Bay Area Cohort
The need for theological training in the Bay Area is more urgent than ever. That's why we've developed the Bay Area Cohort for local ministry leaders. This cohort is offered at half the cost of a typical seminary degree and features a once-a-month, all-day format to make graduate-level training more accessible to those in ministry. Students who complete the cohort will earn the MA in Ministry and Leadership in three years.
This cohort is uniquely designed to equip and train local church leaders for missional ministry in the Bay Area. It is for next-generation leaders, youth and young-adult leaders, worship leaders, church planters, and anyone else who desires to be equipped with a theological and biblical foundation for the ministry to which God has called them.
What Sets This Cohort Apart?
- Receive a 50% tuition grant which covers half the tuition cost.
- Enjoy a condensed classroom format, meeting only once a month.
- Journey through your degree alongside the same small group of students from start to finish.
- Build a theological framework that empowers decades of impactful ministry leadership.
- Earn credit within your ministry context with an experienced mentor in ministry.
The need for theological training is greater than ever in the Bay Area. This degree will equip you to develop the skills of theological discernment as you lead and guide people in your local church or wherever God has placed you.
Dan Kimball, DMin
Cohort Host and Director of the Regeneration Project
Curriculum
See Course Schedule
Year One
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
| BT502 | Understanding Biblical Theology | 2 |
| MF501 | Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| BL501 | Interpreting the Old Testament I: Genesis to Song of Solomon | 4 |
| CS501 | Loving God Loving Others | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| BL502X | Interpreting the Old Testament II: The Prophets | 2 |
| BL502Y | Interpreting the New Testament I: The Gospels | 2 |
| CS502 | Growing in Prayer and Other Key Spiritual Disciplines | 2 |
Year Two
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| BL503 | Interpreting the New Testament II: Acts-Revelation | 4 |
| ML501 | Theology and Practice of Gospel-Centered Ministry | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| TH501 | Theology I: Knowing the Triune God | 4 |
| ML502 | Transformational Leadership | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| TH502 | Theology II: Glorifying the God of Our Salvation | 4 |
| ML504 | Taking the Gospel to Diverse Cultures | 2 |
Year Three
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| TH503 | Theology III: Living as the Community of the Spirit | 4 |
| ML506 | Ministerial Ethics | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| TH526 | Religions of the World | 2 |
| ML507 | Gospel Responses to Contemporary Challenges | 2 |
| PT502 | Theology and Practice of Worship | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| CH502 | Insight and Inspiration from Church History | 2 |
| TH504 | Integrating Ministry and Theology | 2 |
Receive a 50% Tuition Grant
Bay Area MAML Cohort students qualify for a church partnership grant which covers half the tuition cost.
Develop Deep Relationships
Bay Area Cohort students who go through a set of classes as part of their degree program simultaneously for three years. They maintain continuous enrollment as they pursue their master's degree.
The deep relationships developed in the cohort enable the friendship and trust for mutual growth in knowledge, character, and skills for ministry. Discussions and assignments are designed for immediate application in the students’ ministry context, enriching both the classroom and church life.
Meet Once a Month
Class meetings are conveniently scheduled once a month. Taking classes one day a month drastically reduces commute and travel time. Classes typically meet on a Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The once-a-month format also makes it manageable for commuter students, who live further out in the Bay Area.
Learn from Ministry Practioners
Cohort host Dan Kimball, DMin will help guide you in applying the insights you gain in the program to the challenges of life and ministry. Teaching will also come from other Western Seminary faculty in their areas of expertise on Bible and theology. You will be able to have discussion with professors as you are equipped for ministry in today’s world. In addition to the teaching professors, you will also work with an experienced cohort mentor.
Real-World Ministry Application
It is not enough to master content and learn the head knowledge. Transformative theological education encompasses the whole person. This program embraces a holistic educational model that will also include a highly personalized approach to your own formation as a student, a follower of Jesus, and a ministry leader.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Will Western find a mentor for me?
No. The expectation is that cohort students have a mentor in mind for the cohort when they apply. Western will help train your assigned mentor
Is this an Online Program?
While there are online compenents, the once-a-month classes are in person, and the interaction is face-to-face. Professors may have students submit work online, or give information through an online portal, but these are in-person courses. The only reason why it falls into our Global program is because we may have live classes meet at locations not at Western Seminary-San Jose.
Can I web-conference into the all-day Friday class?
It is vital to have all students present for each of the four all-day Friday classes in the semester. Please talk with your cohort host and professor if for some reason you can't be there in person.
What will a course load look like time-wise?
Whether you're registered for a traditional campus course, a hybrid course (with content delivered both in the classroom and online) or an online course, you can use these metrics as general rules of thumb:
|
2 hours of out-of-class study per hour of instruction time |
15 hours of instruction time per credit |
30 hours of out-of-class study per credit |
The only difference with this standard is the classroom time lessened to one Friday per unit. This will mean that other work must substitute for that missed seat time.
How soon in advance with the schedule be posted?
You will know what the schedule will be at least one year in advance.
Will the schedule look differently in summer months?
No.
Will I receive a grade for courses?
Yes. Bible and Theology courses will be graded like any seminary course. Ministry courses will be graded by the mentor as Pass or Fail.
Students may view grades by logging in to the Student Information System at the conclusion of each semester in which course work is attempted. Courses which are assigned a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grade are not computed in the grade point average. Transfer credits are not included in the determination of the grade point average.