As a contemporary Christian ministries major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll be equipped with the tools for ministry, Christian leadership, discipleship, evangelism, pastoral ministries and more so that your calling can become a reality. Whether you’re studying the impact of the Church in the urban world or learning the principles of preaching, you’ll be prepared to immerse yourself in diverse and comprehensive ministry. Through courses taught by faculty with experience in ministry, missions and non-profit organizations, you’ll develop your skills in four areas: theology, ministry skills, personal formation and proficiency through an internship.
Highlights
- Integrate study abroad into your electives
- Take your learning outside the classroom with an experiential learning practicum during senior year
- Internship opportunities throughout the valley allow you to participate in practical ministry that integrates theory and theology
Career opportunities
You’ll be prepared for a range of employment opportunities in either church or parachurch organizations. Our graduates have gone on to work in youth and children’s ministry, camp ministry, relief ministry, local and overseas missions, as both teachers and senior pastors, as well as with organizations like Youth for Christ and Young Life. This major will also equip you for future graduate study at seminary.
Transferring to Fresno Pacific
FPU is a partner school with Transferology, a web-based tool that allows you to match the courses you’ve already taken with FPU programs. Visit Transferology.com to create an account and get started.
Course listing
In order to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Fresno Pacific University, students must complete at least 120 units. Along with completing all required courses in their selected area of study, general education requirements must be met by all graduates. See the general education summary in the undergraduate academic catalog for more information.
Select programs may not provide enough units for a student to graduate and therefore an emphasis and/or elective courses must be completed alongside the major. Please see below for emphases related to this area of study.
Required Courses (22 Units)
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BIB 428 | Biblical Theology | 3 |
MIN 200 | Perspectives on Contemporary Christian | 1 |
MIN 357 | Christian Leadership and Administration (Not allowed to overlap with focus series.) | 3 |
MIN 360 | The Church in an Urban World | 3 |
MIN 379 | Spiritual Formation | 2 |
MIN 383 | Introduction to Youth Ministries | 3 |
MIN 396 | Ministry Discernment (to be taken spring semester of sophomore or junior year) | 1 |
MIN 482 | Contemporary Ministries Practicum Taken for 2 units over the course of 3 consecutive semesters | 1 - 3 |
Electives (18 Units)
Select a minimum of 18 units from the following
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
BLIT 310-BLIT 499 | Biblical Literature | 3 - 4 |
COM 360 | Digital Video Production II | 3 |
COM 400 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
COM 420 | Conflict Management and Resolution | 3 |
COM 430 | Group Dynamics and Leadership | 3 |
THTR 355 | Creative Drama | 3 |
MGT 355 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
MGT 362 | Nonprofit Management | 3 |
MIN 340 | Theology, Culture and U2 | 2 |
MIN 358 | Creative Communication in Ministry | 2 |
MIN 375 | Discipleship and Evangelism | 2 |
MIN 378 | Introduction to Worship Ministries | 3 |
MIN 382 | Introduction to Children’s Ministries | 3 |
MIN 386 | Youth Ministries Methods | 3 |
MIN 390 | Introduction to Preaching | 2 |
MIN 470 | Pastoral Ministries | 3 |
MIN 475 | Urban Los Angeles Immersion | 1 |
MUS 400 | Music in the Church | 3 |
PSY 350 | Child Development | 3 |
PSY 355 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
PSY 440 | Counseling | 4 |
REL 418 | Culture, Religion and the Church | 3 |
REL 452 | World Christianity | 3 |
REL 460 | Religions of the World | 3 |
SOC 350 | Marriage and Family | 3 |
THEO 365 | Perspectives on Global Missions | 3 |
THEO 425 | Theological Ethics and the Environment | 3 |
THEO 430 | Contemporary Theologies | 3 |
THEO 445 | Issues and Theologies of Mission | 3 |
THEO 465 | Theological Ethics of Conflict and Peacemaking | 3 |
Other courses may be chosen in consultation with the program director.
Program director

Quentin P. Kinnison, Ph.D.