PURPOSE

The Liberal Studies degree program is designed to provide a flexible program of study in the liberal arts for non-traditional students to successfully complete an undergraduate degree. Through an interdisciplinary approach to learning based on biblical principles, students will gain insight and knowledge of the modern world, thereby enabling them to confront new and increasingly complex societal issues.

This degree completion program aims to provide a rich educational experience through coursework in a broad range of academic disciplines. The student is provided a breadth of academic experience, as well as depth in a single field. Areas of emphasis include Communications, Human Services, Liberal Arts, Management and Leadership, and Religion.

STUDENT   LEARNING   OUTCOMES

• Demonstrate understanding of such issues as self, society, and nature, through application of specific knowledge in the selected area of emphasis, as well as broad knowledge of multiple disciplines.
• Develop strategies for securing opportunities in which to apply relevant skills.
• Demonstrate the capability to utilize proficient and appropriate written, oral, and technology-based communication skills.
• Enhance relational skills through the understanding of group and individual interaction.
• Demonstrate the capacity to draw conclusions and form inferences using critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis strategies.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize and understand diverse points of view in the context of their own worldview.

DEGREE   CHECKLIST

• Liberal Studies (degree completion program) (BA, BS)  

PURPOSE

This Bible & Theology degree program is specifically tailored for those involved in Christian ministry in both clergy and lay roles at any level. It is designed to deliver general, biblical, theological, and practical training to those persons currently active in or entering the Christian Ministry and non-church vocations. It is also designed to address the needs of bi-vocational ministers and those who have adopted non-church related professions as places of ministry. This purpose embraces the commitment to adequately prepare students for graduate study as well.

STUDENT   LEARNING   OUTCOMES

• Articulate knowledge of the basic texts & tenets of the Christian faith.
• Practice disciplines (e.g. Bible reading, meditation, prayer) that foster spiritual maturity.
• Identify spiritual and natural gifts related to Christian Ministry.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Bible.
• Articulate a clear knowledge of biblical and theological principles.
• Understand the relationship between faith and the study of Christian theology.
• Demonstrate hermeneutical expertise in the interpretation of the Scriptures.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Christian doctrine.
• Reflect on the integration of theory and practice in Christian ministry.
• Utilize basic critical methodologies in Biblical studies.
• Demonstrate the ability to think, discuss, and write in a critical manner.
• Demonstrate the ability to research using primary and secondary sources in the field.

DEGREE   CHECKLIST

• Bible and Theology (BA, BS)

PURPOSE

The Christian Studies degree program is designed for Christians seeking to develop a broad foundation of biblical understanding and training for personal development and/or specific ministries, e.g. ministry to children or youth, or selected denominational ministries. Students will learn to study the Bible, using accepted hermeneutical principles, apply biblical principles to daily life and ministry, explain Christian truths, and share the Christian faith with others.

STUDENT   LEARNING   OUTCOMES

• Articulate knowledge of the basic texts & tenets of the Christian faith.
• Collect, analyze, organize and evaluate information on a broad range of topics from a wide range of sources on theological and selected ministry issues.
• Utilize inductive study method in analysis of biblical passages.
• Demonstrate awareness of tenets of the Christian heritage/faith.
• Explore questions and solve problems related to Christian life and doctrine.
• Evaluate relationship of Christian study emphases to selected disciplines of study.
• Encourage active involvement in the Christian faith, expressed in practical ministry/service.
• Apply healthy Christian ethical principles to situations in daily life.

DEGREE   CHECKLIST

• Christian Studies (BA, BS)

PURPOSE

The Ministry Leadership Degree Program is designed for adult learners who desire preparation for involvement in church ministry in both clergy and lay roles. These individuals will be equipped to explore and develop their leadership potential based on biblical principles in a variety of Christian ministry settings. Fostering an active faith, providing for Spiritual, intellectual and personal formation, and emphasizing mission to communities and the world constitute the focus of this degree track. This program will also provide the appropriate training (academically and practically) for enhanced personal Christian service. Areas of emphasis include Church Administration, Counseling, Discipleship, Music and Worship, Pastoral Ministry, and Youth Ministries.

STUDENT   LEARNING   OUTCOMES

• Identify and understand one's own leadership strengths and Spiritual giftedness.
• Articulate a developed knowledge of the biblical and theological basis for leadership.
• Develop and evaluate a personal leadership style that is consistent with Christian theology and ethics and acknowledges and respects all persons regardless of social, cultural, ethnic or economic status.
• Develop leadership skills necessary to relate to the changing face of the contemporary Christian church.
• Demonstrate leadership skills through the understanding of group and individual interaction.
• Evaluate resources for training Christian leaders within their own ministry context.
• Formulate strategies to lead Christians to apply leadership skills in their life context.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of effective ministry leadership principles in the various disciplines of church administration, counseling, discipleship, music and worship, pastoral ministry, and youth ministry.
• Demonstrate through adequate completion of field related experiences, a foundational knowledge of leadership principles and theories as they apply to the various disciplines in the program.

DEGREE   CHECKLIST

• Church Administration (BS, BA)
• Discipleship (BS, BA)
• Counseling (BS, BA)
• Pastoral Ministry (BS, BA)
• Youth Ministries (BS, BA)
• Music and Worship (BS, BA)

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Christian Ministry degree program as offered by the Lee University Division of Adult Learning Charlotte Center is to deliver general, biblical, theological, and practical training to those persons currently active in or entering the Christian Ministry and non-church vocations. This purpose embraces the commitment to adequately prepare students for graduate study as well. Areas of emphasis include Bible, Christian Education, Pastoral, Theology, and Counseling.

STUDENT   LEARNING   OUTCOMES

• Articulate an understanding of the call to vocational ministry.
• Practice disciplines (e.g. Bible reading, meditation, prayer) that foster spiritual maturity.
• Identify spiritual and natural gifts related to doing Christian Ministry.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of their area of special emphasis.
• Articulate the relationship between faith and the study of Christian theology.
• Demonstrate hermeneutical expertise in the interpretation of the Scriptures.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Christian doctrine.
• Utilize basic critical methodologies in biblical studies.
• Reflect on the integration of theory and practice in pastoral ministry.
• Demonstrate the ability to think, discuss, and write in a critical manner.
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Bible.
• Describe major elements of the Evangelical Pentecostal movement.
• Demonstrate the ability to research using primary and secondary sources in the field.

Purpose   and   Philosophy

The primary purpose of the M.A. in Ministry Studies is to provide training for ministers in light of a growing consensus that ministers in the twenty-first century need more training to be effective in vocational ministry. The program utilizes a modular format that will allow full-time church staff members to complete the program with little interruption in their ministerial duties. The scope of the program will allow both clergy and lay members to complete a graduate degree in ministerial studies which will positively affect their practice of ministry. The degree prepares students in the foundational theory and praxis of ministry as well as in the social and psychological contexts of the people to whom they will minister. Interdisciplinary in nature, this program offers children’s pastors, youth pastors, pastors, associate pastors and worship pastors the foundations and skills of ministry. The program offers a core of 18 hours of general ministry courses and three emphases for specialization: Leadership Studies, Worship Studies and Youth and Family Ministry Studies.




Goals

The overall goal of the program is to provide advanced understanding of ministry issues in order to prepare men and women seeking to fulfill their calling to vocational ministry in both church and para-church settings.




STUDENT   LEARNING   OUTCOMES

Students completing the M.A. in Ministry Studies will be able to:

• Articulate a basic theological and biblical framework to address issues related to ministry in contemporary contexts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of theories, methods and models from various disciplinary perspectives, (e.g. social sciences, worship arts) for application in ministry settings.
• Implement practical skills for ministry within contemporary and social contexts.
• Exhibit the characteristics and practices of a spiritually mature and ethical minister.




Emphases within the program will attain the following goals:

• Leadership: The leadership studies track will outline key elements in leading organizations; develop a basic knowledge of leadership; acquaint students with a development model for equipping and training followers; focus on the minister’s personal life (e.g., value systems, morals, ethics) as it relates to leadership; and on leading through motivation, communication and conflict leadership (which includes conflict management and resolution).
• Worship: The goal of the courses in worship studies is to introduce the student to the historical, theological, and current importance and use of music and the arts in Christian worship.
• Youth/Family: The youth and family studies emphasis enables men and women to minister effectively to children, youth and families in contemporary culture, via exploration of the biblical and theological foundations of ministry, the foundational theories and praxis of ministry, and the social and psychological contexts of the people to whom they will minister.