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Courses of Study for MA in Christian Leadership

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
This fully accredited Master’s Degree is designed to increase your effectiveness in working with churches and organizations. The need for informed leadership is enormous and this degree will expose you to the most current research and the dynamics involved in more effective Christian leadership. Most of the program can be completed online from your home or office to provide freedom for your pace of study within the parameters of set semesters – fall, spring and summer. Among the unique features of this program are two intercultural experiences which inform students with respect to global leadership models. The need for graduate level education continues to grow as leaders find that they are working with an increasingly educated audience and/or needing to more effectively penetrate the culture they are trying to reach.

36 credit hours total. Each course is for 3 credit hours except the Research Project which is for 6 credit hours.

THE 505 - Art and Science of Biblical Interpretation
PHL 510 – Apologetics and Ethics: Contemporary Challenges
LED 505 - Biblical Leadership Models
LED 510 - The Leader & Leadership Development
LED 515 - Developing Leaders
LED 520 - Creative Leadership
LED 525 - Organizational Leadership & Communication
LED 530 - Essentials of Christian Coaching (offered on a rotating basis)
SOC 550 - Cross-Cultural Leadership 1
SOC 560 - Cross-Cultural Leadership 2
SOC 595 - Research Dynamics
SOC 599 - Research Project


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

THE 505 – Art and Science of Biblical Interpretation (3 credit hours)
This course will examine the science of hermeneutical analysis, processes, and methods in which one can derive the most accurate and valid interpretation of passages of the Bible. Due consideration will be given to the art involved in integrating various lines
of thought in the Bible to accomplish an adequate understanding and application of any passage in the Bible.

PHL 510 – Apologetics & Ethics: Contemporary Challenges (3 credit hours)
An exploration of the integration and interdependence of apologetics and ethics in the contemporary world. The reasonableness of Christianity in both its truth claims and moral determinations is considered. Approaches to apologetics and ethics are analyzed,
and the combined insights are applied to contemporary issues.

LED 505 – Biblical Leadership Models (3 credit hours)
This course will examine and analyze the variety of leadership models found within both the Old and New Testaments, examine why particular models of leadership were required at particular times and how New Testament leadership is presented and developed in light of the Christological model and its implications for Christians in leadership today. Special
emphasis will be placed upon knowledge, skills, attitudes and values involved in "servant leadership."

LED 510 – The Leader and Leadership Development (3 credit hours)
This course will address the spiritual formation, psychological development, health and well-being, discipline and ethical decision-making of the leader as well as on going care and development needed in order to be a truly effective leader.

LED 515 – Developing Leaders (3 credit hours)
(Prerequisite LED 505 or 510)
This course will work from the foundation that quality leaders develop and equip other leaders. The focus will be to present a workable process on how to develop leaders and equip a team of leaders to work effectively together with understanding and mutual regard to accomplish God-given purposes and goals and then multiply leaders. Surveys of present leadership development materials, as well as transferable concepts from leadership programs will be analyzed.

LED 520 – Creative Leadership (3 credit hours)
This course will examine extensive examples of creative approaches to leadership and how leaders can generate and maintain creativity to effectively develop and lead a group of people to accomplish outstanding goals. Characteristics of visionary leaders will be examined, exploration of their leadership habits and spiritual disciplines for effective visionary leadership and strategies for conceiving vision and implementing tools for visionary leadership.

LED 525 – Organizational Leadership and Communication (3 credit hours)
This course will analyze organizational structures, styles, conflict management, personalities and the impact that they have upon an organization and its development, along with the essentials of effective communication channels to nurture an organization so that it can identify well articulated processes for decision making and team involvement. Areas of study will also include budgeting, scheduling, staff management, committee structures, leadership and communication. Ethical issues will be addressed to focus upon organizational integrity.

LED 530 - Essentials of Christian Coaching (3 credit hours)
Coaching in Leadership enables students to understand and use the basic skill set employed in professional Christian Coaching, in both formal coach-client relationships and in organizational leadership. Christian coaching is an emerging people development profession, which has broad application for leaders seeking to serve and develop those they lead. Course includes 2 on-campus requirements and weekly teleclasses.

SOC 550 – Cross-Cultural Leadership 1 (3 credit hours)
This course will consist of an international field course of study under the direction of a professor that will take place within one of the following settings: overseas Universities and training centers, Mission field experiences, mega-churches and cross-cultural settings in which leadership analysis, teaching and training will be conducted. Field service will be required. This course will expand the cross-cultural understanding of the student to more effectively assess and respond to the realities being faced in that particular setting and evaluate the transferability of various leadership models. The course will examine the role of culture and cultural dynamics in the selection, emergence and functioning of leadership.

SOC 560 – Cross-Cultural Leadership 2 (3 credit hours)
This course will build upon SOC 550. It will also consist of an international field course of study under the direction of a professor that will take place within one of the following settings: overseas Universities and training centers, Mission field experiences, mega-churches and cross-cultural settings in which leadership analysis, teaching and training will be conducted. Field service will be required. This course will expand the cross-cultural understanding of the student to more effectively asses and respond to the realities being faced in that particular setting and evaluate the transferability of various leadership models. The course will examine the role of culture and cultural dynamics in the selection, emergence and functioning of leadership. In addition to the requirements of SOC 550, the student will need to either design leadership models to address the cultural context or utilize existing models and how they would interface with that cultural context. The student will need to demonstrate the transferability of such models to other cultural contexts. Prerequisite: SOC 550.

SOC 595 – Research Dynamics (3 credit hours)
(Prerequisite completion of at least five of required courses)
This course will train the student in the advanced skills of scholarly research, design, writing and documentation as a direct preparation for the final research project of the degree.

SOC 599 – Research Project (6 credit hours)
(Prerequisite SOC 595)
This course will consist of a major written project that reflects graduate level research and writing on an area of study agreed upon and under the direct supervision of a professor who has specialization in the chosen topic of study in keeping with the degree. The final project must receive committee approval.