Welcome to Boyce College! We look forward to meeting you in the days ahead as you begin your studies here.

What Courses Should I Take?

Some of the most important decisions you will make relate to the courses you will take in the coming semester. The information below is designed to help you with those choices. You should use this information together with the class schedule.

The information below is divided into four sections.

• Preliminary Information discusses how Boyce College courses are numbered, prerequisites needed for certain courses, etc.
• Courses You Should Take: First Time College Students will help students new to college determine which courses they should take this semester.
• Courses You Should Take: Transfer Students will give guidance on course selection to students coming to Boyce with credits from other colleges.
• Course Recommendations: Specific Majors gives advice to students in specific majors concerning courses they should take in their majors.

Note: If you register online, you are responsible to make sure you sign up for the correct courses. Read the information below carefully, and contact Boyce College if needed for academic counseling.

• • •

Preliminary Information

Telephone numbers to remember: If you need further assistance with the courses you should take, call the Boyce College Office of Academic Advising at 1-502-897-4502. If you need assistance with how to register on-line for courses, contact Academic Records at 1-502-897-4209.

New Student Orientation. Information is available on the web concerning orientation for new students. Orientation for new students is mandatory. Even if you have registered for your classes on the web you must attend the sessions related to academic advising. In these sessions you will have the opportunity to review your class selection and to meet the Department Coordinators and other faculty in your degree major.

Course Numbering. Each course listed in the schedule has a course number. For example, the first listing for “Old Testament Survey I” is numbered “BL 101 A.”

The first two letters indicate the course subject. For example, BL is for Bible; CE for Christian Education; CM for Computer, etc. Those letters are followed by a three-digit number. The first digit indicates the year in which a course should be taken. For example, BL 101 can be taken by a first year student; CE 363 should be taken by a third year student, etc. The last two digits distinguish courses from one another (for example, BL 101, BL 111, etc.). The higher numbers do not necessarily mean the courses are more difficult.

Some courses have a letter following the number (i.e., BL 101 A, BL 101 B). This letter refers to the course section; it indicates that the same course is being taught more than once during the semester. If you intend to take Old Testament Survey I, you only need to sign up for one section of the course.

Prerequisites. Some courses require you to complete one or more other courses before you take them. Prerequisites for all courses are listed in the class schedule.

If you look under the column “Prerequisites/Notes” for BL 102A you will not see anything listed. This means there are no prerequisites for this course. If you look under comments for BL 302 (Interpreting Exodus), however, it reads: “BL 101″. That means you need to take this course or its equivalent before you take BL 302. It is your responsibility to check the prerequisites for each course you intend to take.

How many courses should you take?  A “3 credit hour course” meets for 3 hours a week for one semester (August-November or January-May). A “Full time student” will take 12 or more credit hours, a “Part time student” will take less than 12 credit hours. Full time students should take plan to take 12 to 15 credit hours, depending on family, work and ministry responsibilities.

Student Classifications. Some course descriptions state they should be taken by students at the Sophomore level, etc. These levels are determined by how many credit hours a student has earned, including transfer hours.

Boyce College students are classified as follows:

• Freshman: 0-29 hours
• Sophomore: 30-62 hours
• Junior: 63-92 hours
• Senior: 93+ hours

Please make your course selections with these classifications in mind.

Note: Information about the content of specific courses can be found in the Boyce College Catalog.

• • •

Courses You Should Take: First Time College Students

NOTE:  The information below does not apply to students in the following majors.  These students should contact their Department Coordinators before registering for any classes.

Bachelor of Science in Humanities.  Contact Dr. Jim Orrick.  jorrick@sbts.edu

Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education.  Contact Dr. Al Hickey.  ahickey@sbts.edu

The following are recommendations for first time students.

The first course you should sign up for is “EN 101 English Composition I.” This course will not only help you with the basics of English but will review requirements used for writing term and research papers at Boyce College.

Note: Students may not enroll in any 200 level or higher course without taking English Composition I and II. Courses at the 200 level or higher will require you to write research papers; you will learn the proper form to use in writing those papers in the English Composition classes.

The second course you should sign up for is “CM 101 Introduction to Computers.” Most of the papers and homework you turn in will need to be printed. If you do not know how to use a computer to do papers be sure to take this course. If you are proficient in the use of computers you may take the “Computer Proficiency Exam.” Check information on New Student Orientation for more details.

The next courses you should take are courses in your specific major. It is important that you take courses that are listed for your program as “Major Studies” in the Boyce catalog. Since these courses may not be offered every year, it is important you take them when they are available. See the section below entitled ’Course Recommendations: Specific Majors’ to see if there are any of these courses for which you should enroll.

You should then plan to take one of the Bible Survey courses that is available (either BL 101 Old Testament Survey I, BL 102 Old Testament Survey II, BL 151 New Testament Survey I, or BL 152 New Testament Survey II). You may take Old Testament Survey and New Testament Survey at the same time, and you may take Old/New Testament Survey II before you take Survey I.

To round out your schedule, you should then take any other first year course that is required for all degree programs. These courses include:

BL 111 Hermeneutics

CE 101 Introduction to Christian Education

MA 101 College Algebra

MA 102 Contemporary Mathematics

MS 101 Introduction to Christian Missions

MS 105 Personal Evangelism

PH 103 Introduction to Philosophy

Some course sections may fill before you have a chance to register for them. You should have a list of alternate courses and class times ready.

Note: You should also register for the course CP 100 Cooperative Program. This is a non-credit course required for all students new to Boyce College. See the course description on the class schedule.

• • •

Courses You Should Take: Transfer Students

The first course transfer students should take is English Composition I or II, if needed, and Introduction to Computers.

Note: Students may not enroll in any 200 level or higher course without taking English Composition I and II. These courses will require you to write research papers; you will learn the proper form to use in writing those papers in the English Composition classes.

The next courses you should take are courses in your specific major. It is important that you take courses that are listed for your program as “Major Studies” in the Boyce catalog. Since these courses may not be offered every year, it is important you take them when they are available. See the section below entitled ‘Course Recommendations: Specific Majors’ to see if there are any of these courses for which you should enroll.

You should then take any other 100 level courses you have not yet had that are required for your degree program.

To round out your schedule, you should then take any 200 level courses required for your degree program. Check the catalog to see which courses are required. Be sure to check for any prerequisites.

Note: You should also register for the course CP 100 Cooperative Program. This is non-credit course required for all students new to Boyce College. See the course description on the class schedule.

• • •

Course Recommendations: Specific Majors

As mentioned above, students should begin taking courses in their specific majors as soon as possible. The following guidelines will help you know which courses to take.

Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies /Associate of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies

If you are not transferring in any Bible courses, it is a good idea to get started right away with Old Testament Survey I or II or New Testament Survey I or II, or both an Old and New Testament Survey course (BL 101/102 and BL 151/152). You should also enroll in BL 111 Hermeneutics. The more advanced Bible and theology courses will be much easier if you take these foundational courses first. You might also consider taking Introduction to Philosophy (PH 103).

If you are transferring in with a larger amount of transfer credits, choose the appropriate 200-300 level courses, making sure you meet the necessary prerequisites.

You may contact Dr. Chad Brand with any questions at cbrand@sbts.edu.

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Worldview and Apologetics

New students should take Introduction to Philosophy (PH 103) which is required before any advanced courses can be taken. The Hermeneutics course (BL 111) is also recommended.

Students who are transferring in with a larger amount of transfer credits should choose the appropriate 200-400 level courses, making sure they have met the necessary prerequisites. If you have transfer credits that count toward Introduction to Philosophy (PH 103) and Worldview Analysis (PH 108), you should take any combination of the following: Introduction to Ethics (PH 311), Religion in the Public Square (PH 321), or Metaphysics (PH 323 - elective within the major). Do not enroll in The Problem of Evil (PH 423) unless you have permission from Dr. Travis Kerns. If you do not have transfer credits for either Introduction to Philosophy (PH 103) or Worldview Analysis (PH 108), you will need to take those courses before enrolling in any 200-400 level courses in the major.

You may contact Professor Travis Kerns with any questions at tkerns@sbts.edu.

Bachelor of Arts in Expository Preaching and Pastoral Leadership

New Students may not take preaching courses until their sophomore year. They should begin taking the prerequisites for Preaching I, which include Old Testament Survey I and/or New Testament Survey I (BL 101/BL 151). They should also take Hermeneutics (BL 111) which is required before any advanced courses can be taken.

Students with transfer credits may register for Preaching I (PR 205) if they have taken the appropriate prerequisites (two semesters of either OT or NT Survey and Hermeneutics [BL 111]). Preaching II (PR 206) is also available for those who have taken Preaching I (PR 205) or its equivalent. Advanced Expository Preaching (PR 401) is available for those who have taken Preaching I (PR 205) and Preaching II (PR 206) or their equivalents.

You may contact Dr. Brian Payne with any questions at bpayne@sbts.edu.

Bachelor of Science: Church Ministry

New students in Church Ministry concentrations; Leadership, Children’s Ministry or Women’s Studies: All first year students should take CE 101 Introduction to Christian Education, CE 187 SME Survey I; and YM 101 Principles of Youth Ministry.

All transfer students who are sophomores or higher should also take CE 287 SME Small Groups I.

Transfer students who are sophomores or higher should also take the following courses provided they have taken the necessary prerequisites:

Concentration in Leadership: CE 363 Leadership Assimilation and Development.

Concentration in Children’s Ministry: CE 214 Childhood Education in the Church.

Concentration in Women’s Studies: WS 211 The Role of Women in Ministry.

If you have questions you may contact Dr. Gary Almon at galmon@sbts.edu .

Bachelor of Science: Counseling

New Students: All new students should register for Introduction to Biblical Counseling (CN 101).

Transfer Students: All transfer students should register for Marriage and the Family (PS 221) and Theological Basis of Biblical Counseling (CN 350).

For more information you may contact Professor Heath Lambert (Department Coordinator for Biblical Counseling) at hlambert@sbts.edu.

Bachelor of Science: Missions

New students should take MS 101 Introduction to Christian Missions and/or MS 105 Personal Evangelism. Both classes are needed prerequisites for future MS classes.

Transfer students should also take MS 101 Introduction to Christian Missions and/or MS 105 Personal Evangelism. Both classes serve as prerequisites for future MS classes.

Transfer students who have the equivalent of MS 101 Introduction to Christian Missions and/or MS 105 Personal Evangelism, should consider enrolling in the following course: MS 211 Introduction to Church Planting.

Students have the option of pursuing the Missions Internship track or the Missions Praxis in Pioneer Church Planting track. New or transfer students who want to pursue the Missions Praxis in Pioneer Church Planting should also enroll in MS 187. If students would like more information on the Praxis program, they can email Dr. Carlton at bcarlton@sbts.edu or call him at 502-897-4611.

Transfer students should also contact Dr. R. Bruce Carlton at: bcarlton@sbts.edu to set a time to review a degree completion plan. Transfer students planning to follow the Missions Internship track should also contact Dr. Carlton regarding the requirements of and preparation for their Missions Internship (MS 489).

Bachelor of Science: Music Ministry

First year students should register for the following courses: MU 110 Music Theory I; MU 115 Aural Skills I; MU 141 Supervised Music Experience: Survey I; MU 150 Boyce Chorale; MU 165 Class Piano I.

Also register for an Applied Major (MU 171, 173, 178…); check course schedule for other courses not listed here.  (Private lessons on your principle instrument of study).

An audition time during new student orientation is scheduled for all entering music students. Plan to perform a musical selection in your major applied area (voice, piano, guitar, other).  This audition will help us to place you with an applied teacher for the semester.

Transfer students who are not transferring in any music courses should register for the same courses listed above for first year students.  Students who are transferring in music courses should contact Dr. Brewton for assistance in course selection.  Transfer students should also plan to perform a musical selection in your major applied area during the orientation audition time.

All entering music students will also take a placement test in basic music reading and sight singing during the audition time. 

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Greg Brewton, Coordinator for Music Studies, at 1-502-897-4509, or by e-mail at gbrewton@sbts.edu.  More information on Boyce Music Studies is available at www.biblicalworship.com, click on Boyce College Music.

Bachelor of Science: Youth Ministry

All new youth ministry students should register for YM 101 Principles of Youth Ministry, CE 187 Supervised Youth Ministry Experience: Survey I, and CE 101 Introduction to Christian Education.

Transfer students in youth ministry should also register for YM 101, CE 187, and CE 101. In addition, transfer students should contact a youth ministry faculty advisor in Rankin Hall 204 (800-525-6626 ext. 4207 or 502-897-4207) to review a degree completion plan. Additional youth ministry courses may be necessary in order to graduate in the desired time.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. David Adams at 800-626-5525, 502-897-4207, or dadams@sbts.edu.