Associate of Arts in Ministry
Associate of Arts in Ministry
The Associate of Arts in Ministry program is designed to prepare leaders with no prior theological training to provide pastoral leadership for a congregation. It prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can be used as a route to ordained ministry. This 60-credit program provides a general overview of theology and skills for congregational and other ministry contexts.
Program Overview
Zero Student Debt
Our goal is for every student to graduate with no debt. Our donor-sponsored financial assistance makes that possible.
Total: $0.00
Tuition
$400 per Credit Hour
*Tuition cost is subject to change. Additional costs may apply.
Total: $24,000
Requirements
Broad-based, foundational course of study for high school graduates who want to pursue undergrad-level studies in ministry, or are preparing for ordained ministry.
Total: 60 Credits
Expected Timeline
Full-time students can finish this degree in 2 years and part-time students can take up to 3 years.
Total: 2-3 Years
*Additional costs may apply. (Application fee, books, costs associated with researching and producing the independent projects or the final project or thesis, etc.) are also the responsibility of the participant.
Course of Study
This program consists of courses in areas of biblical theology, historical and systematic theology, ethics, philosophy and religion, and ministry training. Students who choose a concentration can choose to focus on Bible, Ministry Practice, or Theology. No travel is required for this program, though students may choose to participate in week-long onsite courses.
| Course Requirements | Credit Hours |
| General Studies: A Total of 15 Credits from the Following Subjects: | |
| Communications | 6 Credits |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 Credits |
| Natural Science/Mathematics | 3 Credits |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 Credits |
| Ministry Major: A Total of 45 Credits from the Following: | |
| Biblical Theology (BT) | 9 Credits |
| Philosophical and Theological Ethics (PTE) | 3 Credits |
| Historical and Systematic Theology (HST) | 18 Credits |
| Pastoral Theology (PT) | 15 Credits |
| Total | 60 Credits |
*All work must be in the student’s field of study.
General Studies (15 Credits)
Communications (6 Credits):
- COM 101: Academic Research & Writing
- COM 102: Introduction to Communications
Humanities/Fine Arts (3 Credits):
One (1) Course in Humanities/Fine Arts:
- CLS 111-2: Latin I, II
- CLS 121-2: Classical Greek I, II
- BT 201-3: Biblical Greek I, II, III
- BT 211-2: Biblical Hebrew I, II
- PHL 101-2: Logic I, II
- LIT 201-2: World Literature I, II
- HIS 211-2: History of Western Civilization I, II
- PHL 210-1: Intro to Western Philosophy I, II
- PHL 221: Intro to Eastern Philosophy
- REL 231: Intro to World Religions
Natural Science/Mathematics (3 Credits):
- MTH 131: Foundations of Mathematics
Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits):
One (1) Course in Social/Behavioral Sciences:
- PSY 261: Intro to Psychology
- SOC 251: Cultural Anthropology
- SOC 271: Intro to Sociology
- SOC 281: Intro to Political Science/Civics
Ministry Major (45 Credits)
Biblical Theology (BT) (9 Credits):
- BT 221: Principles of Biblical Interpretation
- BT 311: Old Testament Theology and History
- BT 321: New Testament Theology and History
Philosophical Theology and Theological Ethics (PTE) (3 Credits):
- PTE 241: Christian Apologetics
Historical and Systematic Theology (HST) (18 Credits):
- HST 301: History of the Early Christian Church
- HST 302: History of the Medieval and Reformation Christian Church
- HST 303: History of the Post-Reformation Christian Church
- HST 201: Systematic Theology
- HST 321: Luther and His Catechisms
- HST 331: Lutheran Reformers and the Book of Concord
Pastoral Theology (PT) (15 Credits):
- PT 312: Music in Worship
- PT 401: Pastoral Theology and Care
- PT 402: Pastoral Care II
- PT 411: Lutheran Worship
- PT 421: Proclaiming God’s Word
- PT: One Credit Elective
Total: 60 Credits
After completing this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of Scripture and theology, including exegetical skills and tools to discern God’s Word as law and gospel.
- Gain pastoral experience in the congregational setting.
- Display basic competencies in preaching, worship and pastoral care.
- Appropriate a theology appropriate to the pastoral office.
- Completion of online application form.
- Proof of completion of secondary education and transcripts from any post-secondary schools.
- A letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher or mentor.
- Entrance writing evaluation.
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that is not more than two years old. Normally, minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 21 on the speaking section and 21 on the writing section. Minimum acceptable scores on the IELTS are 6.5 on the speaking section and 6.5 on the writing section. Please request that your score be sent to ILT. ILT’s DI Code for the TOEFL is 5745. More information concerning TOEFL can be accessed at the Education Testing Services website. Information regarding the IELTS can be found at their IELTS website.
- Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Copy of an official photo identification.
- Admissions interview with Director of Enrollment Services.
- Practicum: Students preparing to serve in congregation ministry are required to participate in a practicum during the first 30 credits of their program. This practicum will consist of working with a pastor in a local congregation for 5-10 hours a week. Practicum students will meet with the practicum coordinator twice a month (or at least once a month) throughout each semester until they have earned 30 credits or more.Internship: Students must be in a congregation or other ministry setting with opportunities to do practicums as assigned in Pastoral Theology classes. Students, congregations, mentor pastors and ILT operate under ILT’s Non-internship Learning-Service Agreement.
Students must also complete an internship. Students affiliate with a congregation as an intern, with an Internship Supervisor and Internship Committee, as described in the Contextual Education Handbook. Internship for the Master of Ministry Program consists of four modules, chosen by the student to fit his or her ministry goals.
Each module requires about 50 hours of work, including preparation, carrying out the work, reflection and evaluation. The internship modules are:
- Homiletics
- Teaching
- Worship
- Pastoral Care
- Music Ministry
- Outreach
- Diaconal Service
