College	Ministry
Academic Award	Graduate Certficate
Credits Required	12 semester credits
Faculty Lead	Joshua Ziefle
CIP Code	39.0604

This short-term certificate, normally completed in two semesters (Fall/Spring) is for those with a bachelor’s degree who wish to develop a biblical and theological framework applicable in Christian leadership. The Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership may be taken as part of any College of Ministry graduate degree.

Admissions

Admission into the Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership requires the completion of a Bachelor of Arts or Science (or an equivalent degree) from a regionally accredited college or university. Allowances may be made for degrees accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). Students also complete the application and acceptance process for the College of Ministry Graduate School. The College of Ministry has rolling application dates. The application must be completed no later than two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Students whose academic histories reflect a GPA below 2.7 may be accepted to the program on a conditional basis for their first six credits of graduate study. These applicants will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account their personal and academic strengths and the specific academic program to which they are applying. Once the conditions have been met, they will be fully accepted to the program.

Students who are accepted conditionally will be subject to the following: (1) They must meet all other stated admissions qualifications (2) They must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA in each of their courses during their first six credit hours in the program (3) If requested to do so, they may be required to interview during the admissions process and/or take additional or supplemental coursework. Students may also choose to take the GRE to supplement their application.

The Northwest University College of Ministry gives admissions preference to professing Christians whose doctrinal and lifestyle beliefs are in harmony with those of the University.

Academic Progress

Students may be placed on probation if their GPA falls below 2.7. If the student’s GPA has been below 2.7 for two or more terms, he or she is placed on academic suspension (disqualification). Students must earn at least a 2.7 overall grade point average to graduate.

Program Outcomes

In addition to achieving the general goals of the University and the College of Ministry, completing the Graduate Certificate of Christian Leadership results in the following learning outcomes:

Graduates will be able to:

1. Analyze Scripture using appropriate hermeneutical principles.
2. Develop informed personal ethics as a guide to decision making.
3. Examine vital issues in contemporary Christian life in light of the biblical metanarrative.
4. Evaluate a practical approach to spiritual formation.