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Community Leadership and Transformation, M.A.

Biblical Seminary

Explore Community Leadership and Transformation, M.A.

When leadership promotes thriving communities,
the possibilities are endless.

Take advantage of the Central San Joaquin Valley’s unique geographic and demographic landscape as an urban laboratory, joining current practitioners and emerging leaders to transform urban centers.

Partnering with The Center for Community Transformation (CCT), The Master of Arts in Community Leadership and Transformation (MACLT) is a flagship program for the FPU Biblical Seminary seeking to train leaders to bring the Biblical concept of shalom to urban areas.

Students will develop organizational leadership skills to effect sustainable change. Courses are led by published faculty with decades of experience in urban leadership. Courses range from entrepreneurship and public policy, to spiritual direction and peacemaking.

The CCT seeks to provide a faith-rooted, institutional engine and catalyst for systemic and sustainable transformation of a unique region into communities characterized by abundance and peace. The CCT is head-quartered on the seminary campus.

Program Highlights

  • Learn alongside theologically diverse classmates
  • Gain new perspectives as MFT and ministry students study together in foundational courses
  • Consider studying in Israel during summer or attend Hispanic Summer Program
  • Engage in diverse practicum opportunities
  • Take online courses available
  • Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Catalog

Program Director: Randall White

Overview

This degree is designed to equip practitioners personally, theologically, and practically in order to provide effective leadership in community transformation strategies. Its aim is to prepare leaders for faith-based Community Benefit Organizations (CBOs) and congregations that will engage their local contexts with gospel-centered solutions, ones that engage the strengths of indigenous leaders and local assets. This program is designed for leaders who recognize the need for theological learning that impacts ministry practice immediately. It will accentuate five key themes that issue naturally from the assets in place within the Fresno regional context. These include: the development of entrepreneurially oriented faith-based CBOs; missional engagement at the neighborhood level; Christian participation in the public and political spheres; ministry among populations such as the working poor, immigrants, refugees, and gang youth; and finally, community building within a complex multicultural context. The degree utilizes opportunities to serve with CBOs in internships, and many of the courses are held off-campus in the city.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus in Christian community.
  2. Articulate commitment to a biblical theological Christian perspective.
  3. Interpret diverse cultural contexts of ministry using theological perspectives integrated with social scientific approaches.
  4. Practice leadership skills in ministry, leadership, and culture.
  5. Demonstrate a commitment to community leadership and transformation by developing a biblical, theological, anthropological, missiological, sociological and historical foundation for influence.
  6. Accept coaching through mentoring relationships with community leaders in the city.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to serve and lead in cultural and religious diversity by applying socio/biblical/theological perspectives.
  8. Demonstrate preparedness for transformational ministry in communities by developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships and communication links with diverse ethnic, cultural and class groupings

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno, and onsite in various districts and neighborhoods of the city

Required Courses (48 Units)

Biblical and Theological Reflection (13.5 Units)

  • BIB 709 - Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar Credits 0
  • BIB 725 - Understanding, Interpreting and Teaching Scripture Credits 2 - 3

  •    May be taken as a 2 unit course

  • BIB 720 - The Church and God's Mission in the World Credits 3
  • MIN 704 - Discerning Vocation and Calling Credits 1
  • MIN 750D - Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco Credits 1.5
  • THEO 730 - Discipleship and Ethics Credits 2 - 3

  •    Must be taken as a 3 unit course

  • BIB 761 - Theology for Transformation Credits 3
  • MIN 765 - Spiritual Direction for the Community Developer Credits 0

Community Leadership and Transformation (21.5 Units)

  • MIN 754 - Engaging the City Credits 3
  • MIN 726 - Kingdom Entrepreneurship Credits 3
  • MIN 756 - Ministry Among Marginalized People Credits 3
  • MIN 716 - Advocacy and Public Policy Credits 1.5
  •  MIN 751 - Serving and Shaping Diverse Ministry Environments Credits 3
  • MIN 752 - Into the Neighborhood Credits 3
  • THEO 740 - Global Christian Theologies Credits 2 - 3

Capstone Learning (6-9 Units)

  • MIN 770CLT - Ministry Discernment - Community Leadership and Transformation Credits 0

  • Students must choose one option:

  • MIN 795A - Community Leadership Transformation Practicum I Credits 1.5 and
  • MIN 795B - Community Leadership Transformation Practicum II Credits 1.5 or
  • MIN 795C - CLT Practicum: Organizational Leadership Credits 1.5

Electives (4-7)

  • Must include 1.5 units from COUN courses

Possibilities Await
With and FPU Education

Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary is rooted in the evangelical, Anabaptist tradition, and like you, we are passionate about making a tangible difference in the Central Valley and around the world. You’ll learn this through spirited inquiry, thoughtful reflection and hands-on experience. If you want a place to explore and pursue your calling in a practical way – join us!

First Steps to Admission

  • Review the admission requirements for your chosen program.
  • Submit an application for admission online
    * There is a $90 application fee.
  • Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
    • If you graduated from FPU, you do not need to request transcripts.
  • Submit remaining admission requirements via fax, email or postal mail.
    • Mail: Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary Admission, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Box 14, Fresno, CA 93702
    • Email: Seminary@fresno.edu

Apply now

Requirements*

  • Commitment to and desire for Christian ministry and Service
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (minimum 2.5 GPA; 3.0 for MFT program*)
  • Application form and fee
  • Short Answer Questions
  • Two references. One should be from a spiritual mentor, and one should be an academic reference.
    • Please do not use a family member as the pastoral or employer reference
  • Writing sample from your undergraduate education
    • This can be any paper submitted for a letter grade regardless of subject
  • Check your specific program's requirements

*Under special circumstances these requirements may be waived.

Special Circumstances

FPU Undergraduate Alumni Admission

Undergraduate alumni (traditional and degree completion) pursuing a graduate program at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary may have courses waived towards their seminary program. Students must complete the qualifying undergraduate course with a grade of B or higher to receive seminary course credit. Once students have been admitted to a seminary program, they must complete the Advanced Standing form in Sunbird Central to officially request advanced standing at the seminary.

Admission with a GPA below 2.5 or below 3.0 for the MFT program

In some circumstances, we are willing to waive the GPA requirement if the student demonstrates high maturity and/or life experience that demonstrates they can perform well in the program. We take into account their ministry experience for BIB/MIN programs, their GRE score, volunteer counseling hours experience and psych pre-requisites for the MFT degree. We encourage people with a low GPA to still apply so we can look over their materials.

Admission without a Bachelor's Degree

Students will be considered for admission to Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary into the M.Div., M.A.CM, M.A. CLT, or M.A. MLC degrees or one of our certificate programs without the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree if they have:

  • 60 semester units or two years of post-secondary education minimum
  • Significant ministry experience
  • Evidence of life experience which has prepared them for graduate theological education

In compliance with the Association of Theological Schools such students may only pursue the degree or program to which they have applied.

Additional Bible Knowledge Requirement

The Bible Knowledge Requirement (BKR) is a one-day, no credit class with an examination at the end of the day. The BKR is required to be met during the first month of your first term.

Non-Matriculated Students

Students may enroll in up to 6 units of courses for credit/audit at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary without being admitted into a degree or certificate program. This is considered a non-matriculated status.

Cost & Financial Aid

The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in education your journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.

Tuition & Financial Aid

2022-23
Tuition per Unit Amount
Theology / Bib / Religion $495
MFT / Counseling $550
Other Costs Amount
Student Body Fee $115
Seminary Technology $50
2021-22
Tuition per Unit Amount
Theology / Bib / Religion $515
MFT / Counseling $570
Other Costs Amount
Student Body Fee $115
Seminary Technology $50

* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.

Types of aid

Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.

View FPBS Private Scholarships

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared to lead congregations and faith-based community benefit organizations in complex urban environments in North America and around the globe.

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center