100% Online
5 Courses in the Bible Minor
$375 Per Credit Hour
6 Start Dates Per Year
Start College With Confidence. Discover God’s Calling.
Choosing a major can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. And you don’t even have to choose a major before you start college! Smart Start at Cedarville University offers a flexible, affordable, Christ-centered way to begin your college journey — earning college credits online while taking time to prayerfully discern God’s direction for your future.
Why Choose Smart Start at Cedarville
Smart Start is designed to help students move forward with confidence — academically, financially, and spiritually. You’ll earn real college credits, explore potential majors, and deepen your relationship with Christ as you prepare for what’s next.
- A Flexible Start to Your College Journey – With six start dates each year and fully online, mostly asynchronous courses, Smart Start allows you to study from home at your own pace — fitting your studies around work, family, or ministry commitments.
- Affordable, Transferable Credits – Tuition is just $375 per credit hour for full-time students, making Smart Start a wise investment for undecided students. Credits earned apply directly to Cedarville degrees and transfer to other accredited institutions.
- Faith-Based Learning That Shapes Your Future – Every course is taught from a biblical worldview, helping you see how God’s Word applies to every field of study. Students begin their Cedarville Bible minor, building a strong spiritual foundation alongside academic success.
Program Curriculum
Courses offered through Smart Start are carefully chosen to build a solid foundation — academically and spiritually — while allowing flexibility to explore different interests.
You’ll complete:
- General education courses in subjects like communication, English, history, and science — requirements for nearly every degree.
- Bible minor courses such as The Bible and the Gospel or Old Testament Literature, deepening your faith and guiding your sense of calling.
- Exploratory electives that let you “test drive” potential majors in fields such as business, health sciences, ministry, and the arts.
Note: Smart Start students can remain in the program for up to four semesters, accumulating college credits while discerning their degree path.
- Navigating College and Career With Purpose
- Fundamentals of Speech
- Principles of Biology
- Politics and American Culture
Get a head start on your college journey through Cedarville’s Dual Enrollment program. You’ll take college courses taught by Cedarville professors, grounded in biblical truth and designed to help you grow — in knowledge, in character, and in your walk with Christ.
Earn college credit in high school, save time and money, and step confidently into your calling.
Explore Dual EnrollmentWhat Sets Cedarville Apart?
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Biblical Worldview
Every undergraduate Cedarville student earns a Bible minor! You’ll be equipped to know God more deeply throughout all of life. Beyond this, your professors will weave biblical truth into each course you take. When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to see your work through the lens of Scripture.
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Caring Faculty
You’re more than just a number in your online courses. Cedarville’s faculty have both experience in their fields and dedication to helping you succeed. They’ll encourage you not only academically but also personally and spiritually.
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Flexible Pathways
Want to study on campus at Cedarville after a couple years of studying online? Good news — your credits transfer directly to Cedarville’s residential programs! You’ll have the flexibility to complete your degree however it works best for you and your family.
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Vibrant Community
As an online student at Cedarville, you’ll have opportunities to grow your friendships and your faith. You will build lasting relationships with faculty and fellow students in your courses. Each day, you can engage with and watch chapel alongside the rest of the Cedarville community.
Online Program Format
What is the format of the online courses?
Your studies will be completely asynchronous*, meaning you'll never need to tune in for any live lectures or at any specific times. Courses will be self-paced based on completing weekly modules in Canvas, our learning management system, and you'll engage with your professors and classmates there as well.
A few select general education courses will be 16 weeks long, but most of your classes will be completed over eight weeks. Your online degree program has been championed, developed, and supported by caring Cedarville faculty, ensuring that the course content is specifically designed for your needs as a remote learner.
*Some courses may require synchronous group assignments.
How will I be supported as an online student?
Your admissions counselor will guide you through each step of the application process. Once you are accepted, you'll have a dedicated academic advisor who will not only aid you in your academic decisions but also encourage you in your walk with the Lord.
You’ll be supported by The Centennial Library, The Writing Center, The Cove (academic enrichment center), Counseling Services, and Career Services. With over a decade of experience serving online dual-enrolled and graduate students, these teams know how to meet your unique needs as an online student.
At Cedarville, you won’t just be a number. You’ll be challenged, encouraged, and equipped to become who God has made you to be by a supportive, Christian community.
Can I start online and finish on campus (or vice versa)?
Yes! We’d love for you to join us on campus if you’d like to and you’re able. Or, if you’re a current residential student facing constraints that don’t allow you to continue studying on campus, we welcome you to complete your degree online. In both cases, your courses will directly transfer between your online and residential programs.
How can I experience the Cedarville community as an online student?
Online students are a valuable part of the vibrant Cedarville community. Through daily chapel and engagement with professors and classmates, you’ll have opportunities to plug into the Cedarville experience from wherever God has called you:
- Each day at 10 a.m. ET, you can tune in live to experience chapel alongside your campus community. In hearing truth from God’s Word each day, you’ll be challenged and strengthened in your walk with the Lord.
- In your classes, you’ll be able to deepen and refine your thinking about God’s Word with an iron-sharpens-iron community of believers. You’ll be taught by caring, Christian faculty who are personally dedicated to helping you succeed. They’ll pour into you not just as a student but also as a Christian and a future professional.
When are the start dates?
There are six start dates each year that you can choose from to begin your online studies:
- August
- October
- January
- March
- May
- June
What technology is required, and what if I have tech problems?
Your computer should meet these hardware recommendations as outlined by IT. If you ever have questions or run into an issue, Cedarville’s IT team offers an extensive knowledge base and individualized support through their service catalog. In addition, there is 24/7 support for Canvas, our learning management system.
Do Smart Start students have to declare a major?
No. You can remain in the program for up to four semesters before selecting a major, giving you time to prayerfully discern God’s leading.
Do Smart Start credits count?
Yes! All credits apply to Cedarville degree programs and are designed to transfer easily to other accredited universities.
For additional details about online course format, support, and technology requirements, see the Cedarville Online FAQs.
Where Smart Start Can Lead
Smart Start students transition confidently into Cedarville’s bachelor’s degree programs — equipped with earned credits, spiritual maturity, and clarity about God’s calling. Whether you continue at Cedarville or transfer elsewhere, you’ll move forward prepared for academic and personal success.
Apply Now!
Ready to start your college journey with confidence? Apply to Smart Start and take the next step toward discovering God’s purpose for your life.
From Our Students:
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Cedarville has not only enriched my education but has also played a pivotal role in my personal and spiritual growth.
Ella Maiuri '24 
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