Religious Studies Programs

The Religious Studies major at Daytona Beach Christian University offers students a deep, thoughtful exploration of the Bible and the beliefs, practices, and histories of the world’s major religious traditions. Guided by dedicated faculty who combine scholarly rigor with compassionate mentorship, the program challenges students to engage vital questions of meaning, community, spirituality, and faith in a way that prepares them to contribute meaningfully to a world deeply shaped by religion.

  1. Students will be Biblically literate.
  2. Students will be culturally engaged and historically informed global citizens.
  3. Students will be ethically motivated thinkers and doers.

Students may pursue Religious Studies as a Bachelor of Arts with a major or concentration in one of two areas:

  • Religious Studies (general focus on Biblical literacy, comparative traditions, theology, and cultural engagement)
  • Sports Chaplaincy (specialized preparation for ministry in athletic contexts, integrating spiritual care, team leadership, and faith-based counseling in sports environments)

Global Sports Ministry (GSM)

GSM is a vibrant, student-led club program within the Christian Sports Science programs at Daytona Beach Christian University. Open to both undergraduate and graduate students in the Bachelor of Christian Sports Science/Arts and Master’s concentrations, GSM welcomes Seraphim from all levels to unite around a shared passion: using sports as a powerful platform to share the Gospel, build meaningful relationships, and serve communities locally and globally.
As a dedicated ministry club, GSM organizes and leads its own faith-centered sports ministry trips—distinct from the university’s required Athletic International Travel Experience. These student-driven mission journeys focus on hosting sports camps, coaching clinics, youth tournaments, fitness workshops, and community outreach events in partnership with churches, schools, and ministries around the world.

Join GSM Today!

Make a difference through sports and faith. Connect with fellow students and serve communities worldwide.

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

General

The Master’s in Christian Sports Science Coaching offers graduate-level study in evidence-based coaching methodologies, advanced sport psychology, performance analytics, talent identification, and long-term athlete development. Students engage with cutting-edge research on motor learning, biomechanical optimization, periodization strategies, and injury mitigation, while cultivating sophisticated approaches to team dynamics, leadership, and individualized athlete support across competitive levels.

Internships and applied projects provide opportunities to implement advanced training systems, conduct performance assessments, and evaluate program efficacy in real-world settings. Graduates are positioned for high-impact coaching roles at elite youth academies, collegiate programs, national teams, or professional organizations, where they can drive measurable performance gains and foster resilient, high-achieving athletic cultures.

prevention—while emphasizing spiritual encouragement and character formation in young athletes. Graduates are equipped to coach at youth, high school, collegiate, or community levels, fostering not just winning teams but individuals who grow in faith, resilience, and purpose.

Through required internships with schools, clubs, or ministry-based programs (e.g., FCA or Aim High Ministries sports outreach), students gain hands-on experience in program planning, athlete evaluation, and ethical decision-making. This concentration integrates faith into every aspect of leadership, preparing coaches to inspire excellence on and off the field while modeling Christ-like servanthood.

The Master’s in Sports Exercise Science provides in-depth, research-oriented training in human performance physiology, biomechanics, exercise biochemistry, nutritional science, and advanced conditioning methodologies. Students master sophisticated laboratory techniques, data interpretation, program design for elite populations, and evidence-based interventions for performance enhancement, recovery optimization, and injury rehabilitation.

Through thesis-level research, internships in high-performance environments, and applied projects, students translate scientific principles into practical protocols for athletes and active populations. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership positions in strength and conditioning, sports performance labs, clinical exercise physiology, private consulting, or doctoral studies, contributing to the advancement of scientifically grounded practices in athletic development and wellness.

Master of Arts Religious Studies Concentrations

Master of Arts Biblical Studies

The Master’s in Christian Sports Science Coaching offers graduate-level study in evidence-based coaching methodologies, advanced sport psychology, performance analytics, talent identification, and long-term athlete development. Students engage with cutting-edge research on motor learning, biomechanical optimization, periodization strategies, and injury mitigation, while cultivating sophisticated approaches to team dynamics, leadership, and individualized athlete support across competitive levels.

Internships and applied projects provide opportunities to implement advanced training systems, conduct performance assessments, and evaluate program efficacy in real-world settings. Graduates are positioned for high-impact coaching roles at elite youth academies, collegiate programs, national teams, or professional organizations, where they can drive measurable performance gains and foster resilient, high-achieving athletic cultures.

prevention—while emphasizing spiritual encouragement and character formation in young athletes. Graduates are equipped to coach at youth, high school, collegiate, or community levels, fostering not just winning teams but individuals who grow in faith, resilience, and purpose.

Through required internships with schools, clubs, or ministry-based programs (e.g., FCA or Aim High Ministries sports outreach), students gain hands-on experience in program planning, athlete evaluation, and ethical decision-making. This concentration integrates faith into every aspect of leadership, preparing coaches to inspire excellence on and off the field while modeling Christ-like servanthood.

The Master’s in Sports Exercise Science provides in-depth, research-oriented training in human performance physiology, biomechanics, exercise biochemistry, nutritional science, and advanced conditioning methodologies. Students master sophisticated laboratory techniques, data interpretation, program design for elite populations, and evidence-based interventions for performance enhancement, recovery optimization, and injury rehabilitation.

Through thesis-level research, internships in high-performance environments, and applied projects, students translate scientific principles into practical protocols for athletes and active populations. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership positions in strength and conditioning, sports performance labs, clinical exercise physiology, private consulting, or doctoral studies, contributing to the advancement of scientifically grounded practices in athletic development and wellness.

Bachelor of Religious Studies Concentrations

The Bachelor of Christian Sports programs equip students with core principles of sports science, grounded in Christian values, to excel in diverse sports professions. Through specialized concentrations, students gain expertise, demonstrate professional conduct, and integrate faith into their careers, preparing for leadership in coaching, management, or advocacy.

Religious Studies

 The general Religious Studies concentration provides a broad, interdisciplinary foundation in Biblical studies, theology, world religions, church history, and the role of faith in culture and society. Students engage deeply with Scripture, explore comparative religious traditions, and examine how religion shapes ethics, community, and global issues. Through coursework, site visits, discussions, and the capstone independent project, graduates develop strong analytical skills and a nuanced understanding of faith in diverse contexts—preparing them for ministry, education, nonprofit leadership, graduate studies in theology, or roles requiring cultural and ethical insight.

The Sports Chaplaincy concentration prepares students for specialized ministry in athletic settings, blending theological training with practical skills in spiritual care, team leadership, crisis counseling, and faith integration in sports environments. Students study Biblical foundations of pastoral care, sports psychology from a Christian perspective, ethics in competition, and chaplaincy practices—while learning to support athletes, coaches, and teams through prayer, mentoring, devotionals, and relational ministry. Internships in athletic departments, youth sports programs, professional teams, or ministry organizations (e.g., FCA or Aim High Ministries) provide hands-on experience. Graduates are equipped to serve as chaplains in schools, colleges, professional sports, community leagues, or international athletic outreach—bringing spiritual encouragement, moral guidance, and hope to the world of sports.

Join Our Christian Sports Programs

Discover how you can merge your passion for sports with your faith at Daytona Beach Christian University. Contact us today to learn more or apply now.
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