Purpose of the Major Focus

Explore the flexibility you can experience as you customize your degree program with the addition of a Major Focus, or a mix of as many as three courses from the Major Focus courses offered. The optional Major Focus in your degree program can replace three courses in the Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry curriculums. It may also replace three courses in the Fast Track Combined B.A. and M.A. program. If you add these to the two elective courses shown on the degree program concentration pages, or select two more from a Major Focus, you will have created a personalized degree program which is ideal for your educational and ministry goals and objectives. The degree award certificate will also display the Major Focus.

In addition to the option of being allowed to select one or two electives for the combo B.A./M.A., M.A., M.Div., and Doctor of Ministry from the electives list, the optional Major Focus concept is a dramatic move to offer students a greater diversity in their degree programs and allow personal creativity, application, and specialization which has not been previously available. You are allowed to select the three courses you want in the Major Focus and the textbook(s) you want for each of the courses in the Major focus from the textbook list in each course.

Major Focus Criteria

Because the Concentrations, curriculums, electives, and Major Focus courses are available in the Online Resource Room, the curriculums for each of these degree programs can be customized by you at any time. The criteria are:

  • If a Major Focus is selected, the three courses replace three of the courses of your choice in the original Concentration or curriculum. If you have not chosen one or two electives from the electives listed on the degree program’s Concentrations pages, you may select one or two more courses from the Major Focus. This allows you to replace one to five courses of your choice in the degree program.
  • The elective courses and Major Focus courses are chosen by you in the Online Resource Room. The Course Projects for the elective courses and Major Focus courses are submitted as the original courses in the program curriculum. No formal notice to faculty is required regarding the electives or Major Focus courses you selected. The completed courses become your academic record.
  • The textbook(s) for the courses can be used at only one degree level. The Audio Lectures remain unchanged regardless of the electives selected.

Major Focus Subjects

The Atlantic Coast Mission is to provide you with the courses, technology, and academic support to ensure that you obtain the specific knowledge, skills, and credentials to maximize your potential for the demands of the 21st Century.