This Certificate in Ministry Administration (CMA) represents the first six courses of our existing Master in Ministry Administration designed to prepare students and ministry professionals for the business side of their faith-based careers.

Program Objectives

The CMA curriculum is designed so that graduates achieve proficiency in the following areas:

• Understanding all the functional areas of business, particularly insofar as they relate to non-profit and faith-based organizations;
• Clear understanding of faith based organizations;
• Clear understanding of Philanthropy and Fun Raising;
• Having a positive impact on people, organizations, the community and the natural environment;
• Mastering Budgeting and Financial controls;
• Understanding how to create an effective Strategic Plan; and
• Governance and Employment Law

Application Requirements

1. Completed application
2. Undergraduate Degree form an accredited institution
3. Resume
4. One letter of reference
5. Official transcripts of all previous academic coursework leading a baccalaureate degree
6. Id non-native speaker, minimum TOEFL of 82 or IELTS of 6.5

Graduation from the program requires

1. Completion of 12 credits
2. Completion of all required content courses
3. GPA of 3.0 or higher

Course Descriptions
 
MMA 660 (2 credits) Role of Business in a Faith-based Organization
Students are introduced to topics related to business as a contemporary social institution. Emphasis is placed on the role of business in a faith-based organization, ethical frameworks for business decision-making, the perils and promises of new technology, sustainable business and the natural environment, issues of social and economic justice, and values-based leadership.

MMA 661 (2 credits) Philanthropy & Fund-Raising
This course address the vital issue of fund-raising for the not-for-profit organization by appealing to the philanthropic side of the donor. Traditional fund-raising strategies as well as the philanthropic approach will be presented. Emphasis is also placed on available grants and organizations that fund faith-based NFPs.

MMA 662 (2 credits) Employment Law & Governance
This course is comprised of a series of lectures on topics relevant to current legal issues confronting not-for-profit managers. Topics explored may include the role and responsibility of a Board of Directors, Employment Law, White-collar Crime and a legal definition of a Not-For-Profit Organization including IRS 501 c-3 designation. The course focuses on identifying actions, or areas of inaction, that could result in a NFP business violating statutes, incurring legal liability and possibly being subjected to litigation.

MMA 663 (2 credits) Leadership and Managing People
This course focuses on issues related to foster development of leadership, followership, and team competencies.  This course explores the following topics: interpersonal skills, effective leadership and followership, empowerment and delegation, conflict resolution and negotiation, team problem solving, team development, managing volunteers, and entrepreneurship. Special emphasis is put on the importance of values-based leadership in creating ethical and humane organizations.

MMA 664 (2 credits) Financial Sustainability
This course is intended to extend knowledge and experience in cash management, cash controls, budgeting, capital budgeting, leasing, fund management, IRS 990 reporting and financial analysis.

MMA 665 (2 credits) Strategic Planning
Creating a common focus for the faith-based organization is achieved through a clear Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and Values Statement that sets the groundwork for creating a comprehensive long term strategic plan.  Planning includes assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the organization; understanding the current trends in the served market; creating a sustainable brand; building an effective communication strategy; and financial sustainability.