Certificate in Theological Studies

The Certificate in Theological Studies offers professionals, congregational leaders and bivocational pastors a foundation in theological and biblical study.

The Certificate is designed to:

1. Prepare bivocational pastors for ministry in small congregations while they hold other part-time employment.
2. Prepare congregational members for roles they may carry in the life and work of the congregation.
3. Provide people in various professions with opportunities for spiritual enrichment, theological reflection, and fuller integration of Christian values in their work.

Specific concentrations within the Certificate program are available to fit several kinds of work and ministry. Please see the links at the right for a list of the concentrations and information about each. The general plan of study has flexibility for the student--in consultation with the adviser--to select courses for a special interest or ministry.

The Certificate requires 27 credit hours, which can be fulfilled with part-time study over several years or one year of full-time study. At least nine hours must be taken on campus in Elkhart and may include weekend offerings or short-term courses during Interterm and summer. Fifteen hours must be taken from AMBS offerings (including online and extension site courses) and no more than twelve credit hours may be transferred in from other accredited seminaries.

Mentoring and Advising

AMBS assigns an adviser to all students in the Certificate program. In addition, for those preparing for service in a congregation, it is desirable for the student to have a mentor from the conference or congregation. The adviser and mentor will counsel the student in order to make the educational experience most profitable. A small group seminar may be organized as a context of discernment and discussion of vocational, ethical, and theological issues.