Degree Completion

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Larry Schmalbach, D.Litt., Acting Director

Professor

Gary E. Schnittjer, Ph.D.
Timothy Yoder, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Victor Jacobs, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty

Charles L. Arnold, M.S.
Jeffery Bassett, M.S.
Claybon Bogan, M.S.
Kevin Cain, M.Div.
Teri Catanio, M.S.
Philip R. Cherry, Th.M.
Michael Dellaperute, M.Div.
Pamela Enmond, M.S.
David Gundrum, M.A.
Gwendolyn Hinton-Freeman, M.S.
Peter Hook, Th.M.
Baron S. King, M.S.
Jim Leary, D.Min.
Robert Lundgren, D.Min.
David Marks, M.S.
Renee Y. Mayk, M.Ed.
Andrew Moore, M.S.
Robert Moore, M.Div.
Kevin L. Oessenich, Ed.D.
Thomas Pirrone, M.Div.
Al Reilly, M.Div.
Gregory Shipley, Th.D.
Beverly Sparling, M.Ed.
Charles Sutton, Ph.D. 
Keith Treadwell, M.Div.
William Waltz, D.Min. 
 

The Program

From its inception nearly twenty years ago, PBU’s Degree Completion Program has recognized the need for a vehicle to address university-level education for adults moving through their career years who were not able to attend traditionally scheduled classes. The students in this progam demonstrate amazing diversity in vocations, age, gender, church background, and race, thus providing stimulating interaction and constantly fresh and differing insights. The life experience of such students encourages learning from the curriculum and consistent application and integration into their everyday lives. The cross cultural participation in lifelong learning provides the opportunity for students to appreciate other parts of the Body of Christ, creating real friendships beyond the former expectation and experience of many. The growth in biblical and theological knowledge and practical application through lifelong learning has helped prepare men and women for increased effectiveness and skill in service for Christ and for new and diverse vocational paths.

The non-traditional Degree Completion Program has been developed to meet the needs of working adults in their mid-twenties or older who have earned approximately two years or more of college credits. The student attends class once a week for four semesters. Courses are scheduled on weekday evenings or Saturday morning. The academic experience is strengthened as students progress through the program as part of a cohort in which family, career, age, church background, and other elements are shared.

Built on the foundation of a student’s general education, the Degree Completion Program provides 36 credits of Bible and theology, 6 elective credits, and 12 credits in one of four professional tracks. These tracks are Ministry Leadership, Organizational Management, Discipleship Counseling, and Education Concepts. A six-credit applied research project draws on each area of the program while creating a sound proposed solution to a problem or need.

Objectives

The student will:

1. Articulate a foundational knowledge of the Bible, the major doctrines of the faith, and the broad scope of church history.
2. Articulate a biblical worldview and begin to integrate its principles into life.
3. Demonstrate basic knowledge and practical application of one of four professional tracks.
4. Articulate and demonstrate bachelor-level skills in reading, writing, and speaking.
5. Skillfully communicate biblical truth.
    

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