BA in Urban Ministry

The Urban Ministry degree completion program1 is designed to provide adult learners the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to serve in the city in a church or other community-based setting. The curriculum focuses on becoming an urban servant leader through God's Word and God's work in the city. That is why this program is offered only off campus1 in Peoria, Illinois. For more information, contact the program director, Dr. Gary Jackson.

These prerequisites may be met by completing the Associate in Arts & Science degree at Illinois Central College (or another accredited college), which includes the following:

English (ENGL 110 and 111 are required) 6
Communication (COMM 110 is required) 3
Social Sciences (SOC 110, SOC 114, and GEOG 116 are recommended) 9
Mathematics (see requirements in ICC Catalog) 6
Laboratory Sciences (see requirements in ICC Catalog) 8
Humanities/Fine Arts (PHIL 112 and PHIL 116 are recommended, plus Fine Arts) 9
Electives (chosen with advisor's help). Among the many options at ICC are these:
CRJ 110 Intro to Criminal Justice System 3
PHIL 115 Ethics 3
HIST 112 Modern World Civilizations 4
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology 3
HUMSV 127 Community Resources 3
SOC 210 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity 3
23
HS 290 Introduction to Adult Studies2 3
HS 295 Dynamics of Self-Leadership 3
HS 297 Character & Ethics 3
HI 241 History of the Church 3
ID 101 Introduction to Worldviews 3
TH 312 Theology of Community Transformation 3
TH 313 Theology & Sociology of Poverty 3
TH 320 Theology of Community 3
TH 491 Biblical Theology for Leadership 3
Bible & Theology Electives 6
UM 311 Cultural Diversity for Urban Leadership 3
UM 312 Cultural Competence in Your Organization 3
UM 313 Community-Based Practicum3 6
UM 414 Cultural Competence in Your Community 3
UM 415 Urban Internship I3 6
UM 416 Urban Internship II3 6
HS 499 Capstone Portfolio 0
124 credit hours

All of the Hargrove School baccalaureate programs assume 61 hours of previous college coursework; including at least 37 hours in general education. Those not meeting these prerequisites may complete all or part of the Hargrove School's Associate of Arts degree program, which is specifically designed for adult learners, or they may take appropriate courses elsewhere. Students completing at least 15 hours of the associate degree here are eligible to receive an Associate of Arts from Lincoln Christian University.

  1. This degree completion program is also called a '2 + 2' program, which includes 2 years at Illinois Central College (resulting in an Associate in Arts & Science) and 2 years at LCU's site at Illinois Central College's North Campus in Peoria (resulting in a BA in Urban Ministry). However, the ability to complete each part in 2 years depends on the number of courses taken each semester, so completing this degree in 4 years is not guaranteed. Students may choose to complete the 64 hours of prerequisites at any accredited college, including online or onsite courses in the Hargrove School of Adult & Graduate Studies at Lincoln Christian University.
  2. Students who have earned an associate's degree within two years of starting this program may waive the HS290 course and substitute any 3-hour elective, with the permission of the program director.
  3. Students completing UM313, UM415, and / or UM416 must complete at least 250 clock hours of work per 6 hours credit, including a combination of actual field experience and reading / writing assignments. Students may choose two elective courses in lieu of UM313 with the permission of the program director.