This degree is designed to produce Christian leaders capable of working and serving in a wide range of demanding positions in the church, in parachurch agencies, and in the context of our larger society.
Each program provides a solid vocational major meeting employability standards combined with a Bible and Theology major that allows graduates to integrate their faith and their vocation in a relevant and responsible manner while providing the skills and spiritual development needed by the church and the world today.

Program Commonalities:
Much of the knowledge and skill-base required of persons working in ministry and the helping professions is shared.  As a result of this, Heritage has designed these programs with interrelated courses and program requirements.   These degrees are unique in Ontario in that they combine a full major in professional studies with a full major in Bible and Theology.  Added to that, each student takes an intensive supervised field practicum of 500-600 hours in order to integrate learning, skill development, and faith, in preparation for career employment.
From out of a common base, students will have the opportunity to specialize within an intended ministry/profession while becoming aware of the wide range of helping options and career tracks available.  Transfer between these programs will be facilitated if a student’s specific interests adjust during their years at Heritage.

Professional Recognition:
In addition to having a professional specialization, graduates of these programs will be prepared to seek certification as Family Life Educators and recognition as Child and Youth Counsellors following the acquisition of sufficient hours of relevant professional employment.

Further Educational Options:
Graduates are prepared and qualified to enter Seminary programs in Pastoral, Counselling, or Chaplaincy tracks.

Acceptance Into The Program:
Although students may declare their intended vocational specialization and choose to take courses leading to a specific program, students will not be accepted into a professional track within these programs until their first year of studies is completed.  The first year program is designed to test each student’s intellectual, emotional, and spiritual qualifications for intended careers that involve extensive work in helping and guiding people. Good grades alone will not determine if an individual will be accepted into a program track in their second year.


Child and Family Ministry

Historically, the church of Jesus Christ has been at the forefront of meeting human needs. This program prepares workers who are ready to step into entry-level social service positions and who are prepared to move toward leadership in those settings.  The coursework in this program provides students with a broad base of understanding and the opportunity to explore helping options.  Students then specialize in an area of ministry and enter into service delivery to people in need.

Students seeking to further their education to become professional counsellors will find that the Human Services & Counselling Foundations program provides the necessary prerequisite and introductory courses required for that field.  In particular, this is a preparatory degree for the Counselling and Chaplaincy programs at Heritage Seminary.  Students seeking ministry and service within the parachurch sector with Christian agencies will find that the double major uniquely qualifies them for service and leadership within these settings.   Finally, the range of courses and the professional certifications leading from them provide graduates with credibility within the larger social service sector.

Courses:

• Old Testament Survey
• Spiritual Formation           
• Intro to Communication I & II       
• Intro to Philosophy           
• Intro to Psychology         
• Freshman Seminar           
• New Testament Survey   
• Hermeneutics               
• Global Outreach Strategies           
• The Helping Professional        
• Intro to Canadian Sociology
• Intro to Theology I & II    
• Counselling & Personality Theory 
• Family Life Education Methodology                
• Sociology of the Family     
• Intro to Human Services
• Professional Field Education I - III                
• Counselling & Crisis Intervention  Skills                   
• Educational Theory & Practice
• Bible Elective
• Philosophy & Theology of Human Development
• Organizational Studies I  & II   
• Worldviews, Christianity, & Culture                
• History of Western Civilization I & II  
• Developmental Psychology         
• Human Health & Sexuality             
• Educational Psychology         
• Assessment, Reporting & Referral            
• Ethics
• Law and Public Policy      
• Professional Elective
• Group Dynamics        
• Family Roles & Dynamics                             

BACHELOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL:
Youth & Family Ministry

The complexity of our society requires youth workers who are personally mature and grounded in truth and who possess a wide range of skills.  Youth workers not only plan events or lead group meetings, they also enter into the lives of youths and their families and learn how to assess needs and provide assistance for the whole person in context. Educational programming, basic counselling and referral, spiritual guidance, deep knowledge of the church, and community involvement are all required.

Graduates of this program are equipped to enter into pastoral positions in Youth or Family Ministries, into a variety of outreach ministries and camp settings, into youth related social service agencies, or into positions within the educational system requiring skills in personal care and educational techniques.

Courses:

• Old Testament Survey
• Spiritual Formation           
• Intro to Communication I & II       
• Intro to Philosophy           
• Intro to Psychology         
• Freshman Seminar           
• New Testament Survey   
• Hermeneutics               
• Global Outreach Strategies           
• The Helping Professional        
• Intro to Canadian Sociology 
• General Ministry Placement I &II
• Intro to Theology I & II    
• Counselling & Personality Theory 
• Family Life Education Methodology                
• Sociology of the Family     
• Intro to Youth & Family Ministry
• Professional Field Education I - III                
• Counselling & Crisis Intervention  Skills                   
• Educational Theory & Practice
• Youth Culture, Outreach, & Discipleship
• Philosophy & Theology of Human Development
• Organizational Studies I  & II   
• Worldviews, Christianity, & Culture                
• History of Western Civilization I & II  
• Developmental Psychology         
• Human Health & Sexuality                      
• Programming Skills for Youth & Family Ministry            
• Ethics
• Law and Public Policy
• Homilietics                   
• Professional Elective
• Group Dynamics    
• Family Roles & Dynamics                                 

BACHELOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL:

Intercultural Studies

Both overseas and in our own multicultural urban centres, intercultural ministry is important to fulfulling the Great Commission - to preach, baptize, teach, and disciple all the nations.  The complexity of the work of intercultural ministry requires workers who are personally mature and grounded in truth and who possess a wide range of skills.  The required courses in this degree provide the basic preparation for intercultural ministry.  The electives allow students to specialize in an area of ministry or increase their knowledge and training in diverse areas.

Through a partnership with CrossTraining Toronto, students may use their electives to gain a CrossTraining Certificate.  The courses are offered in Toronto.  For the Fall semester practicum, the students serve in an urban intercultural situation in Toronto and in the Winter semester, students will serve the same cultural group in another other country.  Students may choose electives from the Human Services program to prepare them for providing support to families in intercultural situations.  Students may also use their electives to transfer in the required TESOL courses from Providence College & Seminary.

Graduates of this program are equipped to enter into positions with mission agencies or pastoral positions.

Courses:

• Old Testament Survey
• Spiritual Formation           
• Intro to Communication I & II       
• Intro to Philosophy           
• Intro to Psychology         
• Freshman Seminar           
• New Testament Survey   
• Hermeneutics               
• Global Outreach Strategies                       
• Intro to Canadian Sociology 
• Bible Elective
• General Ministry Placement I - IV
• Intro to Theology I & II    
• Intro to Missiology        
• Worldviews, Christianity, & Culture             
• History of Western Civilization I   & II
• Bible Elective               
• Methods & Procedures of Missions
• Family Roles & Dynamics                          
• Elective