Washington Baptist Theological Seminary


The Diploma Program


The Diploma Certificate Program is a four year program for laypersons or ministers of demonstrated ability who endeavor to enhance their effectiveness by means of a curriculum, which integrates their experiences of ministry with the academic resources of the Seminary.  The Diploma Certificate Program:

 Enables pastors and Christian Educators to develop an integrated theology of ministry that will embrace the total life and mission of the church;
Offers an alternative for those persons not seeking a BA degree; and
Designed to prepare the learner for a life as a Christian educator.
The Diploma Certificate Program requires successful completion of 88 semester units of course work.  The program normally includes four terms of sixteen classes each term.  The learner is required to take all courses.  The learner should consult with his/her advisor before embarking upon part-time study.  Peer learning is an essential part of WBS programs.  A Ministerial setting is also an essential part of the Seminary’s programs.  Since the Diploma has as one of its major objectives the increased richness of ministry, it cannot orient its work solely to the individual learner; rather, it must involve those whom the learner ministers.  It must be an "ecclesial focused" diploma.

Diploma Program Core Courses - Revised