For many students, college is the first stepping stone on the path to independence. The list of freedoms is endless, which makes college a time of growth and discovery. Universities are about education and self-government, yet Azusa Pacific takes away some of students’ rights by requiring that you relinquish 30 percent of your general education to 18 units worth of mandatory ministry courses.
The cost of tuition is currently $32,516 for a full-time freshman taking between 12 and 17 units, not including on-campus housing or financial aid. Each semester costs $16,258, and every unit totals $1,355. Based on the numbers given from the university’s website, I found that freshmen are required to spend $24,390 on 18 units of required Bible courses in order to attain their degree.
As a freshman at APU, I knew before I officially committed that I would need to take a few Bible courses. However, after looking at how much these units cost and the sacrifice I am making to attend such classes, I was initially outraged.
I held the belief that general education was important for undergraduates because it could be used to help students discover their future career. Through my eyes, students were missing out on the chance to focus on the subjects of their choosing because of the biblical core requirements. I assumed that because some students were not taking electives based on their interests, they were not getting as much out of their Bible classes as they could be if they were in a course they wanted to take.
I lazily blamed APU for taking away my freedom because it was easier than doing the research to really find out why I disagreed with the requirements. However, after researching reasons why the university has decided that Bible units are a necessary part of education, I was surprised to find that I not only agree with having required units, I appreciate them.
Theological author Caleb Spencer, an assistant professor of English, explains how historical reason is sufficient for justifying mandatory Bible courses.
“Education is not largely about your choice,” said Spencer. “It is actually something that is done to you by the people who came before you, and the people who are doing it to you had it done to them before they got there and so on. The whole point is the person who is being educated in some sense is not aware of [the history that has gone before them] and that is why they need to become educated in the first place.”
Even though education is something that is done to me, I still had the option to choose what kind of education I wanted to receive.
Prospective students are given the choice of the education they want to receive, either secular or private. Private universities like ours attract individuals by promoting a student-centered environment. I chose APU because of the interpersonal experience it offered.
APU is not the only university in Southern California to require ministry courses. At Biola University, all students are required to minor in Bible, taking a minimum of 30 units. California Baptist University mandates nine units, while Point Loma Nazarene University requires three classes totaling seven units.
Jennifer Buck, adjunct professor in the Department of Practical Theology, explains how it can be challenging to teach students who don’t want to be educated in the Bible courses they are required to take. She thinks that a revision of the core curriculum may benefit both the students and faculty.
“The goal is to make sure that every student who graduates out of here has an understanding of what Christianity is, and a basic understanding of how to study and understand the Bible,” said Buck. “I see both of those as really good skills.”
For so long, I had separated the church from my scholastic education and felt that Azusa was dumbing me down by forcing me learn about Christianity when I could be learning about something a secular college would be teaching. In ways, I saw the education system at a secular college to be more valuable. However, after looking at the history of education I realized that biblical, theological and philosophical knowledge has every right to be a part of our education at Azusa Pacific.
It was in the 18th century, during the Scientific Revolution, that the rapid growth in our knowledge of science and technology began to take root. It was during this time that universities expanded and secular ones started to increase in popularity.
The fact that early scholars and teachers believed that theology exclusively constituted education justifies why Christianity being in classrooms today is important. In fact, I think that every university, secular or private, should require a substantial number of Bible-oriented courses to attain a degree.
I believe that education should be characterized by the knowledge you gain and the reason for gaining knowledge in the first place. Without purpose it is pointless. The concrete, objective facts being taught in classrooms of secular universities have purposes that fall short of an ultimate, unchanging one, which, in APU’s case, is having a relationship with God.
One of APU’s four cornerstones is Christ. It is through this that everything is truly learned. I realize now that it is through a Christ-centered perspective that I am more likely to succeed.
This university prides itself in educating students to their fullest potential. I now understand that in order for APU to make its graduates well rounded, I have to give up some of my freedoms and trust that the university has my best interest at heart.