professional Studies specializations
(18 credit hours each)
Counselling
For those who want to provide compassionate and informed psychological and spiritual care through the development of people-helping skills with a biblical foundation
Students who complete the counselling specialization are prepared to work in a variety of health fields and ministries. Alongside a Bachelor’s Degree, the Counselling specialization prepares those who desire to be licensed counsellors for graduate study.
This course explores the role of care in the course of ongoing institutional life (congregations, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.). It considers the Biblical text, the historic tradition of Christian care, as well as recent changes in values and language surrounding care. Narrative theories of care provide the basis for the assumptions and skill development of the course.
This course provides an overview of major theories in counselling and psychotherapy from a Christian perspective. Students will develop criteria for evaluating theories using a biblical framework and formulate their own philosophy of Christian counselling.
Prerequisite: B3327 Theology of Care
This course is designed to blend personal growth and practical experience through developing the understanding, knowledge and skills necessary for effective counselling relationships. Integration of Christian beliefs, faith, and practice is expected.
Prerequisite: B3327 Theology of Care
This course provides students with a basic knowledge of conflict theory, as well as an introductory understanding of conflict resolution skills. Students will gain a framework for bringing biblical counsel and resolution to conflict situations at home, work, and the Church.
- Elective #1 (3)
- Elective #2 (3)
Biblical Studies
For those who want to dive deeply into God's word and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for Scripture
Students who specialize in Biblical Studies develop interpretive skills for church ministry, personal devotion, and academic study.
This course provides an introduction to the life and letters of the apostle Paul, including critical issues pertinent to the whole Pauline corpus, as well as detailed reading of several representative letters.
- Elective #1 (3)
- Elective #2 (3)
- Elective #1 (3)
- Elective #2 (3)
- Elective #1 (3)
Business/
Nonprofit
For those who want to develop leadership and planning skills to lead organizations that make a difference
Those who specialize in Business/Nonprofit studies are prepared to work in a variety of administrative settings including churches and charities, or to develop their own business or nonprofit.
This course introduces key issues for Canadian nonprofit organizations, with focus on Alberta. Topics introduced are: leadership, human resources, governance, and financial management.
Effective leaders make effective organizations. Accordingly, this course focuses on the nature of effective leaders as they interact and foster effective organizations. The theoretical basis for this course comes from Friedman’s concept of a self-differentiated leader and Bolman and Deal’s four perspectives for reframing organizations.
This course will focus on program oversight: conceptualizing, building, marketing, managing, staffing, and evaluating (managing risk). Students will apply the steps to a program within a church, charity, or organization.
This course focuses on the Carver model as a structure for the fundamentals of board governance, including the role of board members, conceptual thinking and communication, change management principles and best practices for non-profit governance.
Strategic leadership is about getting the right things done and getting them done rightly. This course explores the various strategic postures a leader can take to build efficient and effective organizations or ministries. The most important outcome of the course is that leaders will be able to plan, write, implement, and live out a strategic plan for their organizations.
This course applies financial management principles to charities and non-profit organizations. Students will become familiar with accounting essentials, the financial management cycle, budgeting, payroll, and reports and statements.
Pastoral Care
For those who want to minister to others in the church and beyond through the development of leadership skills and biblical understanding
Specialists in Pastoral Care develop a foundation for church ministry, chaplaincy, or further study.
This course surveys common understandings of the theology of the Church and philosophies of pastoral ministry within the Church. Emphasis will be given to understanding the dynamics of faithful pastoral ministry and how those dynamics relate to the biblical metaphors of the Church. Learners will articulate their own personal calling to, and philosophy of, pastoral ministry.
A course designed to guide the student in constructing and communicating a biblical message based upon a given passage of Scripture using proper expository and presentation skills. Emphasis will be given to researching and articulating a “Big Idea” from selected passages of Scripture.
Prerequisite: B3025 Grasping God’s Word
This course explores the practical dimensions of pastoral ministry, with the goal of equipping students to function effectively as pastoral leaders within the contemporary culture. Issues such as administration, systems development, dealing with the expectations of others, administering the sacraments, performing weddings and funerals, functioning effectively with a church staff (paid and volunteer), handling conflict and criticism, avoiding burnout, and other day-to-day aspects of the ministry are covered.
Prerequisite: B3326 Theology of Church and Ministry
Caring for self is an essential component in caring for others. This course is designed to assist individuals serving in all incarnations of ministry with practical strategies to lead healthy and balanced lives while serving God and others. Attention will be given to identity issues, the use of personality and gifts in ministry, recognizing healthy boundaries, addressing power and control issues, managing stress, conflict management and resolution, ministry transitions, and family dynamics.
- Elective #1 (3)
- Elective #2 (3)
Program Delivery
Hybrid in person or online
Duration
6 courses (18 credit hours)
Tuition & Fees
$5820 CAD ($2700 AUDIT)
Certifications
Certificate
Take only the Professional Studies courses required for your ministry specialization (6 courses) to earn a Professional Studies Certificate.
Diploma
Take a ministry specialization as part of your 2-year Diploma program in the College or PACE.
Bachelor's Degree
Choose a ministry specialization as part of your 4-year Bachelor's Degree in the College Bachelor of Christian Studies or the PACE Bachelor of Christian Ministry.