The School of Religious Studies | Pillar College

The School of Religious Studies | Pillar College Quick Links myPillar Close Pillar College Academics The School of Religious Studies The School of Religious Studies Welcome to the School of Religious Studies.  It is the one school within Pillar College devoted exclusively to the study of the Bible, Christian ministry, and Christian thought. We designed our programs to equip students with the education and training needed to pursue careers as leaders in Christian churches, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and ministerial vocations. As we aim to cultivate a distinctively Christian worldview, the spiritual formation of our students remains an extremely high priority and is reflected in every course. We want to inspire men and women to lead effectively and faithfully in a wide variety of environments (including but not limited to) the local church and parachurch organization settings. We also provide opportunities for field education and global learning for an enhanced educational experience. R. Steven Notley, PhD rnotley@pillar.edu Dean of the School of Religious Studies View Bio BA Biblical Studies Bachelor of the Arts Degree Apply Now The Biblical Studies program prepares individuals for a career in a variety of ministries in the Christian church, Christian education, the mission field, social work and services, media and technology, and chaplaincy work. The Biblical Studies Department offers courses in Biblical Studies proper—including both Old Testament and New Testament, Christian Ministry, Church History, and Christian Theology. A seminary track is also available for those who desire preparation for graduate school in ministry which includes a study of the original languages of the Bible. This degree is also offered through Pillar College’s LEAD (Life Enhancing Accelerated Degree) program. Through LEAD, the Biblical Studies degree can be completed in as little as 4 Semesters.. Our highly credentialed and experienced academic staff offer a rigorous program of study with practical application principles for life and service for our Lord Jesus Christ. . Our small class size, allows us to engage with our students on a personal level, offering counsel and prayer as well as excellent teaching. We care about our students! With the new David E. Schroeder School of Biblical Studies Scholarship, students who enroll in the BA in Biblical Studies program, will have the chance to receive a high-quality degree at a cost that is completely affordable.. The Biblical Studies degree can lead to numerous careers including, however, not limited to: Church Leadership, Christian Counseling, Urban Ministry, Mentoring and Discipleship, Christian Education, Priest or Pastor, Associate Pastor, Campus Minister, Denominational Administrator, Chaplain, Religious Education Teacher, Seminary Administrator, Campus Religious Coordinator, Counselor, Director of Religious Development, Missionary, Religious Staff Writer. Concentration in Chaplaincy You’ll find Chaplains in virtually all aspects of modern life. From multinational corporations to the military, from hospitals to law enforcement and more, Chaplain ministries play a crucial role in the lifeblood of the organizations in which they serve. The Pillar College BA in Biblical Studies offers a unique Concentration in Chaplaincy. It explores in-depth the foundations, history, practice, legal foundations, and Biblical basis of Chaplain ministries. This innovative Concentration includes both theoretical and hands-on learning opportunities, as students will hear from a wide range of guest speaker Chaplains, who will explain the nature of their role and duties in organizations such as: Military Healthcare/Hospice Corporate Law Enforcement Fire Departments Corrections A major component of our Chaplaincy Concentration is our Clinical Pastoral Education program, where students actually get to practice as a chaplain-in-training at places including hospices, prisons, nursing homes and more. This hands-on experience proves invaluable in terms of evaluating and understanding their responsibilities as they prepare for future work in this field. Required Courses: Introduction to Chaplaincy Introduction to Clinical Pastoral Education Introduction to Hospital Chaplaincy Introduction to Pastoral Care Concentration in Church Leadership This concentration is an introduction to various aspects of church leadership, including church administration, leadership & integrity, preaching, pastoral care, counseling, and family ministry in a local church setting. Required Courses: BSCM 224 Pastoral Ministry BSCM 253 Nehemiah BUSM 307 Leading Non-Profit Organizations MGMT 303 Principles of Leadership Concentration in Christian Counseling This concentration emphasizes the counseling aspects of ministry, including counseling methods, Christian peacemaking, multicultural counseling and emotional intelligence. Required Courses: PSYC 102 Biblical Basis for Psychology and Counseling BSCM 425 Youth and Family Counseling PSYC 406 Conflict Theory/ Christian Peacemaking COUN 301 Counseling Methods Concentration in Urban Ministry A concentration in urban ministry focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of ministry in an urban setting, including racial and ethnic diversity, multicultural ministry, discipleship, and social consciousness. Required Courses: BSCM 245 Urban Ministry CHHS 320 The Church in Global Context SOCI 220 Racial and Ethnic Diversity BSCM 253 Nehemiah MA Ministry Leadership *This program is also available in Spanish, click here to learn more. Apply Now Take Your Leadership To The Next Level Become the Leader your Church and Organization needs with a Master’s in Ministry Leadership.  Complete in as little as 3 Semesters. The MA in Ministry Leadership Program (MAML Program) is a 48-credit, cohort-based program designed to produce academically, ethically, and spiritually competent professional ministry leaders who are inspirational, motivational, and theologically sound. People of faith expect the leaders of their local churches to deliver a variety of diverse services, including sound preaching and teaching, organizational leadership, community services, and marriage and family counseling. It is incumbent upon the church to assure that its leaders are properly educated and equipped with the content knowledge, dispositions, and research-based practices to serve with the highest level of quality, skill, and integrity. Pillar College’s M.A. degree in Ministry Leadership also offers: The M.A. in Ministry Leadership Program (MAML Program) is a 48-credit program that offers spiritual, theological, and academic training in Organizational Leadership and Ecclesial Ministry. The MA in Ministry Leadership Program (MAML Program) delivery is in a cohort-based scheduled format, 8-weeks course rotation, and face-to-face course instruction. A distinctive of Pillar College’s approach includes the integration of the Judeo-Christian worldview and faith-based values into the professional curriculum. Core Curriculum Courses BSCM-505 Leadership for Church and Mission BSCM-615 Pastoral Care and Counseling BSCM-620 Community Development and Services BSCM-630 Advanced Homiletics BSCM-680 Field Experience Concentrations: General Leadership, Healthy Leaders and Ministries, Church and Community Transformation, Women in Ministry Concentration in Healthy Leadership and Ministry The concentration in Healthy Leadership and Ministry is geared towards shaping tomorrow’s church leaders. It gives students a rock-solid foundation in pastoral care and emotional health, to best prepare them to promote and perform ministry to their congregants as well as the community at-large. Required Courses: BSCM 601 Pastoral Self Care MINL 545 Principles of Church Stewardship MINL 625 Urban Church Experience Concentration in Church and Community Transformation The concentration in Church and Community Transformation equips students with the tools and knowledge to affect meaningful change throughout the church, as well as the greater community. It places an emphasis on church and community planning, as well as organization and development. Graduates will be empowered to assume their role in the next generation of Christian leadership. Required Courses: MINL 610 Effective Ministry Planning MINL 621 Church and Community Organizing ORGL 610 Leading Change Concentration in Women in Ministry The concentration in Women in Ministry empowers tomorrow’s Christian leaders, building a strong framework for women to thrive in the ministry. At the heart of the program is a robust focus on contemporary women’s issues, particularly those pertinent to pastoral leadership, pastoral care, ministry to women, and self-care. Required Courses: BSCM 601 Pastoral Self Care MINL 545 Principles of Church Stewardship WMNL 501 Biblical Perspectives and Women WMNL 505 Pastoral Leadership for Women WMNL 530 Ministering to Women WMNL 630 Contemporary Issues for Women academics: Pillar Academy of Continuing Education (P.A.C.E.) Undergraduate Programs Graduate Programs Global Learning Experience The School of Behavioral Health & Social Sciences The School of Leadership & Business The School of Christian Studies BA Biblical Studies MA Ministry Leadership The School of Humanities & Culture ESL Registrar’s Office Catalog Learn About Applying See how you can start discovering new truths with Pillar College Apply Now Start Your Pillar Journey Today! Request Information Pillar College Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. 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