Degree Specialization
Specialization is offered through an extended field research project and 15 elective credit hours as well as internship/partnership with ministries and agencies.
Degree Programs
Biblical Studies
This program is designed to challenge the student to Biblical scholarship, survey of each book and an in-depth study of the culture and context of scripture.
Ministry
The Ministry program is designed for those students seeking certification and ordination for ministry leadership. This program integrates principles of Bible study and Proclamation, leadership styles, ministry management, mission and spiritual formation. This program reflects a serious commitment enhancing the student’s competence as practical theologians.
Finance & Church Administration
This program is designed to understand church order and financial protocols for organization and mantainence for good stewardship. To provide for the understanding and successful compliance of Governmental laws and regulations regarding religious institutions.
Pastoral Counseling
Goals include developing a high level of competence in the theory and practice of pastoral counseling and psychotherapy, integrating theological reflection, pastoral care and the life of the church. This program has a strong commitment in strengthening the pastoral care skills of parish clergy and chaplains.
This program also encourages personal growth in Christian faith and spiritual leadership, qualifying students for memberships in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), the American Association of Christian Counseling (AACC) and /or the National Christian Counselor’s Association (NCCA)
Music & The Sacred Arts
This program addresses the needs for expanded worship experience. The Church has been challenged to include a serious evaluation and training in the presentation of worship styles and presentations that speak to the lives of its members and celebrate that expression through the performing arts.
This program prepares students to better serve the needs of worship and provide for the creative use of worship paradigms through choirs, band/orchestra, drill teams, poetry, drama, mime, puppetry, song writing, dance and pageantry.
Christian Education
The Christian Education program is designed specifically to prepare students with a substantial knowledge of educational ministries. In addition to educational skills, students will also acquire leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and administrative skills for serving in a broad range of ministry capacities in church, mission fields, and denomination offices.
The purpose of this program is to better equip students to evaluate the educational needs of their ministry setting and design opportunities for solid Christian education to impact everyone in the church and Para church organization. This can be done by better understanding family life issues, developmental theories, curriculum implications and educational strategies.
The curriculum includes supervised ministry experience and observation of a local church life. Students are required to participate in a year of church leadership and supervisory experience if they are not in a leadership position. The curriculum provides a full academic experience in the field of Christian education, yet offers an opportunity that permits some course selection to meet the need, experience, and interest of the student. Open electives allow students to choose courses according to their ministry goals and specialization.
DIVISION OBJECTIVES
The students who complete this program will meet the objectives of the Divisions of Bible/Theology/Ministry and expected to demonstrate ability in the following competencies:
Division Objectives:
1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Bible and essential Christian doctrine, its geography and history.
2. Develop the skills and understanding necessary for personal Bible study, prayer and devotional life which can sustain and empower one’s personal life and ministry to others.
3. Demonstrate a commitment to Biblical, moral and ethical values.
4. Demonstrate the ability to minister to others in your own cultural and across cultural boundaries, utilizing appropriate technology and relevant forms of both written and verbal communication.
5. Demonstrate perseverance and commitment, and the ability to work productively independently and in teams.
6. Actively pursue and progress in a life-long process of personal spiritual development by nurturing a relationship with God, connecting in Christian community, growing in moral integrity, and engaging in vocational service in light of giftedness.
1. Develop, evaluate, and administer curriculum in the church educational program and to serve as a resource person in the area of curriculum.
2. Enable others to worship, witness, teach, minister, motivate and apply Christian faith in life and to imitate and administer programs in these areas.
3. Commit to, engage in, and equip others for the disciple-making process of evangelism, edification, counseling, and leadership development.
Degree Credit Hours
Associate Degree: This degree may be awarded to students who have completed 60 credit hours. (18-20 months)
Bachelor Degree: This degree may be earned by having a total of 120 credit hours. (36-40 months)
Master Degree: may be granted upon the completion of 36 credit hours of study above the Bachelor’s degree including a submitted thesis of 6 credit hours. (12 –15 months)
Doctorate Degree: This degree requires 72 credit hours above the Bachelor’s degree or 36 credit hours above the Master’s Degree.
The Doctorate Degree requires a thesis of high quality scholarship (12 credit hours). (12-15 months)
Students may enter any time during the year and work at their own pace, which may be for a shorter or longer time period than the estimates shown above. Students may graduate whenever their academic work is finished and all tuition and fees are paid.