General Studies (BA)
Prepare for a variety of contexts and fields through studies in science, mathematics, history, literature, philosophy, and social sciences – all from a biblically-based perspective.
Why Degree Completion?
The General Studies program is designed to educate students in an accelerated and accessible format so they may finish their college degrees. The program is intentionally centered upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. General Studies is built around dynamic and substantive core courses on the Scriptures and theology. Upon completion of this program, the student earns a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Curriculum
The BA in General Studies program has been designed with input from our expert faculty in the School of Divinity, ensuring you graduate with the in-demand skills and knowledge that the ministry and workplace needs. The program requires 60 credits of block transfer*, 36 credits from the specialization courses, 24 credits from electives. View a sample curriculum sheet for a snapshot of the required courses.
*A minimum of 40 credits must be in general education, including 3 credits in each of the following six areas: Psychology/Sociology, Speech, Mathematics, English/Writing, Natural Sciences, and History.
General Studies BA
Flexibility
Complete coursework anywhere through our asynchronous course design, reinforced by substantive faculty engagement. It is the same courses, the same degree, the same faculty as the onsite program.
Affordability
Wherever you go after you graduate from Cairn, you go prepared and ready to make a difference in your workplace, your community, your church, and around the world. And our competitive tuition rates and financial aid packages help to keep your education costs reasonable.
Campus Community
Community is about more than simply taking classes together. It is more than having a similar experience. And at Cairn, community is intentional. It is attended to closely as an outworking of the University’s biblical commitment and understanding that in Christ, we are one.
more Details
Get an inside look at our Degree Completion Program
There are over 70 unique programs at Cairn to choose from! Not sure if this is the best program for you? Here are some more details to help you decide.
Required Credits: 120
Curriculum Highlights:
- Introduction to Christian Theology
- Life and Calling
- The New Testament
Administrator
Business Manager
Camp Director
Counselor
Data Analyst
Missionary
Music Director
Pastor
Professor
Social Worker
Youth Director
Cairn Online has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.
Connect With Us
An Affordable Education
While the cost of a Cairn University education is competitive with similar institutions, we realize you may need financial assistance to take this journey. You are not alone. 97% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.
Meet Our Faculty
Charlotte Gleason
Chair, Humanities department
After graduating from Cairn University in 2000, Charlotte taught high school English in public schools both in Pennsylvania and New York. Her high school students inspired her to reconsider the place of adolescent literature in the classroom, and in 2006 she completed her thesis on how to integrate both the classics and YA literature in the classroom.
The birth of her first son led her to pursue higher education, and in 2007 she accepted a position as a part-time faculty member at Cairn University. During the last two decades, Charlotte has taught in a variety of classrooms and developed curriculum for private Christian schools and home school families, including her own. Recently, Charlotte transitioned to a full-time role at Cairn. She teaches a variety of literature, composition, and education courses and serves as the Chair of the Humanities Department in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Victoria Bradley Aquilone
Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Victoria (Tori) Aquilone has always loved learning. She started attending Cairn for her undergraduate degrees in social studies education and Bible while she was a senior in high school. Her studies took her to graduate school where she has spent two degrees—a master’s degree in liberal studies from Villanova University and the better part of a PhD in English from the University of Delaware—studying human relationships with the natural environment in the context of contemporary American literature.
At the forefront of Tori’s academic work is the God of the Bible, whose general revelation of Himself in creation, namely His “invisible attributes” of “eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20), drives her desire to learn about and care for that very creation, as well as study literary works that celebrate it. Even with such rich scholarly studies, Tori’s heart is in the classroom and thoroughly enjoys teaching English Composition, Literature and Arts in Historical Context I & II, and other literature courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tuition for post-secondary education has become expensive in general. However, Cairn programs rank amongst the most affordable online bachelor’s and master’s programs. While the tuition costs vary by program level, the rate is typically $425 per credit or 12K per year for A.A. and B.S. programs and $300-$725 per credit for graduate programs.
The current tuition rates are available from this page. Scholarships and financial aid are also available.
A.A. programs usually take 2 years and B.S. and B.A. programs typically take 3-4 years to complete.
Graduate programs vary in length by program. As an example, Cairn’s traditional MBA typically takes 20 months to complete but then there is also the accelerated One-Year MBA that you can complete in 12 months.
If you are looking to complete your program sooner, you can consider taking more 7-week courses at a time.
The course transfer depends on where you are transferring from, and what program you are transferring to. If you are coming to Cairn from another institution, it is very likely you will have some credits that will transfer. Because there are so many options, we encourage you to talk to an enrollment counselor. If you are transferring out, Cairn is a regionally accredited school and some credits should transfer with relative ease. Each college sets their own transfer criteria, so be sure to check their policies for specifics.
Cairn offers a variety of options for prior learning and experience. You can receive up to 6 credits for prior learning for graduate programs. At the discretion of the program advisor, three to six credits for prior learning (CPL) can be awarded for students with extensive background in areas addressed by specific courses. Additionally, advance standing may be granted for Bible or theology credits earned at an accredited Bible college, Christian liberal arts college or university, or seminary. Credits will be granted on a course by course basis.
Cairn is approved to offer financial aid because of its regional accreditation. There are many options available and typically students qualify for at least one type of federal aid. Many students receive scholarships and grants that make earning their degree even more affordable. Cairn offers a variety of scholarships and discounts in addition to options for loans and grants. Please refer to this page for details.
The requirements depend on the program you are considering. Please refer to this page for details.
