Online Bachelor's Degrees
Christian Education Leadership
The Christian Education Leadership (CEL) equips Lutheran students to serve as Directors of Christian Education (DCEs) who are passionate about the Gospel, God’s people, and Christ’s Church. Students will be prepared to serve effectively in a congregational setting in the following roles: ministry leader, Christian educator, life span minister (including youth ministry), and care minister. Upon the successful completion of the Christian education leadership major and the DCE program requirements, students will be eligible to serve a one-year internship. Upon successful completion of the internship, and upon recommendation of the faculty, a graduate receives certification as DCE in the LCMS and becomes eligible to receive a call into full-time service in the church.
Attendance: Students will be required to complete two short residencies on campus, one of which will be associated with DCE 450. Costs associated with the residencies are the student's responsibility.
Christian Ministry
The Christian Ministry program prepares, equips, and forms Christian students for ministry in Christian congregations as pastors and other ministry leaders. Through academic course work, spiritual and ministry formation, and hands-on ministry experience, students will be prepared to serve in ministry in our ever-changing world.
Students will be required to complete one or two short residencies on campus, one of which will be associated with DCE 450 Counseling in Ministry. Costs associated with the residencies are the student’s responsibility.
Christ College Program Learning Outcomes
- Comprehension of Scripture - Express an understanding of the language, contents, history, culture, and themes of the Bible.
- Understanding of Doctrine - Integrate and articulate biblical doctrine in systematic constructs.
- Acquaintance with Other Theological Thought and Expression - Accurately describe prominent religions, denominations, and philosophies of the past and present.
- Engagement with Western Philosophy - Articulate an understanding of Western philosophical history, classic texts, argument analysis, and the interaction of philosophy with biblical faith, theology, and other thought systems.
- Development of Faith in Christ - Christian students shall articulate a personal faith in Christ that is well informed from a biblical perspective.
- Mission-oriented Church Leadership - Christian students, whether preparing for called ministry or lay leadership in the church, will demonstrate skills and attitudes to effectively live out and lead the church in the Great Commission and lives of service.
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
Christian Education Leadership
General Education Requirements
Students who have not completed an ADT, DTA, CSU GE or IGETC take the following general education requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| APHI 201 | Philosophy | 3 |
| ART 311 | Art History I | 3 |
| or ART 312 | Art History II | |
| ATHL 202 | History and Literature of the New Testament | 3 |
| ECO 201 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Themes in Literature | 3 |
| HST 201 | Western Civilization I: Beginning to 1648 | 3 |
| or HST 202 | Western Civilization II: 1500 to the Present | |
| Writing & Communication | ||
| COM 111 | Public Speaking * | 3 |
| WRT 102 | Writing and Research | 3 |
| Science & Mathematics | ||
| BIO 101 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| CHE 101 | Introduction to Chemistry * | 4 |
| MTH 201 | Principles of Mathematics | 3 |
| or MTH 265 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| Humanities & Theology | ||
| AENG 203 | Modern Film | 3 |
| ATHL 201 | History and Literature of the Old Testament | 3 |
| ATHL 205 | Christianity and Contemporary Culture ** | 3 |
| MUS 112 | Music in the Liberal Arts | 3 |
| SPA 101 | Spanish I | 4 |
| or SPA 102 | Spanish II | |
| History & Social Science | ||
| HST 226 | United States History | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Personal Wellness & Life Skills | ||
| FIN 211 | Personal Finance | 3 |
| Total Units | 60 | |
| * | Not available online at CUI. For California community college options, see the Articulation Agreements. |
Students who have completed an ADT, DTA, CSU GE, or IGETC take the following general education requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Theology | ||
| ATHL 205 | Christianity and Contemporary Culture ** | 3 |
| Choose 1 of the following courses: | 3 | |
| History and Literature of the New Testament | 3 | |
| History and Literature of the Old Testament | 3 | |
| Total Units | 6 | |
| ** | ATHL 473 fulfills the ATHL 205 requirement for students in Christ College majors. |
Christian Education Leadership: Bachelor of Arts
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Theological Foundations | ||
| ATHL 201 | History and Literature of the Old Testament | 3 |
| or THL 201 | History and Literature of the Old Testament | |
| ATHL 202 | History and Literature of the New Testament | 3 |
| or THL 202 | History and Literature of the New Testament | |
| ATHL 404 | Survey of Historical Theology | 3 |
| or THL 304 | History of the Christian Church | |
| ATHL 473 | Systematic Doctrinal Theology | 3 |
| ATHL 382 | Corporate Worship | 3 |
| ATHL 429 | Biblical Theology and Exegesis | 3 |
| or THL 429 | Biblical Theology and Exegesis | |
| ATHL 410 | Lutheran Confessions | 3 |
| THL 401 | Introduction to Theological Research | 2 |
| Educational Ministry and Church Administration | ||
| DCE 402 | Church Leadership | 3 |
| DCE 432 | Methods of Christian Discipleship | 3 |
| DCE 460 | Adult Ministry | 3 |
| DCE 470 | Children's and Family Ministry | 3 |
| DCE 480 | Youth Ministry | 3 |
| Professional Preparation | ||
| DCE 401 | Introduction to Christian Education | 3 |
| DCE 450 | Counseling in Ministry | 3 |
| DCE 493 | Pre-Internship DCE Ministry Fieldwork | 3 |
| Total Units | 47 | |
Christian Ministry: Bachelor of Arts
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Theological Foundations | ||
| ATHL 201 | History and Literature of the Old Testament | 3 |
| or THL 201 | History and Literature of the Old Testament | |
| ATHL 202 | History and Literature of the New Testament | 3 |
| or THL 202 | History and Literature of the New Testament | |
| THL 401 | Introduction to Theological Research | 2 |
| ATHL 404 | Survey of Historical Theology | 3 |
| ATHL 411 | Creeds and Confessions | 3 |
| ATHL 429 | Biblical Theology and Exegesis | 3 |
| ATHL 473 | Systematic Doctrinal Theology | 3 |
| MACL 442 | Christian Worship in Cultural Context | 3 |
| Ministry | ||
| DCE 402 | Church Leadership | 3 |
| DCE 432 | Methods of Christian Discipleship | 3 |
| DCE 450 | Counseling in Ministry | 3 |
| MACL 430 | Communicating the Gospel I | 3 |
| THL 390 | Practicum: Theology | 6 |
| Choose 1 of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Adult Ministry | 3 | |
| Children's and Family Ministry | 3 | |
| Youth Ministry | 3 | |
| Total Units | 44 | |
Application and Admission Information
Completion of the Online Bachelor's Degree (OBD) application process and submission of all necessary and required documents will complete the file. Following file completion, the application information will be reviewed and a decision issued regarding acceptance.
A completed file will consist of:
- Online application including application fee (see Tuition and Fees).
- Official transcripts sent from all high schools (including proof of graduation) and colleges/universities attended.
- Statement of Intent.
- Proof of a grade point average (GPA) of 2.4 (on a 4.0 scale) is required.
- This program is open to students who are working in a relevant ministry position in a church or church-related context. Application to the program will be made to Christ College, which will make the final decision regarding admission to the program. As part of the application process, the student will provide a statement signed by a ministry leader stating that the student is working in a ministry position and will be permitted to engage in children's, youth, and/or adult ministry in order to fulfill course requirements.
Admission Eligibility
Documented proof of earning an Associate of Arts degree, IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum), or California State University (CSU) certification prior to entering the Online Bachelor's Degree (OBD).
Students with 45 transferable units or more are able to take general education courses concurrently with their major.
Students with less than 45 accredited transferable units are eligible for candidate status (provisional acceptance) within a chosen OBD major and can begin taking online general education (GE) courses. Once 45 units are obtained, students can begin taking GE and major courses concurrently.
Admissions Appeal Process
A student who has applied and been denied admission has a right to appeal the decision within seven days of receiving notification of admission denial. The appeal must be made in writing to the dean of the appropriate school and include a rationale for reconsideration. Within seven days of receipt of the letter, the dean will convene an appeals committee consisting of one member appointed by the dean and one member appointed by the Office of the Provost.
The student will be informed of the date and time of the meeting and be instructed to bring any documentation pertinent to the appeal. At the meeting the chair will cite the reason(s) for the denial of admission and the student will be given the opportunity to explain the basis of their appeal. After discussion, the student will be excused and the committee will render a decision. The student will be informed of the decision in writing within three days. This decision will be considered final.
Transfer Credit
Transfer units can help OBD students fulfill their General Education (GE) and elective units. Transfer criteria can be found here.