Overview of Academic Programs

Academic programs in the School of Church Ministries are of three types. Professional masters programs, professional doctoral programs and research doctoral programs.

Professional Programs

The basic professional programs designed to equip qualified students for the practice of ministry are the Diploma in Church Ministries or Worship Leadership, the Master of Arts, and the Master of Divinity degrees. Students can choose Master of Arts degrees in Leadership, Discipleship & Family Ministry, Worship Leadership, Church Music, Youth & Family Ministry, Children’s & Family Ministry, College Ministry, and Women’s Leadership as well as Master of Divinity degrees with specializations in these areas of ministry.

Coordinated Learning Community Program

The Coordinated Learning Community (CLC) program is designed with the full-time minister in mind. You can complete a masters degree in ministry without moving to Louisville. The distinctive of this program is the real-time ministry experience that is integrated with classroom instruction at the highest level. We currently offer the Master of Arts in Discipleship and Family Ministry in this schedule format.

CLC’s begin courses every January. By following a prescribed schedule, you can come to the Louisville campus of SBTS twice each year-less than two weeks each time-and graduate with your M.A. in just 30 months! Following, the CLC student will be able to progress through their degree program without the concern for course offerings or rotation. You’re courses will be offered and you will be registered for each course.

Applications must be completed and received (with application fee) by the Office of Admissions, no later than October 1.

Professional Doctoral Programs

The Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) degree is designed to meet the needs of leadership and church ministry professionals who desire further academic and practical training in a contemporary ministry setting, but whose ministerial responsibilities do not allow them to suspend full-time employment or relocate to Louisville to pursue that training.

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree is an advanced professional doctorate degree in ministry. The purpose of this program of study is to equip persons who are committed to a Christian vocation for a high level of excellence in the practice of ministry. Students may choose curriculum plans in Family Ministry or Leadership.

Research Doctoral Programs

The research doctoral programs designed to qualify advanced students for research and teaching, as well as for other specialized leadership positions, are the Master of Theology and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

The Master of Theology (Th.M.) program offers the student an opportunity to gain greater mastery in an area of study than is normally possible at the M.A. or M.Div. level. The program acquaints students with the resources and research methods of a major area of study and offers focused time for further reflection in preparation for ministry.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) The School of Church Ministries offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Family Ministry, Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education and the Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degrees. The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy degree program is to give students of superior ability an opportunity to prepare themselves thoroughly for effective Christian ministry leadership. It is designed for persons who have demonstrated signifi cant potential for making contributions in research, teaching, and/or administration. It also is intended for Christian educators who are seeking to enhance their ministry in the church or in a denominational organization or to prepare themselves for teaching and leadership in Christian higher education.