Bachelor of Arts in Ministry
Institute of Lutheran Theology
Key Information
Campus location
Brookings, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
4 - 6 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
USD 49,140 *
Application deadline
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* additional cost may apply
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Introduction
The Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program is designed to prepare leaders with little or no prior theological training to provide pastoral leadership for a congregation. It prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can be used as a route to ordained ministry, pre-seminary training, or graduate theological studies. This 126-credit program provides a general overview of theology and skills for congregational and other ministry contexts.
Student Debt Upon Graduation
Because the B.A. is a new program, there is no current data on student debt. ILT offers financial aid for those who qualify. ILT will also give students access to federal financial aid and federal student loan programs. ILT remains committed to helping students graduate with as little debt as possible.
Cost of Courses
Tuition is $390 per credit hour or $1170 per 3-credit course. The tuition cost is subject to change. Additional costs (application fee, books, costs associated with researching and producing the independent projects or the final project or thesis, etc.) are also the responsibility of the participant.
Courses to be Completed
The B.A. program provides a broad-based, foundational course of study for high school graduates who want to pursue undergraduate-level studies in ministry or are preparing for ordained ministry.
Total Timeline
This program consists of 42 courses in areas of biblical theology, historical and systematic theology, and ethics, philosophy and religion, and ministry training. Students who choose a concentration can choose to focus on the Bible, Ministry Practice, or Theology. No travel is required for this program, though students may choose to participate in week-long onsite courses. Full-time students can finish this degree in 4 years and part-time students can take up to 6 years.
The Program
The Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program is designed to prepare leaders with little or no prior theological training to provide pastoral leadership for a congregation. It prepares students for diaconal or other non-ordained ministries within the church and can be used as a route to ordained ministry, pre-seminary training, or graduate theological studies. This 126-credit program provides a general overview of theology and skills for congregational and other ministry contexts.
Internship
Students who intend to serve in a congregational ministry context are required to complete 1,040 hours (six months fulltime) of supervised internship. This internship is specifically designed to help students who plan to enter a specific ministry context. Students who are going to continue to the Master of Divinity, other academic graduate work, or who are not preparing for a specific ministry context are not required to complete the internship.
Senior Project (Optional)
A senior project is a 30-page (7,500-word) academic paper.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this program, students will be able to:
- Develop extensive knowledge of scripture and theology (including exegetical skills and tools to discern God’s Word as Law and Gospel).
- Develop the contextual education skills and passion to live out effectively the life of the Christian in our ministry vocations.
- Develop the ability and passion to engage in a lifetime of learning.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of the online application form.
- Proof of completion of secondary education and transcripts from any post-secondary schools.
- A letter of recommendation from a pastor.
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) that is not more than two years old. Normally, minimum acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 21 in the speaking section and 21 in the writing section. Minimum acceptable scores on the IELTS are 6.5 in the speaking section and 6.5 in the writing section. Please request that your score be sent to ILT. ILT’s DI Code for the TOEFL is 5745. More information concerning TOEFL can be accessed at the Education Testing Services website: http://ets.org. Information regarding the IELTS can be found at https://www.ielts.org.
- Registration Fee: $55 (nonrefundable).
- Copy of official photo identification.
- Admissions interview with Director of Enrollment Services.
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