Academic Catalog 2020-2021 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Certificate of Christian Ministry, C.O.C.M.


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Certificate of Christian Ministry


The Certificate of Christian Ministry (COCM) is a program of study designed to meet the needs of (1) lay church leaders who desire a deeper personal spiritual life, an increased knowledge of the Bible, and greater effectiveness in ministry; and (2) those who have sensed a call to Christian ministry, but for whatever reason, have been unable to engage in more traditional approaches to undergraduate/graduate theological education. Anyone who demonstrates reading and writing proficiency, regardless of educational background, may apply for admission to the Certificate program except those already enrolled in a degree program at Wayland Baptist University. Courses are offered in partnership with churches/ministries, through a variety of teaching venues. Students will receive from Wayland Baptist University a certificate of completion for each study unit successfully finished.

For additional information, contact the Director, Certificate of Christian Ministry, Wayland Baptist University - San Antonio, 11550 IH 35 North, San Antonio, TX 78233, (210) 826-7595.

Admission Policy


Anyone desiring to enroll in the Certificate of Christian Ministry program of study must complete an Application for Admission to be turned in to the local contact person or sent to Wayland Baptist University - San Antonio no later than two weeks prior to the first class period. A non-refundable, one-time application fee of $35 must accompany the application. Applications are available through local associational offices and through Wayland Baptist University - San Antonio.

Attendance Policy


Students enrolled in the Certificate of Christian Ministry study program are expected to make every effort to prepare adequately and to attend all class meetings. All absences must be explained to the satisfaction of the facilitator who will decide if the omitted work may be made up and, if so, how.

Any student who misses twenty-five percent or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings will receive a grade of “No Credit” for that course.

When a student reaches a number of absences considered by the facilitator to be excessive, the facilitator will so advise the student in order to encourage him/her to be present at each class meeting.

Financial Policies


The tuition is $100 for each course with payment due at the time of registration. This includes the price of the study materials and the right to attend the weekly facilitator-led discussion times. The materials become the permanent property of the student for his/her personal study and library. The student is not authorized, however, to copy or otherwise use or distribute the materials in anyway without the express written permission of both the writer and the Certificate of Christian Ministry office at Wayland Baptist University - San Antonio.

In the event a student must drop the course, a refund of the $100 is available on the following basis:

  1. a full refund of the $100 tuition per course will be made when the student drops the course during the first week of study, i.e., before the second meeting of the Facilitator-led discussion time. Furthermore, the textbook must be returned in such condition that another student can use it or a $15 fee will be charged.
  2. a refund of $65 will be made when the student drops the course during the second week of study, i.e., before the third meeting of the Facilitator-led discussion time. Again, the textbook must be returned in such condition that another student can use it or a $15 fee will be charged.
  3. a refund of $35 will be made when the student drops the course during the third week of study, i.e., before the fourth meeting of the facilitator-led discussion time. Again, the textbook must be returned in such condition that another student can use it or a $15 fee will be charged.
  4. no other refunds are available.

No scholarships for this program of study are available through Wayland Baptist University. Local churches, associations, or ministry partners may provide scholarships and prospective students may contact them to ask them about scholarships.

Grading Policy


Grading follows the standards of the university policy for “Credit (CR)/No Credit (NCR)” grades as outlined in the undergraduate academic policy section of the catalog.

Certificate of Christian Ministry Study Units:


The Certificate of Christian Ministry program offers the following study units: Understanding the Old Testament, Understanding the New Testament, Christian Faith & Practice, Christian Leadership, Heritage & Witness, Pastoral Ministry, Educational Ministry, and Family Ministry. Students completing a unit of study will receive a certificate of completion, a minimum of three courses is required for unit completion. Certificates of completion are not the equivalent of diplomas.

A guided study format is used with these courses. Each course has a textbook written in a guided study instruction style that is designed for the student to spend more time in personal preparation and less time in class. Each study guide is composed of ten to twelve chapters, subdivided into three or four sections per chapter. The students will spend approximately two or three hours in personal preparation prior to meeting with the facilitator for one-two hours each week over a typical eleven-week period. There will be both a mid-term and a final examination administered by the facilitator. There are no prerequisites for any of the courses and the successful completion of each course gives the student one credit toward completion of a designated study unit. A minimum of three credits is required for completion of a study unit and a certificate of completion.

Pastoral Ministry Unit


Family Ministry Unit


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