Ministry Defined

Owing to the accelerated blurring of lines between the sacred and secular in contemporary society, today’s professionals are continually pressed to craft a redefinition of the nature and role of their work within this matrix of convergence, which takes account of both personal value-oriented service and public responsibility. The College has, from its inception, chosen to define ministry both within specific faith communities and within the broader society in terms of those professionals involved in human social services in which the practitioner is self-reflectively aware of the nurturing quality of that activity. Individuals who define their professional activity as being of service to the improvement and nurture of society and the world community, including such fields as education, pastoral assignments, chaplaincy, mediation, management, media services, health care and counseling, are recognized by the College as being in ministry.

College Credit Defined

Cloverdale College values 8 contact hours as 1 college credit and requires 120 credits for each of the degree programs. A contact hour is calculated as clock time combined with study, preparation and interactive time spent in an educational endeavor. The College awards 90 credits for 5+ years of paid or volunteer work experience in a social service ministry or faith community. Students must complete the remaining 30 credits of study, under Cloverdale College oversight, from approved colleges, universities, seminaries, recognized and endorsed internet course providers or distance learning course providers in order to graduate.