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Degree Programs
At Baptist University of the Américas, we’re bridging cultures and building lives through personalized, affordable, culturally affirming Christian education for Hispanics and those planning to work in cross-cultural settings.
BUA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) to award the following degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish
Associate of Arts Degree in Cross-Cultural Studies
College Readiness Studies
Degree & Graduation Requirements
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL/THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies program provides training for ministry leadership. Through biblical, theological, cross-cultural, and general educa¬tion studies, students are equipped for a wide variety of church, missions-related, and community-based leadership positions. Each student majoring in Biblical/Theological Studies may select a concentration from one of the following concentration areas: Music Ministries, Practical Theology, and Social Work. In addition, a student may select as a concentration area courses from the other two major areas of study, Business Leadership and Spanish. Courses from these two areas must be approved by the area faculty prior to being accepted as a concentration area in the B.A. in Biblical/Theological Studies. A student may choose not to select a concentration area, but instead to take elective courses to meet the requirements for graduation.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies program have used this course of study as a basis for graduate study at theological seminaries and schools of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological studies, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120. Forty-eight of the total semester credit hours required for the degree must be at the upper-division level.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate biblical and theological knowledge, reasoning and reflection in analyzing historical, social and ecclesiastical issues;
- Practice functional ministry skills;
- Adhere to biblical ethics and values; and
- Exhibit leadership skills for use in life and ministry.
Core Curriculum Requirements: Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies must fulfill the University Core Curriculum requirements listed below:
Humanities and Fine Arts (35 hours)
ENGL 1301
ENGL 1302
ENGL 3301
SPCH 1311
MUSI 2300
ART 1301
Three courses in Spanish
SPAN 1401* or 2310
SPAN 1402* or 3000/4000 level Spanish course
SPAN 2301* or 3000/4000 level Spanish course
BIBL 1300
BIBL 2300
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (6 hours)
3 hours: MATH 1332
3 Hours: BIOL 1308, BIOL 1309, ENVR 1301 or BIOL 2301
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 hours)
3 hours: GOVT 2305
3 hours: HIST 1301 or 1302
3 hours: PSYC 2301 or SOCI 1301 or ANTH 2302
Degree Requirements:
In addition to the Core Curriculum Requirements (50 semester credit hours), the major in Biblical/Theological Studies requires the following courses.
A. 45 semester credit hours in the major, 30 of which must be at the upper-division level:
24 semester credit hours in Bible and Theology:
BIBL 1300 Introduction to the Bible
BIBL 1301 Spiritual Formation
BIBL 3302 Biblical Interpretation
THEO 1300 Biblical Ethics
THEO 3301 Introduction to Theology
THEO 3302 Systematic Theology
Two Advanced Bible or Theology Courses
6 semester credit hours in Church History:
CHIS 3303 Church History I
CHIS 4302 Church History II
6 semester credit hours in Leadership Studies:
LEAD 4301 Cross-Cultural Holistic Leadership
LEAD 4302 Leadership of the Non-Profit Organization
6 semester credit hours in Religious Studies:
RELI 1300 Personal Dimensions of Ministry
RELI 3300 Worldviews and Faith or RELI 3301 World Religions
3 semester credit hours in Cross-Cultural Interpersonal Relationships:
LEAD 2322 Cross-Cultural Interpersonal Relationships
B. 4 semester credit hours in Foundation studies:
FOUN 1101 Foundation Class
FOUN 1102 Fundamentals of Academic Research
FOUN 2101 A.A. Capstone
FOUN 4101 Capstone
C. 21 semester credit hours in electives, 18 of which must be at the upper-division level. If student chooses a concentration area, a total of 18 semester credit hours must be taken from one of the concentration areas of Practical Theology, Music Ministries, or Social Work. A concentration in Business Leadership or in Spanish is also available to the students, but must be approved by the chair of that academic department.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
The Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership consists of general business courses in the areas of organizational and international leadership development designed within a Christian ministry framework. The entire curriculum has a strong multicultural dimension, albeit from a Hispanic perspective. The program seeks interaction with the other curricular offerings in
Biblical and Theological Studies with the purpose of providing a spiritual foundation for all aspects of leadership independent of the setting in which it is exercised. Students majoring in Business Leadership may also select a concentration area from the other academic majors offered by the university, though doing so will require extra hours beyond the 120 otherwise required for the major.
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120. Forty-eight of the total semester credit hours required for the degree must be at the upper-division level.
Student Learning Outcomes:- Demonstrate knowledge in business and leadership best practices;
- Exhibit interpersonal and transcultural skills in business and leadership practices;
- Evidence biblical ethical values for practice in the profession; and
- Exhibit servant leadership skills in life and profession.
Core Curriculum Requirements:Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership must fulfill the University Core Curriculum requirements listed below:
Humanities and Fine Arts (21 hours)
ENGL 1301
ENGL 1302
MUSI 2300 or ART 1301
SPCH 1311
SPAN 2301* or 2310
*Note: Non Spanish heritage speakers who do not test out of SPAN 1401 and 1402 must take those courses as electives before they take SPAN 2301. This would add six hours to the total number of hours needed to graduate and eliminate two elective hours.
BIBL 1300
BIBL 2300
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (6 hours)
3 hours: MATH 1332
3 hours: BIOL 1308, BIOL 1309, ENVR 1301 or BIOL 2301
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 hours)
3 hours: GOVT 2305
3 hours: HIST 1301 or 1302
3 hours: PSYC 2301 or SOCI 1301 or ANTH 2302
Degree Requirements:
In addition to the Core Curriculum Requirements (36 semester credit hours), the major in Business Leadership requires the following courses.
A. 54 semester credit hours in the major:
ACCT 3305 Principles of Accounting
BUSI 1305 Introduction to Business
BUSI 2305 Computer Skills
BUSI 2310 Business Data Analysis
BUSI 2312 Business Law
BUSI 4330 Entrepreneurial Process
ECON 3322 Microeconomics
ECON 3323 Macroeconomics
FINA 4305 Principles of Finance
LEAD 1300 Personal Dimensions of Leadership
LEAD 3300 Survey of Leadership Models
LEAD 3301 Leadership of the Non-Profit Organization
LEAD 4311 Servant Leadership
LEAD 4312 Global Leadership
MATH 1324 Business Math
MGMT 3305 Principles of Management
MGMT 4315 Human Resource Management
MRKT 3305 Principles of Marketing
B. 24 semester credit hours in Bible and Theology:
BIBL 1301 Spiritual Formation
BIBL 3302 Biblical Interpretation
THEO 1300 Biblical Ethics
THEO 3301 Introduction to Theology
THEO 3302 Systematic Theology
Three advanced Bible or Theology courses
C. 4 semester credit hours in Foundation studies:
FOUN 1101 Foundation Class
FOUN 1102 Fundamentals of Academic Research
FOUN 2101 A.A. Capstone
FOUN 4101 Capstone
D. 2 semester credit hours in electives.
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BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SPANISH
The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish program allows the University to form cross-cultural Christian leaders who will be able to function effectively in situations where command of the Spanish language is required, and where the individual needs to have a good understanding of the history and culture of the different Hispanic people groups and cultures. The study of the Spanish language, literature and culture gives students the opportunity to explore and interact with people groups from different parts of the world. This in turn, gives them a new way of viewing their cultural experience.
In the Spanish major, emphasis will be given to the formation of character, the development of a Christian world-view, and the acquisition of critical thinking and self-directed learning skills essential for effective service in any area of human activity. Students will be challenged to appreciate the diversity of cultures and to bring a biblical perspective to their understanding of their own culture and the cultures of others. To this end, students will interact with the biblical text and theology through the curricular offerings that are required for this major and through the availability of electives in Bible beyond the required minimum.
The Department of Modern Languages offers a full range of undergraduate courses designed to help students develop communication skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing. In the Spanish major, students will be familiar with Hispanic culture; they will be conversant with the major authors and movements of Hispanic and Mexican-American literature, and they will be trained to become teachers of the language at the secondary level. The major will also prepare students for graduate school and careers in government service.
Students who enter the Spanish program with high school work in Spanish must take an appropriate placement test, such as the CLEP, to determine their level of proficiency. Students are required to complete, by course work or placement test, all 1000- and 2000-level courses before taking any upper-division (3000- or 4000- level) course. Students with previous language experience may not enroll in any 1000 courses without department permission. Students may not receive credit through examination for a class in which they are simultaneously enrolled. The CLEP test is administered by Palo Alto Community College and other institutions of higher education in San Antonio several times a year. Through CLEP, students may receive up to eleven semester hours of credit, but credit received in this manner will not be counted in the total number of language hours required for the Spanish major. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish,
including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 120. The entry point to the program is SPAN 2310.
STUDY ABROAD
The Department of Modern Languages strongly recommends that students seeking a major in Spanish or having a desire to teach Spanish at the secondary level take a minimum of 6 semester hours in a recognized university program in a Spanish-speaking country.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish language;
- Exhibit communication skills in the Spanish language;
- Evidence biblical ethical values for practice in the profession; and
- Exhibit servant leadership skills in life and profession.
Core Curriculum Requements: Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish must fulfill the University Core Curriculum requirements listed below.
Humanities and Fine Arts (38 hours)
ENGL 1301
ENGL 1302
ENGL 3301
SPCH 1311
ENGL 2306 or 2326
MUSI 2300
ART 1301
Three courses in Spanish
SPAN 1401* or 2310
SPAN 1402* or 3000/4000 level Spanish course
SPAN 2301* or 3000/4000 level Spanish course
BIBL 1300
BIBL 2300
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (6 hours)
3 hours: MATH 1332
3 hours: BIOL 1308, BIOL 1309, ENVR 1301 or BIOL 2301
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 hours)
3 hours: GOVT 2305
3 hours: HIST 1301 or 1302
3 hours: PSYC 2301 or SOCI 1301 or ANTH 2302
Degree Requirements:
In addition to the Core Curriculum Requirements (53 semester credit hours), the major in Spanish requires the following courses:
A. 33 semester credit hours in the major must be taken at the 3000 and 4000 levels:
SPAN 3301 Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPAN 3302 Spanish Phonology and Morphology
SPAN 3303 Spanish Syntax and Semantics
SPAN 3310 Hispanic-American Culture and Civilization
SPAN 3311 Spanish Culture and Civilization
SPAN 3320 Introduction to the Hispanic Literature
SPAN 3321 Survey of Mexican-American Culture
SPAN 4301 Survey of Hispanic-American Literature I
SPAN 4302 Survey of Hispanic-American Literature II
SPAN 4311 Survey of Spanish Literature I
SPAN 4312 Survey of Spanish Literature II
(Student may take courses below as electives)
SPAN 4330 Spanish for Teachers
SPAN 4340 Special Topic: Hispanic-American Culture through Film
SPAN 4350 Special Topic: Spanish Language Theater
SPAN 4360 Special Topic: The Chicano Novel
B. 24 semester credit hours in Bible and Theology:
BIBL 1301 Spiritual Formation
BIBL 3302 Biblical Interpretation
THEO 1300 Biblical Ethics
THEO 3301 Introduction to Theology
THEO 3302 Systematic Theology
Three advanced Bible or Theology courses
C. 6 semester credit hours in leadership studies:
LEAD 1300 Personal Dimensions of Leadership
LEAD 3300 Cross-Cultural Leadership Development
D. 4 semester credit hours in Foundation Studies:
FOUN 1101 Foundation Class
FOUN 1102 Fundamentals of Academic Research
FOUN 2101 A.A. Capstone
FOUN 4101 Capstone
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ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE IN CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES
The Associate of Arts in Cross-Cultural Studies provides the benefits of a biblical higher education for those students who feel a call to vocational ministry but may wish to pursue a bi-professional career in field other than the ones offered at Baptist University of the Américas. These students may transfer some of these credits to another college or university to pursue a degree in a field other than religion.
The Associate of Arts in Cross-Cultural Studies may also be profitable for students who do not feel a call to vocational ministry but wish to benefit from a solid biblical foundation at a Christian university before transferring to another school to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree.
The Associate of Arts degree may be used as the first two years of the Bachelor of Arts Degree at Baptist University of the Américas. Credits are applicable to the Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies at the University, the Bachelor of Arts in Business Leadership, and the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.
The Associate of Arts may also be used as a terminal degree for lay leaders and support leaders in the church who wish to receive this education to better serve the Lord in their local congregation or at a Christian organization.
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the Associate of Arts in Cross-Cultural studies, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 62.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The A.A. degree expands on the General Education Taxonomy of Learning Outcomes with the inclusion of four additional learning outcomes. As in the general education core, outcomes are designed to encompass academics, beliefs, and behavior. Learning outcomes for the A.A. degree are as follows.
- Demonstrate an intermediate knowledge of the Old or New Testament content;
- Evidence utilization of academic research methodologies;
- Adhere to academic ethics and values; and
- Collaborate in academic teamwork within the learning community.
Core Curriculum Requirements: Students seeking the Associates of Arts in Cross-Cultural Studies must
fulfill the University Core Curriculum requirements listed below:
Humanities and Fine Arts (26 hours)
ENGL 1302
MUSI 2300 or ART 1301
SPAN 1401* or 2310
SPAN 1402* or 3000/4000 level Spanish course
SPAN 2301* or 3000/4000 level Spanish course
BIBL 2300
BIBL 2302
Social and Behavioral Sciences (12 hours)
6 hours GOVT 2305 and 2306
6 hours: HIST 1301 and 1302
Mathematics and Natural Sciences (9 hours)
3 hours: MATH 1332, MATH 1380, MATH 1324, or MATH 1314
6 hours: BIOL 1308, BIOL 1309, ENVR 1301 or BIOL 2301
Interdisciplinary (15 hours)
6 hours: LEAD 2322, LEAD 2305, REDU 2300 or RELI 2352
6 hours: BIBL 1301, THEO 1300
3 hours: FOUN1101, FOUN 1102, and FOUN 2101
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COLLEGE READINESS STUDIES
DEVL 0303 Developmental Reading and Writing (3-0-0)
Studies to develop fundamental reading to develop comprehension, vocabulary, and rate;
and fundamental writing skills such as idea generation, organization, style, utilization of standard English, and revision.
DEVL 0307 Developmental Mathematics (3-0-0)
Study of basic mathematics such as arithmetic operations, basic algebraic concepts and notations, integers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
DEVL 0308 Developmental Algebra (3-0-0)
A study of relations and functions, inequalities, factoring, polynomials, rational expressions,
and quadratics with an introduction to complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, determinants and metrics, and sequences and series.
DEVL 0310 Study Skills for Success (3-0-0)
Study of techniques such as time management listening and note taking, text marking, library and research skills,
preparing for examinations, and utilizing learning resources. Includes courses in college orientation and developmental of students’
academic skills that apply to all disciplines.
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Questions or complaints about this institution should be addressed to:
Association for Biblical Higher Education
5575 South Semoran Blvd., Suite 26
Orlando, Florida 32822-1781
Telephone: 407-207-0808
Website: www.abhe.org
Degree & Graduation Requirements
Instructional Principles
Four principles embody the philosophical perspective behind the university's academic program, and guide the faculty as they develop coursework and learning experiences:
Head — Students will receive the best training in Biblical/Theological education and professional development that resources can provide. Students will have a basic knowledge of Biblical background and content with a view to applying that knowledge professionally.
Heart — Students will develop effective attributes desirable for ministers. These attributes include a Biblical worldview and philosophy of living, a compassionate and caring personality that is essential for ministers, and an internal value system consistent with Christian living in the twenty-first century.
Hand — Students will be able to apply their learning in practical ministry. Students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in practical ways that affect what they do in ministry.
Habitat — Students will develop life-long applications of their basic knowledge of the Bible in a relational context, mediated through a Christian value system, and applied in ministry. Learning will become a self perpetuating cycle fed from continuous learning and application to new situations through a series of living exchange relationships.
General Education Core Curriculum
The university provides quality coursework in the arts and sciences and other areas of study with a core of general education courses that emphasize competencies in basic and interpersonal skills, knowledge and comprehension, value-based aptitudes, and higher-order thinking skills.
General Education Core Curriculum Taxonomy:The following student-learning outcomes are incorporated into the general education core curriculum:
BASIC SKILLS - Read with understanding
- Write effectively
- Apply mathematical concepts
- Utilize technology
VALUE BASED - Accept responsibility for personal behavior
- Clarify personal values
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical reasoning processes
- Make ethical decisions
- Participate in humanitarian activities
- Tolerate differences of opinion
- Become involved in citizenship activities
- Demonstrate a positive attitude towards lifelong learning
- Acknowledge an aesthetic appreciation of art, literature, music, etc.
- Demonstrate self-confidence
KNOWLEDGE / UNDERSTANDING - Analyze information
- Acquire a historical perspective
- Recognize the components of divergent literary styles
- Apply scientific knowledge/skills
- Acknowledge social mores different from their own
- Demonstrate awareness of global issues/events
- Broaden intellectual interests
- Comprehend the impact of technology on society
HIGHER-ORDER THINKING SKILLS - Exercise intellectual curiosity
- Synthesize knowledge from various sources
- Think critically
- Utilize methods of scholarly inquiry
- Conduct meaningful self assessment
- Exhibit characteristics of a self directed learner
- Establish long-term or life goals
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- Communicate with others
- Speak effectively
- Listen to and understand what others say
- Participate as an effective group member
- Exercise leadership
- Demonstrate openness to new concepts
Degree Requirements: Candidates for a B.A. Degree in Biblical/Theological Studies must satisfy certain basic requirements in addition to major course and elective requirements.
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