Follow Christ, Lead the Way

The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Ministry equips students with leadership skills for ministry. It provides students with essential biblical and theological knowledge and skills as well as training in leadership theory and practice.

Objectives:

Upon graduating from the program, students should be able to:
  • Interpret Scripture accurately in its literary, canonical, and historical context using the inductive Bible study method.
  • Address contemporary challenges and questions in light of Scripture and classic Christian teaching, particularly Wesleyan-Arminian theology.
  • Apply leadership theory and techniques to facilitate change within an organization.
This degree program is available in the following format:

100% Online courses in a 5-week as-you-go flexible format for busy adults featuring forum discussions and weekly assignment deadlines. Serves both undergraduate and graduate students.

MAJOR54 Hours

*24 credit hours at the 3000-level or above

Biblical Studies18

Biblical interpretation classes (e.g., Old Testament Interpretation, New Testament Interpretation) and biblical book or corpus studies (e.g., Pentateuch, Romans).

  • Biblical interpretation electives6
  • Old Testament book or corpus study3
  • New Testament book or corpus study3
  • Biblical studies electives6
Biblical Theology3

Biblical theology proper, biblical-theological approaches to select theological topics (e.g., sexuality), Christian hermeneutics.

Systematic and Historical Theology15

Systematic theology classes (e.g., Systematic Theology I), historical theology (e.g., Survey of Church History I), systematic and historical approaches to select theological topics (e.g., holiness).

Leadership Core18
  • A study of how to lead a church in effective evangelism and discipleship. Examines the biblical basis for evangelism and discipleship, assesses contemporary models for evangelism and discipleship, and equips students to formulate their own holistic plan for leading a church in evangelism and discipleship.
  • This course focuses on leading churches and other ministries with a biblical worldview, strategic planning, and effective management of people and resources. Special attention will be giving to entrepreneurial thinking, planning, and leading for advancing the Gospel.
  • Strategies from the business for-profit, the non-profit sector, and the moral and spiritual arena with application to personal and career goals.
  • Models of effective organizational leadership and the impact of administrative structure, power and politics, conflict resolution, and motivation within the context of the organizational culture.
  • Classic theoretical constructs of leadership, systems of organizational culture, and models and processes involved in successful organizational change, with application in the learner’s own organizational setting.
  • Current issues and trends in global leadership, and the leadership challenges that arise in a global setting, with emphasis on developing knowledge, attitudes, skills, and aspirations regarding the theory and practice of leadership in global organizations and societies.

Graduation Requirements:

In addition to the courses listed on this page, graduates must meet the requirements listed here, including:

  • A General Education Core
    • Associate degrees – 36 credit hours
    • Bachelor’s degrees – 45 credit hours
  • Minimum credit hours
    • Associate degrees – 60 credit hours
    • Bachelor’s degrees – 120 credit hours
  • Notes:

    1. Some majors require more credit hours than the listed minimums.
    2. Students choose elective courses to complete credit hour requirements.
    3. Electives may apply toward a minor, certificate, associate degree, or second major.
    4. Sometimes a course required in a student’s major can also fulfill a requirement in the GenEd core. (See notes on the individual major pages.)

Find complete information in the OCU Academic Catalog.

Contact the University Registrar's Office if you have graduation questions: 1 (740) 477-7780 or registrar@ohiochristian.edu