Beyond our Borders:  Collaborative Programs and Study Abroad Programs

Kuyper College offers several programs in collaboration with other colleges in Grand Rapids, including Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin Theological Seminary, and Calvin College.  There are also many "Study Abroad" programs offered in conjunction with other institutions in the U.S. and abroad through which students gain  credit from off-campus experiences.

Students in the Collabortive programs take general education and Bible and theology courses at Kuyper College and take their professional courses at neighboring colleges. These programs are designed for students who desire to serve in ministry, but not in the traditional role of preacher or missionary.

Another major catalyst for these programs is the challenge of countries that are closed to traditional missionaries, but are open to “passport skills” such as teaching, nursing, and business. Once having obtained a work visa, students can touch lives in these countries through their professional vocation—bringing God’s grace into even the most oppressive cultures.

Cornerstone University

Cornerstone University is a like-minded, accredited, Christian liberal-arts college just two miles south of Kuyper College.

During freshman year, students take all their courses at Kuyper College. As students advance in their programs, they begin to take upper-level courses at Cornerstone, but continue to pay the less costly Kuyper College tuition rate. This becomes an excellent way to get an affordable, Christ-centered education from two high-caliber colleges.

Students in the teacher education programs usually transfer to Cornerstone at the end of their junior year, concentrating their studies solely on content area, education courses, and student teaching.

Students who intend to enroll in these programs will work closely with Kuyper College’s academic dean as they register for classes at both institutions.

International students should be aware that international scholarships do not apply toward Cornerstone's education programs.  International students interested in the Accounting, Business, or Communication Arts program are advised to consult with the International Student Services Coordinator, Mary VanderMeer.

Kuyper-Cornerstone Collaborative Bachelor’s-Degree Programs

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Business Computer Information Systems
• International Business/Marketing 
• Exercise Science   
• Communication Studies
• Journalism
• Media Studies
• Public Relations
• Theatre 
• Elementary and Secondary Education  

Cornerstone University: www.cornerstone/academics/businessdiv

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Many states, including Michigan, now require 150 semester hours of education to become a certified public accountant (CPA). The state of Michigan allows a CPA candidate to take the certification exam after completing a bachelor’s degree with appropriate courses. This program will meet those requirements within 124 semester hours, but candidates will need to complete the 150 semester hours and experience requirements before being granted the CPA certificate in Michigan.

Most Kuyper College graduates in accounting will pursue a master’s degree in a related field to meet the 150-hour requirement. Some states require that the 150 hours be completed before taking the certification exam.

Link to B.S. Accounting Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Business is an integral part of our world, and skilled Christians are needed desperately in business for many reasons. Churches and the communities in which they minister are all affected by the economies of the countries in which they operate. From the CEOs of urban industries to the farmers in Third World countries, and everyone in between, all are in need of Christ. Christians in the business world have a unique ability to impact their world through ethical practices, job creation, and charitable giving. Likewise, parachurch organizations around the world need gifted administrators who model integrity and careful stewardship.

Cornerstone’s business program has a threefold purpose:

• Prepare students for entry-level positions in business.
• Prepare students to serve in administrative roles within nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
• Prepare students for graduate study in their business field of interest.

Link to Business Administration Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems

The business/computer information systems program has a threefold purpose:

• To prepare students for entry-level positions in computer information systems
• To prepare students to serve in adminstrative roles within Christian organizations
• To prepare students for graduate studies in computer information systems or business

Link to Business Computer Information Systems Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Bachelor of Science in International Business/Marketing

The international business/marketing program has a threefold purpose:

• To prepare students for entry-level positions in business
• To prepare students for to serve in administrative roles within international organizations
• To prepare students for graduate level study in international business

Link to International Business/Marketing Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

The exercise science program gives students a strong foundation in knowing that human life and all its intricacies are a revealed gift from the creative hand of God.  This program explores human movement and its effects on the body with a focus on stewardship of what God has entrusted.

Link to Exercise Science Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies

The purpose of this career track is to give students both a theoretical understanding of human communication as well as the opportunity to develop their own communication skills. The ability to communicate effectively is a marketable skill in many companies and ministries today. The communication studies career track prepares students for positions in business, education or the media, and will also provide an excellent foundation for further studies in fields such as law or ministry.

Bachelor of Science in Journalism

"Freedom of the press" is one of the essential elements of American culture. Those who work in communicating news and the stories that surround them bear a responsibility to communicate the truth. Since the information explosion, there are more ways than ever to broadcast the truth, and more need for journalists who can communicate clearly and with integrity. Kuyper College’s journalism program will prepare you to investigate, to interview, to write well, to engage our culture and to bring truth and light to the world.

Bachelor of Science in Media Studies

The hallmark of this career track is the flexibility to choose an emphasis in either film, video or audio.  This major will provide students with a theoretical understanding of human communication a well as an opportunity to develop their own marketable skills.  The media career track prepares students for positions in television, radio, and the movie industry.

Bachelor of Science in Public Relations

This program utilizes courses from several academic disciplines.  Students will participate in courses applicable to advertising and public relations as well as business in general.  Major field electives allow students to select courses in their area of particular interest and talent.  Among careers students can prepare for are: advertising and pubic relations management, public relations writing and program development, and media strategy and planning.

Bachelor of Science in Theatre

Great theatre asks good questions and opens the hearts of its audience to new ideas through the eyes of its characters.  It can also tell stories that communicate truth, including the truth of the gospel.  The purpose of this career track is to give students both a theoretical understanding of theatrical acting, directing and production, and the opportunity to develop their own skills in these areas.  The Theatre career track prepares students to effectively perform in and direct plans and drama sketches in a church setting, for a mission agency, or with a secular organization.

Bachelor of Science in Education

In five years, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Kuyper College with a major in Bible and theology, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornerstone, and certification in elementary or secondary education. Together, the two colleges provide a program that will educate students to be teachers and equip them for Christian service.

The majors listed below are just a sample of those available; these are described in full in the catalog. Students are encouraged to meet with the academic dean if they’re interested in other majors available in the teacher-education program.

Students enrolled in this program will earn a bachelor's degree from both Kuyper College and Cornerstone University.

Elementary Education—Language Arts Concentration
Elementary Education—Social Studies Concentration
Secondary Education—History Major/English Minor
Secondary Education—English Major/Spanish Minor

Link to Elementary Education Career Tracks in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF
Link to Secondary Education Career Tracks in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Calvin Theological Seminary

Kuyper College has partnered with Calvin Theological Seminary  to offer online courses which can be applied as credit towards a degree at Kuyper College.  For more information, contact Gary Teja, Dean of Distance Education.

Grand Rapids Community College

Kuyper College offers three programs in collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College in downtown Grand Rapids: a bachelor’s degree in child development and two associate degrees. As in our other collaborative programs, students take general education and Bible and theology courses at Kuyper College and their professionally focused classes at Grand Rapids Community College.

Grand Rapids Community College: http://www.grcc.cc.mi.us/

Bachelor of Science in Child Development

This degree program gives students a 30-credit major in Bible and theology, and prepares students to teach in and direct child-care centers, Head Start programs, and preschool programs serving children from birth through age 8. Graduates of the program are also prepared to serve as teacher aides in elementary schools.

Link to B.S. Child Development Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Associate of Arts in Child Development

This degree program gives students a 15-credit grounding in Bible and theology and a thorough understanding of child development, and prepares them to direct and teach in a child-care setting. Graduates of the program are also prepared to serve as teacher aides in elementary schools.

Link to A.A. Child Development Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Associate of Arts in Executive Office Administration

This degree program provides students with a solid foundation of 15 credit hours in Bible and theology and a major in executive office administration, preparing them to demonstrate excellence in managing the offices in which they work.

Link to A.A. Executive Office Administration Career Track in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Calvin College

Kuyper College’s consortium agreement with Calvin College’s Nursing Program seeks to engage students in professional nursing education that promotes lifelong Christian service.

The objectives of Calvin College’s nursing curriculum encompass assisting each student in acquiring the knowledge, competencies, abilities, and commitments necessary to practice as a professional Christian nurse.

Health promotion and health protection with individuals, families, and communities are the major areas of focus of the program. Challenging practicum experiences will occur in a variety of settings, including communities, clinics, schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.

Students are asked to indicate their interest in nursing when they begin studies at Kuyper College. Graduates of the program will receive a B.S. from Calvin and be prepared to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Satisfactory scores on the NCLEX-RN will enable a student to become a registered nurse (RN).

Kuyper College's three-year Pre-Nursing Program is designed to enable the student to function effectively in a cross-cultural setting. The program requires five courses in Bible, six courses in cross-cultural studies, and nine courses in the natural and social sciences. While in the Pre-Nursing Program, the student will take natural-science courses at Calvin College.

After junior year, students will transfer to Calvin College to complete the final two years of the nursing major. Students can apply in January of their junior year for admission to the nursing program at Calvin College. In order to be considered for admission to the nursing program at Calvin, students must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of “C+” (2.3), as well as a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) in each of the natural and social-science courses.

Link to Pre-Nursing Program in Kuyper College Catalog - PDF

Study Around the Country—and Around the World

Kuyper College cooperates in selected summer and semester-long programs for students who would benefit from an academic experience that isn’t offered on campus. The College endorses these programs, even though they’re offered by other institutions.

As Kuyper College seeks to provide a broad education to facilitate the most effective ministry possible, relationships have been established with a variety of educational institutions around the world. Credit is granted through Kuyper College, and as a result, all financial matters will be carried out through Kuyper College as well, including those related to travel.

Students never pay less than the current Kuyper College cost for full-time tuition and room and board (10-meal plan). Any cost above this amount will be billed to the student’s account, and he or she will be responsible for the amount.

Students are encouraged to consult Evan Heerema, Director of Career Development and Field Education, at eheerema@kuyper.edu  for more information on each program.

U.S. Programs

Bresee Institute (urban ministries): www.breseeinstitute.org
Christian Center for Urban Studies (Chicago): www.cornerstone.edu/academics/ocp/ocp_ccus
Contemporary Music Center (Massachusetts): http://cmc.bestsemester.com/overview.asp
Graduate Institute for Applied Linguistics (Dallas): www.gial.edu
Wheaton College (Chicago): www.wheaton.edu/urbanstudies/programs/chicago.html.

International Programs

Bible Institute of South Africa, China Studies Program: http://csp.bestsemester.com/overview.asp
Daystar University (Kenya): www.daystaruniversity.net
Edu-Venture (Mexico and Fiji): www.eduventure.net
European Nazarene Bible College: www.eunc.edu
Jerusalem University College (when travel is allowed): www.juc.edu
I.D.E.A. ministries (Mexico and Middle East): www.ideaministries.com
Romania Studies Program: www.veritas.ro/romanian.htm
Uganda Studies Program: www.ucu.ac.ug.