Academic Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


B.C.M. Co-vocational Min with Second Major degree

Co-vocational Ministry with Second Major, B.C.M.



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In the twenty-first century, many ministers encounter the need to be “tent-makers” like the Apostle Paul. The co-vocational ministry major helps the student called to serve in smaller congregations, specialized ministries, or lower socio-economic settings by providing a secondary skill base to enhance personal finances while serving in these settings. The secondary skill set is developed through completion of a either a second undergraduate major outside the School of Christian Studies or the completion of a specialization in one of the following fields: exercise and sport science (grades EC-12), general business, middle school language arts (grades 4-8), middle school mathematics (grades 4-8), middle school science (grades 4-8), middle school social studies (grades 4-8), or personal training.

Bachelor of Christian Ministry Degree Specific General Education Core Course Requirements - 44 hrs


The Bachelor of Christian Ministry Degree (B.C.M.) is a minimum 124-credit hour degree designed to afford both academic and professional depth for individuals who express a call to ministry. The degree integrates university degree requirements with appropriate experience. A minimum of 36 credit hours must be upper-level credit (courses numbered 3000 and above). Components of the Bachelor of Christian Ministry degree include:

Academic Major


Students seeking the B.C.M. degree will complete the appropriate major requirements as outlined in the School of Christian Studies section.

Professional Development


The Professional Development component of the B.C.M. consists of 36 credit hours selected to provide depth or breadth to the major and to provide substantive developmental knowledge for the student’s career or personal goals. Depth and breadth can be met through a major, a specialization, a minor, or ministry-related courses. Student completing Christian ministry or theological studies majors will complete a minor or second major as a portion of the professional development hours unless the student enters the university with substantial ministry-related transfer credit, as determined by the dean of the School of Christian Studies, or they are accepted into an accelerated program that does not require a minor. Students in the co-vocational ministry major will complete a second major or a specialization as part of a composite major in lieu of a separate professional development component. Co-vocational ministry specializations may require additional hours beyond the 36 credit hours, in which case hours will be reduced from the electives block or added to the degree. Students not pursuing a minor or second major must ensure all upper-level academic and cumulative hours are met for the degree.

Up to 12 credit hours of experiential professional development may satisfy this requirement. Experiential learning must be evaluated and approved by the university. Students who have work experience in full-time, part-time or co-vocational ministry positions may have the work experience evaluated if the ministry position is a paid staff position with formal job requirements. Practicums and internships may be placed in this area if they do not relate to the major.

Electives


Students may complete the minimum of 124 credit hours required for the degree with courses which complement or extend career preparation or pursue subject fields which hold special appeal. However, before using elective credit hours, students should check with their advisor to ensure that the hours are indeed elective and that upper-level credit hour requirements for graduation are being met.

Co-vocational Ministry - 36 hrs


The co-vocational ministry major requires a minimum of 36 credit hours from the following courses:

Christian Studies Common Core - 18 hrs


The School of Christian Studies seeks a holistic approach to ministerial training, preparing the head (knowledge), the heart (devotion), and the hands (service). This holistic approach begins with a common core for all Christian Studies majors.

Second Major


The secondary skill set is developed through completion of a either a second undergraduate major outside the School of Christian Studies.  See the Academic Programs Profile  for a complete list of major options.

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