Arts & Sciences Degrees
The College of Arts & Sciences at Southwest Baptist University fosters academic excellence in a Christian community that integrates communication skills, creativity, appreciation of the arts, an understanding of cultural heritage, and scientific awareness.
Five divisions exist within the College of Arts & Sciences:
Division of the Arts
Area of Art
The Division of Art facilitates and promotes excellence in the visual creative process. Three majors and two minors are available within this division:
- Bachelor of Science in Art Education
- Bachelor of Science in Graphics Design
- Bachelor of Science in Studio Art
- Graphic Design Minor
- Studio Art Minor
Within the art education program, students work toward earning K-12 teaching certification.
Area of Music
SBU's music programs offer a learning environment that inspires and leads its constituents to achieve excellence in performance, scholarship and appreciation. Faculty encourage the highest levels of artistic achievement in a variety of performance media while recognizing the value of historical and cultural perspective and scholarship in the practice and appreciation of the musical art. Five degrees are available from this area:
- Bachelor of Arts in General Music
- Bachelor of Science in General Music- Instrumental Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in General Music- Keyboard Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in General Music- Vocal Concentration
- Bachelor of Music in Church Music- Instrumental Concentration
- Bachelor of Music in Church Music- Keyboard Concentration
- Bachelor of Music in Church Music- Vocal Concentration
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education- Instrumental Concentration
- Bachelor of Music in Music Education- Vocal Concentration
- General Music Minor
- Piano Pedagogy Minor
Students with any music degree also may pursue a Performer's Certificate option.
Performing Groups
SBU Music features both choral and instrumental performing groups. Non-music majors are able to audition for many of these performance ensembles.
Performance Ensemble Information
Scholarships
The majority of SBU music students are selected to receive financial assistance through a music performance scholarship in one or more areas (keyboard, vocal and instrumental). Awards are renewable annually. Requirements for receiving scholarships are listed with each scholarship:
Choral and Instrumental Scholarships - Participate in an assigned role in SBU ensembles.
Keyboard Scholarships - Perform assigned accompanying duties for soloists and/or ensembles.
All scholarships must maintain a 2.5 minimum grade point average in all college course work.
Division of Behavioral Sciences
The Division of Behavioral Sciences prepares students to investigate and evaluate the human experience and to develop skills of intervention, prevention, and protection accompanied by the integration of faith and discipline. There are three areas within the Division:
Area of Criminal Justice:
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Forensic Psychology Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Pre-Law Concentration
- Criminal Justice Minor
- Military Science Minor
Area of Psychology:
- Bachelor of Arts/Science in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Sports Psychology
- Counseling Minor
- Psychology Minor
Area of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work – Forensic Social Work Concentration
- Bachelor of Social Work – Healthcare Based Social Work Concentration
- Bachelor of Social Work – Pre-Clinical Social Work Concentration
- Bachelor of Social Work – School Based Social Work Concentration
- Social Work Minor
- Sociology Minor
These criminal justice, psychology, and social work degree programs are focused on supporting students to serve others in their communities. Their work in these professions is grounded in Christian values and will lead their development as professionals in their respective fields.
Division of Christian Ministry
The Courts Redford division of Christian ministry equips people for Kingdom building around the world. Students develop ministry skills to be pastors, Christian education ministers, youth ministers, children’s ministers, other staff positions or missionaries, as well as for lay ministry. Theology courses teach an understanding of and appreciation for the Bible and Christian intellectual tradition. The division offers the following degree options:
- Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Church Ministry
- Bachelor of Arts in Missions
- Bachelor of Arts in Student Ministry
- Church Ministry Minor
- Missions Minor
- Student Ministry Minor
- Theology Minor
Christian Studies
Are you planning to major in something else but want to have a foundation of theology and ministry knowledge? The Christian Studies major is a secondary degree that can be added to any academic plan, other than another Theology and Ministry major. This is great for students considering bi-vocational ministry, going on to seminary or who are just interested in expanding their understanding of the Bible and the Christian intellectual tradition.
Division of Humanities
The division of Humanities offers equip students to write effectively, communicate clearly, comprehend the nature of language and to think critically about literature. The degrees offered prioritize fostering an awareness of the history and political systems of both the United States and diverse other parts of the world. There are three areas within the the division of Humanities:
- History and Politics
- Language and Literature
- Communication Arts
Area of History and Political Science
The area of history and political science prepares students in the broadly defined academic disciplines of history and politics. The faculty approach this with special regard to the dynamics of the cultural heritage of both this nation and the world, from a worldview integrating both the Christian faith and Biblical values. Three majors are available in this area:
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in History and Politics
- Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education
- History Minor
- Political Science Minor
- Pre-Law
This area also coordinates pre-law advisement.
Area of Language And Literature
The language and literature program at SBU creates a Christian atmosphere in which students are taught to write effectively, comprehend the nature of language, understand literary traditions, think critically about literature and language, and foster an awareness of humankind. Four majors are available in this area:
- Bachelor of Arts in English - Literature Concentration
- Bachelor of Arts in English - Writing Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in English Education
- English Minor
- Spanish Minor
- Writing and Editing Minor
The English and English Education BA programs at SBU prepare students for a variety of career paths including working as an author, editor, freelance writer, librarian, media writer, and educator. SBU’s BA in Spanish instructs students on how to be leaders in the global community. This degree program also prepares students for a future in teaching. Finally, the writing degree focuses on teaching a wide variety of written communication types from academic writing to technical and creative writing.
Area of Communication Arts
The Bob R. Derryberry School of Communication Arts will help you discover and maximize your God-given voice through rigorous study, engaging performances, and the thoughtful application of the dynamic arts of human communication. Five majors are available within this area:
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in Communication
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in Media Studies
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in Organizational and Strategic Communication
- Communication Minor
- Corporate Communication Minor
- Journalism and Mass Communication Minor
Each program is unique in their instruction and focus areas. SBU’s general BA in communication focuses on teaching students good written and oral communication. Many students in this program go on to pursue a masters degree in their chosen discipline. The journalism and mass communication degree prepares students for work in all facets of media communications from traditional print journalism to digital and social media professions.
The BA in organizational and strategic communication degree focuses on teaching skills in a variety of disciplines including public relations, nonprofit work, hospitality, and digital communication.
Speaking Bearcats
SBU is home to a nationally-acclaimed, award-winning forensics speech and debate team, with 12 Pi Kappa Delta national championships.
Speaking Bearcats Team Information
SCOP Journal
The SCOP Journal is the official literary journal of SBU's Division of Language and Communication and features the originals works of SBU students and faculty.
Download Most Recent Edition of SCOP
Division of Natural Sciences
Area of Biology
Biology programs at SBU allow students to thrive in small class and lab sizes, allowing our faculty who all have Ph.D. degrees to provide a more personalized learning experience. This area offers three undergraduate biology majors:
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Biology - Biomedical Science Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Biology - Environmental Biology Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Biology - Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Biology Education
- Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
- Agriculture Minor
- Biology Minor
SBU biology students have the unique opportunity to participate in the SBU Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. This summer research program allows undergraduate students the beneficial opportunity of conducting research with a faculty member while getting paid for the work.
Area of Chemistry and Physics
Whether you are looking to pursue a career as a chemist, go to graduate school, earn an engineering degree or teach chemistry, SBU has a degree program that will work for you. This area offers undergraduate degrees in:
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
- Optional/Unofficial Track: Pre-Health
- Bachelor of Arts or Science in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education
- Bachelor of Science in Physics
- Bachelor of Science in - 3/2 Pre-Engineering Concentration
- Chemistry Minor
- Physics Minor
Pre-Health
If you are pursuing a career in medicine or another allied health field, faculty will work with you individually to provide pre-health advisement to help set you up for success. As you pursue your undergraduate degree in biology and/or chemistry, faculty will help you apply to graduate school, study for the MCAT (medical school acceptance exam), write reference letters for you and provide the guidance and support you need to be equipped for your career goals.
The Darrell R. Strait Center for the Integration of Science and Christian Faith
The Darrell R. Strait Center for the Integration of Science and Christian Faith (CISCF) pursues excellence and seeks to honor God by offering an interdisciplinary program of study in the integration of science and Christian faith. This program incorporates appropriate scientific and Biblical principles, grounded in the Old and New Testaments, and consistent with the Christian faith, Christian worldview, Biblical values and Baptist heritage of the University.
Area of Kinesiology: Exercise Science
Receiving a bachelor's degree in exercise science at SBU will prepare you to pursue any allied health career as you learn how to deal with people who need injury rehabilitation. A combination of coursework in sciences and human development will equip you with the skills needed for a variety of professions.
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science - Rehabilitative Science Concentration
- Optional/Unofficial Track: Pre-Athletic Training/Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Physical Therapy
The exercise science major is designed for students interested in a career in personal training, biomechanics, or those students who intend to pursue post-graduate schooling/certification in physical therapy, athletic training, or exercise physiology.
Area of Kinesiology: Sports Management
Are you interested in a sports-related career? SBU has a unique sport management degree that is an interdisciplinary program with two concentration options. When you major in sport management at SBU, you will open the door to a wide variety of career options or the ability to further your education with an MBA or other graduate degree.
- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management - Business Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management - Fitness and Wellness Administration Concentration
- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management - Sports Administration
- Sport Management Minor