Open the door to a bright future.

Our academic programs will prepare you to fulfill your purpose.

What You’ll Learn

We designed our academic programs to be timely, relevant, and practical—in other words, to make sure your degree proves you’ve acquired the advanced knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world around you.

Every course focuses on clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course and complete a degree program. We will guide you along the way, encouraging you to reach your goals.

Biblical Studies Programs

The Undergraduate Biblical Studies Program of Pacific Islands University exists to provide students with Christian character, a sound knowledge of the Bible and Christian Theology, a love for God and people, and the skills appropriate for ministry in the local church, mission field, and other Christian ministries.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL STUDIES

Program Learning Outcomes for Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies Degree

Completion of a BA degree in Biblical Studies will prepare students to:

  • Demonstrate a transformed life manifested by love for God and others and the practice of spiritual disciplines.
  • Describe and explain the content of the Bible and the major doctrines of historical Christianity.
  • Critically assess and articulately discuss theoretical and practical issues from a Christian Worldview.
  • Apply appropriate knowledge and skills to Christian service in the family, the church, and local and global communities.

Available MINORS:

  • Bible Translation
  • Bible and Theology
  • Christian Ministry
  • Education
  • International Business
  • Recreational Ministry
  • Multidisciplinary Minor

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL STUDIES

This 63-credit hour degree program is designed for Christian professionals, students who plan to complete a non-theological degree in the future, and others who wish to study the fundamentals of the Christian faith along with General Education courses. A motivated student who successfully completes three semesters with 15 credit hours and one semester with 18 credit hours will finish the Associate of Arts degree in two years. All passing coursework from this degree may be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts program.

Program Learning Outcomes for Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies Degree

Completion of an AA degree in Biblical Studies will prepare students to:

  • Demonstrate the beginning of a transformed life manifested by love for God and others and the practice of spiritual disciplines.
  • Communicate the basic story line of the Bible and the basic doctrines of Christian theology that flow from that story.
  • Read, study, and process information critically from the standpoint of a biblical worldview so that the graduate is prepared to complete a higher degree in the future.
  • Perform basic tasks of Christian ministry.

DIPLOMA IN BIBLICAL STUDIES

This 72-credit hour program provides students with a firm Bible background as well as English and Field Education courses. A student who takes 12 credits each semester can complete the Diploma program in six semesters. Students completing the Diploma program may transfer its credits into the Bachelor of Arts program upon completion of the Diploma.
Graduates of this program will show evidence of a transformed life manifested in love for God and others and development of a heart passion and spiritual disciplines to become more like Jesus. The Diploma graduate will have a solid foundation for the understanding and biblical defense of the basics of evangelical theology, formation of a biblical worldview, and basic training and experience in Christian ministry to serve in the church and community.

Program Learning Outcomes for the Diploma in Biblical Studies

Completion of a Diploma in Biblical Studies will prepare students to:

  • Demonstrate a transformed life manifested by love for God and others and the practice of spiritual disciplines.
  • Describe and explain the content of the Bible and the major doctrines of historical Christianity.
  • Read, study, and analytically interpret the Bible.

CERTIFICATE IN BIBLICAL STUDIES

This 54-credit program provides students with a solid foundation in Bible and Theology. It is appropriate either for students who desire a short but intensive Bible program or for Christian men and women already involved in full-time or part-time church ministries. By taking two semesters with 15 credit hours and two semesters with 12 credit hours, a motivated student can complete the requirements for the Certificate in Biblical Studies in two years. Students completing the Certificate program may also transfer credits to the Diploma or Bachelor of Arts programs if desired.
Graduates of this program will show evidence of a transformed life manifested in love for God and others, and development of a heart passion and spiritual disciplines to become more like Jesus. The Certificate graduate will have a solid foundation for the understanding and biblical defense of the basics of evangelical theology and formation of a biblical worldview.

Program Learning Outcomes for Certificate in Biblical Studies

Completion of a CBS will prepare students to:

  • Describe and explain the content of the Bible and the major doctrines of historical Christianity.
  • Read, study, and analytically interpret the Bible.
  • Articulate the significance of the major doctrines and practices of historical Christianity and interpretation of the biblical text for personal life and ministry.

Liberal Studies Programs

The Liberal Studies Program of Pacific Islands University exists to provide students with a sound knowledge of mathematics, science, language and the humanities; a foundational understanding of a biblical worldview; and the skills appropriate for a variety of vocational and ministry settings. The program also encourages growth in Christian character.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES

This 126-credit hour degree program is designed for the student who chooses to earn a BA degree that provides a broad, multi-disciplinary degree in order to be well prepared for jobs that have a minimum requirement of a BA degree. A BA degree in Liberal Studies leads to an extensive general education that is Christ-centered, prepares them for future jobs as leaders and teachers in their communities, and provides them with the opportunity to select a more specific area of focus by choosing a minor to complement their individual interests and talents.

Program Learning Outcomes for Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Degree

Completion of a BA degree in Liberal Studies will prepare students to:

  • Demonstrate a transformed life grounded in a biblical worldview manifested by love for God and others and the practice of spiritual disciplines.
  • Express foundational understanding within the broad areas of the disciplines that address multiple perspectives, natural world phenomena, and creative endeavors.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in integrating and applying critical thinking ability in solving complex problems.
  • Apply appropriate knowledge, cross cultural skills, biblical worldview and leadership qualities into serving and transforming the community.

Available MINORS:

  • Bible Translation
  • Bible and Theology
  • Christian Ministry
  • Education
  • International Business
  • Recreational Ministry
    Multidisciplinary Minor

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES

This 63-credit hour degree program is designed for the student who desires to learn, but is not yet ready to prepare for a specific career. An AA in Liberal Studies lets these students pursue a generalized education while fulfilling basic educational requirements. Students will also have an opportunity to explore possible educational and career opportunities while earning a solid background in general education.  All passing coursework from this degree may be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts program.

Program Learning Outcomes for Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies Degree

Completion of an AA degree in Liberal Studies will prepare students to:

  • Articulate examples of a transformed life grounded in a basic understanding of a biblical worldview, manifested by love for God and others.
  • Express basic understanding of multiple perspectives, the natural world, and creative endeavors.
  • Demonstrate basic critical thinking skills in solving complex problems.
  • Understand appropriate knowledge, cross cultural concepts, basic biblical worldview, and leadership qualities in serving the community.

CERTIFICATE IN BASIC ENGLISH

The Certificate in Basic English (CBE) is an accredited two-semester program (24 credit hours), and designed for low- intermediate to the advanced level for speakers of other languages. The program offers students an immersion experience, taught by professionals covering grammar, conversation, listening, reading and writing. Speakers of other languages who wish to improve their English communication skills enroll in the CBE program. It offers a wonderful opportunity to share and exchange opinions with teachers and students from different cultures and backgrounds, since students from other PIU programs may be enrolled in CBE courses.

Learning about the lives and experiences of others in the class and throughout Pacific Islands University will help broaden students’ views and practice reflective thinking – giving students many advantages in terms of personal, academic and professional development. The program and courses are open to qualified students who desire or need to improve their ability to speak and write English for personal or career purposes, and to help further their education.

Admission into the CBE program requires a basic knowledge of English, and a minimum score of 400 on the paper-based TOEFL test (or 32 on the internet-based TOEFL test). If no TOEFL scores are available, the results of the PIU English Placement Test can be used to determine proper placement. The program is designed to help students scoring between 400 and 434 on the paper-based TOEFL test (or 32-40 on the internet-based TOEFL test) to improve and raise their score to 500 or higher (or 61+ on the internet-based TOEFL test), which may allow them to apply for admission into a regular academic PIU degree program. In short, the primary purpose of the program is to prepare students for further academic studies.

For students determined to be at an advanced English reading, writing, and speaking level (paper- based test score of 435-470 or 40-52 on the internet-based TOEFL test), there is the option to additionally enroll in ENGL 091R or ENGL 092R. These courses are designed to further improve the skills needed and demanded at college level. See the Undergraduate Course Descriptions for details. (Possible total: 30 credit hours)

Students admitted to the Certificate in Basic English program are NOT automatically admitted to a degree program upon completion of the certificate. They must reapply for admission to additional programs. The CBE program courses are at a remedial level, and therefore, not transferable for college level credit. Courses can be repeated for remedial credit. Students will receive their Certificate in Basic English after proving themselves successful by receiving a grade of B or better in all remedial English classes in the most recent term and by attaining a score of 500 or higher on the PIU English Placement Test. The PIU English test is re-administered near the end of each semester to measure students’ growth in each of the four major areas of English: written skills; listening comprehension skills, grammar; and vocabulary and reading comprehension.

PIU Catalog