What is the Right Degree for Me?
- First, consider prior education. Do you have any credits from other institutions? Have you already completed an associate or bachelor’s degree? An associate degree requires 64 credit hours; a bachelor’s degree requires 124 credit hours.
- Second, consider other time commitments and how much time you will be able to devote to a degree. Consider factors such as class time and study time outside of class, but also consider how many years you can commit to your studies. If you have no prior college, then perhaps you will want to start with an associate, so that you can graduate in about two years before deciding to commit to an additional two years. Upon completion of an associate degree, you may choose to continue to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Your past ministry experience and future goals will help determine what course load is most appropriate for you.
- Finally, consider your personal and professional goals. If you are a lay teacher, you may want to pursue an associate degree for foundational knowledge. If you are considering master’s or doctoral education, starting with a bachelor’s degree may be the better option. When considering the two bachelor’s degrees, your professional objectives are important to weigh. If you want to work in the social service or counseling field (usually requires a master’s or higher), then the B.A. in Social Services with concentration in Christian Ministry is probably the right program for you. On the other hand, if you desire to move into or continue in pastoral or youth ministry, the B.A. in Biblical Ministry may be the better program for you.
What is the Difference Between the Two Associate Degrees?
- The Associate in Biblical Studies prepares the student for further study in biblical ministry. Designed in the liberal arts tradition, students are taught from a Christian perspective and learn the importance of ideas throughout history, and those values that lead to personal, spiritual and ministry success.
- The Associate in Christian Ministry prepares students for further study in Christian ministry. Designed for ministry leaders in churches or nonprofit organizations, students are taught from a Christian worldview and through this worldview they investigate the values that lead to personal, spiritual and ministry success.
- If you are having a hard time deciding, consider whether you plan to continue on to pursue a bachelor’s degree: students completing the Bachelor’s in Biblical Ministries will have a chance to complete the curriculum in both associate programs.
What is the Difference Between the Two Bachelor’s Degrees?
- The Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Ministries seeks to establish the faith and understanding of students through study of the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God. It also seeks to provide the necessary background and skills to interpret the Bible adequately as the objectively authoritative rule of faith and practice with the intention of equipping students for pastoral or lay teaching with the church or in parachurch ministries.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Social Services (with a concentration in Christian Ministry) seeks to introduce students to the study of human behavior and mental processes within a Christian worldview context and is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge and prepare students for future study in the field of social services. Emphasis is placed on developing the students’ ability to understand and apply social service principles in their everyday lives, and an important goal is to help students in their ability to appropriately interrelate their social work degree and the Christian faith. Because of the concentration in Christian Ministry, this degree program does not allow for elective credit, so students with a significant amount of transfer elective credit often choose the B.A. in Biblical Ministries.
