Core Curriculum

At Briercrest, education is more than a journey to a degree—it's preparation for a life of thoughtful, Christ-centered leadership.

To support this growth, our degree programs integrate a comprehensive core curriculum, blending biblical and theological studies with courses in English, Philosophy, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, and Mathematics. This diverse foundation enriches knowledge, strengthens faith, and equips students to engage the world.

You can find more detailed information about the core curriculum below. 

Christian Studies (30 credit hours)

• BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament
• BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament
• 6 credit hours of BLST electives (minimum of 3 credit hours at the 300+ level)
• THEO 112 Introduction to Spiritual Theology
• THEO 115 Introduction to Christian Theology
• CM 101 Foundations of Church Ministry OR 3 credit hours of Theology 200+ level
• HIS 237 History of Christianity I
• HIS 238 History of Christianity II

One course from:

• IDST 200 Interdisciplinary Studies: Modernity and Postmodernity
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences
• IDST 400 Advanced Studies in Christian World Views

English (6 credit hours)

• ENG 100 Literature and Composition I
• ENG 101 Literature and Composition II

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

One course from:

• PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy I
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy II

Social Sciences (6 credit hours)

Two courses from the following disciplines:

• Administration, Anthropology, Economics, Native Studies, Psychology, Sociology

The Global Community (3 credit hours)

One course from:

• ANTH 200 Cultural Anthropology
• CM 105 Perspectives in Mission
• CM 405 Current Issues in Mission
• COM 200/GLST 200 Intercultural Communication
• ENG 322 World Literatures in English
• ENG 356 Aboriginal Literature
• GLST 301 Globalization
• HIS 100 Issues in World History I
• HIS 101 Issues in World History II
• HIS 339 World Christianity from the Colonial Period to the Present
• HIS 351Islamic History and Society in the Classical Era
• HIS 352 Islamic History and Society in the Medieval and Modern Eras
• HIS 361 History of the Modern Middle East
• HIS 362 History of Modern South Asia
• HIS 420 Empire and Imperialism in World History
• HIS 451 History of Christian-Muslim Relations
• Modern Language Elective
• NTST 110 Introduction to Native Studies
• NTST 356 Aboriginal Literature
• RLST 311 World Religions
• SOC 396 Urban Sociology
• THEO 370 Theology of Mission

Fine Arts, Human Movement, and Communication (3 credit hours)

3 credit hours from:

• COMM 104 Public Speaking
• COMM/PAST 355 Homiletics
• FIN 110 Introduction to Fine Arts
• KIN 262 Physical Activity and Wellness
• MUS 130 Basic Voice (2) + Private Lessons (1)
• MUS 140 Basic Piano (2) + Private Lessons (1)
• MUS/THEA 340 Musical Theatre Workshop
• MUS/THEA 365 Musical Theatre Production and Performance I
• Ensembles (2) + Private Lessons (1)
• THEA 221 Acting I
• Any three of: DAN 100, 101, 105, 106, 107, Private Lessons - Dance

Scientific and Numerical Literacy (3 credit hours)

One course from:

• BIOL 115 Human Structure and Function
• BU 211 Financial Accounting
• CMP 127 Introduction to Computers
• CMP 315 Management Information Systems
• ECON 100 Microeconomics
• ECON 101 Macroeconomics
• GEOG 100 Physical Geography of Canada I: Earth Science
• GEOG 101 Physical Geography of Canada II: Weather, Climate, Ecosystems
• HIS 441 Christianity and Science from Copernicus to Creation Science
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences
• KIN 234 Nutrition
• MATH 101 Introduction to Finite Mathematics
• MATH 110 Financial Mathematics
• MATH 292 Quantitative Methods
• PSY 302 Statistics for the Social Sciences
• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistical Methods

Non-Credit Requirements

• PRT 400 Senior Portfolio
• Service and Experiential Learning

Total Core: 54 credit hours
BA Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours

Christian Studies (27 credit hours)

• BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament
• BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament
• THEO 112 Introduction to Spiritual Theology
• THEO 115 Introduction to Christian Theology
• CM 101 Foundations of Church Ministry OR THEO Elective 200+ level OR BLST Elective 200+ level
• BLST Elective 300+ level
• HIS 237 History of Christianity I
• HIS 238 History of Christianity II

One course from:

• IDST 200 Interdisciplinary Studies: Modernity and Postmodernity
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences

English (6 credit hours)

• ENG 100 Literature and Composition I
• ENG 101 Literature and Composition II

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

One course from:

• PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy I
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy II

Social Sciences (3 credit hours)

One course chosen from the following disciplines:

• Administration, Anthropology, Economics, Native Studies, Psychology, Sociology

Choose 6 credit hours (typically two courses) from two different categories below:

The Global Community

• ANTH 200 Cultural Anthropology
• CM 105 Perspectives in Mission
• CM 405 Current Issues in Mission
• COM 200/GLST 200 Intercultural Communication
• ENG 322 World Literatures in English
• ENG 356 Aboriginal Literature
• GLST 301 Globalization
• HIS 100 Issues in World History I
• HIS 101 Issues in World History II
• HIS 339 World Christianity from the Colonial Period to the Present
• HIS 351Islamic History and Society in the Classical Era
• HIS 352 Islamic History and Society in the Medieval and Modern Eras
• HIS 361 History of the Modern Middle East
• HIS 362 History of Modern South Asia
• HIS 420 Empire and Imperialism in World History
• HIS 451 History of Christian-Muslim Relations
• Modern Language Elective
• NTST 110 Introduction to Native Studies
• NTST 356 Aboriginal Literature
• RLST 311 World Religions
• SOC 396 Urban Sociology
• THEO 370 Theology of Mission

Fine Arts, Human Movement, and Communication

• COMM 104 Public Speaking
• COMM/PAST 355 Homiletics
• FIN 110 Introduction to Fine Arts
• KIN 262 Physical Activity and Wellness
• MUS 130 Basic Voice (2 c.h.) + Private Lessons (1 c.h.)
• MUS 140 Basic Piano (2 c.h.) + Private Lessons (1 c.h.)
• MUS/THEA 340 Musical Theatre Workshop
• MUS/THEA 365 Musical Theatre Production and Performance I
• Ensembles (2 c.h.) + Private Lessons (1 c.h.)
• THEA 221 Acting I
• Any three of: DAN 100, 101, 105, 106, 107, Private Lessons - Dance

Scientific and Numerical Literacy

• BIOL 115 Human Structure and Function
• BU 211 Financial Accounting
• CMP 127 Introduction to Computers
• CMP 315 Management Information Systems
• ECON 100 Microeconomics
• ECON 101 Macroeconomics
• GEOG 100 Physical Geography of Canada I: Earth Science
• GEOG 101 Physical Geography of Canada II: Weather, Climate, Ecosystems
• HIS 441 Christianity and Science from Copernicus to Creation Science
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences
• KIN 234 Nutrition
• MATH 101 Introduction to Finite Mathematics
• MATH 110 Financial Mathematics
• MATH 292 Quantitative Methods
• PSY 302 Statistics for the Social Sciences
• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistical Methods

Non-Credit Requirements

• PRT 400 Senior Portfolio
• Service and Experiential Learning

Total Core: 45 credit hours

The core requirements for the Associate of Arts degree follow the same principles and pattern as that of the baccalaureate degree, although in modified form. Students who take an Associate of Arts degree at Briercrest will be able to seamlessly continue their studies toward a BA degree.

Biblical Studies (9 credit hours)

• BLST 111 Introduction to the Old Testament
• BLST 109 Introduction to the New Testament
• 3 credit hours of BLST electives

Theology (6 credit hours)

• THEO 112 Introduction to Spiritual Theology
• THEO 115 Introduction to Christian Theology

English (6 credit hours)

• ENG 100 Literature and Composition I
• ENG 101 Literature and Composition II

Christianity and the Church (6 credit hours)

• One course from any two of the following sections:
  • Section A: The Church in Theological Perspective
  • CM 101 Foundations of Church Ministry
  • THEO 337 Comparative Studies on the Church
  • THEO 370 Theology of Mission
• Section B: The Ancient and Medieval Church:
  • HIS 237 History of Christianity I
• Section C: The Western Church
  • HIS 238 History of Christianity II
  • HIS 431 History of Christianity in Canada
  • HIS 433 History of Christianity in the USA
• Section D: The Global Church
  • CM 105 Perspectives in Mission
  • CM 405 Current Issues in Mission
  • HIS 339 World Christianity from the Colonial Period to the Present
  • HIS 451 History of Christian-Muslim Relations
  • THEO 370 Theology of Mission

Breadth Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following...

Philosophy:

• PHI 100 Introduction to Philosophy I
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy II

Social Sciences:

• Administration, Anthropology, Economics, Native Studies, Psychology, Sociology

The Global Community:

• ANTH 200 Cultural Anthropology
• CM 105 Perspectives in Mission
• CM 405 Current Issues in Mission
• COM 200/GLST 200 Intercultural Communication
• ENG 322 World Literatures in English
• ENG 356 Aboriginal Literature
• GLST 301 Globalization
• HIS 100 Issues in World History I
• HIS 101 Issues in World History II
• HIS 339 World Christianity from the Colonial Period to the Present
• HIS 351Islamic History and Society in the Classical Era
• HIS 352 Islamic History and Society in the Medieval and Modern Eras
• HIS 361 History of the Modern Middle East
• HIS 362 History of Modern South Asia
• HIS 420 Empire and Imperialism in World History
• HIS 451 History of Christian-Muslim Relations
• Modern Language Elective
• NTST 110 Introduction to Native Studies
• NTST 356 Aboriginal Literature
• RLST 311 World Religions
• SOC 396 Urban Sociology
• THEO 370 Theology of Mission

Interdisciplinary Studies:

• IDST 200 Interdisciplinary Studies: Modernity and Postmodernity
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences
• IDST 400 Advanced Studies in Christian World Views

Fine Arts, Human Movement, and Communication:

• COMM 104 Public Speaking
• FIN 110 Introduction to Fine Arts
• KIN 262 Physical Activity and Wellness
• MUS 130 Basic Voice (2) + Private Lessons (1)
• MUS 140 Basic Piano (2) + Private Lessons (1)
• MUS/THEA 340 Musical Theatre Workshop
• MUS/THEA 365 Musical Theatre Production and Performance I
• Ensembles (2) + Private Lessons (1)
• PAST 355 Homiletics
• THEA 221 Acting I
• Any three of: DAN 100, 101, 105, 106, 107, Private Lessons - Dance

Scientific and Numerical Literacy:

• BIOL 115 Human Structure and Function
• BU 211 Financial Accounting
• CMP 127 Introduction to Computers
• CMP 315 Management Information Systems
• ECON 100 Microeconomics
• ECON 101 Macroeconomics
• GEOG 100 Physical Geography of Canada I: Earth Science
• GEOG 101 Physical Geography of Canada II: Weather, Climate, Ecosystems
• HIS 441 Christianity and Science from Copernicus to Creation Science
• IDST 300 Christianity and the Natural Sciences
• MATH 101 Introduction to Finite Mathematics
• MATH 110 Financial Mathematics
• MATH 292 Quantitative Methods
• PSY 302 Statistics for the Social Sciences
• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistical Methods

Non-Credit Requirements

Service Learning 1-2

Total Core: 30 credit hours
Degree Requirements: 63 credit hours