Ministry Leadership, B.A.
Program Coordinator: James D. Dalton, Ed.D.
Program Overview
The primary focus of the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership program is to meet the educational needs of students who are presently working in various types of ministry organizations. The ideal candidate for this type of program is the individual who has already completed college-level coursework and is interested in satisfying the requirements for a baccalaureate degree. This course of study provides students with an opportunity to explore ministry leadership careers in various ministry organizations or advance their current positions within that system. It allows individuals who have completed the prerequisite number of college-level credit hours to take courses online and ultimately obtain the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership degree.
Program Objectives
The Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership program encourages the development of the whole person through a curriculum that integrates cognitive, social, and interpersonal skills; values and ethics clarification; and spiritual and physical growth. Within the major, certain required courses form the background of skills and information the student needs to succeed. Its curriculum seeks to encourage the student to achieve the following program objectives:
- demonstrate a foundation of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed in a ministry leadership position or to enter into graduate school;
- demonstrate understanding of the framework under which ministry leadership in various organizations operates, and embrace the opportunity to lead the organization in achieving its goals;
- become critical thinkers who can articulate—in both oral and written form—a comprehensive knowledge of ministry leadership issues, particularly from a Christian perspective and framework;
- articulate relevant and critical questions concerning ministry leadership, and meaningfully address such issues from a variety of perspectives;
- demonstrate comprehension of relevant theories, best practices, and structures, and practically apply such knowledge to contemporary ministry leadership issues;
- understand the ethical implications of leading, and prepare to act with honesty and integrity as ministry leaders who will become agents of positive change in organizations.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership program are selected on the basis of their academic background and professional experience. Admission requirements include the following:
- submission of official transcripts of all previous college or university courses completed to date;
- completion of at least 56 transferable credit hours from a regionally-accredited institution(s) of higher learning with a grade of C- or better for each course;
- an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) for all previous college or university coursework completed to date (an applicant with a GPA less than 2.00 may apply for probationary admittance);
- completion of an online application and Registration Agreement Form.
Applicants from countries and US territories in which English is not the primary language must also provide recent evidence of proficiency in English by scoring 80 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL with subscores in writing, reading, speaking and listening of at least 20; or scoring 550 or above on the written TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with subscores in writing and reading of at least 50. All tests of English proficiency must have been taken in the last two years to be considered for acceptance.
College-level courses from regionally-accredited institutions will be evaluated for transfer credit; credit is granted only if applicable grades were obtained. Equivalence of course content and transfer credit is determined by the GPS Ministry Leadership Program Coordinator.
Total Credit Hours: 40
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership program are also eligible to complete specializations that are offered as part of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Options include specializations in Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, and Marketing.
Graduation Requirements
The student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours (with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00) including:
- Successful completion of the GPS General Education Core (39 hours):
- 15 credit hours in Arts and Humanities (Minimum of 3 credit hours in an English composition course with a research writing component; minimum of 3 credit hours in Bible/Theology)
- 15 credit hours in Natural and Social Sciences, and Mathematics (Minimum of 3 credit hours in Mathematics; minimum of 3 credit hours in Social Science; and minimum of 3 credit hours in Natural Science with laboratory)
- 9 credit hours in Liberal Arts electives
- Completion of at least 39 credit hours of upper division course work (3000 level or higher);
- Successful completion of either the 40-credit hour or 55-credit hour Bachelor of Business Administration curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. A student who receives a grade below "C-" in any Business Administration course will be required to repeat that course until a grade of "C-" or better is earned. All repeated coursework to replace grades of D+, D, F, W, or X is at the student's expense.