Location
Online
Curriculum
120 credit hours
Program Length
as few as 48 months
Accreditation
Regionally Accredited by SACSCOC
The Ministry Leadership program equips you with the Bible knowledge and skills needed to lead ministry teams. Our faculty members have extensive ministry experience and bring their real-world insights into each class. By pursuing a degree in Ministry Leadership, you’ll be putting yourself at the heart of God’s plan to minister to people of all ages. With a focus on practical, hands-on learning, you’ll be well-prepared for a future in ministry leadership positions, or for graduate studies. Join us at CIU and make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families in your community and around the world.
What You’ll Learn
Biblical Understanding, Interpretation & Communication: You will learn how to understand biblical texts by applying sound interpretation methods and learn how to effectively communicate the Bible to individuals in various ministry contexts.
Ministry Leadership and Management: You will learn effective leadership and management skills, strategic planning and how to lead ministry teams.
Holistic Ministry Impact: You will learn the skills needed to minister to individuals, families and communities that address spiritual, emotional, physical and social needs, fostering life transformation and ministry impact.
Why Earn This Degree at CIU?
The Ministry Leadership program at Columbia International University offers a comprehensive approach to training you in the biblical knowledge and strategic skills needed to serve effectively as ministry leaders inside and outside of the local church. You will gain a deep understanding of the Bible and how to communicate it effectively. You will develop ministry knowledge and skills needed to foster life transformation and ministry impact.
You can do your studies from home as you continue to serve/volunteer in your current ministry, providing an opportunity to put into practice what you are learning in real time.
Courses are taught by experienced and dedicated faculty who have extensive ministry experience and are actively involved in ministry themselves. These professors bring their real-world experience to each class, providing you with valuable insights, guidance and training on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities of ministry.
You will experience a supportive, learning community that includes a combination of engaging instruction and practical experiences.
Above all, graduates of the Ministry Leadership program leave Columbia International University with a deep sense of purpose and passion for serving others and sharing the love of Christ within their context.
Featured Faculty
What Will I Study?
In addition to the undergraduate core, here are degree specific-courses you can expect to take:
- BIB 3420 Principles of Bible Interpretation
This course will guide you through the hermeneutical principles basic to interpreting Scripture. Many of these principles are common to language and literature, while others apply uniquely to the Bible. All of them are based on the way in which the Bible interprets itself. You will begin to lay a foundation of cognitive understanding, with an emphasis on practice in applying the principles.
3.00 credit hours
- BIB 3616 Romans
Within the framework of an exegetical study, you will focus on the New Testament's most organized, thorough exposition of the Christian faith and its relation to human history and implications for Christian living. Giving special attention to the personal application of the message, you will apply principles of biblical interpretation to the study of this book.
3.00 credit hours
- HMS 4010 Mobilization of Volunteers
This course will investigate ways to mobilize and engage volunteers. You will learn the value of volunteers and their relationship within an organization. The topics examined will include: types of recruitment methods, background checks, communicating organizational mission statements, goals and values, training, retention, volunteer tasks and expectations, motivation, reward systems and performance improvement for both volunteers and staff. Throughout the course, you will develop a practice scenario of organizing volunteers and staff for a specific event. (3) Limited to online program students.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 3100 Communicating for Life Change
You will explore various models and guides for effective communication and teaching of Scripture that connect with a variety of age groups. You will read books, write messages, and participate in discussion and lectures. You will practice speaking in class to experience the methods.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 3715 Counseling Children, Youth, and Families
This course will help you understand the needs of children, adolescents, and families. This course will give you a framework for utilizing individual and family systems model as well as other theories and practical techniques for counseling.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 4344 Transformational Bible Teaching
This course examines the teaching-learning process to help you understand the conditions that foster deep, personal change toward Christ-likeness. You will learn how to adapt instructional methods and structures to differing expectations, learning styles, cognitive processes, and social relations of learners in multicultural contexts. For your major project, you will prepare and teach from the Bible in a context of your choice, experimenting with and refining what you learn in class.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 4500 Introduction to Cross-Cultural Ministry
In this course, you will be exposed to a variety of ministry approaches needed for different cultures. You will explore the cross-cultural ministry principles and skills most essential to ministry. You will discover your own cultural biases and how those biases affect your ministry. You will have the opportunity to develop a culture-specific ministry vision and strategy to reach a people group God has placed on your heart.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 4536 Management Essentials for Christian Ministries
In this course, you will learn basic ministry management principles for the local church and para-church ministries. You will learn how to build and lead a ministry team; plan, organize, and market events and programs; conduct effective meetings; budget and evaluate financial issues; manage risk and legal issues; evaluate and follow up on ministry activities.
3.00 credit hours
- MIN 4538 Strategic Ministry Leadership
In this course, you will examine the character qualities essential to effective Christian leadership in a variety of settings; discuss a definition of leadership which discloses its basic functions; explore relational skills and issues integral to leadership roles; and identify competencies for tasks essential for excellent leadership.
3.00 credit hours
- SOC 3740 Marriage and Family
This course is a study of the societal patterns of marriage and family life. Biblically and sociologically, you will address issues of courtship, choice of a mate, engagement, the marital adjustment, parenting, divorce, and the development of problem-solving skills. You will use personal application and training from the course to develop the skills to communicate more effectively to others about marriage/family issues.
3.00 credit hours
- YOU 4310 Strategies for Effective Youth & Family Ministry
You will explore a variety of models and strategies, past/present, for leading effective ministry to youth and their families. You will examine the challenges and opportunities of doing ministry in a post-Christian world. (3)
3.00 credit hours
Admission Requirements
- Online application
- Official high school transcript or successful completion of General Education Development (GED) Testing Program
- Applicants who have attempted 12 or more college credits post-high school must provide official college transcripts of all work completed or in progress. Recommended college grade point average (GPA) is 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (those with a GPA under 2.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis)
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Accreditation and Accolades
Top FAQs
- How long will it take to complete the degree program?
The Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership degree program at Columbia International University is designed to be completed in four years, with students taking an average of 12 credit hours per semester. However, the program is flexible, and students may choose to complete the program at their own pace. Full-time and part-time options are available to accommodate students' schedules and preferences.
- How much does it cost to complete the entire program?
The cost of the Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership degree program at CIU varies depending on several factors, including the number of credit hours taken each semester. Students are encouraged to speak with a financial aid advisor to discuss tuition and fees, as well as available scholarship and grant opportunities.
- Can I transfer credits from another program that I did not complete?
×ÔοÊÓƵ welcomes transfer students and accepts credits from other accredited institutions. The amount of transfer credit that can be applied to the Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership degree program will depend on the number of credits earned and the relevance of the coursework to the ×ÔοÊÓƵ program. To transfer credits, students must request that official transcripts be sent directly to ×ÔοÊÓƵ.
- Does ×ÔοÊÓƵ help students with gaining employment opportunities
Yes, ×ÔοÊÓƵ aids students with job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing and interview preparation. ×ÔοÊÓƵ also hosts job fairs and other networking events to help students connect with potential employers. Additionally, many of ×ÔοÊÓƵ’s alumni have found success in a wide range of careers and the university has a strong network of ministry connections that students can leverage for career opportunities.
- Describe the courses in the Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership degree program.
The Ministry Leadership program at Columbia International University offers a wide range of practical courses that are designed to prepare students for real-world ministry experiences. Courses cover topics such as Bible interpretation and communication, teaching and discipleship, leadership and administration, spiritual formation, and ministry to different generations in diverse cultural contexts.
- What is the job outlook for Ministry Studies majors?
The job outlook for Ministry Studies majors is very positive. The faculty at Columbia International University regularly receive requests for open positions from churches and organizations seeking qualified candidates for ministry roles. In fact, the demand for our graduates is often greater than the number of graduates available to fill those positions, highlighting the importance and value of this program.
- Can I get a ministry position with only a bachelor’s degree, or will I need additional education?
Many churches and organizations offer positions to students right after graduation. While additional education, such as a master’s degree, may be helpful for career advancement, it is not always necessary for entry-level ministry positions. The practical experience and theological foundation provided by the Ministry Leadership program at Columbia International University prepare graduates for success in a variety of ministry roles.
- Can I pursue advanced degrees after completing the Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership program?
Yes, graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership program may choose to pursue advanced degrees to further advance their Bible knowledge and ministry skills. ×ÔοÊÓƵ offers Master’s or Master of Divinity degrees in Bible Exposition, Care and Counseling, Chaplaincy, Intercultural Studies, Ministry Studies, Theological Studies, and more.
- What can you tell me about your faculty?
Our instructors come from a variety of backgrounds and have ministered in a variety of different settings, positions and denominations.
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