Programs of Study

Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies

For those students who desire to benefit from a Christian college environment, but who need to transfer to another university after two years to meet their own specific educational goals, the University offers the two-year Associate of Arts degree program. 

Bachelor of Arts Programs

Biblical Studies

The Bible is central to the curriculum at Laurel University.  It is the Word of God and the foundation of the University’s purpose and philosophy of education.  Our belief in and commitment to the written Word of God is the unifying principle in all our studies.  Therefore the division of Bible and Theology provides the training in Bible that is required of all students at the University.  Students at the University enrolled in a four-year program who elect to take a professional major must take a minimum of a thirty (30) hour major in Biblical Studies.  For those who choose not to take a professional major, the division of Biblical Studies offers a more extensive Bible major of forty-five (45) hours. 

Christian Counseling (also in Degree Completion)

This major offers classes for persons planning for a professional vocation in Christian Counseling and also provides courses in psychology for persons taking other studies at Laurel University.  The program endeavors to train future counselors to do the works of Jesus: lift the fallen, heal the broken-hearted, cause the spiritually blind to see, the spiritually lame to walk and the spiritually deaf to hear; set captives free from bondage and to proclaim the Lordship of Christ as an essential condition for healing and living. 

Christian Ministry

The Christian Ministry major provides foundational preparation for a variety of educational ministries within the church as well as with a variety of independent ministry organizations (i.e. Young Life, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Focus on the Family, Campus Crusade for Christ, etc.).  Students in this major pursue jobs as Christian Education Directors, Youth Pastors, Family and Children’s Ministers, and more. 

Elementary Christian School Teacher Education

Laurel University is committed to train teachers for Christian schools.  The focus of the program is placed on elementary school education in the belief that the developmental needs of children demand strong Christian teachers who can help children establish solid internal foundations that will direct their lives.  The Elementary Christian School Teacher Education major provides Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Teacher Certification designed to equip the student with the skills necessary to prepare him/her to be a qualified Christian teacher.  The University offers only ACSI certification.  If a student desires state certification, Laurel U has an articulation agreement with High Point University, or at the completion of the Laurel U program a student may apply to various graduate schools for a Master’s in Education with state certification.  It is the responsibility of the student to meet the requirements for programs at the university to which they wish to apply.  The University will work with the student as much as possible if state certification is the student’s intent.

Intercultural Studies (Global Missions Major)

Laurel University has a long tradition of sending students to minister in foreign countries. While more recent graduates have served with a variety of agencies (both denominational and inter-denominational) the University has a historic tie with two particular independent faith-based agencies, World Gospel Mission and OMS, International.  Conversations with these and others indicated that the pressures of today’s world require that the missionary candidate be well prepared.  The rising numbers of countries that place restrictions on those who enter require a specific set of skills that are in demand around the world.  For this reason, Laurel U offers the “Intercultural Studies and Global Missions Major” with a concentration in either “Disaster Services” or “Teaching English as a Second Language.”

Pastoral Ministry (also in Degree Completion)

A pastor must be called of God in order to minister with unction and power.  Training does not substitute for God’s calling, but it does help prepare God’s anointed to do effective and efficient work within the kingdom.  To be a pastor is to be entrusted with a great responsibility and is not to be entered into unadvised or lightly.  The major in Pastoral Ministry prepares the student to serve in a variety of ministerial situations both within the local church and the church universal.

Worship Arts (Degree Completion)

The degree completion program allows students with approximately two years of college experience to earn a bachelor‘s degree in a shorter time than usual.

Laurel University is committed to providing foundational preparation for a variety of educational ministries within the local church, as well as with a variety of independent ministry organizations, such as, Young Life, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Focus on the Family, and Campus Crusade for Christ.  Students in the Worship Arts major will pursue careers in worship ministry, teaching, musical composition and arranging, artistic and technical arts direction, and additional fields of work and ministry.

Management and Business Ethics (Degree Completion)

This degree program allows students with approximately two years of college experience to earn a bachelor’s degree in Management & Business Ethics in a shorter time than usual. This program is taught on the basis of traditional family and Christian values, and follows an accelerated time schedule.  The BA in Management & Business Ethics program is licensed by the University of North Carolina General Administration at Chapel Hill.

The Management & Business Ethics major provides effective communication, problem solving, and decision-making skills and knowledge to executives, managers, supervisors, and professional personnel of all levels; and it does so with an emphasis on traditional family and Christian values.  Since the program is set up in a “Degree Completion” format, 67 hours of general education and general elective credit is needed to complete the BA.