Pastoral Studies

Is a Pastoral Studies Major for Me?

Southwestern College’s pastoral studies program provides Professional Studies learners with preparation for graduate study, for professional study, or for a wide range of occupations for those persons pursuing service within any Protestant Christian denomination. This bachelor of arts degree can also lead to further theological education or to ordination.

Because our program is completely online, learners can finish their degree at their convenience without leaving current jobs or locations.

Vision

From ages past, philosophy and religion have been understood sometimes as partners and sometimes as opponents. At Southwestern College, we recognize the deep and sometimes contentious relationship between the two and seek to foster each, learn from their interactions and promote their complementary nature. Together they make a formidable pairing. In hopes of harnessing the power of that pairing, here at Southwestern College we’re looking for students to join us to see that thoughtful engagement with knowledge from the past and knowledge from the present can give us guidance in our complex world for the future. We would like to see a multitude of Southwestern College graduates venture out into this world to lead and serve the church, seek further graduate education and assume positions as valuable assets in leadership and labor for the common good.

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Program Outcomes

Southwestern College’s Pastoral Studies program provides learners with a balanced mix of theoretical and applied studies. It is designed to help learners increase and develop knowledge of their faith so that they can more effectively minister within any Protestant Christian denomination. As a result of completing the Pastoral Studies degree, learners will be prepared to be lead pastors in a local church or parachurch organization. They will also acquire the necessary theological training to pursue graduate studies and obtain ordination.

Program Outcomes:

  1. Refine critical thinking skills to effectively analyze and summarize arguments.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of biblical books in their original contexts.
  3. Determine the significance of biblical books for contemporary ministry settings.
  4. Apply basic principles involved in interpreting biblical texts.
  5. Evaluate the historical development of religious and philosophical thought.
  6. Familiarize themselves with the heritage and structure of their chosen denomination.
  7. Utilize concepts learned throughout the program in a hands-on practicum setting.

Required and Core Courses

Required Major Courses

HRD 210 Building Academic Success
PHIL 225 Critical Thinking
REL 200 Bible Survey
REL 215 Understanding the Old Testament
REL 216 Understanding the New Testament
REL 301 Systematic Theology 1
REL 302 Systematic Theology 2
PHIL 320 Philosophy of Religion
REL 333 The Church: Origins to the Middle Ages
REL 334 The Church: Renaissance to the Present
REL 340 Texts and their Meanings
REL 401 Theological Systems and Issues
REL 415 Denominational Heritage and Structure
CLO 499 Responsibility for the Future

Recommended Electives

REL 424 Applications in Youth Ministry
REL 325 Basic Preaching
REL 332 Caring In the Church Community
REL 420 Evangelism
REL 425 Church Administration and Finance
PSC 236 Comparative Religion & Philosophy


All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.

Course Descriptions

PHIL 225 Critical Thinking

This course introduces students to critical thinking skills necessary to recognize various forms of argumentation regularly employed in philosophical and theological writings. It includes learning to recognize informal fallacies developing skill in analyzing and summarizing arguments.

REL 200 Bible Survey

An introduction to the basic content of the Biblical books. The main objective of this course is to help students gain a solid overview and to discern major scriptural themes.

REL 215 Understanding the Old Testament

A study of the Hebrew scriptures seeking to understand them in their original context and thus their significance for today. `Prerequisite: REL 200 Bible Survey`

REL 216 Understanding the New Testament

The origin and development of the Christian religion as expressed in the New Testament. We will seek to understand the Christian scriptures in their original context and thus their significance for today.`Prerequisite: REL 200 and REL 215`

REL 301 Systematic Theology I

An introduction to the standard means by which theologians organize questions and ideas relative to Christian doctrine. This course focuses on theological method; i.e. the historical context and conceptual tools necessary for a systematic approach to thinking logically.

REL 302 Systematic Theology II

The second of a series of two courses introducing students to the standard categories by which theologians organize Christian thought. This course surveys the main categories of Christian theology from the Trinity to eschatology. `Prerequisite: REL 301`

PHIL 320 Philosophy of Religion

An inquiry into the general subject of religion from the philosophical point of view. Among the specific questions considered are: the nature, function and value of religion; the validity of the claims of religious knowledge; the nature of evil; and the existence and character of deity.

REL 333 The Church: Origins to the Middle Ages

This course introduces students to the major events and personalities that helped to shape the church in the West, especially in terms of its basic doctrines and practices, from the origins of the church to roughly 1300.

REL 334 The Church: Renaissance to the Present

This course introduces students to the major events and personalities that helped to shape the church in the West, especially in terms of its basic doctrines and practices, from roughly the fourteenth century to the present. It is a continuation of REL 333.

REL 340 Texts and their Meanings

An introduction to the basic principles involved in interpreting biblical texts. The course will look at theories as they relate to such questions as the relationship between author, text, reader(s), and the community of faith. `Prerequisite: REL 301`

REL 401 Theological Systems and Issues

A brief review of theological method and a survey of well-known modern systems of Christian thought including process, liberation, feminist, and neo-orthodox/evangelical theology. `Prerequisite: REL 301 & 302`

REL 415 Denominational Heritage and Structure

This course is designed to assist students in the knowledge of their chosen denomination as it relates to the universal Church. Independent research and personalized instruction will be part of the learning process.

CLO 499 Responsibility for the Future

Seniors with various majors will share learning and approaches from their different disciplines toward dealing holistically with issues that shape the future, seeking to integrate disciplines and to synthesize knowing, caring, and doing.


All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.

Admission Requirements

Entering students must have earned at least 30 college credits from previous college coursework or ACE evaluated military training, a GPA of 2.0, and have three years of work experience. Transfer hours accepted for Professional Studies admittance should include English Composition I and II, and mathematics (college algebra preferred). These courses may be considered in transfer or completed at Southwestern College.

Contact a program representative to evaluate your options.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 124 credit hours must be earned to graduate. You must have at least 60 credit hours from a four-year university or college and at least 30 hours from Southwestern College (does not include prior learning experience credits). Of the 30 hours required from Southwestern, 15 of the last 30 hours earned toward your degree must be at Southwestern College. Contact your Academic Success Coach for more information.

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Southwestern College’s pastoral studies program provides learners with preparation for graduate study, for professional study, or for a wide range of occupations for those persons pursuing service within any Protestant Christian denomination.