Course Title: 

THEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS

Course Definition: 

Instructional programs that focus on the intramural study of theology and that prepare individuals for the professional practice of religious vocations.

Course Sub Families Description: 

For description refer the sub course(s)

Bible/Biblical Studies.

A program that focuses on the Christian and/or Jewish Bible and related literature, with an emphasis on understanding and interpreting the theological, doctrinal, and ethical messages contained therein. May include preparation for applying these studies in various religious vocations.

Connected Careers

For description refer the sub course(s)

Missions/Missionary Studies.

A program that focuses on the theory and practice of religious outreach, social service and proselytization, and that prepares individuals for mission vocations. Includes instruction in theology, evangelism, preaching, medical and social mission work, missionary education, missionary aviation, emergency services, legal and political aspects of working in other countries, and preparation for ordination as missionaries.

Connected Careers

Church Planting.

A program of study that prepares individuals to establish congregations of Christians in new locations. Includes instruction in models of church planting, church multiplication strategies, church leadership, evangelism, missiology, Christian ethics, and mission-oriented theology.

Connected Careers

Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology, Other.

Any instructional program in missions, missionary studies, and missiology not listed above.

Connected Careers

For description refer the sub course(s)

Religious Education.

A program that focuses on the theory and practice of providing educational services to members of faith communities, within the context of a particular religion, and that prepares individuals to serve as religious educators. Includes instruction in planning and teaching lessons, organizing and supervising instructional activities, designing and developing instructional materials, and administering religious education programs and facilities.

Connected Careers

For description refer the sub course(s)

Religious/Sacred Music.

A program that focuses on the history, theory, composition, and performance of music for religious or sacred purposes, and that prepares individuals for religious musical vocations such as choir directors, cantors, organists, and chanters.

Connected Careers

Worship Ministry.

A program of study that focuses on the use of musical and theatrical arts in Christian worship. Includes instruction in digital media, electronic hardware design and installation, music, theater, and worship theology.

Connected Careers

Religious Music and Worship, Other.

Any instructional program in religious music and worship not listed above.

Connected Careers

For description refer the sub course(s)

Theology/Theological Studies.

A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith. Includes instruction in systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, doctrinal studies, dogmatics, apologetics, and applications to specific questions of ecclesiastical polity and religious life.

Connected Careers

Divinity/Ministry.

A program that prepares individuals for ordination as ministers or priests in any of the Christian religious traditions. Includes instruction in the theology and polity of a particular church, church law, liturgy and ritual, principles of pastoral ministry, homiletics, evangelism, church/parish organization and management, Christian ethics, church history, and related studies.

Connected Careers

Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies.

A program that prepares individuals to enter a seminary or other program leading to religious ordination, or a related religious vocation.

Connected Careers

Rabbinical Studies.

A program that prepares individuals for ordination as Rabbis. Includes instruction in Talmud, Halacha, Liturgy and Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Education, Pastoral Counseling and Homiletics.

Connected Careers

Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other.

Any instructional program in theological and ministerial studies not listed above, including preparation for religious vocations in faiths other than Christianity and Judaism.

Connected Careers

For description refer the sub course(s)

Pastoral Studies/Counseling.

A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Includes instruction in pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.

Connected Careers

Youth Ministry.

A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to children, adolescents, and young adults. Includes instruction in child and adolescent psychology, human growth and development, family studies, communication skills, religious education, youth counseling, small group leadership, planning and organizing youth activities, volunteer supervision, and youth evangelism and worship.

Connected Careers

Urban Ministry.

A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to individuals and groups in urban communities. Includes instruction in bible study and theology, pastoral leadership and care, urban structure and context, inner city ministry, counseling ministries, family studies, homiletics, social ethics, and community organizing.

Connected Careers

Women's Ministry.

A program that prepares non-ordained women to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to other women in local churches, parachurch organizations, and other settings. Includes instruction in foundations of women's ministry, women's ministry in the local church, spiritual formation, women's evangelism and discipleship, bible study and theology, homiletics, lay counseling, women's issues, and leadership training.

Connected Careers

Lay Ministry.

A program that prepares non-ordained individuals to serve as lay pastors, religious educators, youth leaders, and other professional positions open to the laity in local churches and other settings. Includes instruction in bible studies, theology, spirituality, pastoral counseling, foundations of ministry, effective communication, and church leadership.

Connected Careers

Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies.

A program that prepares individuals to provide caregiver, pastoral, and spiritual support in an institutional, hospice, military, or sports setting. Includes instruction in global, healthcare, prison, and sports chaplaincy; addiction, crisis, disaster, family, marriage, grief, and loss counseling; ethics; leadership; multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts; and worship.

Connected Careers

Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other.

Any instructional program in pastoral counseling and specialized ministries not listed above.

Connected Careers

For description refer the sub course(s)

Religious Institution Administration and Management.

A program that prepares individuals to manage the business affairs and administration of religious institutions. Includes instruction in business management, principles of accounting and financial management, human resources management, taxation of religious institutions, and business law as applied to religious institutions.

Connected Careers

Religious/Canon Law.

A program of study that focuses on the history, theology, and philosophy of religious, church, and ecclesiastical law and that prepares individuals to serve as professional canonists.

Connected Careers

Religious Institution Administration and Law, Other.

Any instructional program in religious institution administration and law not listed above.

For description refer the sub course(s)

Theology and Religious Vocations, Other.

Any instructional program in theological studies and religious vocations not listed above.

Note* - Course Data Adopted from the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP)