Sample Program Schedule M.A. Christian Apologetics Modular Degree Full-Time Status (9 Unit Minimum) Please note that the following schedule is a suggestion. Full-time students who want to start in the Fall must contact Christy Brown for academic advising at 562-906-4570. Starting in Spring Term Spring Term, Year I CSAP 510 MD/ Apologetics: Research and Writing (1) * CSAP 521 MD/ Survey of Genesis- Malachi (3) CSAP 626 MD/ Ethics (1) CSAP 628 MD/ Why God Allows Evil (1) CSAP 643 MD/ Cultural Apologetics (1) CSAP 691 MD/ In Defense of the Resurrection (1) CSAP 680 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions (1) ** Summer Residency, Year I (Track I Residency Classes) Attend the following courses on Biola s campus: CSAP 626 MD/ Ethics CSAP 628 MD/ Why God Allows Evil CSAP 643 MD/ Cultural Apologetics CSAP 691 MD/ In Defense of the Resurrection CSAP 680 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions Fall Term, Year I CSAP 522 MD/ Survey of Matthew-Revelation: Gospels or Epistles (3) CSAP 626 MD/ Ethics (1) CSAP 628 MD/ Why God Allows Evil (1) CSAP 643 MD/ Cultural Apologetics (1) CSAP 691 MD/ In Defense of the Resurrection (1) CSAP 680 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions (1) CSAP MD/ Elective of choice (1)
Sample Program Schedule 2 Spring Term, Year II CSAP 529 MD/ Scripture: Authority, Canon, and Criticism (1) CSAP 541 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine I (1) CSAP 542 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine II (1) CSAP 550 MD/ Historical Theology Survey (3) CSAP 625 MD/ Philosophy of Religion 1 or 629 MD/Scientific Apologetics (1) *** CSAP 694 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions (1) CSAP MD/ Elective of choice (1) Summer Residency, Year II (Track II Residency Classes) Attend the following courses on Biola s campus: CSAP 529 MD/ Scripture: Authority, Canon, and Criticism CSAP 541 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine I CSAP 542 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine II CSAP 625 MD/ Philosophy of Religion or 629 MD/Scientific Apologetics CSAP 694 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions Fall Term, Year II CSAP 529 MD/ Scripture: Authority, Canon, and Criticism (1) CSAP 541 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine I (1) CSAP 542 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine II (1) CSAP 625 MD/ Philosophy of Religion 1 or 629 MD/Scientific Apologetics (1) CSAP 694 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions (1) CSAP MD/ Elective (s) of choice (4) Total Units: 36 Graduate with the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics! *It is highly recommended to take Apologetics: Research and Writing during the first semester. ** Special Topics is offered in Track I and Track II. The topics rotate every other year. ***Students may choose between Scientific Apologetics and Philosophy of Religion in Track II.
Sample Program Schedule 3 Curriculum Worksheet Please see attached document. Apologetics Modular Degree Information Track I and II Residency Classes (20 units) Tracks I and II provide modular students with 10 units of required classes and 10 units of elective classes. Each 2-unit class begins in the Spring semester with a 1-unit, 4-week intensive on Blackboard (Biola s online bulletin board), continues with a 3-day Summer Residency on Biola s campus, and concludes with another 1-unit, 4-week intensive on Blackboard in the Fall semester. The Summer Residency is held for 2 weeks each summer, typically in late June to early July. Students attend lectures from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and again from 7:00-9:00 pm Monday- Saturday. Cultural events and fellowship times are also scheduled. No course work is assigned during the Residency. Though it is recommended to take Tracks I and II in the order indicated in this document, the classes can be mixed and matched according to the student s needs. Students who cannot take 5 classes per semester or cannot attend the full 2-week residency each summer can approach the degree at a slower pace by taking 1-4 residency classes at a time. Completion of both Tracks results in earning 20 of 36 required credits for the degree. For a sample schedule, please see the attached Track I and II Residency Schedule document. Required courses in Track I and II CSAP 529 MD/ Scripture: Authority, Canon, and Criticism (2) CSAP 541 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine I (2) CSAP 542 MD/ Essential Christian Doctrine II (2) CSAP 628 MD/ Why God Allows Evil (2) CSAP 691 MD/ In Defense of the Resurrection (2) Elective courses in Track I and II* CSAP 625 MD/ Philosophy of Religion (2) CSAP 626 MD/ Ethics (2) CSAP 629 MD/ Scientific Apologetics (2) CSAP 643 MD/ Cultural Apologetics (2) CSAP 680/694 MD/ Special Topics: Spiritual Formation and World Religions (2) *Please note that all Track I and II elective courses may be replaced with Weekend Seminars.
Sample Program Schedule 4 Specialized Distance Classes (16 units) In addition to 20 units of Residency classes, modular students must also complete: CSAP 510 MD/ Apologetics: Research and Writing (1) CSAP 521 MD/ Survey of Genesis-Malachi (3) CSAP 522 MD/ Survey of Matthew-Revelation: Gospels OR Epistles (3) CSAP 550 MD/ Historical Theology (3) Electives (6) (e.g. Defending the Faith, Weekend Seminars, Arranged Courses, special electives as scheduled) Specialized Distance Courses, with the exception of Weekend Seminars, require no time on campus. All Specialized Distance Courses are conducted within a single semester. Class Delivery Methods Blackboard (online bulletin board) Track classes, as well as Apologetics: Research and Writing, are conducted via Blackboard and require weekly discussions, reading assignments, tests, and essays. Apologetics: Research and Writing is available each semester, whereas the Spring sections of Track classes must be completed before the Summer and Fall sections. Audio Recording Defending the Faith, the Old and New Testament Survey courses, and Historical Theology are audio-recorded classes conducted independently by the student. A coordinating professor will grade tests, essays, and other assignments and be available for questions/interaction. Available each semester. Materials fee. Weekends at Biola Weekend Seminars are 2-unit, 16-24 hour lecture courses held Thursday-Saturday on Biola s campus (and occasionally out-of-state locations). These classes require reading assignments and essays/projects that are completed outside of the lecture dates and graded by a coordinating professor. 2-3 Weekend Seminars are offered per semester and topics vary. Arranged Courses: Directed Study, Project, Internship, Thesis Arranged Courses are specialized independent studies conducted between a student and professor. Topics, learning objectives, and assignments are selected on a case-by-case basis and are typically proposed by the student. Available each semester.
Sample Program Schedule 5 Transfers/waivers Students may transfer up to 12 units from other accredited institutions. Transferred classes that are normally offered as residential classes in the Christian Apologetics program will reduce the student s residency requirements by an equivalent number of units. Classes may be waived if a student has taken similar courses in an undergraduate or graduate program. Waived courses must be replaced by an equal number of elective credits offered through the Christian Apologetics program. Transfers/waivers are determined by Biola University s Office of the Registrar. Syllabi/Course Outlines Syllabi contain detailed information on the learning objectives, requirements, and expectations of each course. Sample syllabi and course descriptions are available for advising purposes upon request.