Global Youth Scholars Program
At a Top University for International Students
Founded in 1908, Biola University is a leading faith-based university in the United States. It is ranked on U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 selective list of universities with 鈥淏est Under桃花视频 Teaching'' and one of the 鈥淭op Universities for International Students.鈥
Why Choose the Global Youth Scholars Program at Biola?
Earn transferable university credits
Each course you successfully complete through the Global Youth Scholars Program will earn you three university credits that can be transferable to most universities*.
Save time with our flexible online program
All courses are fully online, giving you the flexibility to complete them at your own pace. In just seven weeks**, earn three university credits that can be transferred to Biola and other universities.
Get a tuition discount
Accumulate university credits at a reduced tuition rate and get a head start in your higher education journey.
Experience university-level lectures
All courses are taught by our Biola professors, and the quality of your education is university-approved with its intensive and comprehensive curriculum.
*Completion of the courses and receipt of Biola credit does not impact or guarantee a student鈥檚 admission to Biola, and if the student does not enroll at Biola for matriculation, transferability of credits to another college or university is not guaranteed. As such, students and their families are encouraged to research transferability to other universities if so desired.
**Course duration is subject to change.
What Courses are Offered?
Upcoming Courses
Engineering 124: Data Analysis and Presentation
- Date: June 23鈥揓uly 4, 2025
- Days: 惭辞苍诲补测鈥揊谤颈诲补测
- Time: 6鈥8:30 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)
- College credits: 1
- Cost: USD 1,130
Description: This course is intended for anyone interested in learning to develop their intuition for problem-solving using formal and informal techniques. Involves the use of GNU Octave, Excel, and other computer tools for data analysis.
Faculty Highlight:
Jason Wilson
Director, Quantitative Consulting Center
Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Wilson is a generalist statistician and, therefore, interested in the analysis of data or use of statistical thinking from any area 鈥 particularly those with the potential of strategic kingdom impact or service. In Fall 2019, he was able to realize one of his dreams of starting Biola鈥檚 - a statistical consulting service for both Biola as well as local Business, Industry, and Government. Clients for the first year included Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Christian Educators Association, Convene, and Biola faculty. His primary long-term project involves research using a patented technique for evaluating the quality of an individual baseball pitch, . The completeness of the fossil record, the real level of DNA similarity between humans and chimps, and debunking the Bible Code are some of the subjects under development for his Statistical Apologetics book project. Giving students a vision of how the natural laws of the world described by mathematics reflect the nature of God (Romans 1:20), and how that nature empowers them to live for Him (2 Peter 1:4) is a theme of Dr. Wilson鈥檚 courses.
Psychology 200: Introduction to Psychology
- Date: July 7鈥揂ugust 23, 2025
- Days: Mondays & Thursdays
- Time: 6鈥8 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)
- College credits: 3
- Cost: USD 1,650
Description: A 7-week online survey course of psychology as an empirical/behavioral science with a consideration of underlying philosophical bases in light of a Christian worldview. Topics to be surveyed include development, cognition, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology.
Faculty Highlight:
Chris Grace
Director of the Center for Marriage and Relationships
Professor of Psychology
Chris Grace serves full time as the director of Biola University鈥檚 Center for Marriage and Relationships and is also a professor of psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology. Grace has served as an executive member of the WASC Re-Accreditation team and is currently an outside reviewer for other WASC universities. He also serves on the editorial review board of various professional journals. Grace has numerous publications and presentations in the field of psychology, and speaks regularly at conferences, churches and universities.
Additional Courses
The following courses are subject to change depending on the term you apply for. Please contact globalyouth.scholars@biola.edu for questions.
Film Appreciation (3 credits)
A 7-week online course from Biola鈥檚 School of Cinema and Media Arts that gives you the opportunity to explore the art, history, theory and appreciation of film. You鈥檒l screen and analyze 10 films in all 鈥 including Casablanca (1942), Spirited Away (2001), Arrival (2016) and others. You鈥檒l also read scholarly texts, engage in creative projects, participate in group discussions, and write reflective essays.
Principle of Microeconomics (3 credits)
A 7-week online course from Biola University鈥檚 Crowell School of Business that introduces you to some essential concepts for future business leaders and entrepreneurs. Studying under one of Biola鈥檚 esteemed faculty members, you鈥檒l learn about the factors that drive consumers鈥 and companies鈥 choices and the role of the government in regulating economics.
Visual Aesthetics (3 credits)
Visual Aesthetics is an introduction to creating effective stories using images. The principles acquired are applicable across filmmaking, games, photography and advertising. Whether you have an interest in filmmaking or a love for media, this course will open your eyes to the techniques and tools employed by great creators. Students will learn how to use visual elements such as color and lighting to tell their own stories more effectively and will complete both photography and film projects.
Multimedia Channels (3 credits)
A course providing students an introduction to various channels necessary for companies and organizations to resource in communicating messages for the building of relationships with select audiences. Course content introduces basics in writing for social media for organizations and causes and exposes students to digital strategies and tools as students prepare for careers in various areas of public relations. Students begin the development of their professional online presence.
Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
A survey of psychology as an empirical/behavioral science with a consideration of underlying philosophical bases in light of a Christian worldview. Topics to be surveyed include development, cognition, learning, motivation, physiology, socialization, personality and psychopathology.
The Rhetorical Act (3 credits)
This course develops student understanding of rhetoric as the foundation to all effective communication. Based on a communication model that recognizes the rhetorical situation as a determining factor in all communication decisions, the course provides students with instruction on gathering, organizing, and presenting information appropriate for the audience, context, and purpose of the communication event. Students will understand their role as both communicator/audience and will be asked to deliver/critique oral and written products to demonstrate their development of rhetorical skills.
Studies in Critical Thinking and Writing with Studio (3 credits)
A 14-week online course that introduces you to some essential concepts for reading and discussion of ideas and methods in writing, stressing fundamentals of grammar, punctuation, spelling and paragraph writing, along with critical thinking, persuasion and evaluation.
Ready to Apply?
Requirements
- High School GPA: 3.0 or above
-
English Proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: 80
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo: 115
If you do not meet the requirements but would still like to apply to the Global Youth Scholars program, please contact globalyouth.scholars@biola.edu.
Are you interested in applying to Biola University as an international student? Explore biola.edu/international/applying-to-biola to get started!
What Are Students Saying?
Visual Aesthetics is a required course of my future major, CMA. Therefore, my school friend recommended me to this program in order to get an early start (also to save time and money). The professor of this course, Dean Yamada, is nice and professional. I love his way of teaching and showing concepts to us through some pictures and videos, which is more accessible. After this class, I learned a lot about light, color, frame and so on, which is very helpful for my future studies and work.
It is a rare chance for high school students to take university classes and earn university credits! I really like the class atmosphere because the two professors created a lively and academic study environment. It helped me a lot with my English and brought me many new methods to see the world from an economic or cinematic perspective.
Make Your Payment
Biola has partnered with to optimize the payment experience for our international students. Follow the steps carefully to make your payment.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Please contact the Global Youth Scholars Program assistant and our team will be happy to assist you!
Email: globalyouth.scholars@biola.edu
WeChat: BiolaINTL1
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an enrollment deposit required to register for the Global Youth Scholars program?
No, the students do not need to pay an enrollment deposit for the GYS Program currently.
Do I need to pay any additional fees for the textbooks required for the GYS courses?
Depending on the course, students will be required to buy the textbook to take the course. For some courses, textbooks will be provided for free. For other courses, students can either buy the physical textbook online or buy the eBook from Biola鈥檚 Slingshot service.
Are the GYS courses fully online or in person?
GYS courses are offered fully online. The professor will meet with students over Zoom. If you are interested, we can also offer a course without the Zoom requirement. Our goal is to make the program globally accessible so that students can take the course no matter where they are.
If I am currently not in the US with a different time zone, can I take the GYS course?
The GYS Program currently offers courses for students in Asia. However, we would love to offer courses appropriate for other time zones as well if you are interested in the GYS Program.
What if I need help with writing essays, is there any assistance that could be provided for me?
Students who are enrolled in the GYS Program can make an appointment with the Rhetoric & Writing Center to get help with any writing assignments, research reports and conversational English. They provide feedback for writing projects at any stage 鈥 from outlines and early drafts to revisions and final edits.
How can I know if the GYS course is transferable for another school?
Students can check the transferability of the course by using the tool.
How can I find out if the GYS course is useful for my major?
Review the list of to find the major that is congruent with your current discipline. The 鈥Course Sequence鈥 page for each program will outline which courses are required to complete your degree (e.g. ).
What is the difference between the GYS courses and regular Biola courses?
They are the same! All courses are taught by our Biola professors, and the quality of your education is university-approved with its intensive and comprehensive curriculum. Earning college and high school credits simultaneously is a win-win program.
Welcome from the President
Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to the community of Biola University!
As a leader in academic quality and innovation, Biola University is consistently ranked among the top faith-based universities in the United States, and was recognized as one of the 鈥淭op Universities for International Students鈥 by the U.S. News & World Report. Biola鈥檚 eight schools offer more than 150 academic programs, enrolling more than 6,000 students at our California campus, online and in distance programs throughout the world. Since 1908, Biola has equipped the kingdom-minded with academic excellence and character building, preparing students to thrive professionally and personally.
Through this Global Youth Scholars program, I invite you to experience what makes Biola鈥檚 academic experience distinct 鈥 while getting an early start in earning college credits and completing high school course requirements simultaneously!
Barry H. Corey
President of Biola University