Below College-Level Courses

These courses are numbered 0001–0199 and are not applicable to SPU degrees.

Lower-Division Courses

These courses are numbered 1000–2999 and are generally for first and second year undergraduate students. Lower-division courses cannot be applied to master's or doctoral degrees. Courses at the 1000- and 2000-level are equivalent to community college courses and are foundational, providing an introduction to concepts and abilities which will be built upon in upper-division classes.

Upper-Division Courses

These courses are numbered 3000–4999 and are generally for third and fourth year undergraduate students. These courses cannot be applied to master's or doctoral degrees. Upper-division courses utilize the skills and foundational concepts learned in lower-division courses. Students take ownership of knowledge and build on convergent and divergent thinking, analyzing and offering suggestions.

5000-Level Courses

These courses are numbered 5000-5999. The 5000-level designation is designed to accommodate a range of post-baccalaureate and professional development courses. Some of these courses are appropriate to graduate study. For inclusion in graduate programs, individual courses must be approved by the school or college. No more than twelve credits of 5000-level courses may be applied to any graduate degree. Individual programs may set lower limits. Exceptions in excess of the 12-credit limit can be made only with the approval of the Graduate Programs Committee on recommendation of the School or College dean. 5000-level courses may not be applied toward an undergraduate degree.

6000-Level Courses

These courses apply toward master’s degrees and graduate certificates. They may not be applied toward an undergraduate degree, except toward the Christian Theology major of a student formally admitted to the BA in Christian Theology to MA in Christian Theology program.

7000-Level Courses

These courses apply toward doctoral programs. They may not be applied toward an undergraduate degree.