Associate of Arts in Leadership Studies (Pastoral Ministry concentration)
20 COURSES 2 YEARS | 60 CREDITS[UNITS]
ACADEMIC PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The Associate of Arts in Leadership Studies (AALS) is a two-year program designed to equip students to serve as effective Christian leaders in a variety of capacities, especially in Christian ministry. The AALS is a concise, well-balanced program in biblical and leadership studies ideal for students who may not be able to commit to a longer program.
It offers three concentration options: Pastoral Ministry, Christian Counseling, and Worship, Media & Creative Arts. All three have a core of Bible and theology courses, because Christian leadership involves not only having practical leadership skills, but also the biblical & theological knowledge necessary to live and to lead as a Christian.
Pastoral Ministry Concentration:
The Pastoral Ministry concentration of the AALS provides students with significant knowledge of the Bible, a sound interpretive approach to the Scriptures, and a biblically-based theology. The training and leadership skills gained in this concentration will equip students to serve and to and lead in a local church setting, a non-profit organization, a mission organization, or also in the marketplace.
INTERNSHIP
The AALS program includes an apprenticeship (Practicum/Internship) - which may be completed in a church or a marketplace setting, as well as at a non-profit, or a mission organization. This allows students to integrate their studies and to clarify their personal calling in a supervised setting, helping them to forge valuable relationships and to foster their growth as a practitioner
LEARNING COMMUNITY SETTING / COHORT OPTION
A practical and flexible classroom setting, as well as an online cohort option, is offered in order to accommodate leaders and working adults whose responsibilities and schedules do not permit enrollment in a traditional college degree program. The cohort model allows students to engage with professors and build community, resulting in a valuable and long-lasting support network.
AALS Program - 20 courses / 60 Credits[Units] Total
Pastoral Ministry
Christian Counseling
Worship, Media, & Creative Arts
AALS Main Program Segments:
Biblical/Theological Studies - 15 Credits
Ministry & Leadership Courses - 12 Credits
General Education - 15 Credits
Internships - 3 Credits, or 6 Credits
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SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Associate of Arts in Leadership Studies (Pastoral Ministry concentration)
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Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies (Pastoral Ministry concentration)
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Ph.D. in Organizational and Global Leadership with Missional Church Leadership
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Ph.D. in Organizational and Global Leadership with Coaching and Mentoring
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Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership
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Associate of Arts in Leadership Studies (Worship, Media & Creative Arts concentration)
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Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies (Worship, Media & Creative Arts concentration)
FULL AALS CURRICULUM
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES (PASTORAL MINISTRY CONCENTRATION) CURRICULUM
The course descriptions for the courses listed below may be found in the Academic Catalog.
Biblical/Theological Studies 15 Credits
BS 101 Bible Panorama (or, BS 104, NT Survey)
BS 102 Biblical Interpretation
BS 103 Old Testament Survey
BS 104 New Testament Survey
TH 211 Theological Foundations:
The Doctrines of God and Scripture
TH 313 Theological Foundations:
The Doctrines of Christ and Salvation
Ministry & Leadership Courses 12 Credits
Students may request to substitute a Pastoral Ministry
course for one of the following courses.
PT 101 Inner Healing and Prayer
PT 102 Essentials of Spiritual Formation*
PT 103 Communion with God*
*Students will normally take either PT 102 or PT 103.
PT 219 Evangelism and Discipleship
PT 245 Fundamentals of Christian Leadership**
PT 301 Organizational Leadership**
**Students will normally take either PT 245 or PT 301.
PT 345 Foundations of Preaching
CC 406 Holistic Healing and Spirituality
General Education 15 Credits
HS 325 Western History I (required)
GE 101 English Composition*
GE 104 Introduction to Sociology (required)
GE 221 Academic Writing*
GE 242 Health Studies (required)
* Students must take either GE 101 or GE 221;
students may take both. Students who take only one
of those two courses will take one of the following:
GE 216 Ethics and Worldview
GE 310 Digital Literacy Essentials
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Internships 3 Credits, or 6 Credits
ï‚· Students who have little or no ministry experience
need to take at least one internship course.
ï‚· They may choose to take a second internship course
in place of a Ministry & Leadership course.
ï‚· Students who have years of ministry experience do
not need to take an internship, and may take a different
course instead.
PM 301 Internship #1 (required)
PM 302 Internship #2 (optional)
Pastoral Ministry Concentration
15 Credits (choose 5 courses)
BS 115 Introduction to the Pentateuch
BS 204 Survey of the Gospels
BS 212 OT Historical Books
BS 217 The Acts of the Apostles
BS 314 Survey of the OT Major Prophets
BS 419 Introduction to the OT Wisdom Books
BS 427 Survey of the New Testament Epistles
BS 435 The Book of Revelation
MS 313 Theology and Practice of Mission
PT 456 Basics of Church Planting
WM 305 Worship in the Life of the Church
TH 422 Theological Foundations: The Holy Spirit.
HS 326 Western History II
CAREERS
The course curriculum develops students' core competencies for success in ministry and leadership. Possible careers include:
Ministry leadership (youth pastor, small group leader, Bible teacher, etc.)
Missions
Chaplaincy
Christian non-profit Organizations
Christian education
Program Learning Outcomes
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Students will have a significant knowledge of the Bible and have a meaningful introduction to Christian theology.
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Students will be able to share and explain the gospel.
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Students will understand the importance of personal spiritual disciplines & growth, as well as the importance of Christian character, and will be motivated to actively participate in Christian service or ministry.
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Students will be motivated to be, and have the skills to be, life-long learners.
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Students will be culturally sensitive, and will have acquired cross-cultural competence.
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Students will demonstrate meaningful practical skills in the area of their concentration (pastoral, counseling, or worship/media/arts).