Diploma in Educational Leadership (Dp.E.L.)

Every thriving church depends on people who can teach, disciple, and lead others well. The Diploma in Educational Leadership is a two-year program for people who lack an undergraduate degree that is focused on the education-related areas of church ministry. It prepares you for professional ministry positions in churches and parachurch organizations.

Whatever your ministry focus, the Dp.E.L. sharpens the leadership skills you need to serve. That includes small groups, children, youth, college students, women, men, singles, and church administration.

You’ll build a foundation in Scripture, theology, and Baptist heritage or church history. Then you’ll study strategic discipleship, lifespan development, Bible teaching, and how to train teachers and leaders. The 50-credit program also includes:

• required leadership courses
• nine hours of electives
• a two-term ministry practicum that connects classroom learning to real ministry

If you want to focus your training, you can choose a concentration:

• Youth Ministry (Ontario and online)
• Children’s Ministry (Ontario)
• Family Ministry (Ontario)
• Women’s Ministry (Ontario and online)

Each concentration replaces the general electives with its own courses and a matching leadership course. You can also apply to customize your electives around specific vocational goals, with approval from your faculty advisor and the Educational Leadership department chair.

By graduation, you’ll be ready to:

• design biblical, developmentally appropriate discipleship strategies
• teach the Bible effectively in the local church
• lead ministries that reach and disciple people

The Dp.E.L. is offered at the Ontario campus and online. You may take courses at any Gateway campus, but some required courses must be completed at a campus accredited to deliver the full diploma. Finishing on schedule may require some online coursework.