BA in Christian Ministries
54 units
The Christian ministries major provides the student with a broad perspective in the field of religion, and academic preparation involving theory and professional training. Graduates are prepared for more-specialized graduate study and given the conceptual and technical resources for effective service in Christian ministry. Courses are available in practical theology, pastoral work, Christian education, missions, and urban ministry.
Career Opportunities
Graduates with a Christian ministries major assume positions in local churches as pastors, directors of Christian education, and youth pastors; in Christian schools as teachers and administrators; and in parachurch or nonprofit organizations as leaders and staff members, in the United States and other countries.
Requirements
Successful completion of the major requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all courses required for the major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Specific General Education Requirements for Christian Ministries Majors | ||
| Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Theology and the Christian Life | ||
| Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy | ||
| Luke/Acts | ||
| Undergraduate Division Core | ||
| UBBL 3XX/4XX | Upper-division Bible Course 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Practical Ethics 2 | ||
| Reasons for Faith: Exploring the Rationality of the Existence of God and Christianity | ||
| History of Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Medieval Philosophy | ||
| History of Early Modern Philosophy | ||
| History of 19th and 20th Century Philosophy | ||
| Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Church History: Apostolic Era to the Eve of the Reformation 3 | ||
| Church History from the Eve of the Reformation to the Present 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar: Church and Society 4 | ||
| Senior Seminar: Theology and Social Issues 4 | ||
| Senior Seminar: Biblical Theology and Ethics 4 | ||
| Christian Ministries Major Core | ||
| MINC 200 | Introduction to Contemporary Christian Ministries | 3 |
| WRIT 200 | Writing 2: Writing for Christian Practice 5 | 3 |
| or MIN 206 | Introduction to Practical Theology | |
| MINY 226 | Studying and Teaching the Bible | 3 |
| MIN 300 | Writing 3: Culture and Ministry 6 | 3 |
| MIN 301 | Adolescent Development in Family Ministry | 3 |
| MIN 401 | Christian Ministry Internship I 7 | 3 |
| MIN 402 | Christian Ministry Internship II | 3 |
| MIN 417 | The Art of Leadership 7 | 3 |
| Select 3 of these 6 classes: | 9 | |
| Evangelism and Discipleship | ||
| Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | ||
| Suffering: Theological and Practical Perspectives on Disabilities | ||
| Race, Reconciliation, and Ministry 8 | ||
| Christian Values and Human Sexuality | ||
| Adolescent Issues and Intervention | ||
| Concentrations | ||
| Students must choose a concentration below | 9 | |
| Total Units | 54 | |
- 1
This is in addition to the General Education upper-division Bible requirement; students must choose from one of the other upper-division courses offered by the department.
- 2
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Theology requirement.
- 4
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 5
WRIT 200 meets the General Education Writing 2 requirement.
- 6
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 7
- 8
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.
Concentrations
Beyond core requirements for the Christian ministries major, students must choose a concentration. Based on a student’s primary interests, the choice of a concentration enables the student to prepare for professional work in related ministry fields, and affords the student the opportunity to work in ministry settings that accentuate his/her strengths, abilities, and passions. One concentration must be chosen from those listed below. Concentration courses cannot double-count with major core or core elective courses.
Church and Pastoral Ministries Practices
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MINC 318 | Theology and Practice of Ministry | 3 |
| MINC 370 | Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Anthropology for Everyday Life 1 | ||
| Intercultural Communication 1 | ||
| Principles and Practice of Community Engagement 2 | ||
| Mentoring and Small Groups | ||
| Topics in Ministry | ||
| Evangelism and Discipleship | ||
| Effective Teaching in Christian Education | ||
| Intercultural Ministries 1 | ||
| Ministry to the City | ||
| Christian Mission in the 21st Century | ||
| Principles of Preaching | ||
| Communicating the Gospel | ||
| Suffering: Theological and Practical Perspectives on Disabilities | ||
| Race, Reconciliation, and Ministry 1 | ||
| Children's Educational Ministries | ||
| Ministry Organization and Administration | ||
| Spiritual Transformation | ||
| Exegeting the City | ||
| Christian Values and Human Sexuality | ||
| Adolescent Issues and Intervention | ||
| World Religions 1 | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
Intercultural Christian Ministries
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MINC 330 | Intercultural Ministries 1 | 3 |
| MINC 405 | Christian Mission in the 21st Century | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Anthropology for Everyday Life 1 | ||
| Intercultural Communication 1 | ||
| Principles and Practice of Community Engagement 2 | ||
| Mentoring and Small Groups | ||
| Topics in Ministry | ||
| Evangelism and Discipleship | ||
| Theology and Practice of Ministry | ||
| Ministry to the City | ||
| Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | ||
| Principles of Preaching | ||
| Communicating the Gospel | ||
| Suffering: Theological and Practical Perspectives on Disabilities | ||
| Race, Reconciliation, and Ministry 1 | ||
| Children's Educational Ministries | ||
| Ministry Organization and Administration | ||
| Exegeting the City | ||
| Christian Values and Human Sexuality | ||
| Adolescent Issues and Intervention | ||
| World Religions 1 | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
Ministry in Urban and Social Service Contexts
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MINC/SOCW 420 | Suffering: Theological and Practical Perspectives on Disabilities | 3 |
| MINC 487 | Exegeting the City | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Anthropology for Everyday Life 1 | ||
| Intercultural Communication 1 | ||
| Principles and Practice of Community Engagement 2 | ||
| Mentoring and Small Groups | ||
| Topics in Ministry | ||
| Evangelism and Discipleship | ||
| Theology and Practice of Ministry | ||
| Intercultural Ministries 1 | ||
| Ministry to the City | ||
| Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling | ||
| Principles of Preaching | ||
| Communicating the Gospel | ||
| Race, Reconciliation, and Ministry 1 | ||
| Ministry Organization and Administration | ||
| Christian Values and Human Sexuality | ||
| Adolescent Issues and Intervention | ||
| World Religions 1 | ||
| Introduction to Social Work 2 | ||
| Social Welfare Policy and Service | ||
| Child Welfare | ||
| Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Fiscal Decision Making | ||
| Family Violence | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.
- 2
Meets General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- Demonstrate proficiency in communication.
- Apply practical theology methodologies in ministry contexts.
- Develop a healthy awareness of one's self, gifts, and/or callings.
- Exhibit increased capacities to cultivate inclusive communities.
- Demonstrate competence related to skills required for Christian leadership.
- Articulate how their maturing theology informs their Christian practice.