Olivet Nazarene University is committed to academic excellence. The University is accredited to offer baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees by the Higher Learning Commission , 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411, telephone (800) 621-7440 or (312) 263-0456, FAX (312) 263-7462, info@hlcommission.org or http://www.hlcommission.org/.
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has authorized the University to operate and offer degree programs in Illinois. Olivet is also approved to operate by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Online programs are offered in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands through IBHE and the State Authorizations Reciprocity Act.
Olivet’s Teacher Education Program is a recognized education preparation provider by the Illinois State Board of Education in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Each program has also been individually approved for licensure by the State Board of Education per Illinois Administrative Code 25 § 25.115.
The baccalaureate degree and master’s degree programs in Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The baccalaureate program is approved by the Board of Nursing of the Department of Professional Regulation of the State of Illinois.
The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in Dietetics are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND); the baccalaureate program in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; and the baccalaureate program in Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). Baccalaureate programs in Music are also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
The university maintains membership in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Associated Colleges of Illinois, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. It is a member of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area, with the privilege of selective use of area research facilities.
Olivet carries on a sustained program of self-study in the belief that improvement is a continuous process. Its faculty is competent for the duties assigned. An effort is made to bring a genuine academic challenge to every student. This is done with the conviction that the impact of Christian lives can be increased by excellence of scholarship, logical thought, and effectiveness in communication. The University seeks through its curriculum, co-curricular activities, and campus citizenship to assure the priority of academic discipline and achievement.
A genuine encounter with the traditional liberal arts is felt to be the best way to assure the development of the whole person and to give balance in making the judgments required in a world of rapid change. Accordingly, Olivet Nazarene University offers the student a variety of opportunities for growth according to his or her aptitude and interests. These opportunities are presented through curriculum, co-curricular activities, field experiences, and internships. Academic advisors are ready to assist the student in planning his or her program, but the student has primary responsibility for meeting requirements for graduation, licensing, certification, and graduate school admission.
Semester Calendar and Credit Hours
The University calendar is built on two semesters of 15 weeks for residential programs. Graduate and Continuing Studies programs use terms of 12 or 16 weeks for undergraduate and graduate programs respectively.
The University assigns credit hours in accordance with federal regulations (CFR 34 §600.2). For classroom‐based academic courses, ONU uses the standard Carnegie unit to assign credit hour equivalents. One semester hour is equivalent to, at a minimum, 50 minutes of class time and two hours of student work outside of the class during a 15‐week semester (750 minutes and 1,800 minutes respectively). A typical three credit hour course, therefore, will meet for 150 minutes per week for 15 weeks for 37.50 hours of direct faculty instruction and 90 hours of out‐of‐class work. Classroom‐based courses that meet in an accelerated format must meet the same standards (750 minutes of direct instruction and 1,800 minutes of student preparation per credit hour).
When direct instruction is not the primary mode of learning (e.g., laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work) or when the delivery method is online or hybrid, an equivalent amount of work is required. The determination is made based on documented learning objectives, expected learning outcomes, and student workload expectations, and assumes a specified amount of academically engaged time. For more details, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Graduation Requirements, Bachelor’s Degrees
Bachelor’s degrees offered by the University are awarded upon completion of the appropriate curriculum and upon recommendation of the faculty. The following general requirements apply to all degrees:
- A minimum of 120 semester hours;
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0 (‘C’) within the major(s) and minor(s).
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (‘C’);
- A minimum institutional grade point average of 2.0 (‘C’);
- A minimum of 30 hours of credit in upper-division courses (courses numbered 300 or above);
- Completion of the general education requirements for the respective degree; the student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete foreign language;
- Completion of a major program of study as specified by the program’s College, School, or Department;
- Completion of supporting courses as specified by the major department;
- Participation in the senior outcomes testing programs in general education and as may be specified by the major department.
- The student must file an application for the degree with the Registrar six months prior to the expected date of graduation.
- Students may participate in commencement as August graduates only if they are within 9 hours of graduation by the end of the spring semester, and have filed a plan of studies with the Registrar by April 1.
General Education Basic Requirements
In order to provide the student with a broad base of experience and knowledge in the various fields of human activity, and to carry out the general aims of Christian education as outlined in the institutional objectives, special courses have been selected or developed to meet the needs of students in all degree curricula. In certain fields of study, the students are required to select from among several courses according to their interests or plans for future study.
Courses numbered in the 100s and 200s should normally be completed during the freshman or sophomore years. General education courses numbered 300 or above will normally be completed during the last two years of study. See “Classification ”. Students planning a program of Teacher Education should consult special instructions related to general education in the School of Education section of the Catalog.
General Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degrees
The Christian liberal arts tradition is founded on the belief that “all truth is God’s truth” and that education aims at comprehensive literacy, developing in students the ability to communicate and interpret within the cultural, natural, and spiritual spheres that comprise human life.
The general education curriculum at Olivet Nazarene University is organized around the four overlapping spheres of spiritual literacy and stewardship, scientific literacy, cultural literacy, and communication literacy. Together, these spheres provide a foundation for a Christian liberal arts education to develop mature and knowledgeable
citizens who can provide moral and spiritual leadership in today’s world.
- Spiritual Literacy and Stewardship
An educated person in a Christian context understands the sources, content, and richness of the Christian faith and engages in practices that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wholeness.
- Christianity (9)
- Stewardship (2-3)*
- Scientific Literacy
An educated person possesses the knowledge and skills to interpret the biological and physical world.
- Math (3)
- Natural Sciences (one must be lab) [6-8]*
- One course in biological science………………………………………………. 3-4
- One course in physical science…………………………………………………. 3-4
- Cultural Literacy
An educated person is informed by the scientific and historical study of persons, society, and culture; is conversant in various human endeavors and expressions; and appreciates the diversity of cultures throughout the world.
- Humanities*……………………………………………………………………………….. 6
- HIST 200 - Western Civilization …………………………………………………… 3
- Social Sciences*…………………………………………………………………………… 3
- Intercultural Understanding*……………………………………………………….. 0-8
- Communication Literacy
An educated person knows how to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms.
COLLEGE WRITING COMPETENCY AND PLACEMENT
A minimal competency level is required in writing. Writing course placement has been determined by the English department and is based on the ACT English sub-score or SAT ERW score. Place students in the writing course sequence according to the following criteria:
* See General Education Approved Courses list at https://www.olivet.edu/registrar
NOTES:
† Either BLIT 305 or BLIT 310 substitute for the BLIT 210 requirement for all majors in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry.
**If required to take ENGL-109, a student may not enroll in ENGL 207/208/209/210 until having passed ENGL 109 with a grade of “C-” or above. Each department specifies the College Writing II course to be taken by its majors. Engineering majors satisfy the College Writing II requirement with ENGR 401. Students with an ACT English of 26 or higher or an SAT ERW of 620 or higher are exempt from ENGL 109.
***MATH 111 does not meet the mathematics requirement unless MATH 112 is also satisfactorily completed.
Specialization for Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Before admission to junior standing, the student will choose an area of specialization as his or her major field of study, and thus be enabled to examine more intensely a specific field of study, and gain depth and a degree of competence in using and communicating this knowledge. The University reserves the right to drop a major or minor field for lack of sufficient enrollment to guarantee a class size of 10 or more in upper-division courses of that field. There are certain instances where particular combinations of majors and minors, or requirements for certification for positions of employment for graduates, may require a student to complete more than 120 semester hours. If a student begins one specialization or major, and then changes to another, the University cannot guarantee that the student will graduate without exceeding the number of 120 hours or eight semesters of work, stated as the minimum requirement for graduation.
Honors Program
Academically talented students tend to learn at a different pace and hold different interests than the general population, but grades alone cannot distinguish them. An “A” might be earned under great hardship for one, but passively by another. The key question is whether all students are full stewards of their capacity. The academically talented are at risk of failing that test because school can feel relatively easy. They should experience a curriculum that addresses this capacity. It should not be organized for difficulty, but distinction.
The mission of the Olivet Honors Program is to encourage and nurture academically talented students in the integration of Christian faith and scholarship, preparing them for servant leadership in the church and world. This provides not only an academic and spiritual community, but social as well. In fact, prior to the sophomore year, all Honors students are provided a one-night, two-day city tour (architecture, museum, the arts) at a regional point of interest.
This 18-credit plan has two phases. First, participants take one Honors course per semester for the initial two years. They are populated only by Honors students, and led by a faculty cohort of four. These 12 credits are substitutes - not additions - for the following general education courses, unavailable for CLEP credit: COMM 105 - Fundamentals of Communication , ENGL 207 /ENGL 208 /ENGL 209 /ENGL 210 - College Writing II (APA) , THEO 110 - Introduction to Christianity , and Stewardship. The courses are interdisciplinary and team-taught to cultivate prowess in intellectual integration.
Examples of Honors course topics include: Faith and Film, Subtle Messages in Advertising, Rare Books Seminar, Reproductive Technology and Bioethics, and the like. Such courses are novel and might not be repeated from cohort to cohort.
Second, participants earn six credits during the final two years for a substantial, faculty-mentored research project. (It may be “performance” for relevant disciplines such as Music, Theater, Art, etc.). The first semester of the junior year is devoted to the construction of a research proposal, then two semesters are spent conducting the work. The final senior-level semester is dedicated to the preparation and presentation of results at a campus Research Symposium and/or a regional Honors event through the National Collegiate Honors Council. If appropriate, the faculty-student project may be featured in a professional venue.
Fewer than 30 are admitted each year, constituting roughly 5% of the undergraduate population. Applications are made in January and February of the preceding academic year. Contact the Admissions Office or Honors Director for more information.
Preparation for Graduate Study and Preprofessional Study Programs
Olivet has developed degree programs that adequately prepare students for graduate and professional study in a variety of fields. Preparation for these fields may be in majors related to the professional study. Detailed programs outlining these studies at Olivet may be obtained by writing to the Director of Admissions or to the chair of the appropriate department.
Fields for which Olivet offers preprofessional preparation include Clinical Laboratory Science, Law, Medicine, Ministry, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Art Therapy, and Psychology.
The student planning to pursue one of the preprofessional programs is advised to ask the Registrar for assignment to the appropriate preprofessional faculty adviser. The student should also become acquainted with the professional school’s requirements for admission.
Faculty advisors are available for the following programs: Art Therapy - Department of Art; Clinical Laboratory Science - Department of Biological Sciences; Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy - Department of Exercise and Sports Science or Department of Biological Sciences; Psychology and Counseling - Department of Psychology; Pre-Law - Departments of History, Business, or English; Pre-Medicine - Department of Biological Sciences; Pre-Pharmacy - Department of Biological Sciences; Ministry - School of Theology and Christian Ministry, other medical or health fields - Department of Biological Sciences or School of Nursing.
Sponsored Programs
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Programs (CCCU) (www.cccuglobaled.org)
Olivet Nazarene University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, which is comprised of more than 105 Christ-centered, accredited four-year liberal arts colleges and universities, each committed to academic excellence and to the integration of the Christian faith with learning and living. All Council study programs are open to Olivet students who qualify. Each of the programs are administered by appropriate departments of the University, and coordinated through the Council offices in Washington, D.C.
Council semester programs are designed for juniors and seniors who demonstrate competence in the classroom and Christian commitment in lifestyle. Plans for these semesters off campus should be begun during the freshman and sophomore years. Students register for these programs through the normal registration process, and credit is assigned by the Registrar according to the specific material covered in each program.
Programs available to Olivet students include the American Studies Program, the Middle East Studies Program, the Oxford Summer Programme, the Oxford Scholars’ Semester, the Uganda Studies Program, and the Contemporary Music Center (in partnership with Greenville University).
American Studies Program
The American Studies Program is designed for juniors and seniors with a wide range of academic majors and vocational interests. The program is offered both fall and spring semesters each year. Sixteen hours are earned in the program; eight are classroom work in domestic and foreign policy analysis from a Christian point of view; and eight are in an internship in one of more than 500 internship opportunities available to Council students. Because of its unique location in the nation’s capital, this ”Washington Campus” is viewed as one way of challenging students to consider the meaning of proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all areas of life, including career choices, public policy issues, and personal relationships. This program is administered by the Department of History and Political Science. Credit may apply to majors in History, Political Science, Public Policy, and Social Sciences, or toward general education credit for other majors.
Contemporary Music Center Program
(in partnership with Greenville University)
The Contemporary Music Center, located in Nashville, Tennessee, provides students the opportunity to live and work in community while seeking to understand how God will have them integrate music, faith, and business. Both inter-disciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature, the CMC offers two tracks: the Artist Track and the Executive Track. The Artist Track is tailored to students considering careers as vocalists, musicians, songwriters, recording artists, performers, producers, and recording engineers. The Executive Track is designed for Business, Arts Management, Marketing, Communication, and related majors interested in possible careers as artist managers, agents, record company executives, music publishers, concert promoters and entertainment industry entrepreneurs. Both Artist and Executive Track students receive instruction, experience, and a uniquely Christian perspective on creativity and the marketplace, while working together to create and market a recording of original music. Both tracks include coursework, labs, directed study, and a practicum. Students earn 16 semester hours of credit.
Middle East Studies Program
The Middle East Studies Program is based in Jerusalem, Israel, with an extended study trip to Turkey. It is comprised of Arabic language study, study in Islamic culture, contact with Eastern Orthodox Christian culture, and exploration of the incredibly complex political and cultural tensions of this region of the world. This program is administered by the Department of History and Political Science. Credits may apply toward majors in History, Political Science, Public Policy, and Social Science, or toward general education credit for other majors.
Oxford Scholars’ Semester
The Scholars’ Semester in Oxford allows a student, as a member of Wycliffe Hall and a visiting student at Oxford University, to do intensive scholarship in this historic seat of learning. Working with academic tutors, students hone their skills and delve into the areas that interest them most. Students broaden their thinking and earn 16 credits by living and learning in this major crossroads of the academic world. The Scholars’ Semester in Oxford is an interdisciplinary program which gives no preference to students in any particular field of study. However, a good academic record and an undertaking to live as part of a Christian community are necessary. Students are required to maintain a GPA of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale, regardless of major. Contact the chair of the Department of English for further information.
Other Sponsored Programs
AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies (Spring)
You will encounter both the wonders of God’s world and the challenges of caring for creation. Field-based courses are at the heart of Au Sable’s work, and they have been offering them for over 30 years. Twenty-three courses supplement the environmental science curriculum of over 50 Christian colleges throughout North America, allowing students to take a diverse range of courses focused on their area of interest at four campuses around the world: India, Great Lakes (Northern Michigan), Costa Rica, and the Pacific Rim.
Living and Learning International
Academically excellent study abroad programs for college students to live in community, engage the challenges of the world, and learn to respond with a biblical Christian worldview.
Quito, Ecuador (semester and summer)
Study abroad and be immersed in culture, ministry, and learning with tracks for completion of general education courses, Social Work, and Spanish.
Rome, Italy (semester)
Study abroad living in the Eternal City for three months, with field trips and weekly Italian cuisine cooking classes. You will take 13-16 credit hours in cultural understanding and general education.
Baltimore, Maryland (semester and summer)
This domestic urban studies program focuses on public health and social justice. The Baltimore Urban Studies (BUS) is a “study away,” experiential learning program, designed to teach, mentor, and train college students in spiritual formation and public health while providing urban global health internships.
Students International (STINT)
Discover your true calling with meaningful vocational ministry through intensive 6-8 week ministry projects, relevant coursework, Christian mentoring, and rich relationships. STINT is a mission and community development organization providing students with transformative experiences learning while volunteering in a Christ-centered ministry.
Guatemala (semester)
Open to all students with courses in culture, community development, and Spanish. (15-16 credits)
Costa Rica (semester)
Focused on Spanish majors, the experience will fulfill the off-campus study requirement and provide language development while serving in ministry. (18 credits)
Tokyo Christian University Studies Program (fall only)
Tokyo Christian University is the only Evangelical university completely accredited by the national Japanese Ministry of Education, with roots going back to 1881. It is an international affiliate of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. Based in the Christian liberal arts, TCU’s Japanese students take a range of courses in the humanities, theology, social sciences, and physical sciences. Starting from this base in the liberal arts, TCU has created a special one-semester program for visiting students from English-speaking countries, called the East Asia Institute. This program introduces students to East Asia and Japan both academically and experientially. The four core courses in the short term program form a set combining the study of East Asian history, art (including manga and anime), religion, philosophy, economics, and language (Japanese). These courses are integrated with in-depth field trips, all within a Christian context dedicated to the integration of faith, learning, and life. Olivet and TCU have a formal agreement which gives Olivet students priority in the application process. More information on the program is available at http://acts.tci.ac.jp/eai/.
Uganda Studies Program
(in partnership with Uganda Christian University)
Winston Churchill is credited with nicknaming Uganda the ”Pearl of Africa,” and many visitors since his time have come to agree with him. The USP offers students a very personal encounter with this African success story, which has become an economic and public health model in its region. Another success story, Uganda Christian University (UCU), serves as the base of study for students in the USP. Set on the outskirts of the capital city Kampala, this rapidly growing institution brings USP students together with the UCU Honours College. Courses taught by local faculty in the English tutorial tradition will immerse students in a uniquely African education. Topics such as Christianity and Islam in contemporary Africa, African literature, and African history will present many insights into African life because of the guidance of faculty who live in and love Uganda and East Africa. Home stays, travel, service learning, and daily interaction with Honours College students form the backbone of the USP experience. In addition to the core experiential course, students will choose from an approved selection of courses from the UCU Honours College to earn up to 16 hours of credit.
Semester in Spain
Sponsored by Trinity Christian College
Immerse yourself in Spanish life, spend a semester developing language skills and learning the culture. For 30 years, Semester in Spain has offered the ultimate Spanish experience, to live in a Spanish home, study with first-class professors and experience the Southern life of Seville. You will improve your fluency, develop a deep understanding of Spain and Europe and have memories that last a lifetime. (focused on Spanish and Spanish education majors)
Quetzal Education Research Center (QERC) - Costa Rica (spring only) http://qerc.snu.edu
QERC serves as secondary campus for Southern Nazarene University and educates students in tropical ecology, biology and field research while promoting biodiversity, sustainability, and social responsibility. To this end, QERC works with students and researchers from around the world, to educate and conduct research focused on the tropical cloud forest and its floral and faunal community. QERC connects students with local farmers, research scientists, and educators from around the world bringing scientific knowledge and conservation practice to the local community.
Chicago Semester (semester or summer)
The program delivers a custom-tailored Chicago experience designed to help you prepare for your chosen career - and life after college. We work closely and collaboratively with you to place you in a full-time internship that matches your interests. A great option for Art, Business, Computer Science, Education, and Social Work majors.
New York City Semester - The King’s College
Spend a semester learning from top-notch journalism faculty and interning in a news media organization in the journalism capital of America. Study business in the heart of the global financial center: New York City, the business capital of the world. Study theater in the center of American Theater: New York City, where new plays and musicals are created, tested and showcased, and new talent is sharpened, challenged, and celebrated. Take a semester on the unique campus that is King’s College in the heart of New York City.
Africa Nazarene University (Nairobi, Kenya)
Spend a semester on the campus of Africa Nazarene University and gain a new understanding of higher education.
Korea Nazarene University (Seoul, South Korea)
Choose to spend a semester abroad at the world’s largest Nazarene institution. Studying in English with courses focused on international business. Gain a new appreciation for culture and how it can impact your education.
Study abroad with a focused mission opportunity during your stay. Study for a semester or in summer. The mission of Veritas Christian Study Abroad is to provide college-level study abroad programs while helping students develop as mission-minded Christian leaders as you learn and serve in another culture. Choose to study in: Brazil, Czech Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, England, France, Italy, Peru, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, or Spain.
Since 1987, ISA has helped students explore the world with study abroad opportunities in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific, including 28 countries and more than 60 locations. There are options in nearly any area of study with service-learning and internships available. Take advantage of the opportunities and find a location that fits your plans.
Summer Programs
International Business Institute (IBI)
The International Business Institute is a ten-week summer cooperative overseas program in international economics and business management. Students from other institutions are welcome but priority is given to the institutions that are affiliated with IBI.
The International Business Institute is designed to give students in economics, business management and related areas a distinctive opportunity for a term of study that incorporates the international dimension of these fields in an experiential context overseas. The program is ten weeks in length and includes periods of significant residence in key locations as well as coordinated visits and presentations in the major political and economic centers of Russia, Eastern Europe, Western Europe and the United Kingdom.
An essential purpose of this program is to encourage and facilitate the integration of academic study with the international field experience. The academic work is conducted in a variety of settings from the usual classroom to corporate headquarters, manufacturing plants, and the offices of governmental or international agencies.
Additional details are included with the Department of Business information in Residential Undergraduate Programs .
Oxford Summer Programme
Throughout the Oxford Summer Programme (OSP), you’ll journey to astonishing places. But with all that could ignite your intellectual imagination, nothing will compare to the vast collection of scholarly resources available to you. Welcome to the home of some of history’s greatest thinkers.
OSP fuels intellectual development at all levels of education. Engage in scholarship guided by Oxford’s primary method of pedagogies: the tutorial. Go one-on-one with your professor to defend your argument and support your positions, ready yourself for graduate school or just become a better thinker. When you’re not flexing your brain, keep it sharp with student outings and field trips.
During OSP, even when you put the book down, your studies never really stop. You’re immersed in an attitude to life. Here you’re invited to ask yourself the questions pivotal to your intellectual growth-questions that are a part of your day-to-day existence. With close fellowship among your peers, the rhythm of the Oxford Summer Programme is one that will beat in your heart for life.
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies (summer)
You will encounter both the wonders of God’s world and the challenges of caring for creation. Field-based courses are at the heart of Au Sable’s work, and they have been offering them for over 30 years. Twenty-three courses supplement the environmental science curriculum of over 50 Christian colleges throughout North America, allowing students to take a diverse range of courses focused on their area of interest at four campuses around the world: India, Great Lakes (Northern Michigan), Costa Rica, and the Pacific Rim.
See website for specific programs
See website for specific programs
See details in above Recognized Programs. Summer field studies experience.
Cross-enrollment
Spend a semester at any of the other Nazarene colleges within the Continental United States. Space is limited and “host” school will determine semesters available.
Other Programs
ONU is willing to work with specific programs and will accept credit in transfer from most study abroad experiences. Please see Study Abroad Coordinator to explore opportunities.
Graduate and Continuing Studies
The University offers programs leading to a doctoral degree, several master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and teaching endorsements. Studies include Nursing, Education, Business, and Religion. These programs are described in the Graduate and Continuing Studies section of the Catalog.
Advanced degrees offered include the Doctor of Education, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Divinity, Master of Ministry, Master of Business Administration, Master of Organizational Leadership, Master of Science in Nursing, and the Master of Practical Ministries.
The University also offers bachelors degree programs in business, management, nursing, and practical ministries, including the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Practical Ministries.
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