry in biological applications to solve real-world problems.
The business administration program now allows students to concentrate in entrepreneurship. Owning one’s own business—whether a storefront or freelance—has become an economic trend. This concentration prepares students for the challenge of being their own boss.
New Certificate Programs
BJU will also be offering several new certificate programs this fall, both on campus and online. Designed for students in the computer science program, students in the cybersecurity certificate program will learn to analyze software solutions to uncover and reduce security vulnerabilities. The cyber operations minor is designed for students in the information technology program. Students in this program will learn to respond to and defend a company’s digital assets from security breaches.
The advanced apologetics and worldview certificate is just one of the seven concentrations available through the School of Religion. Most of the concentrations available to biblical studies majors are also available as certificates to non-School of Religion students. In addition to Advanced Apologetics and Worldview, students can earn certificates in biblical counseling, biblical languages, cross-cultural service, women’s ministry, worship leadership and youth ministry. An Apologetics and Worldview certificate is also available online for dually enrolled high school students and nontraditional students.
An online K-12 teaching and learning certificate is also now available at both the undergraduate and the graduate level. This program is designed for Christian school educators who have come to teaching from another career. AACS and ACSI both accept the new certificates as part of their teacher certification requirements. Those who complete the graduate certificate may also apply their coursework toward the master of education in Teaching and Learning or the master of science in Educational Leadership.
