With all eyes on the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, the nation’s government, its leaders and policies have been given increased attention. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 58% of U.S. adults say religion is gaining influence in American life, underscoring opportunities for Christians to engage public policies with wisdom and a biblical foundation.

Enter the new Politics, Philosophy, and Economics degree housed in Biola University’s new School of Arts and Letters, a program designed to educate and train Biola undergraduates to be comprehensive Christian strategic thinkers and servant leaders within various fields, including public policy, education, law, management consulting and political science. Equipped with interdisciplinary and faith-integrated approaches to boldly engage the political, economic, social and intellectual challenges of a fallen world, students in the program will be spiritually and academically prepared to enter a variety of workplaces.

“From Augustine to C.S. Lewis, Christian authors have recognized that we hold a unique position as pilgrim citizens of heaven who must live and work in the cities of man on earth. How we live and serve here matters,” said Dr. Matt Van Hook, director of the Politics, Philosophy and Economics program and associate dean of strategic Initiatives in the School of Arts and Letters. “Biola's new Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) B.A. degree program offers deep integration of our Christian faith with the exploration of the most pressing questions that we encounter here on earth.”

Students in the program will receive comprehensive mentorship from Van Hook, a retired Air Force pilot, leader, Air Force Academy professor and staff officer with extensive experience in mentoring students into top law schools, graduate schools and nationally competitive scholarships. With dedicated faculty guidance, students in the program have opportunities to start applying for external internships and work opportunities in programs such as the John Jay Institute, The Hertog Summer Political Studies Program, The Fund For American Studies D.C. Academic Internship and more.

“I believe that the future belongs to those institutions that have a compelling answer to the big questions, challenges and opportunities of our time,” said Dr. Matthew J. Hall, provost and senior vice president. “In an age of rapid technological advancement and innovation, an ongoing question remains: What are the conditions that lead to a free, virtuous and prosperous society? How we answer that question has profound implications for every aspect of life, whether in business, science, public policy, law or education. And that's the animating question behind this new major at Biola University. For students with intellectual ambition, eager to make an impact in the world for good, this will prove to be an ideal degree with a wide range of professional paths.”

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics degree, students will be able to recognize, evaluate and explain the historical and theoretical roots of political, philosophic and economic ideas and their relationship to Christian faith and doctrine. They will also be trained to evaluate arguments for logical consistency and coherence, first principles and foundational premises, evidentiary claims and rhetorical motivation and purpose and effects, which will prepare them well for jobs in the fields of law, public service and corporate government relations. Van Hook aims for the program to equip Christian students to become leaders, from mayors to military officers to missionaries.

“We are preparing students to contend for good governance, serious civic virtues and excellent and ethical policies and law through reason and discussion. At the same time, we are preparing them to think deeply not only about ‘winning debates,’ but also integrating the way of Christ and love for others into their understanding of those same topic areas,” said Van Hook.

The program offers courses on topics ranging from foreign policy and diplomacy and national security strategy to church and state relations, culminating in a capstone course called Statecraft and the Christian, which integrates students’ learning through a distinctly Christian lens. Students in the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major will take courses within the departments of political science, philosophy and the Crowell School of Business. Specialized interdisciplinary seminar courses grounded in discussion, primary readings and extracurricular opportunities will allow them to combine all the material into ideas, discussion and application.

“The demand for deeply committed Christians to serve their communities is astronomical right now in the United States,” said Van Hook. “Rather than cede entire careers such as law and politics to non-believers, we want to equip believers to enter this world and succeed there.”

Biola is one of only a handful of Christian institutions offering a degree of this nature. Biola students will have access to dedicated faculty, mentors and premier academics in the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics program with deeply rooted biblical integration in all coursework.

The program is currently recruiting its first class of students, including first-year and transfer students entering in fall 2027, as well as current Biola students interested in declaring the major. Learn more and apply to Biola to be one of the first students in the program.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, email beacon@biola.edu.