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Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A.

School of Graduate and Professional Studies

What’s possible when you pursue God’s calling on your life?
Ministry.

Christian ministry is living out the Gospel. At Fresno Pacific, you’ll gain both biblical knowledge and practical skills for ministry – whether that’s in a church, parachurch or nonprofit organization

Dive deep into scripture, learn to resolve conflict in pursuit of Shalom, and develop practices for personal spiritual formation.

Faculty with expertise in theology and a broad range of ministry experience will challenge you to think biblically about Jesus and His Kingdom. You’ll gain both practical and theoretical knowledge through classroom work, research, and an integrated internship with a community church or parachurch agency.

Through biblical study, you’ll be equipped to pursue your vocation in ministry.

Program Highlights

 

 

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Catalog

Program Director: Darren Duerksen, Ph.D.

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership is designed for both traditional undergraduate and adult accelerated or degree completion program students currently in or preparing for Christian ministry. In this program students will be challenged to think biblically about Jesus and his Kingdom in relation to the larger world, cultivate personal spiritual formation, enhance competencies in ministry skills, and engage real-life ministry contexts.

The major consists of three learning components: course work, spiritual formations, and applied learning in an internship. The course work component consists of classroom experiences designed to address the unique and ongoing challenge of Christian ministry. Classes generally meet one night a week. In addition, there are a few courses that will be online and most courses will have an online component, so some computer literacy is important. The spiritual formation component consists of courses designed to run throughout the semester, concurrent with other courses, with a retreat component at the conclusion of the semester. An internship component is integrated into the program and provides students with hands-on experience and integrated reflection. The internship also usually culminates with a retreat component at the end of each semester.

The Christian Ministry and Leadership program exists to equip students with knowledge, skills, and personal development so that they can love what God loves through a life of vocational ministry. Love what God loves by equipping yourself to join God's mission through a life of vocational ministry.

Admissions Requirements

See the Admission Policies and Requirements section of the catalog for further information on admission requirements to the university.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of biblical theology including foundational principles of biblical interpretation and a relevant, contemporary theology of the church.

  2. Perform skills in Christian leadership, practical programming, communication (written and oral), pastoral ministries and the practice of hospitality as a Christian imperative.

  3. Interpret issues of personal nature, calling, and formation.

  4. Develop proficiency and explore calling through an internship experience ministry such as youth, worship, or children's ministry.

Credit-Bearing Grades

Students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for their Christian Ministry and Leadership courses. Exceptions: Students may receive credit for any other general education or elective course, with a D -.

Program Length/Semester Starts

This is a scheduled, 24-month cohort program. New students may be added to a cohort at the beginning of each semester (January and August).

Locations Offered

Fresno Main Campus

Degree Pathways

Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A. Four Year Pathway  

Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A. Three Year Pathway  

Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A. ADT Pathway  

Required Courses (47 units)

The following units must be earned at Fresno Pacific University:

  • BIB 428 - Biblical Theology Credits 3
  • BLIT/BIB Course Credits 3 *
  • * excludes BIB 100/300/314

  • MGT 362 - Nonprofit Management Credits 3 **
  • **ACCT 301 may be be considered as a substitute in consultation with the program director.

  • MIN 310 - Perspectives on Mission and Ministry Credits 2
  • MIN 330 - Disability Ministry Concepts Credits 3
  • MIN 360 - The Church in an Urban World Credits 2
  • MIN 376 - Current Practices in Evangelism and Discipleship Credits 2
  • MIN 378 - Worship Ministries Concepts Credits 2
  • MIN 392 - Biblical Interpretation and Teaching Credits 2
  • MIN 397 - Spiritual Formation: Perils, Pitfalls and Potential of Ministry Credits 2
  • MIN 398 - Spiritual Formation: Cultivating a Prayerful Heart Credits 2
  • MIN 399 - Spiritual Formation: Taking Care of the Inner Life Credits 2
  • MIN 450 - Leadership in Ministry Credits 2
  • MIN 470 - Pastoral Ministries Credits 2
  • REL 455 - Christians and Religious Neighbors Credits 3
  • THEO 300 - Introduction to Theology and Ethics Credits 3
  • THEO 465 - Theological Ethics of Conflict and Peacemaking Credits 3 ***
  • *** COM 420 may be considered as a substitute for THEO 465 in consultation with the program director.

Christian Ministry & Leadership Internship Series (6 units total)

CML Internship (MIN 482 & MIN 483 series) may be completed by either 3 semesters of 2 units (preferred for adult accelerated students) or 2 summers at 3 units with the program director's approval. Students take MIN 482 in the semesters leading to their final semester and MIN 483 in their final semester.

  • MIN 482 - Christian Ministry and Leadership Internship - Integration Credits 2-3
  • MIN 483 - Christian Ministry and Leadership Internship - Summative Credits 2-3

Electives

Elective units as needed to meet the Bachelor of Arts minimums. This requirement may be met through allowable college coursework, Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, and Military or ACE credit.

Lower Division Major Requirements

For more information on General Education requirements, please see: General Education   

All students in the major are required to take the necessary general education courses in addition to those outlined in the major. Students in the Christian Ministry and Leadership program (both traditional and adult accelerated or degree completion) are required to complete BIB-100/300/314 and a BLIT course.

Students who have not completed the foreign language requirement are encouraged to take either the Biblical Hebrew or Classic Greek to complete this GE requirement.

Bridge to Ministry Pathway

First-time freshman, including those with transfer units, should consider the Bridge to Ministry Accelerated Pastoral Degree Pathway as a way to earn your bachelor's and master's in five years total (three years for the BA and two years for the MA). This includes $1,500 in scholarship money for qualifiying students. For more information on the Bridge to Ministry pathway, click here . Students may apply here.

Advanced Standing at FPU Biblical Seminary

Students who graduate from the CML program and meet all appropriate academic standards, may be eligible to receive Advanced Standing to the FPU Biblical Seminary master's programs in ministry and divinity, or have courses waived for other programs.  Students must pass the following undergraduate classes with a B or better to be eligible for Advanced Standing with admission to the FPU Biblical Seminary:

BIB 100/300 MIN 397
BLIT 301-499 MIN 398
MIN 360 MIN 399
MIN 378 MIN 470
MIN 392 REL 455      

Please see Advanced Standing policy and application process or contact Seminary Admission for more information.

Three-year Degree Option

This academic program is available as a 3-year bachelor's degree or as a standard 4-year bachelor’s degree. View more information about the 3-year option.

Sample Curriculum Map

Below is a sample curriculum map for this program. This map serves as an example of how courses are set up to ensure completion of the degree in 3 years. The course listing is based on a sample year and follows a fall, spring and summer academic year. Some courses are only offered on odd or even years. An advisor will work with you to create a curriculum map that is unique to you.


Year 1

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
BIB-100Jesus and the Christian Community3
COM-110Written Communication3
CP-152First-Year Seminar0
HIST-120Ancient Civilization4
 Humanities GE 13
 Social Science GE 13

Total units: 16

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
HIST-130Medieval and Early Modern Civilization4
COM-120Oral Communication3
CP-152First-Year Seminar1
 Humanities GE 23
 Science3
 Social Science3

Total units: 17

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
KIN-120Concepts of Wellness3

Total units: 3


Year 2

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
HIST-140Modern Civilization4
MIN-310Perspectives in Mission and Ministry2
MIN-430Church in an Urban World2
MIN-450Leadership for Ministry2
THEO-300Theology and Ethics3
 ScienceLab 4
 Physical Education1

Total units: 18

 

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
MIN-376Current Practices in Evang/Disc2
MIN-397Spiritual Formation 12
MIN-470Pastoral Ministries2
REL-455Christians and Religious Neighbors3
 Electives9

Total units: 18

 

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
BLITBiblical Literature Elective3
MIN-483Christian Ministry and Leadership - Internship3

Total units: 6


Year 3

Fall

CodeTitleUnits
MIN-398Spiritual Formation 22
COM-420Conflict Management and Resolution3
MIN-330Disability Ministry Concepts3
MATH-120Principles of Math3
 Electives6

Total units: 17

Spring

CodeTitleUnits
MIN-399Spiritual Formation 32
BIB-428Biblical Theology3
MIN-378Worship Ministry Concepts2
MIN-392Biblical Interpretation and Teaching2
 Electives9

Total units: 18

Summer

CodeTitleUnits
ACCT-301Accounting for Managers3
MIN-483Christian Ministry and Leadership - Internship 3

Total units: 6

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
  • 4 years of college preparatory English
  • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 1 year of laboratory science
  • 1 year of performing art
  • 3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind

Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.

All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application

For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:

  1. Fill out the re-application form
  2. Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission

Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:

  1. Fill out the re-admission form
  2. Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating Non Matriculating/Non-Degree status non-matriculation application
  2. Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
  3. Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
  4. Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class

Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating audit status
  2. Personal essays are not required

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements

This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.

  • Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
  • This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
  • Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
  • The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
  • Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
  • Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
  • Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
  • Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
  • Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
  • Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
  • Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
  • Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2023-2024
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $34,960
Student body fee $598
Total Tuition and Fees $35,548
Room $5,018
Board $5,130
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $45,696
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,248
Summer Session $500
Private Music Instruction $400
2022-2023
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $33,614
Student body fee $574
Total Tuition and Fees $34,188
Room and Board $8,884
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $43,072
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,218
Summer Session $400
Private Music Instruction $400
2021-2022
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $32,954
Student body fee $498
Total Tuition and Fees $33,452
Room and Board $8,710
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $42,162
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,177
Summer Session $300
Private Music Instruction $400

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Module*FallSpring
Modules$4,313$4,313
Jost Modules$4,619$4,619 

* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)

Junior / Senior Housing

Suites & HousesFallSpring
Room only$2,068$2,068
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$2,719$2,719
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,276$3,276
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,400$4,400
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person)FallSpring
Apartment - Room only$2,694$2,694
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,345$3,345
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,902$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,026$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall  Apartments: 3 PersonFallSpring
Apartments - Room only$3,306$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,958$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,514$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,639$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal PlansFallSpring
70 Block$651$651
140 Block$1,208$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan$2,332$2,332

* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.

Notes about housing

  • For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
  • Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
  • Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.

If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

You'll be prepared for a range of employment opportunities in either church or parachurch organizations. Our graduates have gone on to work locally as pastors and with organizations like Youth for Christ and Young Life, and abroad as missionaries and ministers. This major will also prepare you for seminary or graduate study.

Possible Careers

  • Pastor
  • Teacher
  • Children’s minister
  • Youth minister
  • Camp ministry leader
  • Relief ministry leader

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center