Courses

A study of educational ministry and leadership, with attention to effective strategic planning, teaching principles, ministry practices, and designing and leading dynamic biblical ministries for the purpose of discipling all ages in church, parachurch, and non-profit organizations. Enrollment limited to 40 students. 3 hours.

A study of spiritual dynamics in effective Bible teaching and principles of learning and teaching, with practice in using creative classroom methods in an actual teaching experience. The course includes creating a lesson plan with instructional objectives and an opportunity to learn how to interact with students in reciprocal conversation and creative activities. It also includes hands-on exploration of speaker-support media for face-to-face teaching, with emphasis on clear communication and aesthetic design. The media portion of the course may credit 1 hour in the Department of Media Arts and Worship. Prerequisite: BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics. 3 hours.

A survey of the history of religious education from the ancient world to the present day as well as the most influential philosophies influencing each era, along with a study of contemporary philosophies of education and Christian educators. As a capstone project, each student will develop and submit their Christian philosophy of education. Students should take this course in their final term of study. 3 hours.

The examination and practice of communication skills in small-group settings, with emphasis on exercises that enhance those skills. Current small-group ministry models will be presented along with insights into leader selection and training, conflict resolution, and self-disclosure. Enrollment limited to 16 students. 3 hours.

Analysis of the teaching-learning process; practice in writing instructional objectives and designing plans for biblical curriculum development; and a study of task descriptions, motivation, and evaluation in teaching and learning. 3 hours.

A seminar on the philosophy, organization, process, and procedures of designing an academic course in a Christian college or seminary. 3 hours.

Principles and motivation for developing creativity in oneself and for teaching others to be creative. Enrollment limited to 30 students. MAMW students may register for 2 hours of credit. May also be credited in the Department of Media Arts and Worship. 3 hours.

A consideration of the theoretical, practical, and cultural issues involved in educational ministries in settings outside North America. May also be credited in the Department of Missiology & Intercultural Ministries (see MIM5405). 3 hours.

A study of issues in educational philosophy, planning, administration, and teaching related to theological education in intercultural ministry settings. May be credited toward the PhD program (with approval from the director of PhD studies). 3 hours.

An analysis of the qualities and practices of the effective Christian leader based on principles in Scripture and related literature, with attention to devising a personal philosophy of Christian leadership. 3 hours.

A study of the principles of academic governance, including the nature and function of church-related institutions of higher education, with attention to the responsibilities of leaders in academic affairs, student services, business affairs, development, and general administration. May be taken under DE7375-1. Offered every three years. 3 hours.

This course is a practical introduction to mentoring and coaching. Attention is given to biblical principles, definitions, models, techniques, and available resources, with an emphasis on applications in counseling and leadership contexts. May also be credited in the Department of Counseling Ministries. 3 hours.

A course designed to prepare students to serve as principals, superintendents, and other administrative leaders in Christian schools at the elementary and secondary levels. May be taken under DE7375-1. Offered every three years. 3 hours.

A study of legal issues affecting ministry organizations, with attention to administration, compliance with state and federal regulations, plant and property concerns, and various forms of liability, coupled with an analysis of good financial practice for nonprofit ministries, including budgeting, accountability, and general stewardship of gifts and revenues. 3 hours.

This course will help leaders understand the complexities of personal leadership development, including how one’s personality, temperament, and strengths impact a leader within personal, ministry, parachurch, and other contexts. Online enrollment limited to 16 students. 3 hours.

This course will provide strategies and practices to help leaders understand the complexities of organizational culture, including how to create, discover, and form/transform their organizational culture. Attention will be given to best practices for practical leadership in a variety of organizational contexts and environments. Online enrollment limited to 16 students. 3 hours.

A study of principles and procedures that relate to leadership in a team environment. This course will focus on the essential elements necessary for effective teamwork on ministry leadership teams in church and parachurch settings. 3 hours.

This course is designed to help ministry leaders understand why organizational culture matters in ministry and how to create, discover, and form or transform their organizational culture. 3 hours.

A study of emotional intelligence in the context of Christian leadership. Since relationships are an important element of leadership, emotional intelligence is critical for the leader to relate, lead, and serve authentically and effectively. 3 hours.

A study of change and conflict in the context of Christian ministry. Increased understanding and skill development in change agency, conflict resolution/management, and handling of criticism are intended outcomes for each student. 3 hours.

An advanced study of communication principles for leaders in churches and Christian organizations. Students will develop an organization-wide communication plan, learn principles for effective and accurate communication, and crisis plans for their organization, staff, and/or ministry. An effective, professional process of systematic communication will be emphasized. 3 hours.

A study of selected major writings of modern leadership theorists, with an emphasis on current issues in leadership and an evaluation of modern leadership theories from a Christian worldview. The readings are designed to meet the professional interests and needs of servant-leaders in all fields. Enrollment limited to 12 students. 2 hours.

This course provides an overview of the essential issues related to the major age groups represented in the church. Students will be exposed to a large variety of resources enabling them to interact with other staff members or move more easily into other staff roles. Normally limited to students at the extension sites. Enrollment by Dallas-campus students requires consent of the professor. 3 hours.

This course will explore the biblical rationale for faith development within the family from birth through age 12 and will present models where partnerships are taking place between families and churches in the spiritual development of children. Students will be provided with opportunities to learn from guest speakers and participate in field trips. 3 hours.

A study of the nature and needs of children from birth through age 12, methods and materials for working with children, and administration of the children’s division of the church. Students participate in two teaching demonstrations to integrate classroom learning. 3 hours.

An exploration of the biblical and theological basis for meeting the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of children at risk both in the U.S. and around the world. Attention will be given to issues such as divorce, abortion, adoption, foster care, poverty, child labor, and human trafficking as they relate to children at risk, as well as to orphans, refugees, and children of war. Opportunities will be provided to learn from guest speakers and organizations that are addressing and effectively ministering to children. 3 hours.

A study of the nature and needs of young people and objectives and methods of Christian education for youth. Group dynamics and discussion of practical problems and issues related to youth work are also discussed. Students will develop a working philosophy of youth ministry. May also be credited in the Department of World Missions and Intercultural Studies. 3 hours.

A study of the theological, philosophic, and historic foundations of outdoor ministry and an overview of Christian camp ministry and management today. Special emphasis will be given to experiential learning, program planning, staff recruitment, and management, leadership development, marketing, and evaluation. 3 hours.

A study of the characteristics, needs, and problems of adults of various ages, and the ministries of local-church adult education, with attention to principles, programs, and resources. 3 hours.

A course on contemporary strategies for reaching today’s youth, with emphasis on evangelism and discipleship. Attention is given to the philosophy of, and principles for, the four levels of programming: outreach, spiritual growth, ministry training, and leadership multiplication. Examination of area ministry strategies through field trips gives practical opportunity to apply classroom instruction to real-world scenarios. 3 hours.

A study of the unique needs of women and how to best teach, lead, mentor, shepherd, and care for women in local church, parachurch, academic, and cross-cultural missions contexts. 3 hours.

This course surveys the current trends in men’s ministry across the evangelical landscape and takes an informative look at the biblical and theological data on manhood and masculinity. The course includes field trips and guest speakers who are actively engaged in ministry to men. Students are encouraged to formulate practical strategies and effective ministry plans to evangelize, disciple, and train men. 3 hours.

This course is a study of postmodernism and its effects on the ministry of the church specifically focused on strategies for reaching young adults. Young adult development and needs are discussed in light of shifting cultural forces. The student will develop a working philosophy of young adult ministry. 3 hours.

A study of women in their capacity as the audience and also as learners, with multiple opportunities to create and practice relevant, biblical presentations and studies for large groups, retreats, and conferences. Prerequisite: BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics. Enrollment limited to 15 students. 3 hours.

Examines both Old and New Testament passages that establish the foundation for a dynamic Christian marriage. 1 hour.

Offers exercises and experiences that strengthen communication and conflict-resolution skills within the Christian marriage and home. 1 hour.

Looks at issues and responsibilities that affect the nurturing and enriching of a Christian family. 1 hour.

Biblical principles and practical techniques for designing and implementing church programs of instruction and ministries in parenting, in marriage, family relationships, child-rearing, and other aspects of family life and church-home cooperation. Both structural and functional family systems will be examined. Enrollment limited to 15 students. 3 hours.

From candidating to ministry development, this course will enable the student to be effective from the first day in ministry. Key program issues will include recruiting, training, and working with professional staff. Field trips to various local ministry organizations provide opportunities for practical experience in weddings, funerals, baptism, camping, hospital visitation, and homeless ministry. 3 hours.

This course will present information to students to support the critical need to set up a comprehensive and effective safety system to prevent child sexual abuse from occurring in their ministries. Attention is given to dispelling long-held myths and replacing them with data-driven principles concerning the problem of child sexual abuse. Detailed information will be presented along with instructions on how to set up an adaptable safety system that can work in any ministry context. Enrollment limited to 15 students. Audits are not permitted for this course. 3 hours.

A study of the philosophy and methodology of disciple development based on selected portions of the New Testament, especially those concerning the life of Christ. 3 hours.

A study in the history of Christian spiritual formation from the patristic era through its contemporary evangelical expressions, designed to introduce students to the rich resources of the Christian tradition available for providing nurture and guidance in soul care. May also be credited in the Department of Pastoral Ministries (see PM5510). 3 hours.

A study of contemporary cultural dynamics and their implications for spiritual formation, which they present with special attention given to paradigms of the church’s engagement with the broader cultural environment, the contemporary cultural realities that inhibit growth in Christ-likeness, and cultural factors that inform and shape faithful expressions of soul care. 3 hours.

A study of the theology and practice of the classical spiritual disciplines, including prayer, fasting, biblical meditation, and acts of service. The course is designed to help students understand, engage, and lead others in the practice of the spiritual disciplines commended in Scripture and developed throughout the history of the church. 3 hours.

A study of selected major writings associated with important issues, eras, or figures in the history of Christian spirituality. Topics vary from year to year. 2 or 3 hours.

Supervised field-based education in the student’s intended vocational ministry context under the supervision and encouragement of an experienced on-site Ministry Mentor. This contextual education experience consists of instruction, cohort interaction, and practical application in selected ministry settings in the Dallas area, across the United States, or around the world. This intensive learning opportunity is designed as an eight-month residency (two consecutive terms—Ministry Residency I and Ministry Residency II) with an approved church or parachurch/mission organization during a student’s studies. Enrollment is limited to ThM, MACE, and MACL students and requires professor approval. Prerequisite: Follows degree-specific internship requirements for ThM, MACE, and MACL. 12 hours (6 hours in the fall and 6 hours in the spring).

A study of the dynamics of personal leadership development in a leader’s own life and work. The course will help leaders understand the complexities of personal leadership development, including how one's individual personality, temperament, and strengths impact a leader within personal, ministry, parachurch, and other contexts. 3 hours.

This course will provide strategies and practices to help leaders understand the complexities of organizational culture, including how to create, discover, and form/transform their organizational culture. Attention will be given to best practices for practical leadership in a variety of organizational contexts and environments. 3 hours.

This course is a study of the children and student ministry environments of the local church, with attention given to age-specific ministry models, goals, small group strategies, creative planning, program implementation, and volunteer development for preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, and college ministry. 2–3 hours.

This course is a study of the adult ministry environments of the local church, looking at processes that facilitate spiritual growth such as adult small groups and development opportunities. This course will also address the care systems in place to serve those who find themselves in a transitional season of life spiritually or relationally. 2–3 hours.

This course is a study of best practices for effective written and verbal communication in the local church, with attention given to creating content that is compelling, clear, and concise. The practical focus will be on communicating internally and externally through social media, print marketing, training pieces, series plans, and vision casting. 2–3 hours.

This course is a study of a specialized ministry context in the local church not treated in the other church-based residency courses. This is a field-based education in the student’s intended vocational ministry context under the guidance of the local church. 2–3 hours.

Independent research on some subject in the field of Christian education not specifically treated in other courses. Credit is allowed proportionate to the amount of work but not to exceed 4 credit hours in any one subject of study. Limited to advanced students and subject to consent of the professor. 1–4 hours.

Independent research and writing of a thesis on an approved topic under the supervision of two faculty advisors. Students will have one calendar year to complete the thesis. If the thesis is not completed by the end of a year, students will be registered in EML5903. Enrollment requires consent of the department. 2 or 3 hours.

The thesis continuation course is required of all students writing a thesis who are beyond one year in the thesis process. Thesis continuation is permitted for a maximum of one additional term (for a 2-hour thesis, including summer) or two additional terms (for a 3-hour thesis, including summer). 1 hour.

This course is designed for students who choose to participate in special conferences, training, or programs that are more formal in nature and require student participation other than a standard independent study. Approved special topics will provide expertise or training not specifically covered in the seminary curriculum. Credit is allowed proportionate to the required amount of work but is not to exceed 4 credit hours on any one topic. Enrollment requires consent of the department. 1–4 hours.

Independent research and writing of an applied research project on an approved topic under the supervision of a faculty advisor and an approved second reader who may be a faculty member or an approved ministry practitioner. Enrollment requires consent of the department. 2 hours.