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Discipleship Ministry Degree

Earn a degree in Christian ministry with an emphasis on discipleship ministry

If you have a heart for both ministry and teaching, SBU's Discipleship Ministry concentration with the Christian Ministry degree will equip you for a fulfilling career and service.

A unique combination of coursework and study in ministry, theology, education and psychology will equip you to effectively administrate a Christian education ministry for children, youth and adults.

The Discipleship Ministry program is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Resources

Major Map (PDF)

Degree Plan

100%
placement
rate

(Exit surveys reveal that students are employed or accepted to graduate school by the time of their graduation.)

The SBU Advantage

Completing an apprenticeship in church ministry will give you valuable, real-world experience prior to graduation.
Learn from highly qualified faculty, including Dr. Duke Jones who has more than 30 years of Christian education experience.

Faith Integration

The integration of Christian faith and academic discipline is inherent in the Discipleship Ministry degree program. Students receive superior academic training in Biblical studies through core classes such as Methods of Biblical Interpretation, Christian Heritage, Christian Doctrine, and Disciple-making and Evangelism. The courses required by each concentration provide excellent career and ministry preparation with the goal of nurturing your personal faith while also equipping you to nurture the faith of others.

Careers

After graduation, our Discipleship Ministry majors pursue a variety of ministry careers including:

Camp/Retreat Leader
Family Minister
Mission and Ministry Leader
Parachurch Leader

Graduate schools

Many graduates pursue further study at graduate schools or seminaries. Recent alumni have continued their studies at:

SBU's own Graduate Education programs
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Through SBU's Master of Arts in Christian Ministry 4+1 plan, you can complete both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in just 5 years.

Full-Time Faculty

Dr. Duke Jones, Professor

Dr. Kelly Malone, Professor

Dr. Matt Kimbrough, Division Head

Dr. David Quackenbos, Assistant Professor

Dr. Prosperly Lyngdoh, Associate Professor

Scholarships

Discipleship Ministry majors are eligible for the Church Related Vocation (CRV) scholarship, which is currently valued at $2,000 per year. To maintain this scholarship, you must be enrolled in a ministry-related degree program, submit the necessary application and references, participate in SBU's in-service training program and complete any other requirements.

Several privately funded scholarships are also available by application to students preparing for service in missions and evangelism.

Baptist Association of Christian Educators (BACE)

Join SBU's chapter of the Baptist Association of Christian Educators. By joining BACE, you will receive valuable professional development opportunities and be part of a greater network of others who are in or are pursuing leadership roles in Christian education in local churches.

Christian Ministry: Discipleship Ministry Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

BIB 1013	Old Testament History	3
CIS 1103	Computer and Information Management	3
ENG 1113	English Composition I	3
MAT 1243	Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling	3
POL 1113	American Government and Politics	3
UNI 1111	University Seminar	1
Total hours		16

Spring Semester

BIB 1023	New Testament History	3
COM 1103	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
ENG 2213	English Composition II	3
HIS 2213/2223	U.S. History I or II	3
PSY 1013	General Psychology (or SOC 1003)	3
UNI 1121	Introduction to Critical Thinking	1
Total hours		16

Sophomore

Fall Semester

BIB 2093	Methods of Biblical Interpretation	3
CED 2003	Introduction to Christian Education	3
GRE 2014	Elementary Greek I or
HEB 2014	Elementary Hebrew I	4
KIN 1162	Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness	2
SPF 2032	Spiritual Formation for Ministry	2
CED 2033	Principles of Teaching in the Church	3
Total hours		17

Spring Semester

FAR 10_3	Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre	3
GRE 2024	Elementary Greek II or
HEB 2024	Elementary Hebrew II	4
CHR 3073	Disciple-making/Evangelism	3
THE 3113	Christian Doctrine	3
THE 3023	Baptist Denomination (if a Church Related Vocation Scholarship recipient)	3
Total hours		16

Junior

Fall Semester

THE 3023	Christian Heritage	3
BIO 1004	Principles of Biology	4
CED 3023	Church Administration	3
CED 3043	Children’s Ministry	3
	Elective	3
Total hours		16

Spring Semester

CHR 3003	Introduction to Disciple-making	3
CED 3013	Youth Ministry	3
ECO 2003	LIFE Economics	3
ICS 2901/2911	Culture Service Project	1
PHS ___4	Introduction to Physical Science	4
	Elective	3
Total hours		17

Senior

Fall Semester

ICS 2901/2911	Culture Service Project	1
PSY ___3	Counseling Elective	3
CED 4003	Adult Ministry in the Church	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	2
Total hours		15

Spring Semester

CED 4983	Christian Ministry Apprenticeship	3
CED 4053	Youth Discipleship and Evangelism	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
Total hours		15

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation.
The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Download in PDF format:

Discipleship Ministry Plan (PDF)