We've made three changes to the Ambrose School of Ministry program structure that will streamline and enhance the education we offer. These changes align with our strengths as a school and help us meet the changing needs of Alliance and Nazarene churches. The changes also serve School of Ministry students by providing degrees that more clearly highlight how their theological training is complemented by relevant areas of expertise.
1) Emphasizing the theological nature of all ministry degrees
Because we want to ground all of our ministry training in solid theology, we have decided to preserve a single degree title, Bachelor of Theology, within the School of Ministry. (Previously we offered a slight variation in title Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Ministry.)
Students still have the same options they did under the old programs; they can choose to specialize in Biblical languages or to take a range of other courses that will augment their degree.
2) Organizing Arts & Science credits into areas of expertise
Churches increasingly want to hire pastors who have specialized skills. Under our new program structure, the Arts and Science credits required by the ABHE will be organized into two distinct Arts & Science minors that are relevant to the Ministry majors students have chosen.
For example, Youth Ministry students will complement their degrees with a Behavioral Science minor, while those planning to minister internationally will minor in Intercultural Ministry. Program requirements for minors vary, but every student will be able to choose at least one out of two relevant complements from the minors available in the Faculty of Arts and Science.
3) Relocating Worship Arts under the umbrella of Church Ministries
Lastly, All the Worship Arts electives have been relocated within the Church Ministry program. Students who want to become worship pastors will now take the Church Ministry degree, with all the same Worship Arts electives.
They will complement their theological training, as they have done in the past, with classes from the Music department, but they will now be able to declare a Music or a Theatre minor to highlight the artistic skills they have developed for ministry.
All three of these enhancements to our program structure will come into effect in Fall 2016.
"The immediate response of students to these changes has been very positive," says Dean of Theology Jo-Ann Badley, "and we are looking forward to how this new program structure will help us form effective leaders for service in the church and the world."
Review the new School of Ministry program structure here.
View program-specific planning guides:
