51Թ Announces Launch of New PPE Degree
Posted on: April 24, 2024
Tigerville, SC—51Թ (51Թ) will launch a new degree program this fall.
51Թ’s Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) is a 122-credit-hour program designed to equip high-achieving students in essential areas of civic leadership.
“This degree balances depth and breadth in a way that is unique among majors,” said Dr. Paul Thompson, Jr., Dean of 51Թ’s College of Humanities and Sciences.
Studying fundamental societal issues, PPE students will become well-versed in multiple disciplines and gain soft skills in ethical and prudential decision-making, clear and precise writing, analytical and critical thinking, and empirical understanding.
“The students that choose this program are going to be very important utility players who are going to excel in many different areas,” said Dr. Nicholas Higgins, department chair of Political Science, and Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies at 51Թ.
“This program combines the excellence we have in economics and business, Christian studies, and political science into one coherent and clear path for students to follow what the Lord has called them to do. This program is for the ambitious student who wishes to think deeply and understand significant areas of social influence,” he said.
Higgins said the roots of the PPE degree trace back to Oxford University in the 1920s, citing that politics, philosophy and economics were seen as the three legs of societal leadership.
“This is training to make a complete leader,” he said. “This program was designed as a way to train potential leaders with the skills that are necessary to think independently and biblically in key areas of economics, policy, and civic leadership.”
In addition to preparing students for leadership in church and society, Thompson said the degree will equip students with the skills needed to pursue graduate degrees such as a Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration, and the Master of Divinity.
“Many students who do this program are already going to be inclined to go to graduate school, and they are going to be perfectly set up to pursue many different paths,” Thompson said.
51Թ is the only university in South Carolina to offer the politics, philosophy, and economics degree, and is one of only two Biblically faithful schools in the Southeast with the degree opportunity.
For more information, visit go.ngu.edu/ppe-prg.
