Nov 03, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Ministry, B.A.

Location(s): PBA Online


120 Credit Hours
 

Available to PBA Online students only

The Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program at Palm Beach Atlantic University specifically seeks to meet the educational and ministry preparation needs of bi-vocational ministers, church leaders, interested adults, and other online students. Through a focus on biblical, historical, theological, and practical studies, the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program strives to equip men and women with the knowledge, skills, and character needed for effective Christian service in local churches, parachurch organizations, and in other ministries to family, work, and community. Students who do not discern a call to vocational ministry may find the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies program to be a better fit.

Program Structure

The required curriculum for the Ministry major is composed of three-credit hour courses normally offered during eight-week subterms. Each online course is primarily asynchronous.  Students view lessons and complete assignments at the time of their choosing within stated course deadlines, which typically follow a weekly rhythm.  Online courses also invite students to attend several synchronous virtual class sessions through designated technology.  Generally for each 8-week course, students are invited to attend two or three of these live virtual meetings.  As an accelerated program, the Ministry major is designed so that full-time students can complete 30 credits each academic year: 12 credits each fall, 12 credits each spring, and 6 credits each summer. Students should expect to need a minimum of two fall and two spring semesters of enrollment to complete this major.

Program Learning Outcomes


“Expected student learning outcomes specify the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes students are expected to attain in courses or in a program.” Page 69. Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), 2018.

1.  Demonstrate knowledge (biblical, theological, and/or historical) appropriate for an individual in the field of ministry.

2.  Develop skills appropriate for an individual in the field of ministry.

3.  Demonstrate character appropriate for an individual in the field of ministry.  

Graduation Requirements


Conferral of a Baccalaureate degree in this program of study is determined by successful completion of the Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements  outlined here. 

NOTE: Students must earn 39 upper level (3000-4000) credit hours in order to graduate. A total of at least 21 of these upper level credit hours must be completed in the selected major.

Major in Ministry Curriculum Requirements


Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Requirements - 45 Credit Hours


The Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Global Studies and Social Science requirements are fulfilled through courses in this major. Only 39 of the 45 credit hours of the Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) program will still be required for the completion of this program.

As part of the remaining 39 credit hours of Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) requirements, students must elect to complete MLS 2003 - Foundations for Christian Ministry  from the Orientation menu and PLS 3003 - Freedom in American Society  as their “freedom” selection.

Required B.A. in Ministry Courses - 33 Credit Hours


B.A. in Ministry Elective Courses - 9 Credit Hours


Select 9 credits of upper-level (3000- or 4000-level) courses.  Choose APL 3373  or courses with the BIB, ICS, MLS, or THL course prefixes (excluding THL 4153 ).  

Note:


Students seeking early graduate admissions (EGA) to PBA’s Master of Divinity or M.Div./MBA Degree must meet the required EGA course requirements for the major, as outlined in the Early Graduate Admission: Graduation Requirements for Online Ministry Majors . Up to thirty-five (35) graduate hours can be applied toward the completion of the B.A. degree. 

No more than one-third of a student’s required credits for a major or a minor in the School of Ministry may come from transfer or transient credits.

Additional Required Credit Hours - 33-39 Credit Hours


These additional hours may be fulfilled by declaring and completing one of the optional concentrations listed below, a minor, second major, general electives taken concurrently, previous coursework taken at PBA, or through transfer credits. Up to 27 credits are possible through Professional Education Credits. See Academic Policies  for information on PECs.

Concentration in Preaching and Teaching - 9 Credit Hours


Students majoring in the B.A. in Ministry program can choose to add a Concentration in Preaching and Teaching consisting of 9 credit hours from the courses listed below.  Students may use one course (3 credit hours) in the concentration to satisfy a requirement in both the major and the concentration.

Select three:

Concentration in Pastoral Ministries - 9 Credit Hours


Students majoring in the B.A. in Ministry program can choose to add a Concentration in Pastoral Ministries consisting of 9 credit hours from the courses listed below.  Students may use one course (3 credit hours) in the concentration to satisfy a requirement in both the major and the concentration.

Select three:

Sample Degree Plan


Ministry, B.A. Degree Plan