School of Christian Education and Discipleship -Spirit Temple University

School of Christian Education and Discipleship

The School of Christian Education and Discipleship equips students to teach, train, disciple, mentor, and develop others through biblical instruction and Christ-centered learning.

This school is designed for Bible teachers, discipleship leaders, children’s ministry workers, youth leaders, Christian educators, curriculum developers, ministry trainers, and those called to shape lives through the Word of God.

Students are trained to communicate truth clearly, develop biblical learning materials, build discipleship systems, and create learning environments where believers grow in faith, identity, purpose, and spiritual maturity.

Christ-centered teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation
Curriculum development for churches, Bible schools, and ministry training programs
Children, youth, family, and next generation ministry formation.
Teacher development, training systems, and Christian education leadership
Applied doctoral work that strengthens Christian education and discipleship in ministry contexts

Academic Clarity Note

These programs are designed for ministry-based Christian education, discipleship, church training, and spiritual formation. They are not presented as state teacher-licensure programs for public school teaching unless a separate jurisdictional approval or licensure pathway is clearly established.

Our Degree Programs

Choose the path that fits your calling

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and Discipleship

66 credits

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Bachelor Of Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

66 credits

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Masters Of Arts

Master of Arts in Curriculum, Discipleship, and Ministry Training

90 credits

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Masters Of Arts

Master of Arts in Christian Education Leadership

90 Credits

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Doctor Of Theology

Doctor of Christian Education and Discipleship

45–54 Credits

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Program Summary

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and Discipleship	66	Two-year accelerated pathway. Total includes the 36-credit Associate foundation and 30 additional bachelor-level Christian education and discipleship credits.
Bachelor of Arts in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry	66	Two-year accelerated pathway. Total includes the 36-credit Associate foundation and 30 additional bachelor-level next generation ministry credits.
Master of Arts in Curriculum, Discipleship, and Ministry Training	90	Three-year accelerated pathway. Total includes prior Associate and Bachelor requirements plus advanced curriculum and ministry training work.
Master of Arts in Christian Education Leadership	90	Three-year accelerated pathway. Total includes prior Associate and Bachelor requirements plus advanced Christian education leadership work.
Doctor of Christian Education and Discipleship	45-54	Three-year hybrid doctoral program after the Master’s degree or approved equivalent, with doctoral Christian education project and defense.

Prerequisite:

Completion of Associate Degree in Bible Ministry or approved equivalent foundational Bible ministry studies (36 credits).

Program 1 Two-Year Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and Discipleship

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and Discipleship prepares students to teach the Word of God clearly, disciple believers intentionally, and build learning environments that strengthen faith, identity, purpose, and spiritual maturity.

Students are trained to develop biblical teaching materials, lead discipleship groups, organize ministry learning pathways, mentor emerging believers, and serve the church through teaching that produces transformation.

Program Item	Official Program Summary
Degree Name	Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education and Discipleship
Duration of Study	Two-year accelerated program
Total Credits Required	66 credits
Prerequisite	Associate Degree in Bible Ministry or approved equivalent foundational Bible ministry studies (36 credits)
Additional Bachelor-Level Credits	30 credits beyond the Associate requirement
Delivery Format	Online, hybrid, or ministry cohort format

Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Biblical Foundations of Christian Education	3	Introduces the biblical purpose of teaching, training, and discipling believers, with emphasis on the ministry of the Word and the responsibility to communicate truth faithfully.
Principles of Discipleship	3	Studies the meaning, purpose, and process of discipleship, including following Christ, spiritual growth, accountability, mentoring, identity, and purpose.
Teaching the Bible with Clarity	3	Trains students to prepare lessons, organize biblical content, ask meaningful questions, and help learners apply the Word of God.
Spiritual Formation and Identity in Christ	3	Examines spiritual growth through the finished work of Christ and New Creation realities, with emphasis on identity, prayer, maturity, and renewal of the mind.
Curriculum Development for Ministry	3	Equips students to develop teaching outlines, lesson plans, discipleship modules, devotional guides, and church training materials.

Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Hermeneutics for Teaching and Discipleship	3	Trains students to interpret Scripture responsibly for teaching and discipleship through context, covenant, genre, Christ-centered interpretation, and faithful application.
Doctrine and Christian Formation	3	Studies key doctrines that shape spiritual maturity, stabilize faith, form identity, and strengthen discipleship.
Discipleship Systems and Pathways	3	Guides students in designing church-based discipleship pathways for new believers, growing believers, leaders, and ministry workers.
Developing Bible Study and Training Materials	3	Trains students to create Bible studies, facilitator guides, participant workbooks, devotionals, leader notes, and ministry training resources.

Spring Core Total: 12 credits

Practicum or Internship

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Christian Education Practicum or Internship	3	Provides supervised teaching, curriculum preparation, class support, discipleship leadership, or ministry training administration in an approved setting.

Practicum Requirement: 3 credits

Capstone Project:

A major Christian education or discipleship project demonstrating the student’s ability to apply biblical teaching, curriculum design, and discipleship strategy to a real ministry context. The project may include a discipleship pathway, curriculum package, leader training system, Bible study series, or ministry education plan.

Total Credits Required: 66 credits

Program 2: Two-Year Accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry

Prerequisites

Completion of Associate Degree in Bible Ministry or approved equivalent foundational Bible ministry studies (36 credits).

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry prepares students to serve children, teenagers, parents, and families through biblical teaching, spiritual care, discipleship, and ministry leadership.

Students are trained to teach age-appropriate biblical truth, build safe and healthy ministry environments, disciple young people, support parents, organize ministry programs, and help families grow spiritually.

Program Item	Official Program Summary
Degree Name	Bachelor of Arts in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Duration of Study	Two-year accelerated program
Total Credits Required	66 credits
Prerequisite	Associate Degree in Bible Ministry or approved equivalent foundational Bible ministry studies (36 credits)
Additional Bachelor-Level Credits.	30 credits beyond the Associate requirement
Delivery Format	Online, hybrid, or ministry cohort format

Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Biblical Foundations of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry	3	Introduces the biblical importance of ministering to children, youth, and families through generational discipleship, family formation, and spiritual identity.
Child and Adolescent Spiritual Formation	3	Examines how children and teens grow spiritually, emotionally, socially, and relationally, with emphasis on knowing Christ and developing lasting faith.
Teaching the Bible to Children and Youth	3	Trains students in lesson planning, storytelling, discussion, memory verses, activities, and age-sensitive biblical application.
Family Ministry and Home Discipleship	3	Teaches how the church partners with families through parent support, family devotion, generational faith, and bridges between church and home.
Volunteer Recruitment and Team Development	3	Equips students to recruit, train, schedule, encourage, and retain volunteers with clarity, accountability, and excellence.

Fall Core Total: 15 credits

Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Creating Safe and Healthy Ministry Environments	3	Emphasizes safety, care, order, supervision, communication, behavior expectations, classroom flow, check-in systems, and care protocols.
Youth Discipleship and Mentoring	3	Equips students to disciple teenagers through teaching, mentoring, conversation, prayer, and leadership development.
Children’s Ministry Leadership and Administration	3	Covers classrooms, teachers, safety flow, supplies, schedules, teaching calendars, communication, and volunteer care.
Youth Ministry Leadership and Culture	3	Develops healthy youth ministry culture through discipleship, worship, teaching, fellowship, service, leadership development, and pastoral sensitivity.

Spring Semester Total: 12 credits

Practicum or Internship

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Next Generation Ministry Practicum or Internship	3	Provides supervised ministry work in a children, youth, or family ministry setting with teaching, care, team support, and ministry systems.

Practicum Requirement: 3 credits

Capstone Project:

A major next generation ministry project demonstrating the student’s ability to strengthen children, youth, and families through biblical teaching, safe systems, spiritual care, and practical ministry leadership. The project may include curriculum, event strategy, family discipleship plan, volunteer training system, or ministry improvement proposal.

Total Credits Required: 66 credits

Program 3: Two-year accelerated program Master of Arts in Curriculum, Discipleship, and Ministry Training

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Curriculum, Discipleship, and Ministry Training equips students to design, write, organize, and lead biblical training systems for churches, ministries, and discipleship programs.

Students learn advanced curriculum design, discipleship pathway development, adult learning principles, ministry training systems, applied research, and capstone-level project development.

Program Item	Official Program Summary
Degree Name	Bachelor of Arts in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Duration of Study	Two-year accelerated program
Total Credits Required	66 credits
Prerequisite	Associate Degree in Bible Ministry or approved equivalent foundational Bible ministry studies (36 credits)
Additional Bachelor-Level Credits.	30 credits beyond the Associate requirement
Delivery Format	Online, hybrid, or ministry cohort format

Prerequisites:

Completion of all requirements for the Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in Bible Ministry, Christian Education, Discipleship, Ministry, Theology, or an approved equivalent pathway (66 credits).

Program Item	Official Program Summary
Degree Name	Master of Arts in Curriculum, Discipleship, and Ministry Training
Duration of Study	Three-year accelerated program
Total Credits Required	90 credits
Prerequisite	Completion of Associate and Bachelor’s degree requirements or approved equivalent pathway (66 credits)
Advanced Master-Level Credits	24 credits beyond the 66-credit prerequisite pathway
Delivery Format	Online, hybrid, or ministry cohort format

Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Biblical Theology of Discipleship	3	Examines discipleship through Scripture, with emphasis on Christ, identity, transformation, maturity, mission, and the formation of believers in the church.
Curriculum Design for Ministry Formation	3	Develops advanced curriculum design for ministry settings, including learning goals, course structure, lesson flow, assessment, and learner transformation.
Adult Learning and Spiritual Formation	3	Explores how adults learn, grow, and change in ministry environments through experience, reflection, spiritual maturity, and practical application.
Capstone Project I	3	Begins a major curriculum, discipleship pathway, or ministry training project by defining purpose, audience, structure, outcomes, and implementation plan.

Fall Semester Total: 12 credits

Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Developing Discipleship Pathways and Tracks	3	Equips students to build complete discipleship pathways for new believers, members, leaders, ministers, and advanced trainees.
Writing Teaching Manuals and Student Workbooks	3	Trains students to write leader guides, student workbooks, lesson outlines, devotionals, reflection questions, and assignment briefs that are ministry-ready.
Capstone Project II	3	Completes and presents the final curriculum, discipleship pathway, or ministry training project with biblical depth and practical usefulness.

Spring Semester Total: 9 credits

Practicum or Internship

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Practicum in Curriculum and Ministry Training	3	Applies curriculum and training principles in a supervised ministry setting with practical implementation, reflection, and faculty feedback.

Practicum Requirement: 3 credits

Capstone Project:

A comprehensive curriculum, discipleship, or ministry training project demonstrating the student’s ability to design Christ-centered learning resources, develop ministry pathways, and strengthen teaching systems in the local church or ministry setting.

Total Credits Required: 90 credits

Program 4: Three-Year Accelerated Master of Arts in Christian Education Leadership

Prerequisites:

Completion of all requirements for the Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in Bible Ministry, Christian Education, Discipleship, Ministry, Theology, or an approved equivalent pathway (66 credits).

Total Credits Required: 90 credits

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Christian Education Leadership prepares students to lead teaching ministries, discipleship departments, Bible schools, training programs, and Christian education initiatives within churches and ministries.

Students are trained in educational leadership, teacher development, instructional supervision, program administration, curriculum oversight, discipleship strategy, and applied ministry research.

Program Item	Official Program Summary
Degree Name	Master of Arts in Curriculum, Discipleship, and Ministry Training
Duration of Study	Three-year accelerated program
Total Credits Required	90 credits
Prerequisite	Completion of Associate and Bachelor’s degree requirements or approved equivalent pathway (66 credits)
Advanced Master-Level Credits	24 credits beyond the 66-credit prerequisite pathway
Delivery Format	Online, hybrid, or ministry cohort format

Program Overview

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Foundations of Christian Education Leadership	3	Examines the biblical, theological, and practical foundations of leading Christian education in the church with stewardship and spiritual responsibility.
Leadership and Administration of Teaching Ministries	3	Trains students to organize and lead teaching ministries, Bible schools, discipleship classes, and ministry training departments with excellence.
Teaching for Transformation	3	Focuses on teaching that leads beyond information into spiritual growth, identity, faith, practical obedience, and life change.
Capstone Leadership Project I	3	Begins an applied leadership project addressing a Christian education or discipleship leadership need in a real ministry setting.

Fall Semester Total: 12 credits

Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Teacher Development and Instructional Supervision	3	Trains students to recruit, train, observe, support, and evaluate teachers and facilitators in ministry education settings.
Curriculum Leadership and Doctrinal Faithfulness	3	Prepares leaders to oversee curriculum so it remains biblically faithful, Christ-centered, clear, and useful for the church.
Capstone Project II	3	Completes and presents the final capstone project, demonstrating advanced leadership in Christian education, discipleship, curriculum, or ministry training.

Spring Semester Total: 9 credits

Practicum or Internship

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Practicum in Christian Education Leadership	3	Provides supervised leadership practice in a Christian education setting, applying curriculum, supervision, program development, and administrative principles.

Practicum Requirement: 3 credits

Capstone Project:

Total Credits Required: 90 credits

Program 5: Three-Year Hybrid Doctor of Christian Education and Discipleship

Prerequisites:

Completion of all requirements for a Master’s Degree in Christian Education, Discipleship, Curriculum and Ministry Training, Bible Ministry, Theology, Divinity, Ministry, or an approved equivalent Master’s program.

Program Overview

The Doctor of Christian Education and Discipleship is an advanced ministry-based doctoral program for experienced Christian educators, pastors, ministry trainers, discipleship leaders, Bible school directors, and senior leaders called to shape learning systems in the Body of Christ.

This program equips students to lead Christian education at a higher level through advanced theology, discipleship strategy, curriculum leadership, institutional training systems, applied research, and doctoral project development.

Program Item	Official Program Summary
Degree Name	Doctor of Christian Education and Discipleship
Duration of Study	Three-year accelerated program
Total Credits Required	45-54 credits
Prerequisite	Master’s degree in Christian Education, Discipleship, Curriculum and Ministry Training, Bible Ministry, Theology, Divinity, Ministry, or approved equivalent
Delivery Format	Hybrid: online plus in-person doctoral engagement where required
Final Requirement	Doctoral Christian education project and defense with faculty supervision

Year 1: Advanced Christian Education Foundations

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Advanced Theology of Christian Education	3	Examines Christian education through Scripture, theology, the finished work of Christ, and the mission of the church.
Doctrine of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation	3	Studies discipleship as formation in Christ, with attention to identity, maturity, obedience, community, leadership development, and New Creation realities.
Doctoral Research Methods in Christian Education	3	Introduces doctoral-level applied research methods for ministry-based education, including problem identification, scholarship review, project design, and outcome evaluation.
Leadership of Christian Education Institutions and Ministries	3	Examines leadership of Bible schools, discipleship departments, training institutes, and education ministries through governance, faculty, standards, systems, and spiritual leadership.
Advanced Curriculum Theory and Ministry Application	3	Explores scope, sequence, doctrine, formation, assessment, facilitation, and contextual application for advanced ministry curriculum.

Spring Semester Total: 15 credits

Year 2: Discipleship Systems and Ministry Application

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Discipleship Systems for Churches and Ministries	3	Guides students in designing comprehensive discipleship systems for local churches and ministry networks, including new believer pathways and leadership tracks.
Pedagogy, Communication, and Transformational Teaching	3	Examines advanced teaching methods that move learners toward understanding, conviction, practice, and maturity.
Building a Culture of Discipleship	3	Trains students to shape church culture around growth, teaching, accountability, service, maturity, leadership example, and clear expectations.
Advanced Practicum in Christian Education Leadership	3-6	Connects doctoral learning to supervised leadership practice, measurable improvement, and doctoral-level application in the student’s ministry context.
Doctoral Project Design and Proposal	3	Guides students in developing a doctoral Christian education project proposal with research support and practical implementation design.

Year 2 Total: 15-18 credits

Year 3: Doctoral Christian Education Project and Defense Phase

Course Title	Credits	Course Description
Doctoral Christian Education Project I: Design and Development	6	Begins approved doctoral project development, implementation planning, ministry framework writing, and faculty-guided supervision.
Doctoral Christian Education Project II: Implementation and Analysis	6	Continues project implementation, analysis, evaluation, writing, revision, and ministry impact documentation.
Doctoral Project Defense and Publication Phase	6	Completes final project submission, defense, revision, publication preparation, and ministry integration of the approved contribution.

Year 3 Total: 18 credits

Primarily independent project work with faculty supervision

Doctoral Christian Education Project

A publishable or institutionally implementable doctoral project representing original applied ministry research in Christian education, discipleship systems, curriculum leadership, teacher development, or church training. The project demonstrates the student’s ability to integrate biblical truth, research, learning design, and real ministry impact.

Total Credits Required: 45-54 credits

STU Monthly Hybrid Learning Model

Students in this school follow the STU Monthly Hybrid Learning Model. Course content is completed through the STU online learning platform, while students attend oneassigned live academic session per month based on their cohort and degree level.

Read full schedule and learning model.

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