ERSKINE
ACCELERATED MINISTRY PROGRAM 3+2 B.A./M.Div. program
WE LCOM E Do you sense that God may be calling you to ministry? Are you considering full-time Christian service? We invite you to prepare for your future in the Accelerated Ministry Program at Erskine College and Theological Seminary. In our program, you can gain real-world ministry experience and earn two degrees—both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity—in just five years. The Accelerated Ministry Program is both academically rigorous and intentionally relational. We’re here to help you grow in knowledge, faith, and maturity while you prepare for ministry. At Erskine, we know that ministry requires more than just head knowledge. That’s why we coordinate with churches to help you find opportunities to grow and serve, putting your knowledge into action. We hope you will join us at Erskine. Together, we will pursue Christ so you can be equipped for His calling on your life.
David Pendergrass Accelerated Ministry Program Counselor and Church Relations Coordinator
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O UR STA FF ERSKINE
WILLIAM B. EVANS
JOHN PAUL MARR
DAVID PENDERGRASS
PROFESSOR OF BIBLE AND RELIGION
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
PROGRAM COUNSELOR
Eunice Witherspoon Bell Younts
Associate Dean and Adjunct Professor
and Willie Camp Younts Professor
in Theology and Ministry
Accelerated Ministry Program Counselor Church Relations Coordinator
of Bible and Religion wbevans@erskine.edu
jpmarr@erskine.edu
pendergrass@erskine.edu
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“In the Accelerated Ministry Program... I will have less student debt and come out of college and seminary in only five years with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. The program emphasizes not only the classes, but also developing bonds, relationships, and practical applications for everyday life.”
- Ryan Gladden Junior at Erskine College, Bible & Religion major
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5 Years, 2 Degrees
Rigorous & Relational
Ministry-Focused
When you graduate from the Accelerated Ministry Program, you will hold both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Religion and a Master of Divinity degree. The program allows you to maximize your time, and it saves you money. By completing seven years of study in just five years, you may save as much as $58,000 in tuition. Lower educational costs will help you launch into ministry with more financial flexibility.
You will complete a comprehensive set of courses, including instruction in biblical interpretation, biblical Greek and Hebrew, theology, church history, and Christian ministry. While academics are essential, they are not the only part of your success at Erskine. Among your peers, you will find a vibrant community and a strong support system to encourage and inspire you throughout your education. You will also receive mentoring from faculty and gain real-world experience in ministry. The program will prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and experience to fulfill your calling and serve God’s church.
You can prepare for your future through practical, hands-on ministry experiences, including our summer (m)internship program, which provides opportunities to serve in the local church. The knowledge and experience you gain can launch you into a variety of ministry fields within the church, including these areas: • Senior church leadership • Youth ministry • Church planting • Christian education • Children’s ministry • Campus ministry • Worship leadership • International missions • Women’s ministry • Community outreach
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“ LET N O O N E DES PIS E YOU FO R YO UR YO UT H, BUT SET T HE BELIEV ERS AN EXAMPLE IN S PEECH, I N CONDUCT, IN LOV E, IN FA IT H, IN PURIT Y.”
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1 TIMOTHY 4:1 2 ESV
Maximize Your Time
Apply to the Program
Join the Erskine Family
Erskine’s Accelerated Ministry Program places you in Advanced Standing classes in your second and third years. Advanced Standing classes allow you to earn credit hours toward your B.A. and M.Div. simultaneously. You will also engage in supervised ministry during the summers after your third and fourth years, along with various internship and ministry opportunities throughout your studies.
You must first apply to Erskine and begin your studies as a Bible and Religion major. Most students then apply to the Accelerated Ministry Program during the second semester of their sophomore year. At that time, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and evident abilities for Christian ministry. To receive graduate credit for Advanced Standing classes, you must earn a B or higher in those classes. You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additionally, it is required that you demonstrate Christian character and maintain an active membership with your church.
Erskine provides a close-knit community, hands-on training, and sound biblical instruction throughout your studies. You will receive encouragement through your peer community as you pursue your education side by side. The faculty and the program director will provide guidance and mentoring during your time at Erskine, equipping you with the tools you need for fruitful service.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the Accelerated Ministry Program? In the Accelerated Ministry Program, you can earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Divinity in just five years. Both degrees are fully accredited, with courses that connect to various aspects of ministry, including theology, pastoral care and counseling, church history, and preaching. You will also complete an intensely practical capstone course in supervised ministry.
What happens when I complete the undergraduate phase of the program? Will I have to move off campus?
How many credit hours will I take each semester?
When you complete the three-year
you will take 12 credit hours during
undergraduate phase of the Accelerated Ministry Program, you will then transition to all graduate courses at Erskine Theological Seminary. At this point, you can choose to move off campus or to continue living in the dorms, either as a student or as a Resident Assistant.
As an undergraduate, you will take 1518 credit hours during fall and spring semesters. When you enter the seminary, fall and spring semesters. You will also take courses in the summer, typically during the summers following your third and fourth years. You will have the opportunity to participate in summer (m)internships to gain hands-on experience.
How will this program prepare me for ministry?
How do I enter the Accelerated Ministry Program?
What does financial aid look like for the program?
In this program, you will be challenged
You will need to begin your studies
There will be a financial incentive for
academically and mentored spiritually.
toward the Bible and Religion major
students who apply and are admitted
Our ministerial connections also provide
during your freshman year in consultation
to the program. Financial aid varies
opportunities for you to think, serve,
with the Chair of the Department of
from student to student, but there are
and grow in real-world ministry settings.
Bible, Religion, and Philosophy. During
generally three levels of incentive that
There will be opportunities in both
the second semester of your sophomore
aggregate over the last three years in the
the fall and spring semesters and the
year, you may apply for the Accelerated
program, beginning with the year you
summers to serve in local churches,
Ministry Program. Your application will
are officially accepted into the program
applying the knowledge you have gained
be evaluated by the Chair of the Bible,
(usually after your sophomore year). Aid
in your studies.
Religion, and Philosophy Department,
can be applied to undergraduate as well
the Provosts, and the Director of the
as seminary studies.
Accelerated Ministry Program.
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FO UNDATI ON & FO R M ATI ON 55 + HOURS COMMUNICATING CLEARLY & CREATIVELY • Foundation: Composition and Literature • Formation: Communicating through study of acting, art, music, public speaking, writing, and more ANALYZING DATA LOGICALLY & QUANTITATIVELY • Foundation: College Mathematics • Formation: Analyzing data through study of accounting, biostatistics, calculus, mathematical modeling, statistics, and more RESPONDING TO THE HUMAN STORY • Foundation: World History • Formation: Exploring the universal human search for truth and meaning through study of history, literature, philosophy, and more EXPLORING NATURE AS INQUIRER & STEWARD • Foundation: Introductory Lab Science • Formation: Achieving scientific literacy through study of astronomy, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, and more
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DEVELOPING A LIFESTYLE FOR WHOLENESS • Foundation: Foundations of Health and Wellness • Formation: Gaining knowledge and cultivating habits for physical and mental well-being through study of anatomy, human growth and development, psychology, and more ENGAGING SOCIETY AS NEIGHBOR & CITIZEN • Foundation: Global Awareness • Formation: Understanding the duties of civic engagement and the challenges of the global community through study of global health, history, international relations, and more SEEKING FAITHFUL UNDERSTANDING • Foundation: Biblical Literacy • Formation: A guided pursuit of truth and understanding through study of biblical literature, Christian apologetics, ethics, and more
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B IB LE & RE LI G I ON B.A. 30 + HOURS CHRISTIAN TRADITION
• The Life and Teachings of Paul
Christian Theology* plus at least two courses from:
• Johannine Literature
• Jesus in Faith & History
• General Epistles
• The Presbyterian & Reformed Tradition
CHRIST IN RELATION TO CULTURE & RELIGION
• Church History I*
World Religions* plus at least one course from:
• Church History II*
• World Christianity
• History of Christianity in America
• Philosophy of Religion
BIBLICAL STUDIES
• Christian Apologetics*
• One course from: • Biblical Ethics
• Religion and Contemporary American Culture*
• The Story of Redemption • Biblical Interpretation At least one upper-division Old Testament course: • Pentateuch • The Historical Books • Prophetic Literature • Psalms and Wisdom Literature At least one upper-division New Testament course: • Synoptic Gospels
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*Eligible for Advanced Standing credit toward Master of Divinity degree (18 total hours)
“I’m tremendously excited about Erskine’s Accelerated Ministry Program. It significantly reduces the need for students to incur debt; it minimizes course redundancy between the College and Seminary programs; and it maintains the integrity of the liberal-arts experience. That’s a ‘win-win-win’ situation!” -William B. Evans 13
M ASTE R OF D IV I NI TY 84 + HOURS LANGUAGES, DENOMINATIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or ELECTIVES
• Apologetics Advanced Standing
Biblical Greek (I & II) or Biblical Hebrew (I & II)
• Missions - World Religions Advanced Standing
History of Christianity in America Advanced Standing Elective/Denominational Requirement
MINISTRY DEPARTMENT
BIBLE DEPARTMENT
• Christian Vocation & Transformation
• Bible Survey
• Christian Education
• Principles of Exegesis
• Evangelism
• Old Testament I
• Basic Preaching
• Old Testament II
• Christian Leadership & Church Administration
• New Testament I • New Testament II • Old Testament Exegesis Course • New Testament Exegesis Course THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT • Early & Medieval Church History Advanced Standing • Reformation & Modern Church History Advanced Standing • Systematic Theology I Advanced Standing • Systematic Theology II • Systematic Theology III
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• Christian Ethics
• Pastoral Care & Counseling • Christian Worship • Supervised Ministry
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LEARN MORE BY VISITING ERSKINE.EDU/AMP
. .
SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOAN REPAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE
HOW DO I QUALIFY? 1.
Apply to Erskine College.
2.
Once you are admitted to Erskine, apply for the AMP program during the second semester of your sophomore year.
3.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4.
Demonstrate a passion for Christian service and abilities in ministry.
HOW DO I SUCCEED IN THE PROGRAM? 1.
Carefully plan your course of study and take Advanced Standing classes to receive credit for both the B.A. and M.Div. simultaneously.
2.
Earn a B or higher in Advanced Standing classes to receive graduate credits.
3.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4.
Participate in hands-on internship ministry opportunities in the summers.
5.
Demonstrate Christian character and maintain an active church membership.
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(M )I NTE RNS HI PS
Erskine College invests in our students through mentoring and hands-on m inistry opportunities, partnering with local churches to involve students in ministry throughout their time at Erskine. One way we do this is through our summer (m)internship program. (M)internships immerse students in real-world ministry. Under the guidance of church leaders, students gain practical exp erience to prepare for their future.
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READY TO LEARN MORE? contact:
DAVID PENDERGRASS pendergrass@erskine.edu or visit us online at:
amp.erskine.edu Scholarships available. Apply today!