Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois; Christian Leadership College in Lincoln, Nebraska; and William Jessup University in Rocklin, California, have all developed certificate programs in missions. Calvin Theological Seminary has a 15-hour, graduate-level certificate in missions and evangelism program that trains students in subjects such as discipleship and teaching, Christian engagement with world religions and two electives in missions and evangelism. Core classes for completions of this course are Bible survey, Christian theology in reformed confessions, biblical hermeneutics (study of Bible interpretation) and logos (divine word of God).
Institutions that provide diploma courses in missions training include Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri; Criswell College in Dallas, Texas; and MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas. Central Bible College has an Associate of Arts in global missions, a 73-hour program that trains students in all aspects of biblical theory and practice in order to travel internationally on humanitarian and church-building missions. In addition to general education classes, students study topics in foundations of theology, biblical theology of missions, cultural anthropology, history of missions, introduction to global missions and world religions.
Four-year accredited institutions with programs in missionary training include Abilene Christian in Abilene, Texas; Baptist Bible College of Indianapolis, Indiana; Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas; Baylor University in Baylor, Texas; Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina; Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, Illinois; and Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Abilene Christian University's Bachelor of Arts in missions prepares students to become missionaries for work in international locations or in places where churches need new leadership. The coursework will provide comprehensive education in the Bible, ministry training and cross-cultural missions. In addition, students have the opportunity to intern with organizations that sponsor missionaries around the world.
Master's degrees in missionary studies are offered by schools such as Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, New York; Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California; Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Alliance Theological Seminary offers a three-year, 93-credit Master of Divinity (M.Div) with a specialization in missions. In addition to core theological courses in biblical principles, theory, and history, students will acquire skills in church-building and evangelism, and will learn how to develop Christian faith in those who have never been exposed to the Gospel. Core classes in the missions track include global expansion of the church, Christian witness in the context of poverty, cultural immersion and social analysis, and Christian encounters with world religions.