Jul 12, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Degree and Core Curriculum Information

Graduate School of Education – MAT Degree
Graduation Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees
Core, Cultural Inquiry, and Distribution Requirements For Baccalaureate Degrees
Major and Minor Programs
Covenant Capstone

Institutional Assessment
Summer Course Offerings
Independent Study
Off-Campus Studies
Practicums and Internships
Catastrophic Event Policy

Graduate School of Education

Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

Students interested in becoming a certified teacher are offered numerous pathways to pursue that through the Master of Arts in Teaching program, a fifth year 34-hour graduate degree. These are the 3 common options:

1. A student completes an undergraduate degree in one of the following 16 majors along with 3 prerequisite Education undergraduate courses. Grade levels of certification (Pre-kindergarten through 12 grade or grades 6-12) are noted for each field:

Art (P-12)
Biblical Studies (6-12; ACSI only)
Biology (6-12)
Chemistry (6-12)
Computer Science (P-12)
Drama/Theatre (P-12)
Economics (6-12)
Education Studies (Middle Grades, 4-8)
English (6-12)
French (P-12)
History (6-12)
Mathematics (6-12)
Music (P-12)
Physics (6-12)
Political Science (6-12)
Spanish (P-12)

2. A student with a B.A. that includes 21 or more credit hours in one of the 16 fields listed above is also eligible to apply to the MAT to pursue secondary teacher certification (for example, an Interdisciplinary Studies or Education Studies major). See the catalog sections for each major listed above for further MAT information and recommended courses.

3. A student interested in middle grades certification (grades 4-8) must earn 15 or more credit hours in one of these areas: Language Arts (English), math, Social Studies (History) or science, and complete the other requirements for the Education Studies degree. Please contact the Education Studies Advisor, Dr. Amy Bagby, in Brock Hall 306 for more information (amy.bagby@covenant.edu).

For additional information, contact:

lindsey.fain@covenant.edu
706.419.1406
grad.covenant.edu

Graduation Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

Students are personally responsible to plan their programs to meet graduation requirements. When a student declares a major or minor program, the default catalog term will be the term the student entered Covenant. If there have been significant changes in the core or program requirements since entering Covenant, the term the student declares the major will be used if the degree is conferred within ten years. After ten years, the then-current catalog degree requirements will need to be fulfilled. See the section for each major for specific graduation major requirements.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Art
Biblical and Theological Studies
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Christian Ministry
Community Development
Computer Science
Economics
Education Studies
Elementary Education
English
French
Health Sciences
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
International Studies
Mathematics
Music
Natural Science - Pre-Engineering
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish
Sport Management
Worship Leadership

The Bachelor of Arts Degree

Upon recommendation of the faculty and approval by the Board of Trustees, the degree of Bachelor of Arts is conferred upon students who have met the following requirements for graduation:

A minimum of 126 credit hours
An institutional grade point average of 2.00 or better
The fulfillment of all BA core curriculum requirements
At least 25 hours in upper-division courses
Compliance with all requirements in the major field, or major and minor fields
No grades below “C-” in the major, minor, or concentration.
A residence of one year and the completion of the last 32 hours at Covenant, with the exception that students in residence for three semesters or more may complete nine of the last 32 hours at other approved colleges
The payment of all bills, the return of all equipment and library books, and the completion of all chapel and SERVE requirements.
For some majors, completion of the Major Field Tests and other assessments of institutional effectiveness

Core Curriculum for Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Biblical and Theological Foundations

BIB 101 Old Testament Introduction 3 hour(s).
BIB 102 New Testament Introduction 3 hour(s).
BIB 201 Christian Doctrine I 3 hour(s).
BIB 202 Christian Doctrine II 3 hour(s).

Basic Literacies

ENG 111 English Composition 3 hour(s).
Must be completed during first year at Covenant. Exemption permitted with credit from AP language/composition.
COR 154 Embracing Human Flourishing 2 hour(s).

World Language

Proficiency in one year of an elementary-level world language. 6 hours. (See World Language Department - Core World Language Requirement )

Mathematics

MAT 122 or above, AP Calculus or CLEP credit for College Algebra or above, or exemption is permitted for students assigned a math placement level of 3, 4, or 5. 3 hours.

Cultural Engagement

COR 100 The Christian Mind 2 hour(s).
COR 225 Cultural Heritage of the West I 3 hour(s).
COR 226 Cultural Heritage of the West II 3 hour(s).
COR 325 Global Trends in the Twenty-First Century 3 hour(s). or another Global Awareness course.
COR 340 Christ and Culture Seminar 1 hour(s).
HIS 325 Contemporary World History 3 hour(s).

Exploratory Stewardship of Opportunities

See the Core, Cultural Inquiry, Global Awareness, and Distribution Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees section for descriptions of requirements and lists of courses. Courses from a major department cannot fulfill both a major requirement and a distribution requirement.

Cultural Inquiry Requirement 3 hour(s).
Fine Arts Distribution Requirement 3 hour(s).
Humanities Distribution Requirement 3 hour(s).
Natural Science Lab Distribution Requirement 4 hour(s).
Social Science Distribution Requirement 3 hour(s).

Total BA Core Curriculum Requirements: 57 hours

Core, Cultural Inquiry, and Distribution Requirements For Baccalaureate Degrees

Core Requirements

The core curriculum is based on the faculty’s belief that a liberal arts education should be broad and inclusive, introducing students to ideas and values of continuing concern and providing them with historical and spiritual perspectives on the complex problems of our society. The core curriculum is also designed to provide Covenant students with common learning experiences, to emphasize the God-ordained unity of knowledge, to provide a global rather than a provincial emphasis in learning, to focus students’ attention not only on the past and the present but also on the future, and to develop students’ capacities to learn not only through ratiocination but experientially. Crucial to the success of the core curriculum is the pervasiveness of a biblical perspective in every course.

All students who are candidates for a baccalaureate degree are required to take courses or demonstrate competency in each area of the core curriculum. Exceptions to these requirements are listed in the sections of the catalog describing particular majors. Normally, one semester of the two course sequence of Christian Doctrine I, II and Cultural Heritage of the West I, II are required to be completed at Covenant. If a core requirement is fulfilled by demonstrating proficiency, no credit hours are awarded. These hours will be replaced with elective hours applied toward the minimum of 126 hours needed to graduate. Some programs will require more than 126 hours.

Normally the core world language and the core natural science lab requirements must be completed with in-person world language instruction and in-person science laboratory component instruction. When extraordinary circumstances arise that make in-person instruction impossible, the Core Oversight Committee may approve the acceptance of online courses to fulfill core natural science laboratory and world language course requirements. Students will follow the normal procedure to request approval for a course through the Letter of Good Standing/Transient Student Request Form with the Office of Records noting the circumstance and why they would be unable to take this course in a future term warranting approval of the course.

One component of this broad liberal arts core curriculum is the skill of public speaking. Most departments offer a ‘Speech Intensive’ or “S” course that satisfies this component. Many departments have designated their Capstone Project as the “S” course, which means this will come at the end of a student’s studies at Covenant. Below is a summary definition of what qualifies a course as an “S” course.

“S” course definition: A course in which students are required to make a prepared and organized oral presentation (minimum 12 minutes) to a class of peers and faculty. Instruction about form, content, and assessment will precede the oral presentation, and rubric-based evaluation of content, form, and delivery will follow it. In addition to whole-class instruction, there will be some level of mentoring interaction between professors and individual students.

With each list of major requirements, majors have designated the “S” course for the major or indicated an alternate course which will satisfy this component.

Another core component is writing skills that are grounded in our “W” courses, also taught within our majors as defined below.

“W” course definition: A course in which the conventions of formal writing in the discipline are taught, including adherence to a style manual or other disciplinary parameters. A major writing assignment will incorporate pre-writing instruction about form, content, and assessment, and subsequent rubric-based assessment will address both content and form. In addition to whole-class instruction, there will be some level of mentoring interaction between professors and individual students. The Capstone may not count as a “W” course.

Cultural Inquiry (CI) Courses

Scripture clearly tells us that God’s people come from every human nation, tribe, kingdom, and language (Revelation 5:9), and that all humans are image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-27). Even more, God’s people are commanded to love the sojourners in our midst (Deuteronomy 10:19). Therefore, a Christian liberal arts education must explore the rich diversity of God’s kingdom as we seek to better understand and love our neighbors. Cultural Inquiry courses will explore one or more of the following: genders, ethnicities, races, religions, social classes, disabilities, or cultures other than those that comprise the primary focus of Cultural Heritage of the West. Or, a CI course may be one taught by Covenant faculty in an international setting. A CI course offered by a student’s major department may fulfill both the CI and a major requirement. A CI course may not fulfill the CI and another distribution requirement below. A Cultural Inquiry course code (CI) will appear with the course description. Students who successfully complete this requirement will demonstrate the ability to:

Identify the role of races, genders, ethnicities, religions, social classes, disabilities, or cultures in shaping human knowledge and cultural production.
Empathize with perspectives other than their own.
Connect course knowledge to broader concerns for, and commitment to, the physical and spiritual worth and welfare of all image bearers.

Cultural Inquiry Approved Courses:

ART 371 Women, Art, and Culture 3 hour(s).
ART 372 Global Modernisms 3 hour(s).
ART 374 Race in American Art and Visual Culture 3 hour(s).
BIB 365 Global Theology 3 hour(s).
CDV 300 Living and Working in a Multicultural Context 3 hour(s).
CDV 350 Introduction to Social Innovation 4 hour(s).
ECO 348 Microfinance 3 hour(s).
ECO 360 The Economics of Asia in the 21st Century 3 hour(s).
ECO 410 Economic Development in the Majority World 3 hour(s).
ECO 420 U.S. Urban Poverty 3 hour(s).
EDU 234 Teaching in a Pluralistic Society 3 hour(s).
ENG 275 African-American Literature Since 1900 3 hour(s).
ENG 276 Literature Across Cultures 3 hour(s).
FRE 220 Gender, Ethnicity, and Religion in Contemporary France 3 hour(s).
FRE 230 Introduction to French Cinema 3 hour(s).
FRE 332 French Civilization and Culture II 3 hour(s).
FRE 355 Contemporary Francophone Literature 3 hour(s).
HIS 220 Immigration in American History 3 hour(s).
HIS 351 History and Culture of African Americans to 1865 3 hour(s).
MIN 352 World Religions 3 hour(s).
MUS 171 Introduction to Musical Style 3 hour(s).
MUS 242 Music Cultures Around the World 3 hour(s).
PHI 151 Nonwestern Philosophy 3 hour(s).
PSY 333 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 hour(s).
SOC 419 Social Diversity & Inequality 3 hour(s).
SPA 220 Contemporary Spain (in English) 3 hour(s).
SPA 331 Hispanic Civilization and Culture I 3 hour(s).
SPA 332 Hispanic Civilization and Culture II 3 hour(s).
SPA 351 Hispanic Literature I 3 hour(s).
SPA 352 Hispanic Literature II 3 hour(s).
SPA 353 Hispanic Literature III 3 hour(s).
SPA 361 Hispanic Culture through the Media Arts 3 hour(s).
SPA 375 Hispanic Communities in the US I 3 hour(s).
SPA 376 Hispanic Communities in the US II 3 hour(s).

Global Awareness (GA) Courses

Global Awareness (GA) courses seek to accentuate the multilevel interconnectedness of countries and cultures across the globe by carefully examining current events that illustrate the importance and clarify the dynamics relating these connections. A GA course offered by a student’s major department may fulfill both the GA and a major requirement. A GA course may not fulfill both the GA and any other distribution requirement (listed below). A Global Awareness course code (GA) will be associated with all courses that fulfill this requirement. Students who successfully complete this requirement will demonstrate the ability to:

* Identify significant contemporary issues influencing societies in more than one country.

* Recognize the complexity of contemporary global issues in their causes and effects.

* Think carefully about the implications of an interconnected world for faithful living.

Global Awareness Approved Courses

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have prerequisites. Please see course descriptions for specific requirements.

BIB 303 History & Expansion of Christianity II 3 hour(s). *
BIB 365 Global Theology 3 hour(s). *
CDV 210 Theory of Community Development 3 hour(s).
CDV 330 Global Health 3 hour(s).
CDV 335 Global Epidemics and Emerging Diseases 3 hour(s).
CDV 345 Agricultural Development 3 hour(s). *
CDV 390 Special Topics 1 to 3 hour(s). Public Health and Religion
COR 325 Global Trends in the Twenty-First Century 3 hour(s). *
ECO 348 Microfinance 3 hour(s). *
ECO 360 The Economics of Asia in the 21st Century 3 hour(s). *
ECO 410 Economic Development in the Majority World 3 hour(s). *
ECO 415 International Finance 3 hour(s). *
ECO 425 International Trade 3 hour(s). *
FRE 220 Gender, Ethnicity, and Religion in Contemporary France 3 hour(s).
(Taught in English)
HIS 220 Immigration in American History 3 hour(s).
HIS 313 History & Expansion of Christianity II 3 hour(s). *
HIS 340 U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1919 3 hour(s).
MIN 352 World Religions 3 hour(s). *
POL 200 Comparative Politics 3 hour(s).
POL 210 International Relations 3 hour(s).
POL 320 Latin American Politics 3 hour(s). *
POL 345 International Security 3 hour(s). *
POL 375 International Political Economy 3 hour(s). *
SPA 220 Contemporary Spain (in English) 3 hour(s).
SPA 375 Hispanic Communities in the US I 3 hour(s). *
(Taught in Spanish)
SPA 376 Hispanic Communities in the US II 3 hour(s). *
(Taught in Spanish)
SPA 380 Contemporary Spain (in Spanish) 3 hour(s). *

Distribution Requirements

Distribution requirements ensure that students deepen their knowledge and understanding of complex issues and ideas across the variety of disciplines contributing to the College’s broad liberal arts emphasis. More importantly, they challenge students to consider the biblical contours of human flourishing, with particular emphasis on at least one key relationship: to God, neighbor, self, or creation. Students must complete one course in each of these four major disciplinary areas: fine arts, humanities, natural science, and social science. The courses fulfilling distribution requirements are listed below, and a distribution course code (i.e., FAR, HUM, LAB, SSC) indicates courses fulfilling the distribution requirement when they are listed elsewhere in the catalog.

Normally, courses from a student’s major department may not fulfill a core distribution requirement. Courses fulfilling a core distribution requirement may also apply toward a second major or minor requirement. See the section below, Courses Satisfying Multiple Requirements, regarding scenarios when a core distribution requirement may also apply toward a major program requirement.

Fine Arts (FAR) Distribution Courses

Explore varied elements of human artistic inquiry and/or expression. Students who successfully complete this requirement will have demonstrated the ability to:

* Engage various elements of human creative process as found in the visual, musical or theatrical arts.

* Appreciate the products of human creativity in the visual, musical or theatrical arts.

* Think biblically about the process and products of human creativity in the visual, musical or theatrical arts.

Fine Arts Distribution Requirement Approved Courses:

ART 100 Introduction to Art 3 hour(s).
ART 110 Drawing Principles 3 hour(s).
ART 270 Introduction to Art History 3 hour(s).
ART 373 Art and the Church 3 hour(s).
ART 374 Race in American Art and Visual Culture 3 hour(s).
FRE 230 Introduction to French Cinema 3 hour(s). Taught in English
MUS 161 Introduction to Musical Structure 3 hour(s).
MUS 171 Introduction to Musical Style 3 hour(s).
MUS 152 The Study of Music as a Discipline 3 hour(s). FAR for music minors.
MUS 220 Songwriting 3 hour(s).
MUS 245 Introduction to Musical Theatre 3 hour(s).
THT 202 Introduction to Theatre 3 hour(s).
THT 235 Acting I 4 hour(s).
THT 251 Modern and Contemporary Drama 3 hour(s).
THT 302 The Performing Arts and Christian Thought 3 hour(s).
THT 310 Playwriting 3 hour(s).
THT 315 Screenwriting 3 hour(s).

Humanities (HUM) Distribution Courses

Explore varied elements of human culture, thought, and/or literary expression. Students who successfully complete this requirement will have demonstrated the ability to:

* Engage various elements of human thought, literary expression and cultural development.

* Recognize the interplay between human thought, literary expression and cultural development.

* Think biblically about the process and products of human thought, literary expression and cultural development.

Humanities Distribution Requirement Approved Courses:

ASL 201 Intermediate American Sign Language I 3 hour(s). **
ASL 202 Intermediate American Sign Language II 3 hour(s). **
BIB 302 History & Expansion of Christianity I 3 hour(s).
BIB 303 History & Expansion of Christianity II 3 hour(s).
ENG 114 Introduction to Literature Through Writing 3 hour(s).
ENG 201 Introduction to Literary Studies 3 hour(s).
ENG 203 American Literature: Beginnings to 1865 3 hour(s).
ENG 204 American Literature: 1865 to 1965 3 hour(s).
ENG 240 The Inklings 3 hour(s).
ENG 275 African-American Literature Since 1900 3 hour(s).
ENG 276 Literature Across Cultures 3 hour(s).
FRE 201 Intermediate French I 3 hour(s). **
FRE 202 Intermediate French II 3 hour(s). **
FRE 220 Gender, Ethnicity, and Religion in Contemporary France 3 hour(s). Taught in English
FRE 331 French Civilization and Culture I 3 hour(s).
FRE 332 French Civilization and Culture II 3 hour(s).
HIS 111 History of the United States I 3 hour(s).
HIS 112 History of the United States II 3 hour(s).
HIS 150 Introduction to History 3 hour(s).
HIS 213 The Formation of Europe to 1550 3 hour(s).
HIS 214 Age of Europe 1550-1871 3 hour(s).
HIS 220 Immigration in American History 3 hour(s).
HIS 225 Excavating Gotham: Public History In New York City 3 hour(s).
HIS 241 American Religious History 3 hour(s).
HIS 250 The New South 3 hour(s).
HIS 351 History and Culture of African Americans to 1865 3 hour(s).
HIS 352 History and Culture of African Americans since 1865 3 hour(s).
PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy 3 hour(s).
PHI 102 Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking 3 hour(s).
PHI 130 Contemporary Moral Issues 3 hour(s).
PHI 151 Nonwestern Philosophy 3 hour(s).
SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish Through Culture 3 hour(s). **
SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish Conversation and Reading 3 hour(s). **
SPA 331 Hispanic Civilization and Culture I 3 hour(s).
SPA 220 Contemporary Spain (in English) 3 hour(s).
SPA 332 Hispanic Civilization and Culture II 3 hour(s).
SPA 390 Don Quixote Against the World 3 hour(s).
** One intermediate level language course will satisfy the core humanities, but only if the course was completed at Covenant.

Natural Science Lab (LAB) Distribution Courses

Explore elements of scientific investigation and content, including hands-on laboratory experiences, in one or more of the natural sciences. Students who successfully complete this requirement will have demonstrated the ability to:

* Engage various elements of scientific exploration in physical or biological sciences.

* Appreciate the products of scientific study in physical or biological sciences.

* Think biblically about the process and products of scientific endeavor in physical or biological sciences.

Natural Science Lab Distribution Requirement Approved Courses:

CHE 103 Concepts of Chemistry 4 hour(s).
NSC 105 Physical Science 4 hour(s).
NSC 106 Issues in Contemporary Biology 4 hour(s).
NSC 107 Concepts in Human Heredity 4 hour(s).
NSC 108 Concepts of Geology 4 hour(s).
NSC 109 Current Issues in Environmental Science 4 hour(s).
NSC 110 Concepts of Physical Geography 4 hour(s).
NSC 111 Earth Science Survey 4 hour(s).
NSC 112 Astronomy 4 hour(s).
NSC 115 Science in Perspective 4 hour(s).
NSC 120 Science and Stewardship 4 hour(s).
PHY 231 General Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4 hour(s).
Other natural science lab courses will fulfill this core requirement for science majors.

Social Science (SSC) Distribution Courses

Explore human behavior at the individual, group, and structural levels, as well as the interplay of these factors. Courses will make use of social and/or behavioral science methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Students who successfully complete this requirement will have demonstrated the ability to:

* Engage various elements of the exploration of human social interactions, institutions and behaviors.

* Appreciate the products of the study of human social interactions, institutions and behaviors.

* Think biblically about the process and products of the study of human social interactions, institutions and behaviors.

Social Science Distribution Requirement Approved Courses:

ECO 150 Economics & Contemporary Issues 3 hour(s).
ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics 4 hour(s).
HIS 217 Presidential Politics and Elections 3 hour(s).
HIS 218 Studies in U.S. Constitutional History 3 hour(s).
POL 105 Political Research Methods 3 hour(s).
POL 200 Comparative Politics 3 hour(s).
POL 202 American Government 3 hour(s).
POL 210 International Relations 3 hour(s).
POL 217 Presidential Politics and Elections 3 hour(s).
PSY 120 Introductory Psychology 3 hour(s).
PSY 330 Lifespan Development 3 hour(s).
PSY 333 Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 hour(s).
SOC 141 Principles of Sociology 3 hour(s).
SOC 201 Sociology of Sport 3 hour(s).
SOC 229 Cultural Anthropology 3 hour(s).
SOC 241 Social Problems 3 hour(s).
SOC 244 Social Psychology 3 hour(s).
SOC 246 Crime and Delinquency 3 hour(s).
SOC 341 The Family 3 hour(s).

Courses Satisfying Multiple Requirements:

To encourage breadth in the overall academic programs, normally courses with a prefix from a student’s major department may not fulfill a core distribution requirement. For example, a history major may not use an HIS or POL prefix course from the History, Politics and International Studies Department to fulfill a core distribution requirement. Also, a course fulfilling an Interdisciplinary Studies major requirement may not fulfill a core distribution requirement.

There are some scenarios where a course could fulfill two requirements. Courses fulfilling a core distribution requirement may also apply toward a second major or minor requirement. A course required for a major program with a prefix outside of the major department, may be used to fulfill a major and a core distribution requirement. For example, a Business major requires ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics, which is offered by the Economics and Community Development Department. ECO 202 may fulfill the core social science distribution requirement as well as the business major requirement. A Cultural Diversity (CP) course offered by a student’s major department may fulfill both the CP and a major requirement.

Major and Minor Program Requirements

Covenant seeks to provide a liberal arts education that includes not only the broad and inclusive core curriculum but areas of greater specialization as well. Every student pursuing a baccalaureate degree must meet the core and program requirements for at least one major. Many majors, especially in the natural sciences and education call for careful planning as early as the freshman year in order to assure fulfillment of all prerequisites and program requirements in a four year period. The same is true for a student who desires to pursue multiple majors and/or minors. A student with extensive transfer hours must complete at least 12 hours of a major and at least 6 hours of a minor or concentration from Covenant.

When a student declares a major or minor program, the default catalog term will be the term the student entered Covenant. If there have been significant changes in the core or program requirements since entering Covenant, the term the student declares the major will be used. Academic departments establish program requirements and retain the right to make appropriate substitutions. To add or drop a major or minor, a student must complete the Change of Academic Program/Advisor Form accessible through the student’s online account.

A student may choose to pursue a second major and/or minors with their elective hours. With variations in the number of hours required for each major program, and with each student potentially transferring or being exempted from program requirements, the number of general electives required may vary for each student to reach a minimum of 126 hours required for the BA degree.

Guided Capstone

Every student at Covenant creates a polished body of scholarly and/or creative work, referred to as the Capstone. The Capstone is the culmination of a rigorous and guided program of reflection, skills-training, and research designed to develop students’ capacities for both disciplinary competence and faith-learning integration. The Capstone constitutes a demonstration of faithful learning and prime evidence of student readiness to move into successive arenas of work or further schooling.

During the first two years, classes in Covenant’s Core Curriculum and foundational studies in major fields develop in students biblical and theological foundations along with key skills in writing, communication, and critical analysis. With significant guidance from faculty, the final two years are spent digging deeper into major content areas, honing discipline-specific research methods, refining discipline-specific communication skills, deepening theological insight and application, and, ultimately, developing and completing a Capstone project.

The Capstone project itself can take a number of different forms, including but not limited to laboratory research, recital performances, artistic exhibits, and oral or written presentations. In some fields, the Capstone project will be encompassed in a single product. In others, a portfolio of products will be appropriate. In either case, the Capstone will demonstrate both disciplinary expertise and integration of the major field with Christian faith. Specifically, the Capstone is designed to:

Ground students in biblical perspectives and equip them to apply these perspectives to the content, methods, and significance of the chosen capstone project, both implicitly and explicitly
Cultivate curiosity about the world in all its diversity by developing central concepts and structures necessary for faithful learning and living
Develop students who write with skill and clarity
Develop students who communicate orally with skill and clarity

All students are required to submit a copy of their Capstone project in a single pdf format to the digital Covenant Capstone archive (https://www.covenant.edu/academics/capstone) for public or internal posting. The public option allows anyone with a Covenant username and password to access the Capstone project. The internal option allows only Covenant faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees members approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs to have access to the document. Double majors will submit pdf copies of their Capstone project under both disciplines.

Institutional Assessment

In order to maintain high academic standards and assess how well Covenant College is achieving its mission, the College regularly conducts institutional assessments with students. This not only assists us in determining strengths and deficits in the academic program, but also satisfies accreditation requirements. Early in the fall semester, entering freshmen participate in a series of assessments, including a general measure of academic performance like the E-Proficiency Profile published by Territorium, a Bible and Theology exam, and a Reformed Distinctives Inventory. Juniors retake the general measure of academic performance in their spring semester during a regularly scheduled Assessment Day. Some seniors will participate in taking the Major Field tests published by ETS or the Area Concentration Achievement Test published by PACAT. Juniors retake the Bible and Theology exam, and seniors retake the Reformed Distinctives Inventory. Other assessments may be assigned to some or all students at all class levels. Most of these assignments will take place on Assessment Day in the spring semester. Participation in assigned assessments is mandatory. Failure to keep assigned assessment appointments will result in holds on transcripts, freezes on accounts, and even delay in graduation. Assessment assignments are coordinated through the Institutional Research and Effectiveness office.

Summer Course Offerings

A limited number of courses are offered during the summer months. A three-week May Term session is offered immediately following Commencement where students may take a maximum of 4 credit hours with no more than two standard classroom courses meeting throughout the three weeks. Professors might also choose to teach a May Term course off campus, in collaboration with the Global Education office, in various global cities. These offerings are announced in September of the year prior. These offerings provide the opportunity for students to make up deficiencies, enjoy international travel as a group, earn extra credit or take required hours in order to lighten their loads during the regular semesters. Students may also earn credit by working as interns with a variety of organizations locally or in your hometown. Students from other colleges are also welcome to apply as special students for any summer courses.

Independent Study

Required core or major courses, either not offered in a given semester or involving a subject not typically offered at Covenant, may be arranged on an independent basis. Such situations may arise when a student receives a low grade in a major or required course, a student changed majors or transfers to Covenant late in his or her college career.

Such an arrangement must be authorized by the Coordinator of Instruction and the Registrar, and this authorization will ordinarily be granted only when a student needs a course that will not be offered before his or her expected date of graduation. An Independent Study Agreement may be requested from the Office of Records if a course is being considered.
For an independent study in the major on a subject not otherwise offered at Covenant, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above. The student must submit to the supervising faculty member an outline and bibliography for the program he or she wishes to study.
The tuition rate for the respective term will be assessed unless otherwise approved by the Coordinator of Instruction and the Registrar.
For Independent Study Courses, at least 3 face-to-face meetings must occur between student and instructor for instruction and administration of exams.

Summer independent study courses will run from the first Monday after spring commencement through August 5 or the first Monday after August 5 if that date is on a weekend. All work for the course must be submitted by the last date of the term, to the instructor, or the Office of Records if the instructor is not available. Final grades for a summer term independent study are to be posted one week before the first day of fall semester classes.

Off-Campus Studies

Since Covenant’s aim is to motivate and enable its young men and women to make an impact on the world for Christ, it takes the entire world for its classroom. Covenant’s faculty does not recognize geographical restrictions on learning but provides several off-campus opportunities designed to reinforce that which takes place in the classroom through the test of experience.

Experiential learning is an integral ingredient of Covenant’s comprehensive, Christ-centered, liberal arts curriculum. Experiential learning is defined as “learning by doing, learning outside the traditional classroom environment involving activity that is meaningful and real, as well as contributes to the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of each student, and for which academic credit is awarded.”

Students are required to be in good academic and social standing and be enrolled for one year at Covenant before being permitted to participate in an off-campus studies program. Please see the Off-Campus Studies section of the Financial Aid Handbook regarding eligibility and use of financial aid resources for off-campus studies. Normally, institutional resources will only be applied toward the off-campus programs that are offered by Covenant, the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), and institutions with which Covenant has a contractual agreement.

A maximum of 18 semester hours of credit from off-campus study courses may be applied to a degree from Covenant. Credits and grades earned from all external programs will be considered transfer credits requiring a “C-” or better letter grade to be applied toward a Covenant degree. All grades will appear on our transcript and will be included in the calculation of the transfer GPA. The institutional and transfer GPA will be combined to determine an overall GPA.

Approved Off-Campus Studies Programs

Students may study off-campus while remaining enrolled as full time students at Covenant by participating in approved consortial and contractual agreement programs. Billing is coordinated through Covenant, and students remain eligible for one semester of financial aid at the following levels: 100% of normal external aid (federal, state and/or outside sources) and 50% of normal institutional aid. If a study abroad program is required for a student’s major (Spanish, French, and International Studies), students who have attained junior status will be eligible for 100% of both normal external aid and normal institutional aid. Normal institutional aid is any aid awarded by Covenant, including endowed and restricted funds. No student employment is offered while students are studying abroad. In addition to these fees owed to Covenant, students may be responsible for additional application fees payable to the host institution, travel expenses not included in the program, personal expenses, and additional food expenses.

Approved Off-Campus Studies Programs through Consortial Agreements

For consortial programs, all coursework will be entered on a student’s transcript in the same way as other Covenant courses, with credit being awarded for all passed courses (greater than “F”). Current approved programs include Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) and courses offered by the Au Sable Institute.

Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford (SCIO): www.cccuglobaled.org/scio/
A semester or summer at Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford offers the opportunity to live and study in Oxford, England, integrating the pursuit of academic excellence amid deep Christian commitment. Students may earn from 6 to 17 credit hours, constructing their own program of study from a wide range of offered subjects.

The Au Sable Institute: www.ausable.org
The mission of Au Sable Institute is to inspire and educate people to serve, protect and restore God’s Earth. To accomplish this mission, Au Sable offers college courses in environmental stewardship and conservation science, along with opportunities for research experience.

Approved Off-Campus Studies Programs through Contractual Agreements

For contractual programs, all coursework will be entered on Covenant’s transcript with transfer credit being awarded only for courses completed with a letter grade of “C-” or better. Billing is coordinated through Covenant. Current approved contractual programs can be found here: www.covenant.edu/academics/global-ed/study-abroad/programs

Practicums and Internships

Students may design, contract, and participate in a broad range of hands-on, off-campus, practical learning activities in settings related to their occupational or academic goals outside the normal classroom setting. The objectives for a practicum are negotiated and approved prior to undertaking the experience and should involve activity that is meaningful and real and in which the student has the assistance of other persons (faculty, professional personnel, etc.) in maximizing the learning experience. Practicums may be taken by any student regardless of academic major. See your faculty advisor, the Center for Calling and Career, or the Director of Global Education for more information.

Catastrophic Event Policy

In the case of catastrophic events, the college will implement procedures in the Emergency Operations Plan and our Disaster Recovery Plans. In the case of a catastrophic event that interrupts the regular delivery of distance instruction for more than a brief period of time, the college will either offer refunds of tuition or an alternative method of completing the courses for which students are registered. Since no program of the college is offered completely online, arrangements may include replacement of instruction with face-to-face instruction on the college campus.