New Blended Program Offers Ministry Students a Five-Year B.S./M.A.
Indiana Wesleyan University’s School of Theology and Ministry has started a new program through which students studying to become pastoral leaders can receive a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years.
Graduates will have completed a B.S. or a B.A. in Christian ministries in the first three years, and a 62-credit M.A. in Christian ministries during the final two years. All classes will take place in the IWU School of Theology and Ministry.
The Kern Family Foundation initiated the idea, which is also happening at a number of other schools in differing forms. The Kern Program will offer 10 scholarships each year for students who fulfill the criteria. Non-scholarship students may also enter the program.
“Our students will be more hirable, they’ll be better trained and they’ll be more equipped than students who are going through a traditional ministry preparation program,” said Dr. Dave Ward, Associate Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry and director of the Kern Ministry Education Program at IWU.
The fifth year of the program is a 12-month residential internship at a church under the mentorship of a pastor specially chosen for the program.