Houghton College at Buffalo AAS degree is an offering of the Department of Religion and Philosophy of Houghton’s main campus. The college expanded its ministerial training program to meet the needs of urban Christian leadership.

The AAS degree is designed to prepare students for community and church service as pastoral assistants, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers

Admission is open in Fall and Spring only, students attend classes in all 3 terms. PCMP courses are in offered three 10-week terms per academic year:

The AAS degree requires the completion of 62 hours of course work. Courses offered through the PCMP enable students to complete 50 hours of this requirement. The 12 remaining hours may be completed at Houghton College or another accredited institution. A course sequence has been developed to insure that all requirements are met.

Classes are held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, and Saturday mornings from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

    *Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

PBIB 102 Introduction to the Old Testament 3
PBIB 222 Biblical Interpretation in Today’s World 3

and/or electives

PBIB 103 Introduction to the New Testament 3
PBIB 217 Gospel Foundations of Evangelism 3

and/or electives

PMIS 225 Spiritual and Prayer Foundations 3

PEDM 223 The City Church and Specialized Ministries 3
PEDM 227 Church Planning and Administration 3

TBA through Houghton College 4

PBIB 102 Introduction to the Old Testament

or

PBIB 103 Introduction to the New Testament

3

3 Hours of Principles of Writing* 3

PSSC 217 Pastoral Counseling in the Urban Tradition 2
PSSC 218 Pastoral Care in the Urban Community 2

6 Hours of Humanities* 6

(with 3 of these 6 Hours in Philosophy)

PTHL 230 Introduction to Christian Doctrine 3

PEDM 233 Christian Education in the Church 3

PEDM 235 Foundations of Worship 2

PEDM 250 Working with Urban Youth 3

PEDM 252 Emerging Issues in Ministry 2

PEDM 254 How to Teach and Study the Bible 2

PEDM 256 Selecting and Training Teachers 2

PEDM 258 Techniques of Teaching Youth and Adults 2

Required course:

PMIN 222 Foundations of Preaching 3

Additional courses required to complete the 62 hours for the AAS degree (3 hours of Math or Science, 3 hours Principles of Writing, and 6 hours of Humanities-with 3 in Philosophy) may be taken through Houghton College, or transferred from another college or university.

A student may earn the AAS Christian Ministries degree in one of the other concentrations listed in the Houghton College catalog (communication, religion, or applied social science) by combining course work taken through PCMP, Houghton College, and transfer credit from other institutions.

Students may transfer from the Certificate/General Entry level to the AAS degree, if they meet the admission requirements. These students may transfer three courses from the Certificate level for academic credit upon completing the instructor’s requirements.

Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and Houghton College Loan Funds are available for the Degree program. State Aid (TAP) is not given to religious programs.

The Pell Grant is money given to students who qualify under a federal formula that determines eligibility. To be eligible, a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have not earned a bachelor’s degree. This award is a grant, not a loan.

The Stafford Loan is a loan program administered off campus. This loan carries an annual borrowing limit, which may increase from year to year. Repayment is delayed until six months after cessation of enrollment as a student.

The Lee Christian Service Loan/Grant is a college-controlled loan fund. Students may borrow modest amounts for academic needs. The interest rate on the loan issued is the prime lending rate, plus two percent per year. A regular payment schedule is set up by mutual consent of the borrower and the Scholarship Committee. 25% of the Lee Christian Service Loan/Grant is forgiven for each year that the borrower serves in full-time ministry after receiving the AAS degree.