bachelor of leadership and ministry (online)

Overview of Leadership and Ministry

The Bachelor’s Degree in Leadership and Ministry gives you the opportunity to:

  • Explore contemporary leadership and ministry issues from a biblical perspective.
  • Search the mind and will of God for yourself and the world you reach.
  • Take advanced biblical studies courses.
  • Dialogue with others who both lead and serve in their worlds.
  • Develop skills needed to lead and serve in a wide range of businesses, human services, church and para-church careers.
Who Should Apply

If you are a Christian adult with the desire to make a real impact for Christ in your home, church, community or business and you need the flexibility of an online program, this degree is for you!

Career Paths

Graduates will be prepared to serve as ministerial or professional staff in churches, human service organizations, nonprofits or business organizations. You may have an existing career, may be looking to expand your career and ministry options, or may be seeking to complete a college education you began previously. This program is for “finishers!”

Required Credits

120 credits required including: Leadership and Ministry (24), Biblical Studies (33), Christian Ministry (12), General Education (30), Free Electives (21).

Curriculum

Each academic program of the college provides the context for whole life transformation through biblical life preparation. Students come to learn, learn to serve, and serve to change lives. Through the courses offered in each program, students will develop a Christ-centered worldview and be prepared to make a difference in the world through their lives, work and service to others.

The courses of study in each degree proceed from foundational to exploratory to immersion courses. Areas of study for each degree will include general education, biblical studies, Christian ministry and service, and core courses in the major.

Students will be challenged to grow in their knowledge of self, others, the world and the Bible. They will be challenged to grow in their critical thinking, development of a biblical worldview and the integration of their faith and learning.

Foundational courses – 45 credits

General Education – 21 Credits
  • Academic Writing, Reading, and Rhetoric (3 credits)
  • Public Speaking (3 credits)
  • Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)
  • Math/Science Elective (3 credits)
  • Sociology (3 credits)
  • General Education Elective (6 credits)
biblical studies – 18 Credits
  • Creation and Covenants (3 credits)
  • Israel’s Life and Literature (3 credits)
  • Life of Christ (3 credits)
  • Early Church (3 credits)
  • Christian Narrative I or II (3 credits)
  • Foundations of Biblical and Theological Studies (3 credits)
Christian ministry – 6 Credits
  • Foundations of Ministry (3 credit)
  • Fundamentals of Leadership (3 credits)

exploration courses – 30 credits

General Education – 6 Credits
  • General Psychology (3 credits)
  • History Elective (3 credits)
Biblical Studies – 6 Credits
  • Bible Electives (6 credits)
Christian ministry – 3 Credits
  • Teaching Skills (3 credits)
leadership and ministry – 18 Credits
  • Leadership (3 credits)
  • Ethics Elective (3 credits) (Choose 1: BUS201, THE220, PHI306 UL)
  • Communications Elective (3 credits)
  • Care and Counseling in Ministry (3 credits, upper level)
  • Ministry Leadership and Personnel Development (3 credits)
  • Christianity and Culture of Cultural Elective (3 credits, upper level)

immersion courses – 18 credits

General Education – 3 Credits
  • Senior Seminar (3 credits)
Biblical Studies – 6 Credits
  • Old Testament Elective (3 credits,upper level)
  • New Testament Elective (3 credits,upper level)
Christian ministry – 3 Credits
  • Spiritual Formation for Ministry Leaders (3 credits)
leadership and ministry – 6 Credits
  • Leadership/Ministry Internship (3 credits)
  • Ministry Administration and Finance (3 credits)

free and/or Emphasis electives – 24 Credits (12 or 15 Upper Level)

Dr. Sherry Shindelar

HUMANITIES INSTRUCTOR AND DIRECTOR OF ONLINE EDUCATION

Program Director: Online Education
Instructor: Humanities, English

Bachelors of Fine Arts: Creative and Professional Writing 
Bemidji State University
M.A. in English 
Bemidji State University
PhD in Literature and Criticism 
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Sue Glidden

As a published writer, Dr. Shindelar loves to take her readers into the past. She is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West and has shared her faith through the Lonestar Redemption series published by Wild Heart Books. Her award-winning first novel, Texas Forsaken, was released in May 2024, followed shortly after by Texas Divided. The third book in the historical romance series, Texas Reclaimed, is scheduled for release in 2026. 

Dr. Shindelar has received numerous awards for her writing: ACFWC 2023 Genesis Finalist, ACFWC 2021 Genesis Semi-Finalist, Crown Finalist 2022, First Impressions 2020 Winner, RWA Maggie Finalist 2021 & 2023, and the Maggie Award winner in 2025. Congratulations Dr. Sherry!