Skip to content
Certificate of Christian Studies
A Personalized Path of Study

The Certificate of Christian Studies offers students an opportunity to complete a short-term, non-degree program personalized to meet a wide range of goals, from training for a specific church or parachurch ministry to personal enrichment.

Veli Matti Karakainen

Build Your Own Curriculum

The Certificate of Christian Studies offers students the flexibility to build their own pathway of study. Choose a combination of six courses from the School of Mission and Theology and the School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy that support your ministry or vocational goals. At least four courses must be from the School of Mission and Theology. In addition to the highlighted concentrations below, students choose to shape their studies around a particular area of study including biblical justice, pastoral care, or leadership. View a class schedule or learn more about admissions requirements.

New students pursuing a graduate-level, 100% online Certificate of Christian Studies (CCS) will have the option to access a newly designed specialization that allows them to tailor their coursework in the areas of Biblical Studies, Theology and the Arts, or Intercultural and Urban Ministry.  

This customized approach to graduate studies allows students who are called to serve in positions of leadership and influence in today’s church and world the opportunity to develop indispensable skills and competencies that are valued by employers and that contribute to the flourishing of local communities, contemporary culture, and the global church.  

The six-course CCS program can be completed 100% online in as little as 6 months, and up to 3 years, which allows working professionals—who are well established in their professions but seek a deeper understanding of their field and maximized effectiveness in their role—to gain advanced knowledge and skills without leaving their current role or context.  

Biblical Studies

The Biblical Studies specialization strengthens students’ ability to use and interpret Scripture in various contexts. Students in this specialization learn to study Scripture by approaching Scripture from the perspective of multiple methodologies and viewpoints, and by engaging in close study of particular text as well as consideration of broader issues and topics in Scripture. 

This specialization offers focused preparation for roles in preaching, pastoring and teaching, and Christian education settings. Courses offered to CCS students (as available) include but are not limited to Old Testament Introduction, New Testament Introduction, Genesis, Matthew, Mark, 1& 2 Timothy, Titus, Beginning Hebrew, and Beginning Greek

Theology and the Arts 

The Theology and the Arts specialization is designed both for practicing artists who wish to explore their work theologically and for theology students who wish to explore the artistic dimension of faithful scholarship and faithful living. Study with diverse faculty with wide-ranging expertise and take courses like Theology of Beauty, Theology and Hip Hop Culture, Theology and Cultural Methods, and Theology and Film.

This specialization equips students to serve as thought leaders in the public square of the arts or to work as theologically attuned, practicing artists. This specialization also prepares students who aim to enroll in Fuller’s PhD in Theology and Culture.

Fuller’s Brehm Center—founded to help ministry leaders experience how the arts shape ministry practices in creative and theologically informed ways—also provide CCS students with resources to further integrate their studies with a passion for the arts. 

Intercultural and Urban Ministry 

For missionaries, urban church planters, and those with a passion for cross-cultural social transformation, the Intercultural and Urban Ministry specialization provides students with the chance to further develop their skills to serve or continue to serve in intercultural contexts. Courses offered include but are not limited to Encountering the City, Christian Community Development, Organizing Urban Communities for Transformation, and Globalization, Poverty, and Christian Mission.

Fuller provides five ethnic centers offering resources, events, and opportunities for connection, as well as an intercultural learning community, led by a racially/ethnically diverse faculty that is committed to intercultural understanding and formation.

Further Studies

Classes taken for this certificate can be used toward a master’s degree.

Request More Information About the Certificate of Christian Studies








Continue the Conversation

Do you have questions or would you like more information about Fuller’s academic programs? Please contact us. We’re here to help!

Contact

admissions@fuller.edu

626.584.5400

Chat Now

Chat with an Admissions representative

Office Hours

Monday–Friday
8 am – 5 pm (Pacific Time)

To view in-person Welcome Center hours for the Pasadena, Arizona and Houston campuses, click here.