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 13 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. Ministerial programs include Children's Ministries, Christian Education, Christian Ministries, Christian Worship, Worship Arts, Worship Ministries, Global Ministries, Community Development, Sports Ministries, and Youth Ministries. Programs in religious studies include Biblical and Theological Studies, Biblical Literature, Intercultural Studies, and Philosophy and Theology. Minors are also available in Adolescent Ministries, Biblical History and Geography, Biblical Languages, Biblical Literature, Children's Ministries, Christian Education, Christian Ministries, Christian Studies, Christian Worship, Global Ministries, Community Development, Intercultural Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Urban Ministries and Youth Ministries Minor. Special programs include the Kern Ministry 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 majors within the Division of Practical Theology may require a formal screening process separate from the initial declaration of intent. The process includes the successful completion of the prescribed courses designated by each major. 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 designated courses in his or her respective majors. 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, Youth Ministries (ordination), Worship Ministries, and Children's Ministries (ordination), 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 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 appropriate dean 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.

Advanced Standing with Credit

Graduates of undergraduate programs with relevant theological courses in Bible, theology, and church history, and who enroll in the relevant graduate programs of the School of Theology and Ministry may receive advanced standing with credit on the basis of competence achieved in certain undergraduate courses. Advanced standing with credit (up to 25% toward the relevant degrees) may be granted for the courses listed below under the following conditions:

• The courses were taken at a regionally accredited or ABHE accredited institution. The School of Theology and Ministry reserves the right to determine whether or not courses are equivalent.
• A student has received at least a "B" in the specific courses as indicated with at least one course on the 300 level and no course below the 200 level, and
• The student successfully demonstrates competency of the required graduate course outcomes through either an oral or written assessment performed by a designated academic representative of the School of Theology and Ministry.
  • BIBL-500 The Bible as Christian Scripture - credit may be granted for this course if the student has successfully completed a hermeneutics/exegetical method course and at least one upper level Bible course.
  • THEO-500 Introduction to Christian Theology - credit may be granted for this course if the student has successfully completed at least two theology courses that together cover the primary topics of systematic theology.
  • CHST-500 Global Christian History - credit may be granted for this course if the student has successfully completed at least two church history courses that together cover Christian history from the early church to the present.

A student wishing to receive advanced standing with credit for BIBL-500, THEO-500, and CHST-500 must submit the application three months prior to the first day of the month in which the course is offered in the student's cohort schedule. The student will be notified of the designated faculty member's decision by the first day of the following month. Students who do not submit by this deadline will not be eligible for advanced standing with credit.