General Studies

The Bachelor of General Studies requires students to choose two concentrations (three for Elementary Education). Beyond these disciplinary concentrations, the degree requires 24 credit hours at the 300+ level, ensuring a measure of depth. The design of this program first attends to the common core and then proceeds to the specific components of the curriculum as follows…

Christian Studies (27 credit hours) & Foundational Studies (18 credit hours).

• Education Track – Education Foundations (9 c.h.)
  • Elementary Education
    • Primary Teaching Area (18-22 c.h.)
    • Second Teaching Area (12 c.h.)
    • Second Teaching Area (6 c.h.)
  • Secondary Education
    • Primary Teaching Area (30 c.h.)
    • Second Teaching Area (18-22 c.h.)
• Arts and Science Track
  • Concentration One (24-33 c.h.)
  • Concentration Two (15 c.h.)

The program is offered with the written authorization of the Minister of Advanced Education effective July 1, 2023. This authorization was provided after the program proposal underwent a quality assurance review and was found to meet the standards established by the Minister. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs. 

Core (45 Credit Hours)

See the core tab.

Credit Hours: 90+

A. Major Requirements for Education Track:

1. Educational Foundations (9 credit hours):

1. EDUC 205 Education Pre-Internship (non-credit)
2. PHI 300 Philosophy of Education

3. PSY 381 Psychology of Human Development: Children (elementary education track)
   OR PSY 382 Psychology of Human Development: Adolescents (secondary education track)

2. Elementary Education (36-40 credit hours)

1. Primary Teaching Area - Choose one area (18-22 credit hours):
   English, Kinesiology, Music, Social Studies

2. Second Teaching Area - Choose one area (12 credit hours):
   English, History, Kinesiology, Music, Social Studies
3. Third Teaching Area (6 credit hours):

   Math (choose one from the following):
   MATH 101 Finite Mathematics
   STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

   Science (choose one from the following):
   BIOL 241 Anatomy and Physiology I
   CHEM 112 General Chemistry
   EVSC 210 Environmental Physics
   PHYS 125 Physics and the Universe
   OR any Natural Science course that Academic Services have approved
    

Free Electives (to bring credit hour total to 90 credit hours)

3. Secondary Education (48-52 credit hours)

1. Primary Teaching Area – Choose one (30 credit hours):
   English or Social Studies

2. Second Teaching Area – Choose one (18-22 credit hours):
   Cannot be the same as your primary teaching area English, Music, or Social Studies

4. Free Electives (to bring credit hour total to 90 credit hours)

B. Major Requirements for Arts and Science Track:

1. Concentration One - Choose one of the following disciplines (24-33 credit hours):

Biblical Studies, English, History, Humanities, Music and Fine Arts, Philosophy, Psychology, or Social Science

2. Concentration Two - Choose one of the following disciplines which is distinct from the first concentration (15 credit hours): 

Biblical Studies, English, History, Kinesiology, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, or Social Science

3. Free Electives (to bring credit hour total to 90 credit hours)

C. Non-credit Requirements

PRT 300 Junior Portfolio (non-credit)
SL 1-4 Service and Experiential Learning (non-credit)

 

Our degree programs integrate a comprehensive core curriculum, blending biblical and theological studies with courses in English, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, and Mathematics. This diverse foundation enriches knowledge, strengthens faith, and equips students to engage the world.

Christian Studies (27 credit hours)

• BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament
• BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament
• THEO 112 Introduction to Spiritual Theology
• THEO 115 Introduction to Christian Theology
• CM 101 Foundations of Church Ministry OR THEO Elective 200+ level OR BLST Elective 200+ level
• BLST Elective 300+ level
• HIS 237 History of Christianity I
• HIS 238 History of Christianity II

One course from:

• IDST 200 Interdisciplinary Studies: Modernity and Postmodernity
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences

English (6 credit hours)

• ENG 100 Literature and Composition I 
• ENG 101 Literature and Composition II 

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

One course from:

• PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy I
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy II

Social Sciences (3 credit hours)

One course chosen from the following disciplines:

• Administration, Anthropology, Economics, Native Studies, Psychology, Sociology

Choose 6 credit hours (typically two courses) from two different categories below:

The Global Community

• ANTH 200 Cultural Anthropology
• CM 105 Perspectives in Mission
• CM 405 Current Issues in Mission
• COM 200/GLST 200 Intercultural Communication
• ENG 322 World Literatures in English
• ENG 356 Aboriginal Literature
• GLST 301 Globalization
• HIS 100 Issues in World History I
• HIS 101 Issues in World History II
• HIS 339 World Christianity from the Colonial Period to the Present
• HIS 351Islamic History and Society in the Classical Era
• HIS 352 Islamic History and Society in the Medieval and Modern Eras
• HIS 361 History of the Modern Middle East
• HIS 362 History of Modern South Asia
• HIS 420 Empire and Imperialism in World History
• HIS 451 History of Christian-Muslim Relations
• INDG 110 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
• INDG 356 Indigenous Literature 
• Modern Language Elective
• RLST 311 World Religions
• SOC 396 Urban Sociology
• THEO 370 Theology of Mission

Fine Arts, Human Movement, and Communication

• COMM 104 Public Speaking
• COMM/PAST 355 Homiletics
• FIN 110 Introduction to Fine Arts
• KIN 262 Physical Activity and Wellness
• MUS 130 Basic Voice (2 c.h.) + Private Lessons (1 c.h.)
• MUS 140 Basic Piano (2 c.h.) + Private Lessons (1 c.h.)
• MUS/THEA 340 Musical Theatre Workshop
• MUS/THEA 365 Musical Theatre Production and Performance I
• Ensembles (2 c.h.) + Private Lessons (1 c.h.)
• THEA 221 Acting I
• Any three of: DAN 100, 101, 105, 106, 107, Private Lessons - Dance

Scientific and Numerical Literacy

• BIOL 115 Human Structure and Function
• BIOL 120 The Nature of Life
• BIOL 241 Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 242 Anatomy and Physiology II
• BU 211 Financial Accounting
• CMP 127 Introduction to Computers
• CMP 315 Management Information Systems
• ECON 100 Microeconomics
• ECON 101 Macroeconomics
• GEOG 100 Physical Geography of Canada I: Earth Science
• GEOG 101 Physical Geography of Canada II: Weather, Climate, Ecosystems
• HIS 441 Christianity and Science from Copernicus to Creation Science
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences
• KIN 234 Nutrition
• MATH 101 Introduction to Finite Mathematics
• MATH 110 Financial Mathematics
• MATH 292 Quantitative Methods
• PSY 302 Statistics for the Social Sciences
• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistical Methods

Non-Credit Requirements

• PRT 400 Senior Portfolio
• Service and Experiential Learning

Total Core: 45 credit hours

Worried about the cost of your education? Discover how Briercrest makes Christ-centered learning accessible with tools and support to help you plan financially. With scholarships, bursaries, and flexible payment plans, we’re here to help you pursue your calling without financial barriers.

As a private Christian college, Briercrest works hard to provide an educational environment that is distinct from public universities at a cost that competes with other Christian schools in Canada.

Our high-quality academic and discipleship programs reflect the value we place on whole-person education. A Briercrest education is an academic, spiritual, personal, and professional investment that will shape the rest of your life!