Accelerated Ministry Leadership Degree: 4+1

As noted the 4+1 program allows for a student to accelerate their pastoral education to be completed in five years’ time instead of the traditional six to eight years of education. Here is why the undergraduate degree is a Bachelor’s of Science because of the robust education required to finish in five years of education. Part of the robust nature of the BS degree means completing at the minimum 17 units of graduate-level classes (the maximum would be 23 units). What this means is that as an undergraduate student in the accelerated route you will begin to take Master-level courses your junior year in school. Successful completion of those MA-level courses (a B or better) means that once you graduate with your BS degree those 17 or more units of graduate-level courses count toward the completion of your MA degree, which then allows you to finish that MA degree in one year’s time.

As noted above the accelerated format allows students to save on money. Since students will take a minimum of 17 units of undergraduate course work this means that they will pay undergraduate rate for graduate-level classes, which is about an $11,000 savings in graduate-level costs (up to $15,000 if they are eligible to take the full 23 units).

In addition, students who enter into the accelerated program are eligible to receive at least 50% of tuition in institutional aid. Institutional aid will be comprised of a variety of sources such as academic scholarships, talent awards, and need-based grants.

Many pastors and ministers who have gone through traditional routes of seminary and ministry education come to realize that their schooling did not prepare them for leadership roles in their church. They’ve taken classes on how to exegete the Bible, how to write and deliver a message, and how to counsel with those who are in distress, but they are at a loss when it comes to managing a budget, supervising staff, and fundraising for new projects and endeavors. The Center bridges this gap by offering courses in finance and non-profit leadership. The addition of this important coursework will better prepare students for high levels of leadership in local churches and other ministry organizations.

Working in the local church, and being coached by those ministry leaders, plays an important part in being shaped as a leader for the church. Here is why 18 units of coursework (both part of the BS and MA degrees) is dedicated for you to receive this important experiential education outside of the classroom. In addition, Concordia University’s location, within Orange County, means that students have access to churches of varying sizes, denominations, and ethnicities. The CCL has also developed strategic partnerships with many local churches to allow the discerning student to experience a wide variety of ministry contexts.

Each student who comes into the program will receive personalized mentorship. The mentoring is holistic in nature focusing on the entire person in the areas of academics, spirituality, personal growth, and ministry. Through personalized mentorship, the Center seeks to create healthy life-long leaders for the church.

When you come to study in the Center for Church Leadership (CCL), you come to be a part of a community of fellow students who also desire to be shaped and formed as workers for God’s kingdom. Our ongoing mantra is Proverbs 27:17 – “iron sharpens iron”. As part of the CCL community, you will be challenged, and you will challenge one another in a safe and caring environment designed for academic reflection and friendly engagement. Outside of the classroom, you will have the opportunity to participate in CCL social and spiritual events, which include dinners at the director’s home, cohort lunches on campus, retreats, and mission opportunities.