Degree Programs
Veritas International University academic programs are open to mature Christian men and women who are academically and spiritually qualified. Spiritual qualifications are demonstrated through pastoral and general references included in the student’s admission packet as well as their signed agreement with the VIU Doctrinal Statement. The program involves research and study in specified fields pertaining to Bible, theology, archaeology, apologetics, philosophy, and pastoral studies, which requires the student’s time and diligence in order to complete (2 Tim. 2:15).
Each program of study emphasizes an evangelical understanding of classical theology and biblical inerrancy in line with the Chicago Statements produced by the International Council of Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI).
Students will be admitted to a VIU degree/certificate program which offers a number of academic outcomes depending on your chosen course of study that may be completed in as little as two, three or four years of study. Each degree program offered at VIU concentrates on the evangelistic and apologetic nature of each major studied. Veritas approaches apologetics and theology from a classical perspective, bringing all truth discovered in special and general revelation to each topic studied. Ultimately, during the student’s time at VIU, he/she is expected to develop and strengthen a comprehensive biblical worldview that unites the head (mind) and heart (will) together under Christ and His word.
Resident Program
VIU classes are primarily online and may be completed from anywhere. While we do not currently offer a resident program, there are a limited number of courses offered at our VIU campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. All courses offered at our VIU campus will also be accessible via streaming for students who are not in the area.
VIU does offer occasional in-person intensive module courses that will be listed on the annual course schedule or arranged individually with the professor. Attendance at intensive courses can be in-person or online. All assignments are outlined in the course syllabus. By the end of the course all assignments must be postmarked and submitted to the professor for grading.
Distance Education Program (Non-Resident)
VIU offers interactive distance learning courses through an online 7-week format. The non-resident distance education program consists of two 7-week modules per semester (Fall 1 and 2, and Spring 1 and 2) and one 7-week module per summer. The two terms held in fall or in spring are separated by a one-week enrollment period. Distance courses are fulfilled through the VIU online learning platform POPULI.
Undergraduate. The undergraduate (BA in Christian Studies) may be completed entirely by distance learning. In addition to coursework, the undergraduate distance program relies on substantive interaction and discussion opportunities with the instructor and peers as coursework is completed over a 7-week period. After each 7-week period is complete an enrollment period follows.
Graduate. Graduate level distance learning courses include pre-recorded streaming video lectures with the exact same lectures given in the residential courses, as well as weekly discussion board interaction with peers and instructor. Students may enroll in distance learning courses during set enrollment periods before each term begins. Like the undergraduate distance program, the graduate level distance program follows the two 7-week terms each fall (Fall 1 and 2) and two 7-week terms in spring (Spring 1 and 2) format.
Doctoral. All doctoral courses may be completed at a distance, particularly in the Doctor of Ministry (Apologetics) program. Unlike the undergraduate and graduate level distance courses, all Doctor of Ministry distance courses are 15-weeks in length. There are also some PhD courses that qualify as distance learning and will also be 15-weeks in length.
Arranged courses are also available to all students (on every level of study) who need certain courses not offered regularly. Contact the Registrar to arrange these special courses.
Transfer Credit and Prior Learning Experience
No more than 20% of graduate semester units or the equivalent in other units awarded by another institution may be transferred for credit toward a Master’s degree. The amount of credit awarded for prior experiential learning at the undergraduate level shall not be related to the amount charged the student for the assessment process. (A) Of the first 60 semester credits awarded a student in an undergraduate program, no more than 15 semester credits may be awarded for prior experiential learning. (B) Of the second 60 semester units (i.e., credits 61 to 120) awarded a student in an undergraduate program, no more than 15 semester credits may be awarded for prior experiential learning. In other words, 30 units maximum for prior experiential learning.
VIU Degrees & Academic Flow Chart
VIU contains three schools in which nine (9) undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs are offered. They are Veritas College & Seminary, VIU School of Archaeology, and the VIU School of Apologetics. Each school is part of the university, emphasizing their respective areas of study that includes Christian studies, biblical studies, theological studies, near eastern archaeology and biblical history, apologetics, and pastoral studies. Offering distance learning options for each program makes VIU courses of study flexible, affordable and convenient.
VIU offers the following degree programs:
· Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies and Classical Christian Thought (AABC) – 63 semester credit hours (15 hours of General education units earned outside VIU)
· Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Classical Christian Thought (BABC) – 120 semester credit hours (45 hours of General education units earned outside VIU)
· Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies (BACS) – 120 semester credit hours
· Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) – 36 semester credit hours
· Master of Arts in Archaeology & Biblical History (MAABH) – 48 semester credit hours
· Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (MACA) – 48 semester credit hours
· Master of Arts in Philosophy & Apologetics (MAPA) – 60 semester credit hours
· Master of Arts in Polemics & Apologetics to Islam (MAPI) – 36 semester credit hours
· Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) – 48 semester credit hours
· Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies (MDiv) – 78 semester credit hours
· Master of Divinity in Apologetics (MDiv) – 78 semester credit hours
· Doctor of Ministry (w/concentration) (DMin) – 36 semester credit hours
· Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics (DMin) – 36 semester credit hours
· Doctor of Philosophy in Archaeology & Biblical History (PhD) –42 semester credit hours
· Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy of Religion (PhD) – 60 semester credit hours
The degree programs are arranged under three schools within the University as follows:
