Theology B.A. with a Concentration in Christian Formation and Discipleship Studies

1. Bible: The student will analyze and interpret a biblical text, using sound methodology, and will explain its meaning and relevance. 

2. Theology: Students will analyze and evaluate a theological proposal that spans major theological loci in terms of its Biblical foundation, coherence and ministry/contextual relevance.

3. Christian Ethics: Students will articulate an approach to making ethical decisions that is informed by both ethical theory and the teaching of Scripture. 

4. The Church: Students will articulate an understanding of the church’s identity and history as a Spirit formed community of the people of God and the church’s purpose as disciple-making towards Christlikeness.

5. Leadership: Students will apply the role of spiritual formation in servant leadership in supporting Christ’s reconciling mission for the sake of the world.

6. Missions: Students will articulate missiological and intercultural theories, principles, and strategies and effectively apply them within diverse intercultural contexts.

Core Curriculum Requirements 153
Theology Major Core Requirements38
Christian Formation and Discipleship Studies Concentration Requirements33
Total Units124

Theology Major Core Requirements 

BINT-270Interpreting the Bible3
BLAN-101Introduction to Biblical Lang.3
ICST-272Theology/Church Mission2
ICST-288Theology in an Intercultural Context3
NT-462Selected Themes/NT Theology3
OT-472Selected Themes/OT Theology3
PHIL-201Introduction to Philosophy3
PLST-310Intro/Christian Leadership2
PLST-312Intro/Pastoral Care2
PLST-314Intro/Preaching & Teaching2
PLST-420Disciplines/Spiritual Life3
THEO-318Systematic Theology I Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology3
THEO-320Systematic Theology II: Pneumatology Ecclesiology, Eschatology3
THEO-499CTheo/Min/Post-Chrstn Context3
Total Units38

Note: The configuration of the Theology Major Core Requirements is built upon the Core Curriculum courses in Theology (see Core Curriculum section of this catalog)

Christian Formation and Discipleship Studies Concentration Requirements 

CFST-101Intro/Chrstn Formtn/Discplshp2
ICST-102Intro/Intercultural Studies3
PLST-430Management/Christian Organztns3
PLST-461Integrative Field Studies3
Select two of the following courses:4
Christn Formation of Children
Intro/Youth Ministry
Adult Formation/Discipleship
Upper Division Biblical Interpretation (BINT)/New Testament (NT)/ Old Testament (OT) Elective 23
Church History (CHIS) Elective3
Upper Division New Testament (NT) Elective 23
Upper Division Old Testament (OT) Elective 23
Upper Division Philosophy (PHIL)/Theology (THEO) Electives 26
Total Units33
1

Number of units required from the Core Curriculum not included in the major requirements below. 

2

Upper Division course are those numbered at the 300 and 400 level.  

Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the School of Theology and Ministry.  

Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.


Plan of Study Grid
Year 1 Term 1Units
CORE-100C Cornerstone 1
THEO-103C Intro to Theology 3
ICST-102 Intro/Intercultural Studies 3
ENGL-120C Persuasive Writing 3
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
KINE-148C Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture 3
 Units16
Year 1 Term 2
NT-101C New Testament Survey 3
BLAN-101 Introduction to Biblical Lang. 3
MATH-PLCRMath Core Requirement 3
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
HSPS-PLCRHistory/Political Sci Core Requirement 3
 Units15
Year 2 Term 1
OT-201C Old Testament Survey 3
ENGL-220C Researched Writing 3
COMM-201C Speech Composition and Presentation 3
ICST-272 Theology/Church Mission 2
HIST-PLCR2History Core Requirement (World Civ) 3
FINA-PLCRFine Arts Core Curriculum Requirement 3
 Units17
Year 2 Term 2
BINT-270 Interpreting the Bible 3
ICST-288 Theology in an Intercultural Context 3
NSCI-PLCRScience Lec/Lab Requirement 4
PHIL-201 Introduction to Philosophy 3
CFST-101 Intro/Chrstn Formtn/Discplshp 2
 Units15
Year 3 Term 1
ENGL-230C Literature and the Human Experience 3
PLST-310 Intro/Christian Leadership 2
PLST-420 Disciplines/Spiritual Life 3
YLST-324 Intro/Youth Ministry 2
THEO-PLUDTHEO or PHIL U/D Elective 3
THEO-318 Systematic Theology I Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology 3
 Units16
Year 3 Term 2
THEO-300C Developing a Christian World View 3
PLST-312 Intro/Pastoral Care 2
CFST-PLUDCFST U/D elective 3
BINT-PLUD3BINT NT or OT U/D Elective 3
OT-PLUDOT U/D Elective 3
THEO-320 Systematic Theology II: Pneumatology Ecclesiology, Eschatology 3
 Units17
Year 4 Term 1
OT-472 Selected Themes/OT Theology 3
NT-PLUDNT Upper Division Elective 3
CHIS-400C Christian Heritage 3
CHIS-PLUDCHIS U/D elective 3
 Units12
Year 4 Term 2
NT-462 Selected Themes/NT Theology 3
THEO-PLUDTHEO or PHIL U/D Elective 3
THEO-499C Theo/Min/Post-Chrstn Context 3
PLST-430 Management/Christian Organztns 3
PLST-461 Integrative Field Studies 3
 Units15
 Total Units123