BA Christian Ministry
Purpose
The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry (BACM) is designed for individuals who have a minimum of two years full-time ministry experience or five years of active lay-ministry experience. The BACM is designed to develop the individual’s biblical and theological knowledge, encourage spiritual and character growth, and deepen the person’s convictions and ministry skills.
Target Group
The BACM is appropriate for adults with proven ministry experience who serve in contexts where a Bachelor’s degree would enhance their ministry. A minimum of two years full-time or five years of active lay-ministry is required prior to admission. Graduates from the BACM program serve as pastors, cross-cultural missionaries, church staff members, and as Christian educators.
Admissions Requirements
The individual applying for the BACM must follow the usual EAST application process and meet the BACM admissions standards. Both are stated in the “Admissions” section of this Prospectus. Additional admissions information for international students is explained in the “International Students” section of the Prospectus.
Program Explanation
The BACM program includes 15 credits of Foundation Subjects. These allow mature learners with ministry experience to reflect upon and document prior learning.
The BACM varies in length depending on the individual’s educational background. If an individual has completed post-secondary studies (such as ‘A’ Levels or Polytechnic) then the person should apply for the 92 credit-hour program. This program is offered at the resident school in Singapore. If an applicant has not completed post-secondary studies, the individual should apply for the 120 credit-hour BACM. This program is offered at extension locations.
EAST Aleph
(Summer) |
Introduction to LF420 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
(continued during semester) |
1 (of 3 cr) | ||
IS400 Evangelism and Follow Up Seminar | NC | |||
1st Year | 1st Semester | 2nd Semester | ||
LF420 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
(continued from EAST Aleph) |
2 (of 3 cr) | BS413 Biblical Foundations 2
OR TS410 Theological Foundations |
3 | |
LF510 Christian Leadership Foundations | 3 | TS532 Spiritual Life and Transformation | 3 | |
IS501 Building Spiritual Movements | 3 | LF560 Christian Marriage and Family in Asia | 3 | |
IS409 Missions Foundations
OR BS412 Biblical Foundations 1 |
3 | Foundation Subject #2 | 3 | |
Foundation Subject #1 | 3 | Foundation Subject #3 | 3 | |
LF570 Mentoring Group 1 | 1 | LF570 Mentoring Group 2 | 1 | |
TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 16 | |
EAST Aleph (Summer) | LF500 Research and Writing for Christian Leadership |
2 (see footnote) |
||
2nd Year | 1st Semester | 2nd Semester | ||
BS510 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics | 3 | OT510 Old Testament Narratives | 3 | |
TS560 Worldview and Biblical Decision Making
OR IS520 Contextualisation |
2 | BS413 Biblical Foundations 2
OR TS410 Theological Foundations |
3 | |
Emphasis Course | 3 | IS510 World Missions | 2 | |
IS409 Missions Foundations
OR BS412 Biblical Foundations 1 |
3 | LF580 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 1 | 1
(see footnote) |
|
Foundation Subject #4 | 3 | Foundation Subject #5 | 3 | |
LF570 Mentoring Group 3 | 1 | LF570 Mentoring Group 4 | 1 | |
TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 13 | |
Summer | LF581 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 2 | 2 | ||
3rd Year | 1st Semester | (see footnote) | 2nd Semester | |
TS510 Theology 1 | 3 | TS511 Theology 2 | 3 | |
OT511 Old Testament Poetry, Wisdom and Prophets | 3 | NT511 New Testament Epistles and Revelation | 3 | |
NT510 New Testament Narratives | 3 | Emphasis Course | 3 | |
Emphasis Course | 3 | |||
LF530 Teaching and Learning 1
OR LF555 Expository Preaching 1 |
2 | Emphasis Course | 3 | |
LF582 Field Practicum & FIRM 1 – one credit per semester | 2 | |||
TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 13 |
Emphasis Courses
Based on the student’s area of interest, twelve (12) credits of emphasis courses may be selected from courses offered in biblical studies (BS, OT, NT), theological studies (TS), intercultural studies (IS), as well as leadership and formation (LF).
Foundation Subjects
BACM students may select up to a maximum of five (5) Foundation Subjects. To complete a Foundation Subject, the student will be required to reflect on and document previous ministry experience. It is recommended that the student select the first two Foundation Subjects from subjects with an asterisk (*).
IS402 Evangelism* (3 credits)
IS403 Discipleship* (3 credits)
LF405 Personal Development* (3 credits)
LF406 Christian Service* (3 credits)
LF407 Specialized Ministries (3 credits)
LF408 Fund Raising (3 credits)
LF410 Ministry Development and Leadership (3 credits)
LF430 Leading and Teaching Groups (3 credits)
TS430 Spiritual Life and Growth* (3 credits)
TS431 Prayer and Christian Disciplines* (3 credits)
Course Description Information
For further information and description of each of the BACM courses, refer to the appropriate section of the “Course Descriptions” section of this Prospectus.
Distribution Requirements
Biblical Studies (BS, OT, NT) 21 credits
BS412, BS413, BS510, OT510, OT511, NT510, NT511
Intercultural Studies (IS) 8 or 10 credits*
IS400, IS409, IS501, IS510, IS520*
Leadership Studies (LF) 13 credits
LF420, LF500, LF510, LF560, LF530 or LF555
Formation (LF) 9 credits
LF570, LF580, LF581, LF582
Theological Studies (TS) 12 or 14 credits*
TS410, TS510, TS511, TS532, TS560*
Foundation Subjects 15 credits
Christian Ministry Emphasis Courses 12 credits
92 credits
* Distribution within Intercultural Studies and Theological Studies will vary as the student selects either TS560 Worldview and Biblical Decision Making or IS520 Contextualisation
Time Limit for Degree Completion
A student has a maximum of seven (7) years to complete a BACM from the date of matriculation at EAST.
Graduation Requirements
The following are requirements in order to graduate with a BACM:
- Completion of all classwork (92 credits) with a grade of C- or higher
- Cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher
- Demonstrate character and ministry skills appropriate for an EAST graduate
- Approval by the faculty
- Payment of all fees
[1] APPLICANTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED POST-SECONDARY STUDIES: Mature adult applicants with ministry experience who have completed A level or O-level plus a post-secondary school diploma (such as Polytechnic) can apply for the 92-credit BACM program at the resident school in Singapore.
[2] APPLICANTS WITH HIGH SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATES: Mature adult applicants with ministry experience who hold high school leaving certificates are eligible to apply for the 120-credit BACM progrm. This degree program is offered at selected extension locations. Contact the EAST Dean of Extensions for further information.
[3] Three Foundation Subjects must be completed prior to the start of LF500 Research and Writing for Christian Leadership.
[4] Four Foundation Subjects must be completed prior to the start of LF580 Cross-Cultural Team Internship 1.
[5] Five Foundation Subjects must be completed prior to the start of the fifth semester of classes.