School of Theology and Ministry
The School of Theology and Ministry seeks to provide an environment that allows each student to discover and begin to carry out God's calling for his or her life. Here one finds a faculty second to none. All are committed Christ-followers who live under the authority of God's Word, have a high respect for the Church, and love students. Combined, they bring over two centuries of practical church and para-church experience to the classroom. Our students, who represent over 40 denominations, can choose from any of our 12 majors and 16 minors, even combining them in very useful ways. Our classes are biblically and theological solid, and very practical. We offer many courses and many perspectives. You will love IWU's state-of-the-art facilities, and your classroom experience will be enriched by the many on- and off-campus activities offered by the School of Theology and Ministry. You will even have the opportunity to spend a summer or a semester studying abroad.
School of Theology and Ministry Programs
We provide programs of preparation for a variety of ministerial and academic careers. B.S. degrees are offered with majors in Adolescent Ministries, Children's Ministry, Christian Education, Christian Ministries, Christian Worship, International and Community Development, Intercultural Studies, Sports Ministries, and Youth Ministries. A.B. degrees are offered in Biblical Literature, Christian Ministries, Global Ministries, and Philosophy and Theology. Minors are also available in Adolescent Ministries, Biblical History and Geography, Biblical Languages, Biblical Literature, Children's Ministry, Christian Education, Christian Ministries, Christian Worship, Global Ministries, International and Community Development, Intercultural Studies, Latin American and Iberian Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Urban Ministries and Youth Ministries. Special programs include the Bible Land tours, the Kern Ministry Education Program which offers both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Christian Ministries in five years, the Summer in Israel Program and other off-campus programs (see academic information section for a partial listing).
General Education Requirements
Students in these majors meet the general education competencies by taking the approved standard courses or meeting competencies except as otherwise noted.
Admission to Professional Majors
Admission to the Christian Education, Children's Ministry, Christian Ministries, Christian Worship, Youth Ministries, and Adolescent Ministries majors requires a formal screening process separate from the initial declaration of intent. The process includes the successful completion of three courses in the division. All applicants must complete BIL-101 and BIL-102 with a grade of “C” or above. Christian Education and Children's Ministry majors must also complete CED-252, Christian Ministries majors REL-264 and REL-264P, Adolescent Ministries and Youth Ministries majors YTH-220 and YTH-220P, and Christian Worship majors WOR-235 and WOR-235P with a grade of "C" or above. Students need to have a GPA of 2.25 cumulative and 2.5 in the coursework required for the major. Students must also file application forms including a written essay and references. In some cases a personal interview with school faculty may also be required. Enrollment in some advanced courses in the division is restricted to those admitted to these majors. A student needs to start the application to the major process by the end of their sophomore year (60 credit hours) and after the successful completion of the three preliminary courses in his or her respective majors (see immediately above). Delay on this process will prohibit students from enrolling in advanced courses in their professional major.
Continuation in Professional Majors
Students must maintain a cumulative 2.25 GPA and a 2.50 academic GPA in coursework required for the major. Failure to do so may necessitate repeating courses or withdrawal from the major. The School of Theology and Ministry faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student who in its judgment fails to satisfy the standards of Christian character, moral integrity, and social fitness required for a professional minister.
Wesleyan Students
Students anticipating future service in The Wesleyan Church should include Wesleyan Church History/Discipline (REL-431) among their major or minor courses. The Christian Ministries and Youth Ministries majors are specifically designed to meet all the academic requirements for ordination in The Wesleyan Church. Any deviation from the course requirements should be approved in writing by both the Associate Dean and the Executive Director of Education and Clergy Development for The Wesleyan Church. Students who are members of The Wesleyan Church should be in contact with their District Board of Ministerial Development (DBMD) prior to applying for admission to the professional majors.
Graduate Credits-in-Escrow
A senior who is currently enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University and who is within the last semester of completing course requirements for the baccalaureate degree may, with the approval of the dean of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University, register for a maximum of two graduate courses per semester. Such students who desire to take additional graduate courses after earning the baccalaureate degree must follow the regular admission procedure.
Graduate courses may not be counted at Indiana Wesleyan University for both graduate and undergraduate requirements.
