School of Theology and Christian Ministry

Purposes

To help students appreciate and understand Christian history, theology, and spirituality from the perspective of the biblical, historical Christian faith;
To create opportunities for students to apply and integrate classroom knowledge and principles to in-service training experiences in local churches, cross-cultural settings, and missions;
To prepare students to pursue the study of philosophy, theology, or religion in a graduate school or seminary;
To educate students to be “practical thinkers” and “thinking practitioners.”

Tradition of Excellence

The School of Theology and Christian Ministry faculty is committed to Christian service and the Wesleyan heritage. It offers personal attention and programs geared toward preparing women and men for ministry in a variety of forms as well as for other professions. With approximately fifty denominations represented at Point Loma, students have the opportunity to learn the similarities and differences between the major denominations and traditions within the Christian faith. The faculty of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry is diverse in educational background, with degrees from leading seminaries and universities across the country. Faculty members have published commentaries, dictionary articles, Christian life pieces, books, articles in national scholarly journals, and Christian education booklets. All professors are members in academic societies in fields of study. Outside the classroom, the faculty are committed members of local congregations and often spend weekends preaching, teaching Sunday school, or speaking at camps and retreats.

Career Opportunities

Many of our students go directly into Christian ministry or other professions; others go on to graduate school. The School is proud of the acceptance rate of its alumni into a variety of graduate programs and law schools across the United States. To assist those entering Christian ministry of all sorts, “hands-on” internships in local churches are available. Also, six semester units can be earned through the summer ministries program by working in a local church, urban mission, or summer camp.

Centers

Point Loma Nazarene University maintains centers within the organization of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry:

The Center for Pastoral Leadership

Faculty

Ron Benefiel, Ph.D.
University of Southern California

Brad Kelle, Ph.D.
Emory University

Rebecca Laird, D. Min.
Drew University

Michael Lodahl, Ph.D.
Emory University

Kara Lyons-Pardue, Ph.D.
Princeton Theological Seminary

Mark Maddix, Ph.D., Dean
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Mark Mann, Ph.D.
Boston University

Stephanie Matthews, Ph.D. Candidate
Vanderbilt University

Samuel Powell, Ph.D.
Claremont Graduate School

Heather Ross, M.A.
De Paul University

Robert Thompson, Ph.D.
University of Oklahoma

Montague Williams, Ph.D.
Boston University

Programs

Major

Point Loma Nazarene University offers four baccalaureate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), the Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), the Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Many of the 50+ major programs also offer in-depth concentrations.

If a second major area of study is desired, all requirements for both majors must be met with a minimum of 24 units distinguishing the two areas of study. While working on a single baccalaureate degree, the maximum number of pursuits is two majors and two minors.

Students should review the majors and minors list in the catalog.

Minor

Optional minors are offered in several schools and departments. The requirements governing minors are as follows:

Only minors that appear in the student’s catalog of record may be earned at the point of graduation;
A minor is at least 16 units and is under the direct auspices of the respective school/department;
Students must earn a 2.000 cumulative GPA in the minor for it to be granted;
The minor must show a minimum of nine (9) units in residence;
Of the 16+ units in the minor, nine (9) must be distinct from and not counted in the major;
Of the 16+ units in the minor, 12 must be at the upper-division level;
The pass/no credit option is not available for courses within the minor; and
A second minor, when feasible, requires a minimum of nine (9) units distinct from and not counted either in the major or in the first minor.

Certificate

Optional certificates are offered in some schools or departments. The requirements governing certificates are as follows:

A certificate is a skill or theme-based program using approved PLNU courses that supplements a student’s undergraduate studies.
Only certificates that appear in the student’s catalog of record may be earned at the point of graduation.
Students must earn a 2.000 cumulative GPA in the certificate for it to be granted.
A certificate should be between 6-15 units if it is aligned with a major but may be up to 24 units if it is not aligned with a major.
50% or more of the units being applied to the certificate must be unique to that certificate.
Of the total units in the certificate, a minimum of 2/3 must be earned in residence.

Courses

Bible

Biblical Languages

Christian Ministry

Church History

Philosophy

Theology