General Ministries - Degree Completion Program

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Overview

Visit the Degree Completion Program (DCP) Website.

The Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE) is a three-year professional degree designed to prepare students for ministry in churches, parachurch organizations, or missions. This is an excellent degree for those already in ministry or for those planning to become involved in ministry.

The Degree Completion Program (DCP) is a nontraditional program specifically designed for adults who want to complete a Bachelor of Religious Education degree but who are unable to attend traditional semester education programs.

The DCP provides for the completion of a BRE degree with a focus in General Ministry. The DCP is designed to serve adults interested in a study of the Bible, doctrine and ministry skill courses with the intent of becoming more effective Christians in ministry and in the work place.

The DCP makes full-time undergraduate education possible for busy adults because of its unique design. After the student transfers 30 - 42 credit hours into the program, there are 16 courses offered in a modular format over a 24-month period. Most modules consist of one four-hour evening class per week for either 5 weeks supplemented by 14 - 18 hours of guided independent study per week. This format gives essentially the same time involvement as a traditional schedule.

Program participants enter a cohort learning community of 15 - 25 students. Students will benefit from the experiences of fellow learners as the cohort moves through the program together with students offering each other encouragement and support. The program's goal is to integrate Christian faith, learning and living in a meaningful and practical way.

Learning culminates in the undertaking of a Directed Research Project in the student's individual area of interest. Completion of the project is assisted by classroom instruction and individual advising by the Program Director.

Specific Entrance Requirements

1. Applicants must be 25 years or older.

2. Applicants must have completed at least one year of accredited transferable university or college credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above.

3. Applicants must have served two or more years in a local church or parachurch ministry in some lay or professional ministry.