School of Ministry · The Hope College, Inc.
28 modules. One formation arc.
The curriculum of The Hope College is built around a single conviction: theological education should produce formed ministers, not just informed graduates. Every module carries an apologetics thread. Every Scholar begins at MIN 101.
12
Modules
Ministry Formation Track
Ministry Formation Track
28
Modules
Vocational Track
Vocational Track
3
Apologetics
Streams
Streams
2
Biblical
Languages
Languages
How the Curriculum Works
One arc. Two destinations.
Both tracks share the same foundation. MIN 101 through MIN 112 forms every Scholar regardless of track. The Vocational Track continues through MIN 216 with deeper theological engagement, language study, supervised practicum, and a thesis capstone.
MIN 101
Everyone starts here.
No exceptions for seniority or prior experience. The Story of Scripture is the foundation every minister needs regardless of background.
MIN 101 — 112
Ministry Formation Track
Certificate of Ministry Formation. The full formation foundation for those who lead in the local church without pursuing ordination.
MIN 201 — 216
Vocational Track
Diploma in Ministry Leadership. Advanced theology, biblical languages, supervised practicum, and a theological-apologetic thesis.
MIN 216
Commissioning.
Vocational discernment, ordination preparation, and a public faith statement. The Scholar is deployed as a love bearer into the local church.
A formal Prior Learning Assessment allows eligible Scholars who have completed MIN 101 and MIN 102 to potentially advance to MIN 201. Assessment includes a written submission and a formation conversation with a Faculty Fellow panel.
Certificate of Ministry Formation
Ministry Formation Track
For those who lead without pursuing ordination.
Inaugural Cohort PricingPlus a one-time $99 Registration Fee and a $99 annual Technology Fee. No hidden fees.
The Ministry Formation Track provides the full theological and formational foundation every minister needs — regardless of whether they pursue ordination. Every module carries the apologetics spine. The capstone is a personal ministry and apologetic project integrating everything the Scholar has learned.
MIN 101
The Story of Scripture
Biblical theology, canon, authority and reliability. Why the Bible can be trusted.
MIN 102
Reading the Bible Well
Hermeneutics, interpretation principles, genre, and context.
MIN 103
Who is God?
Classical theism, Trinity, the attributes of God, and the problem of evil.
MIN 104
Who Are We?
Christian anthropology, imago Dei, sin and the fall, and human dignity.
MIN 105
The Gospel
Atonement, justification, resurrection, and salvation history.
MIN 106
Prayer & the Spiritual Life
Theology of prayer, spiritual disciplines, and the inner life of the minister.
MIN 107
The Church & the Spirit’s Movement
Ecclesiology, sacraments, and church history read through the lens of Acts.
MIN 108
Teaching & Communication
Biblical preaching principles, communication theory, and teaching methods.
MIN 109
Pastoral Care Foundations
Listening, presence, grief, crisis, doubt, and deconstruction.
MIN 110
Ethics & Decision-Making
Moral theology, sexual ethics, bioethics, and Christian decision-making.
MIN 111
Mission & Evangelism
The missionary nature of the church, evangelism, pluralism, and world religions.
MIN 112
Capstone — Ministry Formation
Personal ministry project integrating all four pillars and the apologetics spine.
Diploma in Ministry Leadership
Vocational Track
For those pursuing ordained or vocational ministry.
Inaugural Cohort PricingPlus a one-time $99 Registration Fee and a $99 annual Technology Fee. No hidden fees.
The Vocational Track builds on the Ministry Formation Track foundation with advanced theological engagement, the Biblical Language Companion Track in Hebrew and Koiné Greek, a supervised preaching practicum, and a theological-apologetic thesis. Every Vocational Scholar is assigned a credentialed Faculty Fellow mentor throughout the program.
MIN 201
Old Testament Theology
Covenant, law, prophets, wisdom, OT ethics, and archaeology.
MIN 202
New Testament Theology
Gospels, Pauline theology, and manuscript evidence.
MIN 203
Historical Theology & Spirit Movements
Development of Christian doctrine, creeds, councils, and Spirit-empowered movements.
MIN 204
Systematic Theology I
God, creation, humanity, and sin — engaging scientific and philosophical challenges.
MIN 205
Systematic Theology II
Christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.
MIN 206
Preaching Practicum
Supervised sermon series with language-informed exegesis and recorded evaluation.
MIN 207
Pastoral Leadership
Organizational health, team dynamics, vision, change, and conflict.
MIN 208
Counseling & Soul Care
Theology of care, counseling frameworks, doubt, mental health, and faith crises.
MIN 209
Church Planting & Revitalization
Missional church, planting strategy, and secular and post-Christian contexts.
MIN 210
Apologetics — Full Module
Classical, Evidential, and Cultural apologetics. The synthesis module where all three streams converge. Eight weeks.
MIN 211
Ministry Finances & Administration
Stewardship theology, nonprofit governance, budgeting, and financial integrity.
MIN 212
Advanced Seminar
Student-selected theological specialization with Faculty Fellow mentorship.
MIN 213
Supervised Practicum I
Ministry placement with structured reflection, mentorship, and assessment.
MIN 214
Supervised Practicum II
Expanded ministry responsibility and apologetic preaching series with evaluation.
MIN 215
Theological Thesis
Extended research demonstrating language competency and original theological-apologetic contribution.
MIN 216
Commissioning Seminar
Vocational discernment, ordination preparation, and public faith statement.
Biblical Language Companion Track
Hebrew and Koiné Greek. Required for every Vocational Scholar.
Fluency is not the goal. Formation is. A minister who can open a Hebrew lexicon, navigate a Greek text, identify key words in their original context, and recognize when a translation choice matters is better equipped for ministry than one who has never touched the original languages.
The Language Track runs in parallel with the core curriculum. Scholars study biblical languages alongside their regular modules. The Chancellor, Trevon Gross, PhD, holds competency in both Biblical Hebrew and Koiné Greek and serves as the primary instructor.
Tier 1
Hebrew Foundations
Runs alongside MIN 201 — Old Testament Theology
Alphabet, vowel points, and basic morphology. Focus on the verbal system. Weekly reading of selected Psalm texts. Goal: read a simple Hebrew verse with lexical tools by end of tier.
Tier 2
Greek Foundations
Runs alongside MIN 202 — New Testament Theology
Greek alphabet, nouns, verbs, and basic clause structure. Primary reading texts: John 1, Romans 8, Philippians 2. Goal: navigate a Greek NT passage with commentary and lexicon by end of tier.
Tier 3
Language in Ministry
Runs alongside MIN 206 and MIN 215
Application of both languages in actual sermon preparation and thesis research. Scholars demonstrate a Hebrew word study in an OT sermon, a Greek exegetical analysis in a NT sermon, and language use in thesis exegetical sections.
Prior Learning Assessment
A pathway forward for those with significant prior training.
The Hope College holds a firm standard: every Scholar begins at MIN 101 with no seniority exemptions. Theological credentials and years of ministry experience do not replace the foundational formation the first twelve modules provide.
For Scholars who have completed MIN 101 and MIN 102 and demonstrate significant prior theological training, a formal Prior Learning Assessment provides a pathway to advance to MIN 201. The PLA is rigorous. It is not a shortcut.
PLA Requirements
All conditions must be met before assessment
MIN 101 and MIN 102 Completed
Both foundation modules must be completed before a PLA is considered. There are no exceptions.
Written Submission
A formal written submission demonstrating theological competency across the areas covered in MIN 103 through MIN 112.
Formation Conversation
A panel conversation with Faculty Fellows assessing not just theological knowledge but formation — who the Scholar is becoming.
Chancellor Approval
Final determination rests with the Chancellor. Advancement to MIN 201 is granted by decision, not by formula.
September 2026
The founding cohort launches in September. Cohort size is limited.
Applications are open for both tracks. All Scholars begin at MIN 101. No debt. No barriers. Just the call.