Horizon University offers a nontraditional option for students desiring to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. With the Adult and Professional Studies adult Degree Completion Program, students can complete their Bachelor degree in a timely manner while working a fulltime job. Our “one night a week, one course a month” design, allows the student to continue a professional work schedule and complete a degree in 22 months.
Currently the School of Adult & Professional Studies offers two majors. The B.S. in Organizational Leadership is for those who are involved in or plan to be in leadership development or management. This program provides believers with sets of skills for the marketplace. The B.A. in Leadership and Ministry is for the ministry professionals wanting to effectively integrate biblical truths with contemporary life and thought, coupled with practical ministry skill courses.
The APS Adult Degree Completion Program is unique. The curriculum contains sixteen modular courses that are taken in sequence. The term “modular course” signifies the integrated nature of this curriculum. It is not a collection of independent courses but rather a unified curriculum with sequential courses. Students will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Ministry or a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership upon completion of the requirements for graduation. As students entering the program will likely have professional employment experience, the course of study will help them apply this practical experience in formal education for their greatest benefit.
Our simple one time registration process allows students to receive a class schedule for the entire program. The classes meet one night each week from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM for 22 months or all online. The courses are scheduled over four semesters equaling 48 semester hours of credit. In addition the schedule is planned to allow time for holidays and a brief summer vacation. Students registering with the same group are called “cohorts”. Each cohort moves through the program taking courses in sequence together.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Organizational Leadership
The B.S. in Organizational Leadership is designed to:
- Develop decision making skills, including financial decision making and strategic planning
- Enhance your management and team leading skills
- Explore ethical and moral decisions making encountered by those in for profit and non-profit organizations
- Increase your knowledge of Biblical concepts of leadership
Graduates with this degree will provide effective management and leadership in private and public sectors as well as those interested in pursuing graduate studies.
Course Descriptions
Goals Priorities and Attitudes
The setting of goals, as well as priorities among those goals, with an emphasis upon how those goals and priorities relate to the realities and aspirations of life. The attitude of the individual including other aspects of psychological makeup and how it impacts upon the ability and willingness to set goals and priorities. An emphasis upon how goals, priorities and attitudes can lead to effective Christian personal management.
Biblical Concepts of Leadership
A study of the concepts of leadership in the context of Scripture and application of these concepts to personal, professional and career goals. The course will include the use of a survey to assess each individual’s leadership capabilities to help him/her to understand his/her personal profile.
Study, Understand & Apply the Bible
A study of the process that led to the creation of the English Bible and its authority, a survey of the principles and practice of independent Bible study, including an emphasis on the grammatical historical approach to biblical interpretation. The student will study methods of application leading to the development of theme, proposition and finally the lesson itself.
Life of Christ / Gospels
A study of the Life of Christ as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and in the Gospel according to John.
Organizational Behavior
Organizational goals, priorities and strategies interfacing with the behavior of individuals and groups inside the organization and in other affecting organizations. Attention is given to the effect of organizational culture, government laws and regulations and the economy upon organizational behavior.
Essentials of Management
A study of the five parts of managing organizations—planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling/evaluating—with the study of principles for application to both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and applications in organizations with references to Scripture.
Marketing Concepts and Application
The use of organizational mission to develop a marketing approach to reach potential constituencies with image, product and service that will cause those constituencies to utilize the organization to meet their perceived needs in a manner that is profitable to the organization.
Accounting for Managers
This course provides an overview of accounting from the perspective of a non-accounting manager. It helps to develop the tools to understand the essentials of how finance functions within an organization. This includes internal controls, the function of accounting, historical accounting data and financial planning. The course also provides an overview of how to manage a business by God’s principles
Communication Concepts
An introduction to the concepts of effective oral and written communication to include functioning in teams and other organizational settings as well as interpersonal exchanges.
Christian Ethics
A study of theoretical and practical problems of moral conduct and proposed solutions with an emphasis upon the nature of ethics, values, rights, obligations and opportunities.
Ethics in Hebrew Wisdom Literature
A study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs that emphasizes the genius of Hebrew poetry and the doctrinal depth, spiritual value and ethical implications of these books.
Biblical Strategies of Evangelism
A study of the nature, purpose and process of biblical evangelism and its application to various ministries; a study of New Testament discipleship principles and their application, with a special emphasis upon building discipling relationships and small group ministry.
Cutting Issues in Management
A modular course for managers allowing them to build upon the principles of management to study the current trends and developments in the field of management as found in business currently and in the thinking of writers in the field.
Case Studies in Ethics
Reading, discussion and development of papers pertaining to relevant case studies and readings involving ethical issues applied to actual situations.
Economics and the Manager
A focus on the use of economics in making managerial decisions; both within an organization, and in the larger market arena. Issues involving scarcity and choice, the United States economy, price, production, cost, competition, money, income, business cycles and international trade are included. The interaction between economics and organizations is emphasized.
Case Studies in Leadership
Case studies will be selected for in-depth study of the application of leadership concepts with particular reference to those concepts found in Scripture. Students will develop a written analysis of their style of leadership. Related issues are introduced through readings.
Foundations of Preaching and Teaching
Introduces the principles and skills necessary to effectively communicate Scripture through teaching and preaching delivery. This course allows for the development and application of skills learned.
Case Studies in Leadership
Case studies will be selected for in-depth study of the application of leadership concepts with particular reference to those concepts found in Scripture. Students will develop a written analysis of their style of leadership. Related issues are introduced through readings.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Leadership and Ministry
Our Leadership and Ministry degree is designed to:
- give the adult student a strong Biblical foundation with additional emphasis in various styles and forms of leadership in ministry
- provide practical applications in the areas of leadership and Christian worldview
- increase your Biblical knowledge, develop your Ministry skills, and align your gifts with God’s purpose
Graduates of this program may go on to serve in churches and other non-profits in the areas of preaching, youth, children’s and worship ministries, and leadership.
Course Descriptions
(Required for the Degree Completion Program)
Goals Priorities and Attitudes
The setting of goals, as well as priorities among those goals, with an emphasis upon how those goals and priorities relate to the realities and aspirations of life. The attitude of the individual including other aspects of psychological makeup and how it impacts upon the ability and willingness to set goals and priorities. An emphasis upon how goals, priorities and attitudes can lead to effective Christian personal management.
Biblical Concepts of Leadership
A study of the concepts of leadership in the context of Scripture and application of these concepts to personal, professional and career goals. The course will include the use of a survey to assess each individual’s leadership capabilities to help him/her to understand his/her personal profile.
Study, Understand & Apply the Bible
A study of the process that led to the creation of the English Bible and its authority, a survey of the principles and practice of independent Bible study, including an emphasis on the grammatical historical approach to biblical interpretation. The student will study methods of application leading to the development of theme, proposition and finally the lesson itself.
Life of Christ / Gospels
A study of the Life of Christ as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and in the Gospel according to John.
Old Testament Literature: History
This course is a study of the history of the people of God in the Old Testament as that history is recorded from Genesis through Esther. It will consider God’s redemptive plan as it is expressed in His covenants with Israel. Special emphasis will be made to help the student understand the geography of the Near East.
Biblical Worldview
A study of the biblical worldview as presented in the Old and New Testaments. The use of the Scripture to explore the role of general revelation (the creation) and special revelation (the Scriptures) and to experience God at work in the modern world.
Acts
…
The Early Church
A study of the Acts of the Apostles that specifically follows the historical expansion of the church through doctrinal development, growth in understanding, evangelism and geographical expansion through the missionary activities of its members. We will become acquainted with the activities of the great church leaders of the first century, e.g., Peter, James and Paul.
New Testament: Romans
This course is an exegetical and historical study of Paul
Communication Concepts
An introduction to the concepts of effective oral and written communication to include functioning in teams and other organizational settings as well as interpersonal exchanges.
Christian Ethics
A study of theoretical and practical problems of moral conduct and proposed solutions with an emphasis upon the nature of ethics, values, rights, obligations and opportunities.
Ethics in Hebrew Wisdom Literature
A study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs that emphasizes the genius of Hebrew poetry and the doctrinal depth, spiritual value and ethical implications of these books.
Biblical Strategies of Evangelism
A study of the nature, purpose and process of biblical evangelism and its application to various ministries; a study of New Testament discipleship principles and their application, with a special emphasis upon building discipling relationships and small group ministry.
Biblical Discipleship and Small Groups
This course will benefit anyone who participates in small groups, but it is specifically designed to help leaders understand the components of group process and enable them to fulfill their roles. The primary focus of the course is small groups in a church-based ministry, although many of the concepts and principles also apply to businesses and other organizations that are comprised of groups of people.
Introduction to Christian Counseling
This course is designed to introduce students to foundational issues of human growth, discipleship, and healing as they relate to Christian counseling in the local church or other setting. Through practical, hands-on experience, students learn how to listen to God, themselves, and others; overcome barriers to effective helping; respond to inappropriate behavior; and reinforce scriptural truth through prayer. The development of a solid theological foundation assists students in learning the knowledge, skill, and character necessary for effective relational Christian counseling.
Foundations of Preaching and Teaching
Introduces the principles and skills necessary to effectively communicate Scripture through teaching and preaching delivery. This course allows for the development and application of skills learned.
Case Studies in Leadership
Case studies will be selected for in-depth study of the application of leadership concepts with particular reference to those concepts found in Scripture. Students will develop a written analysis of their style of leadership. Related issues are introduced through readings.
