Theological Leadership Degrees & Programs
Westmont's Certificate in Theological Leadership
The Quest and Preparation for a Lifetime of Service
Westmont offers a program to cultivate wisdom in Christian leaders, offering a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Theological Leadership. This program is designed for ministry professionals, laypeople eager to grow spiritually, and recent college graduates considering seminary.
Applications now being accepted!
Inaugural Cohort
Congratulations to the Theological Leadership Inaugural Cohort!
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"I’m grateful for the many ways the certificate program has challenged me to grow. I’ve loved the structured learning—the rhythm of reading great books, learning from faculty who are both brilliant in their fields and genuinely invested in us, and journeying alongside classmates who have become lifelong friends. It has been a beautiful, life-changing experience. Westmont is a special place! It’s a gift to have invested this time in things that endure. Studying scripture, Christian leadership, world Christianity, discipleship-making movements, and spiritual formation has shaped the way I serve and lead for the glory of God in every area of my life." - Addie Smith | 1st Cohort, Completed her certificate Dec. 2025 |
Program Information
Whether students pursue the certificate as a terminal degree or apply it to graduate education, the program will compel students to consider their vocation and life’s call within the context of a theological framework. Westmont’s history overflows with people animated by their faith, motivated by their intellect, and willing to embrace deeply held commitments that inspire a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service. We hope you’ll join us in this noble pursuit of growing in knowledge and understanding of God to better lead and teach others.
- Courses are taught in a hybrid format blending in-person and online elements. Each semester begins with a 3-day academic and spiritual retreat in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.
- The program’s one-course-at-a-time format enables working adults to complete their certificate in three semesters of part-time coursework.
- Earn the certificate in just one year over a fall, spring and summer term.
- Church and ministry professionals seeking to deepen their theological grounding and expand their ministry skills.
- Lay professionals seeking to grow spiritually and strengthen the theological and biblical foundations for their professional work.
- Recent college graduates considering a career in full-time Christian ministry.
- Partnerships with leading evangelical seminaries enable graduates to go on to a Master’s degree with at least one year of academic credit.
Fall Semester
- An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Wisdom of the Ancients — Sandra Richter, Ph.D., Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies
- Theological Ethics & Leadership — Telford Work, Ph.D., Professor of Theology
Spring Semester
- Reading the New Testament for Wisdom — Holly Beers, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies
- Theology for Discipleship — Telford Work, Ph.D., Professor of Theology
Summer Semester
- World Christianity: Leadership in Global Context — Faculty T.B.D.
- Culture and Theology: Thinking Missionally — Faculty T.B.D.
Program FeaturesTH UNIVERSITY APPOINTS LAURA GALLOWAY, PH.D., AS DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Whitworth University News
Laura Galloway, a member of the inaugural cohort of the Certificate in Theological Leadership, has been named Dean of the School of Business at Whitworth University.
OFFERING A NEW CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP
Official Press Release
Westmont launches a new program to cultivate wisdom in Christian leaders and offers a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Theological Leadership. The initiative begins January 2024 with an inaugural cohort of 25 students.
THE QUEST AND PREPARATION FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
Westmont Magazine
Longing for a deeper theological grounding in your life and work? Christians in professional ministry, laypeople eager to grow spiritually and recent college graduates considering seminary will all benefit from a new Westmont initiative.