SAGU AIC Adds Three New Degrees

Phoenix, Arizona – March 2, 2018 – Southwestern Assemblies of God University American Indian College (SAGU AIC) will offer three new degrees this fall: an Associate of Arts (AA) in Early Elementary Education, an Associate in Science (AS) in General Studies, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Interdisciplinary Studies. 

“The addition of these three programs is a great step for SAGU AIC since it offers additional degree programs that don’t require additional hiring for our faculty,” Dr. Joseph J. Saggio, Administrative Dean for the SAGU AIC Campus, says. “These are programs that we can deliver with our own faculty as well as online instructors from SAGU main campus. We are very excited about their addition.” 

The AA in Early Childhood Education helps prepare future educators in creating appropriate, positive and productive classroom environments for children in preschool. An AA in Early Childhood Education also prepares and qualifies students to work in Christian or private preschool classrooms and centers anywhere in the world. The degree plan requires students to take basic studies, 18 credit hours of Major Studies, and three credit hours of General Electives. Students will take a few courses that coincide with the degree plan to receive a bachelor’s degree. These courses include Early Childhood Education, Child and Adolescent Behavior and other elementary education methodologies courses.

Dr. Sherry Jones, the Program Coordinator for the SAGU/AIC Elementary Education department states that this childhood education degree will be beneficial to students on the SAGU AIC campus who may not desire or be capable of earning a full bachelor’s degree. 

“This is a perfect program for students seeking to acquire a degree which will provide them with a way to be financially stable as they pursue ministry, or for spouses and pastors and others already in ministry needing additional career opportunities,” she says. 

The Associate of Science in General Studies offers students the opportunity to gain a scope of general knowledge in both the liberal arts and biblical studies. Students are expected to take 44 hours of basic classes that are required for every degree but are allowed to choose 12 hours from any of the University’s programs along with 9 hours of General Electives. 

With an AS in General Studies, students can expect to be knowledgeable in General Education and Biblical Studies courses. They can also later build on this program that they are completing if they decide to move towards a bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies is also designed for students who seek to study courses in a broader setting and want a strong foundation in Bible and Ministry courses. With this degree, students are given 69 major elective hours and are allowed to mix classes from different disciplines, with an advisor’s recommendation. All students in this program are required to take PHL 3143 Christian Ethics, which will count towards their electives. 

“The program allows students to tailor a program with the help of an advisor to their specific interests and needs,” Dr. Saggio says.

Obtaining a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies will help students learn Christian ethics and values and compare or contrast them to other ethical systems put in place. In addition, students will be able to effectively communicate the impact of Christian ethics upon their expected occupational path. 

Dr. Saggio believes that adding these programs will help Native American students and others who want to find their purpose at the Arizona campus. 

“We are thrilled to be in partnership with SAGU and to be able to work together to provide a relevant education that will prepare students for the marketplace.”

To learn more about: 

• Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education, click here.
• Associate of Science in General Studies, click here. 
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, click here. 

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) American Indian College (AIC) is the nation’s only private Christian college serving primarily Native American students. Established in 1957, AIC now serves nearly 25 tribes as well as other ethnicities.