The primary goal of education at William Jessup University is the integration of faith and learning. In pursuing this goal, we accept the unity of all knowledge under God and perceive no contradiction between the truth of the Christian revelation and that of scholarly investigation. WJU offers both general education courses that provide the broad scope of human knowledge and a solid biblical and theological core that establishes a perspective which gives coherence and purpose to that knowledge. (Transfer students: see section “General Education and Bible Options for Transfer Students” that follows.)
General Education
General Education at William Jessup University seeks to develop the whole person by developing skills in communication, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking, and by exposing students to a broad cross-section of knowledge in science, social science, and the humanities. General Education is fundamental to the degree program by providing context for the major, a foundation for lifelong autonomous learning, and the skills and broad worldview needed for effective leadership. Students who transfer from local community colleges will add the flavor of WJU distinctive courses to their readily transferable units.
The General Education program of 48 units allows students the opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of knowledge within personal and vocational interest. Required core courses emphasize development of a personal Christian worldview, as students address issues of personal spiritual formation and societal engagement. Students should review the various academic programs for recommended courses which also fulfill the various requirements below.
Core (8 units)
| LDRS152 | Contemporary Discipleship | 5 units |
| PHIL452 | Christian Perspective | 3 units |
Communication (9 units)
| ENGL101a | English Composition | 3 units |
| ENGL101b | English Composition | 3 units |
| Communication Elective | Choose one of the following | |
| COMM180 | Speech | 3 units |
| PSYC222 | Interpersonal Processes | 3 units |
| PSYC322 | Small Group Dynamics | 3 units |
| BUS302 | Organizational Communication | 3 units |
| COMM180 | Intercultural Communication** | 3 units |
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
| Choose one of the Following | ||
| Math200 | Math for the Educated Citizen | 3 units |
| Math213 | Math for Teachers | 3 unit |
| Math240 | College Algebra | 3 units |
| BUS190 | Business Statistics | 3 units |
Arts and Humanities (6 units)
| Arts Elective | Choose 3 units of the following | |
| MUS171 | Music Fundamentals | 3 units |
| MUS272 | Music Theory I-II | 3 units |
| MUS340 | Western Music to 1750 | 3 units |
| MUS341 | Western Music from 1750 | 3 units |
| MUS365 | World Music** | 2 units |
| MUS370 | Song Writing | 2 units |
| MUS343 | Hymnology | 2 units |
| ENGL386 | Creative Writing | 3 units |
| ENGL340 | Advanced Poetry Seminar | 3 units |
| Humanities Elective | Choose 3 units of the following | |
| ENGL350 | Children's Literature | 3 units |
| ENGL110 | Literature and Culture | 3 units |
| ENGL220 | Foundations of English Literature | 3 units |
| ENGL221 | English Literature Since 180 | 3 units |
| ENGL230 | Americal Literature | 3 units |
| ENGL320 | Shakespeare | 3 units |
| ENGL361 | Linquistics and Modern Grammar | 3 units |
| ENGL355 | Mythology | 3 units |
| ENGL321 | C.S Lewis | 3 units |
| ENGL322 | The Gothic Novel | 3 units |
| ENGL320 | World Religions** | 3 units |
| Foreign Language** | 3 units | |
| PHIL271 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 units |
| PHIL331 | Christian Ethics | 3 units |
| HIST471 | Restoration History | 3 units |
Social and Behavioral Science (12 units)
| HIST221/HIST251 | Western or World Civilization I | 3 units |
| HIST222/HIST252 | Western or World Civilization II | 3 units |
| Behavioral Science Elective | Choose one of the following | |
| PSYC100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 units |
| PSYC141 | Developmental Psychology | 3 units |
| PSYC351 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 units |
| PSYC230 | Psychology of Relationships | 3 units |
| PSYC200 | Marriage and Family | 3 units |
| PSYC345 | Gender Studies | 3 units |
| PSYC333 | Human Sexuality | 3 units |
| PSYC203 | Social Psychology | 3 units |
| Social Science Elective | Choose one of the following | |
| HIST204 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 units |
| HIST311 | Old Testament Archaeology | 3 units |
| HIST312 | New Testament Archaeology | 3 units |
| HIST372 | Christianity and Islam in Conflict | 3 units |
| HIST315 | History of Religion in America | 3 units |
| HIST371 | The Twentieth Century | 3 units |
| HIST310 | Early Church: Paul to Justinian | 3 units |
| HIST334 | Greece and Rome | 3 units |
| HIST291 | American History | 3 units |
| HIST380 | Topics in History | 3 units |
| BUS240 | Macroeconomics | 3 units |
| BUS241 | Microeconomics | 3 units |
| BUS140 | Mngt & Organizational Behavior | 3 units |
| HIST225 | Origin and Transmission of the Bible | 3 units |
| HIST291 | American History | 3 units |
| HIST380 | Topics in History | 3 units |
| ICS103 | Perspectives on the World Christian Movement** | 3 units |
| ICS302 | Cultural Anthropology** | 3 units |
| SOC201 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 units |
| PPOL111 | American Government | 3 units |
| PPOL301 | Political Theory & Philosophy | 3 units |
| PPOL304 | Ethics in Public Policy | 3 units |
| PPOL361 | Constitution and Civil Rights | 3 units |
| TEDU123 | Multicultural Education** | 3 units |
| YMIN283 | Youth Culture, Trends & Issues | 3 units |
Physical and Biological Sciences (7 units)
| Physical and Biological Sciences Electives | Choole two courses, one of which must include an additional lab section of 1 unit | |
| SCI226 | Conceptual Physics | 3 units |
| SCI224 | General Biology | 3 units |
| SCI222 | Physical Geography | 3 units |
**At least one course must be cross-cultural; courses that meet this requirement are marked with **.
| Upper Division elective in one of the above areas | 3 units |
| Free Electives | 10 units |
Biblical Studies (20-32 units)
Education of the Christian leader is incomplete without the foundational and integrative studies of Scripture that ground and bring coherence to the student’s life and worldview. In Biblical studies, students develop the skills and disciplines to study the Scriptures in analytical, practical and passionate ways, organizing its contents into meaningful patterns for life and ministry.
All programs at WJU are based upon a 20-unit minor in Bible and Theology, which include the following core courses:
| Christian Foundations I (Old Testament, BIBL101) | 4 units |
| Christian Foundations II (Gospels, BIBL102) | 3 units |
| Christian Foundations III (Acts – Revelation, BIBL103) | 3 units |
| Biblical Interpretation (BIBL249) | 3 units |
| Romans (NT308) | 3 units |
| Christian Theology (THEO451) | 4 units |
Students who pursue a church vocational ministry major (Christian Education, Intercultural Studies, Pastoral Ministry, and Youth Ministry) earn a second major in Bible & Theology by adding a total of 12 units of electives to this core (including one course each in Old Testament, New Testament, and Theology).
General Education and Bible Options for Transfer Students
Transfer students may fulfill their general education requirements by completing William Jessup University’s General Education Curriculum or, prior to enrolling at WJU, completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
The IGETC model for the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems is accepted by WJU with the following provisions:
- Students who have completed IGETC must also satisfy 6 units of upper division core courses which are required for a bachelor degree: Contemporary Discipleship Praxis and Christian Perspective.
- The minimum of 128 units for graduation remains the same.
- In addition to the IGETC, all prerequisites and support courses for existing majors must be met.
- Transfer students following the IGETC should plan to complete it before they enroll at WJU. A signed IGETC agreement must normally be in the students’ file before enrolling for classes. Students who do not complete it before they enroll will follow the WJU General Education curriculum.
Transfer students who have completed a minimum of 60 units toward their degree and who pursue a non-ministry degree program may choose to satisfy 9 units of Bible and Theology rather than complete a minor:
- Christian Foundations I (BIBL101)
- Christian Foundations II (BIBL102)
- Bible Intepretation (BIBL249)
