BBC: Christian College Master of Arts Degrees | Current Schedule

current Schedule

Eight-week sessions begin each August, October, January, March, and May.

To register, contact the registrar's office at registrar@bbc.edu.

The area of study requirement satisfied by each course is listed below.

Check the Scope & Sequence to see which classes are set to offered and when.

summer 2012

May 7 - June 29

BA500 – Fundamentals of Business Management – Dr. Akin Fadahunsi
Introduces students to the fundamentals of business organization and procedures. Students will become acquainted with general business principles and competencies, including basic business terminology, business types and trends, as well as general business organization and control methods.

BI504 – The Interpretation of the Gospels: Luke – Dr. Bill Higley (Bible, Theology & Interpretation)
This course will be a thorough analysis of the Gospel of Luke within its historical and cultural context. Careful consideration will be given to how the structure, theology, and literary features of the book influence one’s interpretation of it. The course will focus on thoughtful exposition of the book to build a depth of understanding the content of Luke’s Gospel. And, building from that exposition, the student will have the opportunity to consider applications of Luke’s Gospel to their personal lives as well as in a ministry context.

CO519 – Evaluating Research – Dr. Barry Smith
An introduction to research methods and statistics. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative research.

CO550 – Ethics and Professional Orientation to Counseling – Dr. Gerlin Valencia
This course is an investigation of legal, ethical, and moral issues germane to professional counseling, as well as credentials and professionalism, affiliation, professional membership, licensure, and certification. Malpractice and legal responsibilities in relationship to counselor trainees and professional counselors is covered.

ED/CO510 – Research Methods – Dr. Barry Smith
This course is an introduction to tools, methods, and design of research studies, with emphasis on students’ contribution skills as well as their intelligent use of research literature. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to scientific inquiry and included survey, observational, descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs are presented. (Prerequisite: An undergraduate or graduate course in statistical methods is recommended.)

ED/CO511 – Statistical Methods & Applications – Dr. Barry Smith
This course is an examination of descriptive and basic inferential statistical techniques, including correlation, principles of probability, and hypothesis testing, with emphasis on computer applications and the utilization of a statistical package.

ED522 – Designing and Teaching an Online Course – Dr. Jim King (Communications)
This course is designed to assist students to understand and to apply instructional design principles to the development and delivery of online courses and programs that use interactive, Web-based technologies. Concepts presented in the class will include synchronous vs. asynchronous learning, use of the web for instruction, virtual classroom setting and building of community, evaluation tools, and the uses of the various technology tools that enhance online learning. After taking this course students will have the ability to design a community-based online class for a formal or non-formal educational setting.

EN507 – Advanced Exposition and Criticism – Dr. Janet Hicks
This course emphasizes development of a mature, professional style in expository writing by study of stylistic and analytical principles underlying effective, stimulating prose and by writing major papers. Careful attention will be given to principles of criticism and analysis.

HI525 – The World of Islam – Dr. Ashraf Basilious
Designed to provide the basic information about Islam. It will cover the life of Muhammad, the expansion of Islam, Islamic beliefs (Allah, Angels, prophets, books, and the Day of Judgment) and duties (the great confession, fasting, prayer, pilgrimage, and JIHAD “the holy war.” Social and political issues as set forth in the Qur’an and the sayings of the prophet Muhammad Hadith will be discussed also.

PH550 – Reason & Revelation V: Communicating in a Fallen World – the Gospels, Truth & Rhetoric – Dr. Stephen Shumaker (Bible, Theology & Interpretation)
An inductive study of the communication of truth and goodness in a fallen world through an examination of the Gospels and select texts related to rhetoric and the sociology of truth. We will examine contemporary efforts to present the Gospels in “movie” form and study the theological and sociological implications of confronting a fallen humanity with truth and goodness. The course will culminate in a final project involving the production of a video related to course themes.

TH523 – Dispensational Premillenialism – Dr. Ken Gardoski (Bible, Theology & Interpretation)
Students in this course have the opportunity to examine God’s multifaceted plan for the world, past, present, and future. The course offers a dispensational premillennial approach enabling students to understand God’s plan for the ages. The course experience helps students to compare and contrast this interpretive approach to others.

FALL - 2012 Session one

August 20 - October 12

BA500 – Fundamentals of Business Management – Dr. Akin Fadahunsi
Introduces students to the fundamentals of business organization and procedures. Students will become acquainted with general business principles and competencies, including basic business terminology, business types and trends, as well as general business organization and control methods.

BA511 – Global Perspectives on Social Entrepreneurship – Dr. Akin Fadahunsi
this course introduces students to the basic ideas, tools and emerging activities of social entrepreneurship around the world. social entrepreneurs use entrepreneurial talents and managerial skill to address social problems. as such, students will explore and discover ways to create and sustain social value in business contexts. they will learn to design enterprise processes to support innovation and adaptation with a clear focus on the needs of those being served.

BI510 – Inductive Bible Study – Diane Lytle
this course is an introduction to the inductive Bible study method and its use with different genres of scripture such as narrative, history, wisdom literature, epistles, and prophecy. the student will complete practical assignments using the three steps of observation, interpretation, and application, and will interact with the professor and other students in accurately evaluating their findings.

EC511 – Academic and Professional Writing – Carol King
An advanced study of the writing of papers for academic and professional discourse. The student will have the opportunity to practice and master a systematic procedure for effectively organizing and writing graduate-level papers of all kinds: research, essays, critiques, and other papers required of students in a variety of disciplines.

CO502 – Biblical Theology of Counseling – Cary Lantz
this course covers the centrality of the Bible in its relationship to biblical counseling, student development of a theology of counseling with respect to counseling philosophy and methodology, and the church’s role in counseling from the perspective of pastors and non–clergy.

CO508 – Methods of Biblical Change – Dr. Gerlin Valencia (Bible, Theology & Interpretation)
This course covers elements for effective relationship-building between counselor and counselee, the process of affecting behavioral, attitudinal, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual heart change in counselees’ lives, and elements of spiritual dynamics, grace accountability, and follow up in their relationship to affecting biblical change in counselees’ lives.

CO519 – Evaluating Research – Dr. Barry Smith
An introduction to research methods and statistics. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative research.

CO565 – Ethnicity and Counseling – Gerlin Valencia
This course is a study of the ethnic, cultural, and societal factors which influence contemporary family units and individuals within those units. Multiculturalism, societal pluralism and implications for counseling individuals within the family are included.

ED/CO510 – Research Methods – Dr. Barry Smith
This course is an introduction to tools, methods, and design of research studies, with emphasis on students’ contribution skills as well as their intelligent use of research literature. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to scientific inquiry and included survey, observational, descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs are presented.
(Prerequisite: An undergraduate or graduate course in statistical methods is recommended.)

ED/CO511 – Statistical Methods & Applications – Dr. Barry Smith
This course is an examination of descriptive and basic inferential statistical techniques, including correlation, principles of probability, and hypothesis testing, with emphasis on computer applications and the utilization of a statistical package.

IS540 – Intercultural Communication – Jim King
a study of the essential elements and various dimensions of intercultural communication that must be addressed in order to achieve accurate communication within multicultural settings. the student will evaluate both verbal and non–verbal forms of communication within a variety of cultural settings. special emphasis will be given to the following categories: ways of perceiving the world, thinking, expressing ideas, acting, interacting, deciding, and channeling the message.

LI512 – Principles of Literary Criticism – Janet Hicks
this course in literary criticism deals with the philosophies, systems, and patterns by which literature is studied. the focus of the course is to understand how to work with literary text within its literal, grammatical, cultural/ historical context in order to determine authorial intent. Works that lay the foundation for literary criticism will be examined and several stellar literary texts will be evaluated.

PH531 – Confronting Culture: Ethics – Steve Shumaker
This course addresses the place of ethics in our contemporary cultural context. Students will explore a current attempt to pursue ethics in terms of its philosophic roots and its expression in mass media. They will engage this context by evaluating an apologetics response to the Christian faith and an expression of Christian ethics within the context contemporary culture.

TH507 – Theological Issues and the Church – Jim King
This course is a study of a variety of contemporary theological issues which are confronting local church leaders and members at this time. the emphasis is upon the biblical evaluation of these issues in light of the absolute Word of God and the cultural milieu in which they are occurring. the course will focus on the development of critical thinking and the building of a Christian world–view as a foundation for the critical analysis of the contemporary theological issues.

TH517 – Survey of Doctrine
this course is an overview of the ten major theologies of the Bible spread over an eight–week online course. examination of the major issues behind Bibliology, theology proper, Christology, pnuematology, angelology, anthropology, Hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology and eschatology will be conducted in a systematic approach.

TH522 – Church and Baptist Distinctives – Mike Stallard
Students in this course will understand God’s design for the nature and mission of the Church in the world. As to the nature of the Church, students will analyze the tensions that exist between various views in Christendom concerning the relationship of Israel and the Church, global versus local aspects of church, church government, leadership, the practice of baptism and communion, and church discipline. Students will resolve these tensions by a methodologically sound approach to Scripture rather than tradition or contemporary culture. As to the mission of the Church, the student will understand a broadly based and biblical rationale for social responsibility of the part of the churches and Christians. They will exhibit the priority of the Gospel of eternal life through Christ.

FALL 2012 – Session TWO

October 22 – December 21

BI503 – The Interpretation of Genesis
this course is an expository study of the book of Genesis designed to give an overview of Genesis as well as matters relating to the origins of the human race, sin and fall, and Israel. special attention will be given to the historical, theological, and prophetical themes of Genesis. students will be challenged to make thoughtful applications in order to develop their use of this book for the edification of the Body.

CO506 – Biblical Philosophy of Counseling – Dr. Cary Lantz (Bible, Theology & Interpretation)
This course covers student formulation and articulation of a personal philosophy of biblical counseling with emphasis on the Scripture’s sufficiency in meeting human needs. Analysis of various Christian counselors and philosophies toward biblical counseling and historical perspectives relative to contemporary issues in counseling will be taught.

CO519 – Evaluating Research – Dr. Barry Smith
An introduction to research methods and statistics. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative research.

CO520 – Theories and Techniques of Counseling – Cary Lantz
this course is an analysis of a broad range of theories in counseling. the nature of the counseling relationship and techniques used in promoting counselee change, and use role and practice of the professional counselor will be taught.


CO539 – Marriage and Family Counseling – Gerlin Valencia
In this course, students will learn to develop a biblical/theological template for working with marriages and families. Both theory and techniques of a systemic approach to marriage and family counseling are presented. the course introduces students to the classical and modern theoretical therapeutic models for marriage and family counseling.

ED/CO510 – Research Methods – Dr. Barry Smith
This course is an introduction to tools, methods, and design of research studies, with emphasis on students’ contribution skills as well as their intelligent use of research literature. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to scientific inquiry and included survey, observational, descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs are presented.
(Prerequisite: An undergraduate or graduate course in statistical methods is recommended.)

ED/CO511 – Statistical Methods & Applications – Dr. Barry Smith
This course is an examination of descriptive and basic inferential statistical techniques, including correlation, principles of probability, and hypothesis testing, with emphasis on computer applications and the utilization of a statistical package.

EC541 – Twentieth Century Christian Writers – Carol King
This course is a survey of some of the key Twentieth Century Christian writers with attention paid to their place in church and world history, their motivation and impact on the world, and why and how their legacy continues to impact writers today. A primary objective of this course is for the student to learn from those who have taught well through their writing.

ED523 – Adult Education in the Church – Jim King
This course is an introduction to the field of adult education as an area of study. It is designed for both vocational and lay teachers working with adult learners within a variety of ministry settings. the social context of adult education including generational norms, changing roles in society, and technology will be analyzed in reference to how they influence the practice of adult education. students will be prepared to design lessons and teach an adult student population.

LI518 – Dramatic Genre – Brian Maxwell
this course explores the history and structure of main genres of dramatic literature: tragic plays, comedic plays, and dramatic poetry. It seeks out historical context, structure, rhetorical strategy, and thematic intent found in the selections from each type of dramatic literature.

PH541 – Confronting Culture: World Religions – Dr. Steve Shumaker
This course addresses the place of world religions within our contemporary cultural context. Students will explore current interests in Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam in terms of their textual sources and their expression in mass media. They will engage this context by evaluating an apologetics response to the Christian faith and an evangelical approach to engaging in interfaith dialog.

SC505 – Creation, Evolution & Intelligent Design – Barry Smith
this course explores the issues relative to the origins of life in particular and the cosmos in general as they relate to the Bible, evolutionary science and intelligent design. the course delves into the claims of those who advocate an evolutionary or intelligent design interpretation of origins. through reading. discussions, and presentations, appropriate responses to those claims will be suggested using a biblical apologetic approach involving a grammatical, historical literal method of biblical interpretation.


TH511 – How to Develop a Biblical Worldview – Mike Stallard
this course is a presentation of the basic steps for building a Christian world–view that is true to the Bible. the student will be guided through the process of building a biblical world–view using case studies at various levels of doing theology: exegesis and biblical theology, linking from one passage to another in the scriptures, categorizing all of the biblical data on various themes, validating extra–biblical truth claims, and applying biblical teaching to all of life.