SEMINARY DEGREE PROGRAMs
Associate in Ministry Degree (A. Min)
Pilgrim Seminary currently offers two degrees, an Associate in Ministry and a Bachelor of Divinity.
The Associate in Ministry degree program has been designed to meet the needs of those whose context for ministry requires less formal higher education than is required in the Bachelor of Divinity program. The following courses are required:
Part One: Principles of Biblical Interpretation; Old Testament Survey; New Testament Survey; Christian Leadership; Methodist History, Doctrine, and Polity.*
Part Two: Pastoral Care; Preaching; Leading Worship; Evangelism and Discipleship; and Introduction to Christian Philosophy.
Part Three: Church History I and II, Theology I and II; and Christian Ethics.
Part Four: Old Testament Elective; Gospels and Acts; Organizational Behavior; Church Planting; Congregational Health and Growth.
* Other traditions may select a different elective.
The program also requires a course in College Writing, one science course, and one course in mathematics.
Bachelor of Divinity Degree (B. Div)
The Bachelor of Divinity (B. Div.) incorporates much of a traditional three year seminary graduate program into an undergraduate degree thus saving students time and money without sacrificing the knowledge and skills necessary for effective ministry. The program seeks to offer excellent preparation for persons interested in pastoral ministry, missionary service, and significant lay leadership responsibilities in the local church.
The degree requires the successful completion of 126 credit hours. All of the courses in this degree are required. The program is divided into nine sections. A student must successfully complete all of the sections and a Capstone Project. We strongly encourage all degree-seeking students to have a specific context for Christian service and a mentor with a theological degree and ministry experience.
The Bachelor of Divinity degree requires the following courses:
Studies in Psychology
General Psychology; Human Growth and Development; Health Psychology; Social Psychology; and Abnormal Psychology.
Studies in Communication
Written Communication; Critical Thinking; Interpersonal Communication; Diversity and Intercultural Communication; and Public Speaking.
Studies in American Society
Sociology; Marriage and Family; American History I; American History II; and American Government.
Biblical Studies
Principles of Biblical Interpretation; Old Testament I; Old Testament II; New Testament Survey, The Gospels and Acts.
Church History, Theology, and Ethics
Church History I; Church History II; Christian Theology I; Christian Theology II; Introduction to Christian Philosophy; and Christian Ethics.
The Church in Mission
Spiritual Formation; World Religions; Evangelism and Discipleship; Preaching; Worship; Church Planting; and Congregational Health and Growth.
Christian Caregiving and Counseling
Social Problems; Drugs and Society; Death, Dying, Loss and Grief; Crisis Intervention; and Helping Profession Ethics.
Church Management
Managing Non-Profit Organizations
Science and Math Requirement
Nine credit hours of science and math (minimum three credits in each) are required.
earning academic credit
Academic credit is earned at Pilgrim Seminary by successfully completing all of the course requirements for a particular course. This includes requirements such as passing examinations and completing all assignments, papers or projects. The successful completion of a course requires a minimum score of 70%. This “70% rule” applies to all assignments, papers, projects, and exams.
Our institution does not have grades of D or F. A student receiving less than 70% in a course receives an I (incomplete) and is encouraged to engage in further study and retake exams or complete other assignments. We use the following grading scale:
Less than 70% = Incomplete (I) 70-79% = C 80-89% = B 90-100% = A
Grades are added to a student’s academic record only when a course has been successfully completed with a C or better. To ensure academic integrity, we require that all exams be taken in a secure manner as specified by the seminary.
More Ways to Gain Academic Credit
In addition to the courses we offer, credit towards an Associate or a Bachelor degree can come from a variety of other sources. The seminary is willing to consider appropriate AP courses which have been successfully completed. A student may transfer credits earned at other colleges, universities, or seminaries for which he or she received a grade of C or better consistent with the seminary's transfer policy.
We also accept a number of nationally recognized exams. We will consider course specific recommendations for college credit from the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. Credit may also be granted for work completed through the Methodist Course of Study and other denominationally approved programs.
Our institution does not have grades of D or F. A student receiving less than 70% in a course receives an I (incomplete) and is encouraged to engage in further study and retake exams or complete other assignments. We use the following grading scale:
Less than 70% = Incomplete (I) 70-79% = C 80-89% = B 90-100% = A
Grades are added to a student’s academic record only when a course has been successfully completed with a C or better. To ensure academic integrity, we require that all exams be taken in a secure manner as specified by the seminary.
More Ways to Gain Academic Credit
In addition to the courses we offer, credit towards an Associate or a Bachelor degree can come from a variety of other sources. The seminary is willing to consider appropriate AP courses which have been successfully completed. A student may transfer credits earned at other colleges, universities, or seminaries for which he or she received a grade of C or better consistent with the seminary's transfer policy.
We also accept a number of nationally recognized exams. We will consider course specific recommendations for college credit from the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. Credit may also be granted for work completed through the Methodist Course of Study and other denominationally approved programs.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Pilgrim Seminary students are expected to maintain the highest standards of personal and academic honesty and integrity. The seminary will not tolerate academic dishonesty, plagiarism or cheating on exams. Should a student be found in violation of the academic integrity policy, he or she will be prohibited from taking additional courses and his or her entire academic record will carry a permanent notation of dismissal for academic dishonesty.
DEGREE COMPLETION Program
Students who have completed an Associate degree (or an approximate equivalent number of credit hours) may be eligible to be admitted to a Bachelor of Divinity degree completion program. Students in the degree completion program will need to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours. Those who currently possess a Bachelors degree who wish to earn a Bachelor of Divinity will also need to complete 60 credit hours.