MA - Ministry (45 Hours)
This program will enable the student to be able to apply a specialized set of ministry skills required by The Wesleyan Church for ordination.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Ministry major begins with completing application forms and submitting them with official transcripts and two personal recommendations. The Office of Student Services shall determine admission status from the completed forms and student file and notify the applicant in writing of the admission status granted. Regular admission to the seminary constitutes admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. The basic criteria for regular admission to the MA program within the seminary are as follows:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
- An undergraduate grade-point average of at least 2.5 from the baccalaureate degree granting institution at which at least a minimum of 30 hours was completed.
- Ability to pursue graduate work successfully. (The transcripts and certificate of recommendation from former professors and supervisors will be considered evidence of such ability.)
- Three recommendations including:
- An academic recommendation.
- A recommendation from someone who can comment on the applicant's pastoral skills.
- A general recommendation.
- Moral character consistent with the principles and policies of Christian conduct at Indiana Wesleyan University. (The student’s certificates of recommendation are considered sufficient evidence in this matter.)
- Submission of a written statement identifying the student’s philosophy of ministry and personal goals in undertaking the graduate program.
Program Requirements
- Courses taken at IWU more than seven years prior to admission or readmission to the Seminary cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for this degree.
- Students must have completed all core and concentration courses before enrolling in MIN-591. Registration in MIN-591 will be cancelled for any students who fail to satisfactorily complete all core and concentration courses.
- Students who are unable to complete MIN-591 within the allotted eight weeks will automatically be enrolled in MIN-595 Thesis/Project Continuation for a ten week continuation. A student may be enrolled in a maximum of two continuations. Failure to complete the course at the end of the second continuation will result in the student receiving a "No Credit" for MIN-591, and the student will be required to repeat MIN-591. A continuation fee applies.
Transfer Credit
- A maximum of nine hours may be transferred from another accredited master's program, provided it falls within seven years prior to admission.
- Students who have taken equivalent courses in their undergraduate program to BIBL-500 The Bible as Christian Scripture, THEO-500 Introduction to Christian Theology, and CHST-500 Global Christian History will be allowed/encouraged to substitute and advanced Bible, theology, or church history elective.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of core requirements.
- Minimum grade of "C" in each core and elective course.
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
- All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years of enrollment.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
MA Program of Study (45 Hours)
This 45 hour program with a specialization in Pastoral Ministry will enable the student to apply a specialized set of ministry skills required by The Wesleyan Church for ordination in order to participate in the mission of God in the world.
Core Courses
Specialization in Pastoral Ministry
| MDIV-500 | Pastor, Church & World | 3 |
| LEAD-545 | Strategic Leadership and Management | 3 |
| WSHP-520 | Time and Space in Worship | 3 |
| PROC-520 | Transformational Communication | 3 |
| CONG-530 | Family Ministry for 21st Century Families | 3 |
| CNS-503 | Theory and Techniques in the Helping Relationship | 3 |
| CHST-536 | Wesleyan Church History and Polity | 3 |
| THEO-543 | Theology of Holiness | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |
