Academic Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Accelerated B.C.M. Christian Ministry + M.Div. (3+2)


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Wayland Baptist University’s accelerated programs allow high-achieving, motivated students the opportunity to combine undergraduate and graduate coursework in an academically rigorous yet efficient, cost-effective program of study. The School of Christian Studies accelerated programs reduce time in school through an integrated curriculum that avoids duplicated courses, maximizing academic coursework and experiential learning opportunities. Each program, undergraduate and graduate, maintains distinctive requirements students must meet to participate in the accelerated program. Undergraduate students must apply and be admitted to an accelerated program.

The B.C.M. in Christian Ministry + M.Div. (3+2) is an accelerated 161-hour program that allows student to complete both degrees in as few as five years.

To remain in good standing for accelerated program:

  • Student must make C or better in all major coursework in the B.C.M. degree
  • Student must maintain a 2.5 overall GPA in first sixty hours of the B.C.M. degree
  • Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in last sixty hours of the B.C.M. degree
  • Student must earn C or better in the 35 hours of cross-listed graduate courses

B.C.M. Christian Ministry


The Christian ministry major focuses the student’s ministerial training on cultivation of leadership skills, understanding of the various ministries of the church, acquisition of basic skills in conflict resolution and pastoral counseling, and effective teaching of biblical and discipleship concepts.

Bachelor of Christian Ministry Degree Requirements


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).

No additional degree specific general education courses are required for this degree. Students pursuing the B.C.M. degree will complete the Unified General Education Core requirements.

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.

Christian Ministry - 36 hrs


The Christian ministry major requires a minimum of 36 credit hours from the following courses, of which 11 hours will be cross-listed for M.Div.:

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.

Christian Ministry - 18 hrs


Master of Divinity


The Master of Divinity is the standard professional degree for individuals entering Christian ministry. For a variety of reasons, however, many individuals find themselves actively engaged in ministry and unable to relocate to a school providing the M.Div. The School of Christian Studies offers a Master of Divinity program that can be completed fully online or through a combination of face-to-face classes at one of Wayland’s many campuses.

The program prepares the student for effective ministry in the twenty-first century, whether serving in the church, on the mission field, in a denominational institution, or through a parachurch organization. The program seeks to prepare the entire person for service in the kingdom of God, by connecting the intellectual disciplines with practical training and spiritual development. The program includes optional specializations in African American Church Leadership and Hispanic Church Leadership.

Core Classes - 51-57 hrs


Spiritual Formation - 10 hrs


Biblical Foundations - 12-18 hrs


Electives - 15-21 hrs


Students in the non-language track must complete 21 hours of electives. Students in the biblical languages track must complete 15 hours of electives.

African American Church Leadership Specialization


Wayland Baptist University affirms the significance of the institution known as the African American church and has committed itself to the preparation of church leaders with the knowledge and skills for effective ministry in and with the African American church. Wayland’s African American Church Leadership program seeks to broaden the student’s understanding of African American religious experiences as well as prepare for leadership in the African American church by exploring courses in pastoral care, pastoral leadership, urban ministry and an historical/theological understanding of the Black Church.

Graduates of the Master of Divinity with African American Church Leadership specialization gain skills necessary to 1) engage cultural exegesis; 2) provide pastoral care in the African American Church context; 3) provide pastoral leadership in the African American Church context; 4) bridge the historical and contemporary Black Church; 5) conduct research in and develop ministerial strategies for African American church leadership.

Students seeking a specialization in African American Church Leadership will complete the following courses:

Hispanic Church Leadership Specialization


Wayland Baptist University affirms the significance of the institution known as the Hispanic-Latinx church and has committed itself to the preparation of church leaders with the knowledge and skills for effective ministry in and with the Hispanic church. Wayland’s Hispanic Church Leadership program seeks to broaden the student’s understanding of Hispanic-Latinx religious experiences as well as prepare for leadership in the Hispanic-Latinx Church by exploring courses in pastoral care, pastoral leadership, urban ministry and an historical/theological understanding of the Hispanic-Latinx Church.

Graduates of the Master of Divinity with Hispanic Church Leadership specialization gain skills necessary to 1) engage cultural exegesis; 2) provide pastoral care in the Hispanic-Latinx Church context; 3) provide pastoral leadership in the Hispanic-Latinx Church context; 4) bridge the historical and contemporary Hispanic-Latinx Church; 5) conduct research in and develop ministerial strategies for Hispanic-Latinx church leadership.

Students seeking a specialization in Hispanic Church Leadership will complete the following courses:

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