Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership

Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership

Our Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership degree is designed to prepare students to be ministry leaders in a local church and other related settings. The graduates of the Church Leadership major will be equipped to carry out their leadership role in a local congregation. 
The degree is offered online with some face-to-face opportunities for learning, networking, and hands-on experience. All of Jakes Divinity School students will have face-to-face residency opportunities twice a year. The first is during the International Leadership Summit each spring of a given degree program. Students will arrive on site of the summit the Sunday evening prior and remain for a week until the end of the summit. The second residency will likely take place in Dallas, TX, at Jakes Divinity School in the fall of each year. 
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Students who complete the Church Leadership degree will be prepared to be ministry leaders in a local church and other related settings. The following elements will aid graduates of the Church Leadership major in carrying out their leadership role in a local congregation. They will:

  • Understand historic and contemporary theology
  • Study the Bible and effectively practice and communicate its truths in today’s world
  • Understand the operation, administration and organization of the local church, including the unique role of the lead pastor
  • Know and practice the mission of the Church
  • Be aware of the legal aspects of pastoral ministry
  • Practice personal spiritual formation in regards to character and responsibility

Graduates will have gained pastoral skills including:

  • Preaching and teaching
  • People skills and interpersonal relationships
  • Project and goal management for a ministry or organization
  • A sincere desire and the ability to help and minister to all people of any age, socioeconomic background, cultural or ethnic group, etc.
  • Evangelism and discipleship
  • Pastoral care and counseling
  • Special services and their biblical background including communion, baptism, funerals, weddings, baby dedications, installation of officers
  • Maintaining a meaningful devotional life
  • Maintaining a healthy personal and family life
  • Serving as a model of consistent Christian character and lifestylePossessing financial and other management skills

General Education and Christian Studies Core – 47 Credit Hours

  • Old Testament History and Literature – BIBL 126 (3 credits)
  • New Testament History and Literature – BIBL 127 (3)
  • Reading and Interpreting Scripture – BIBL 220 (3)
  • God and the Gospel – THEO 210 (3)
  • God and Religion – WTHE 220 (3) or God and Humanity – WTHE 230 (3)
  • Select any BIBL, THEO, or WTHE elective (3)
  • Rhetoric and Research – ENG 124 (3)
  • Select any ENG elective – ENG *** (3)
  • General Psychology – PSYC 125 (3)
  • Introduction to Sociology – PSYC 126 (3)
  • Select any PSYC elective – PSCY ***

*Select 1 Math course and 1 Science course:

  • Applied Math and Personal Finance – MATH 110 (3)
  • Liberal Arts Math – MATH 115 (3)
  • College Algebra I – MATH 125 (3)
  • Statistics – MATH 260 (3)
  • Biology – SCI 114 (4)
  • Science, Technology, and Society – SCI 280 (3)
  • Select any MATH or SCI elective – MATH *** / SCI ***
  • History of Global Christianity – HIST 212 (3)
  • World History – HIST 240 (3)
  • Select any HIST elective – HIST ***
  • Global Perspectives – ICS 111 (3)
  • Cultural Anthropology – ICS 112 (3)
  • Select any ICS elective – ICS ***
  • Visions of the Good: Ethics and Worldview – CT 213 (3)
  • Select any CT elective – CT ***
  • Music Appreciation – FA 112 (3)
  • Film Appreciation – FA 131 (3)
  • Select any FA elective – FA ***

Church Leadership Core & Electives

  • Pentecostal Distinctives – THEO 240 (3)
  • Church Administration – PMIN 340 (3) or Non-Profit Administration – BUS 281 (3)
  • The Spirit and the Church – THEO 360 (3)
  • Any OT Bible course – BIBL *** (3)
  • Any NT Bible course – BIBL *** (3)
  • Personal Formation and the Spiritual Leader – PMIN 231 (3)
  • Homiletics I – PMIN 252 (3)
  • Pastoral Theology – PMIN 378 (3)
  • Church Leadership Mentoring – PMIN 205 (4) [1 credit course taken each of first 4 semesters]
  • Bible Lands Seminar (3) or Elective (BIBL, PMIN, THEO)
  • Internship I – PMIN 491 (3)
  • Internship II – PMIN 492 (3)
  • Senior Project – PMIN 495 (3)

*Select from the options below. (At least 15 credits must be at an upper-level, 300+)

  • Biblical Principles of Evangelism – PMIN 222 (3)
  • Youth and Children’s Studies – PMIN 250 (3)
  • Conflict Resolution and Negotiation – PMIN 330 (3)
  • Homiletics II – PMIN 352 (3)
  • Discipleship and Mentoring – PMIN 348 (3)
  • Topics in Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Issues – PMIN 430 (3)
  • Pastoral Care of Families – PMIN 432 (3)
  • Contemporary Pastoral Techniques – PMIN 443 (3)
  • Children and Youth in Crisis – ICS 385 (3)
  • Any PMIN elective – PMIN ***

*Select from any courses offered.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS = 124

NOTE: Degree requirements subject to change.

Cost

  • $500 per credit hour
  • Technology and Program Fee: $400 per semester
Powered by North Central University

The degree is offered online with some face-to-face opportunities for learning, networking, and hands-on experience. All of Jakes Divinity School students will have face-to-face residency opportunities twice a year. The first is during the International Leadership Summit each spring of a given degree program. Students will arrive on site of the summit the Sunday evening prior and remain for a week until the end of the summit. The second residency will likely take place in Dallas, TX, at Jakes Divinity School in the fall of each year.

PLEASE NOTE: We are currently accepting students from all 50 states in all programs powered by North Central University

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Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership FAQs

The Bachelor of Science in Church Leadership degree program at Jakes Divinity School is powered by North Central University. Students who complete the Church Leadership degree will be prepared to be ministry leaders in a local church and other related settings. The graduates of the Church Leadership major will be equipped to carry out their leadership role in a local congregation.

Graduates Become:

  • Ministers or pastors
  • Non-profit organization managers
  • Pastoral care and counseling workers
  • Ministry organizers and planners
  •  Ministry workers

The admissions application fee is currently waived.

Applicants will need a high school diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.2.  If the applicant has a low or no GPA, then an essay is required.

  • $500 per credit hour
  • Technology and Program Fee: $400 per semester

This degree is offered in an online hybrid format with opportunities for face-to-face residencies twice a year and live video conferencing.

Each of our semesters are 16 weeks total with 8-week sessions.
Students are also encouraged to participate in two residencies per year – the International Leadership Summit and the JDS Symposium.

The program is 124 credits which should take approximately 4 years.

JDS/NCU will consider credit hours from other accredited institutions for transfer. Official transcripts must be sent and evaluated for credit transfers.

Yes. Please refer to the financial registration deadline and academic registration dates made available through your JDS Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator.

Yes. You have the option of applying for federal loans, grants and/or scholarships.

Federal guidelines generally require students to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units/semester hours to use federal financial aid. Students are not eligible to use federal financial aid (FAFSA) if starting in Module 3 of any semester. If starting in Module 3, students will only be enrolled in 3 units (1 course). Students can still be admitted for Module 3 of a semester and pay out of pocket for tuition.

Complete a FAFSA application and use School Code: 002369 North Central University.
North Central University (NCU)
910 Elliot Ave Minneapolis, MN 55404
School Code: 002369

Click here to complete a Spanish FAFSA application.

Yes. However, there is no federal financial aid available or institutional scholarships for international students. Contact your Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator for details on the admissions process for international students.

  • Official high school and college transcripts
    • All official transcripts should be submitted as follows:
      • Physical transcripts can be sent to the address below and must be in a sealed envelope from the school remitting the transcript to be accepted:
        North Central University
        Attn: NCU Admissions 
        910 Elliot Ave.
        Minneapolis, MN 55404
      • Electronic transcripts can be sent to: admissions@northcentral.edu (must be sent from a third-party Safe Sender, such as eScrip or Parchment to be accepted).
    • Complete admissions interview (This will be scheduled with you by an Enrollment and Student Services Coordinator once you have completed the other steps.)
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Write a detailed statement of purpose that describes how your chosen degree program aligns with your vocational aspirations and is related to your Christian faith.
    • Statement must be a minimum of 250 words, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font.
    • Please email your completed statement of purpose (in Word document or pdf format) to aolds@jakesdivinity.org with the subject “JDS Statement of Purpose – (Your first and last name here)”.

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