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.
The General Studies (BA) program is available both online and in-person.
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.
Why the General Studies BA from Cairn University?
Biblical Integration
Cairn University is committed to the centrality of Christ and the Word of God and is reflected in the curriculum and instruction. At Cairn, faith and truth do matter. We teach our students accordingly, challenge you to think deeply on these things, and strive to make you ready to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded men and women who not only give assent to truth but think and live in light of it.
Academic Opportunity
The Cairn mission statement begins with education and ends with character, because we believe that education should change not only what you know, but who you are and what you do. Faculty members understand that education involves more than the transfer of ideas, but also the giving of themselves to teach, train, and inspire their students, both in and out of class.
Experienced Faculty
Our courses are taught by faculty who are committed to your professional and spiritual growth. Students don’t just have professors, they have mentors who invest in them throughout the program and often remain connected long after graduation.
more Details
Get an inside look at our Degree Completion Program
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.
Learn more:
Required Credits: 120
Curriculum Highlights:
- Introduction to Christian Theology
- Life and Calling
- The New Testament
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All Cairn University students must have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as Savior as evidenced by providing a personal testimony that details this faith. By submitting an application, students acknowledge the University’s doctrinal position and standards of conduct as outlined in the Foundational Statements. Below are the admission requirements for this program:
- Application: Submit the Application for Admission along with the $25 non-refundable fee. Apply today using code faithmatters and we will waive the fee.
- Transcripts: Order official transcripts for all conferred degrees to be sent to Cairn University.
Cairn University strives to keep tuition costs affordable while providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by Cairn faculty, not TAs.
The tuition rate for the 2026–2027 academic year for students pursuing the degree online is a $4,900 block rate per semester (12–18 credits), resulting in as little as $272/credit. Additional details on fees and part-time status are available on this page.
If you are planning to study in person, please refer to the rates here.
Christian school educators and employees may be eligible for the $400/credit discounted rate for the online option of the program. Cairn University also partners with many organizations and offers tuition discounts. Please contact us to find out if your organization has a partnership with Cairn University.
Information on scholarships, grants, and loans is available from this page.
Cairn Online has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which regionally oversees postsecondary online education.
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General Studies (BA) Online
An Affordable Education
Cairn University strives to keep tuition costs affordable despite providing a rigorous education. Courses are taught by Cairn faculty and not TAs. Cairn Online programs rank amongst the most affordable online bachelor’s and master’s programs.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.