BA in Christian Ministries
124 credit hours | 3-4 years
Why study for a BA in Christian
Ministries Online at TIU?
Our online degree programs are structured to provide you with a true Trinity community experience, even from the comfort of your home. Plus the convenience and flexibility of online classes and coursework can be made to work for your unique situation and needs. Let us work with you so that you can study online and benefit from the best that Trinity has to offer.
Where can this degree take me?
Students pursuing a degree in Christian Ministries find themselves prepared and equipped for service in missions, churches, and parachurch organizations, whether on a part-time, full-time or volunteer basis. Our students will walk confidently in their calling, with the skills necessary for their future ministry. We offer a well-rounded approach through the following five program goals: personal maturity, people skills, penetration of culture, programming, and philosophy.
How long will it take to earn my degree?
In addition to 48-51 credits required for a major, students at Trinity College also complete 47-62 credit hours of general education requirements. These courses relate to communication skills, arts and humanities, and qualitative and analytical reasoning. Some students can substitute completed coursework that resulted in an A.A., A.S. or A.F.A. degree for those requirements, but all Trinity students must complete a series of courses focused on the foundations of Christian thinking and living. In all, a bachelor’s degree from Trinity requires at least 124 credit hours. For more information on degree requirements, see the Trinity College Catalog.
Students who have already completed some coursework at the college or university level have the option of completing their degree online at Trinity. For these students, a degree can be completed in as little as 2-3 years.
What are the requirements for
admission to this program?
All applicants must have a high school diploma or successful completion of the GED. Applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (using a 4.0 scale) for all prior college work or high school work if no prior college credits. Applicants for the Christian ministries major must provide one letter of recommendation from their pastor; the letter should address the applicant’s professional abilities, character, and capacity for studies and ministry. After submitting your application, please submit all official transcripts from your past institutions to:
Trinity International University
Attn: Admissions Operations
2065 Half Day Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
We also accept electronic transcripts from secure, certified transcript delivery services. If your college or university uses such a service, please direct transcripts to [email protected]. Finally, after reviewing your past credits, a counselor will provide you with an estimate of transferable credits and an estimated timeline to graduate.
What will I study?
Classes included in the Christian Ministries core are developed and taught with a commitment to the five goals of the program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CM 260 | Introduction to Intercultural Ministries | 3 hours |
| CM 224 | IFE: Spiritual Formation | 3 hours |
| CM 320 | Principles of Ministry Programming | 3 hours |
| CM 342 | Relational Skills for Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 480 | Christian Ministries Integrative Seminar | 1 hour |
| BI 275 | Teaching the Bible | 3 hours |
| BRS 231 | Christian Doctrine | 3 hours |
| BRS 338 | Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism | 3 hours |
| BRS 340X | History of Christianity | 3 hours |
Specializations
In addition to taking integrative and core courses, students completing their Christian Ministries degree online at Trinity choose from one of three specializations to fulfill their degree requirements. Each specialization offered includes courses that provide focused instruction relating to different areas of ministry.
The pre-seminary specialization is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a seminary degree once they have completed their undergraduate studies. Courses focus on prerequisites necessary for seminary acceptance, including preaching studies and elementary Greek.
| FOUNDATIONS | ||
| CM 201 | Survey of Christian Education | 3 hours |
| CM 260 | Introduction to Intercultural Ministries | 3 hours |
| GR 121-122 | Elementary Greek | 8 hours |
| INTEGRATED FIELD EXPERIENCE | ||
| CM 224 | IFE: Spiritual Formation | 3 hours |
| INTEGRATED FIELD EXPERIENCE ELECTIVE | ||
| Choose One: | ||
| CM 225 | IFE: Small Groups | 3 hours |
| CM 324 | IFE: Discipleship | 3 hours |
| CM 325 | IFE: Ministry Methods | 3 hours |
| PASTORAL RELATIONSHIPS | ||
| CM 342 | Relational Skills for Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 372X | Nonprofit Management | –or– |
| PSY 305 | Organizational Psychology | 3 hours |
| CM 381 | Introduction to Preaching | 3 hours |
| SPECIFIC MINISTRY STRATEGIES | ||
| Choose One: | ||
| CM 175 | Foundations of Youth Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 215 | Foundations of Children’s Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 315 | Principles of Family Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 400 | Principles of Adult Ministry | 3 hours |
| FINISHING COURSES | ||
| CM 320 | Principles of Ministry Programming | 3 hours |
| CM 420 | Ministry Leadership | –or– |
| CM 475 |
Senior Seminar | 2 hours |
| CM 480 | Christian Ministries Integrative Seminar | 1 hour |
| UPPER BIBLICAL STUDIES REQUIRED COURSEWORK | ||
| BI 275 | Teaching the Bible | 3 hours |
| BRS 231 | Christian Doctrine | 3 hours |
| BRS 338 | Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism | 3 hours |
| BRS 340X |
History of Christianity | 3 hours |
| Students who wish to go on to earn their seminary degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) should consult with their advisor regarding elective course selection for a seamless transition to seminary at TEDS. These courses will qualify students for the TEDS Advanced Placement Master of Divinity degree. | ||
Courses in the family ministry specialization focus on instruction in children’s ministry, marriage and counseling, as well as various counseling and discipleship courses. The family ministry specialization is ideally suited for students who wish to pursue an associate pastor position or who are called to youth ministry.
| FOUNDATIONS | ||
| CM 201 | Survey of Christian Education | 3 hours |
| CM 260 | Introduction to Intercultural Ministries | 3 hours |
| INTEGRATED FIELD EXPERIENCE | ||
| CM 224 | IFE: Spiritual Formation | 3 hours |
| CM 225 | IFE: Small Groups | 3 hours |
| CM 324 | IFE: Discipleship | 3 hours |
| CM 325 | IFE: Ministry Methods | 3 hours |
| FAMILY MINISTRY COURSES | ||
| CM 280 | Psychological & Sociological Foundations of Family | 3 hours |
| CM 315 | Principles of Family Ministry | 3 hours |
| SOC 221 | Marriage and the Family | 3 hours |
| SPECIFIC MINISTRY STRATEGIES | ||
| Choose One: | ||
| CM 175 | Foundations of Youth Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 215 | Foundations of Children’s Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 315 | Principles of Family Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 400 | Principles of Adult Ministry | 3 hours |
| FINISHING COURSES | ||
| CM 320 | Principles of Ministry Programming | 3 hours |
| CM 342 |
Relational Skills for Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 420 | Ministry Leadership | –or– |
| CM 475 |
Senior Seminar | 2 hours |
| CM 480 | Christian Ministries Integrative Seminar | 1 hour |
| UPPER BIBLICAL STUDIES REQUIRED COURSEWORK | ||
| BI 275 | Teaching the Bible | 3 hours |
| BRS 231 | Christian Doctrine | 3 hours |
| BRS 338 | Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism | 3 hours |
| BRS 340X |
History of Christianity | 3 hours |
The broad field courses are intended to give students exposure to a variety of ministry fields through specific ministry strategy courses and integrated field experience. Students who feel called to any full-time or part-time ministry role or who are interested in gaining an overall perspective of Christian ministry would benefit from the broad field specialization.
| FOUNDATIONS | ||
| CM 201 | Survey of Christian Education | 3 hours |
| CM 260 | Introduction to Intercultural Ministries | 3 hours |
| INTEGRATED FIELD EXPERIENCE | ||
| CM 224 | IFE: Spiritual Formation | 3 hours |
| CM 225 | IFE: Small Groups | 3 hours |
| CM 324 | IFE: Discipleship | 3 hours |
| CM 325 | IFE: Ministry Methods | 3 hours |
| SPECIFIC MINISTRY STRATEGIES | ||
| Choose One: | ||
| CM 175 | Foundations of Youth Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 215 | Foundations of Children’s Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 315 | Principles of Family Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 400 | Principles of Adult Ministry | 3 hours |
| FINISHING COURSES | ||
| CM 320 | Principles of Ministry Programming | 3 hours |
| CM 342 |
Relational Skills for Ministry | 3 hours |
| CM 420 | Ministry Leadership | –or– |
| CM 475 |
Senior Seminar | 2 hours |
| CM 480 | Christian Ministries Integrative Seminar | 1 hour |
| UPPER BIBLICAL STUDIES REQUIRED COURSEWORK | ||
| BI 275 | Teaching the Bible | 3 hours |
| BRS 231 | Christian Doctrine | 3 hours |
| BRS 338 | Theological and Sociological Foundations of Evangelism | 3 hours |
| BRS 340X |
History of Christianity | 3 hours |
Join This Semester!
Courses rotate every semester. Follow this link to our student portal to view upcoming course offerings.
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Christian Ministries Faculty
The online Christian Ministries degree is taught by a variety of faculty across several disciplines. Our faculty are committed Christians, who challenge you to apply your faith to the complexities of life, while also guiding you toward academic success.
