COURSE DESIGN
This degree has been designed for the local church Pastor who is a
Bi-vocational Pastor, Second Career Pastor or Lay Pastor.
Traditional seminary degrees are often out of reach due to work, family, geography or finances.
Our degree is offered entirely online featuring video-based micro-lectures, ZOOM video-conferencing, and tutorial formats.
The Diploma reads:
Master of Pastoral Ministry
The 60 credit hour course of study includes:
Tutorial Course Experience
Twelve 3-credit hour courses:
Introduction to Graduate Studies
Old Testament
New Testament
Church History
Theology
Pastoral Care
Spiritual Formation
Christian Worship & Preaching
Missional Church
Christian Education
Church Administration
Ministerial Ethics
Ministry Experience and Training Courses may be applied to the Tutorial Course requirements following an evaluation of those experiences.
Capstone Experience
Four 6-credit hour courses
Capstone Research I
Capstone Research II
Capstone Project
Capstone Paper
ABC-USA Pastors
The twelve 3-credit hour courses meet the educational requirements for ordination in several ABC-USA Regions. Pastors who have completed Ordination Training in ABC-USA Regions may request advanced standing to transfer credits into this degree. ABC-USA Pastors who are members of American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains Region or The Ministers Council ABCUSA qualify for a special scholarship.
faculty-mentor
directed
The Faculty Mentor facilitates scheduled video conversations and participates in the portfolio preparation and examination.
Capstone
experience
Students journey through a series of research milestones to generate the final Capstone Project that addresses a Need or Opportunity in their ministry context.
online
flexible
Students set their own schedule and proceed at their own pace. Each course can be completed within 30 to 90 days.