Requirements

One must successfully complete eight courses and attend the Bible Institute (in a two year period) in order to be awarded a certificate. The program year extends from September to June. While most classes will be on Saturdays, one course is occasionally scheduled for Friday evenings. “Core” courses for the program must be taken in order to receive your certificate. These courses include: Survey of the Old Testament (BMP- 260) and Survey of the New Testament (BMP- 270). Students are also required to take Ministries: Theology and the Black Experience (BMP- 190). The Writing Workshop (BMP- 100) is required unless you are granted exempt status. Exempt status from this course is determined by your writing sample (personal statement) submitted with your application.

Opportunities for Baccalaureate Credit

Credit for BMP courses has been awarded by the State of Connecticut. These credits can be used towards an undergraduate degree at Charter Oak State College. Each course is worth one credit hour, with the exception of Introduction to the Old Testament, Introduction to the New Testament, Christian Education, and Religion and American Culture. These courses have been awarded 1½ credit. The Art of Plain Talk and Writing is not eligible for credit at Charter Oak College. In order to receive college credit you must elect to receive a letter grade as opposed to a designation of satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U). If you do choose the satisfactory/unsatisfactory option of grading, continuing education units (ceu’s) may qualify as life experience credit by some institutions.

Assistants to the Black Ministries Program

Questions about the program can be answered during business hours, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., by email at admissions@hartfordinternational.edu.

Althea Walker is the assistant to the Black Ministries Program. She is available on Saturday mornings and can be reached at (860) 509-9500.

Student I.D. Cards

Student ID cards are required to access all university buildings. If you will be attending courses on campus, or plan to use the library, please send a photo (preferably a head shot) to studentids@hartfordinternational.edu. 

The Student Services and Residential Life Coordinator will contact students to pick up their IDs when they are ready to be picked up.

Attendance

It is the student’s responsibility to contact their professor in order to make up missed assignments. Because of the class format, two or more absences in one course is considered to be an “incomplete”. A student who finds him/herself in this situation must contact the registrar or they will be charged for the course.

Student Papers

Coursework must be turned in to the professor or as instructed in your syllabus. Hartford International / Black Ministries Program staff will not accept student papers. Hartford International will not be held accountable for papers left at its facilities. It is always a good idea to keep a copy of your paper for you records.

Withdrawal from a Course or Program

You must notify Althea Walker at bmp@hartsem.edu within the first two sessions of a class if you intend to withdraw; otherwise you will be charged for the course. Do not simply stop attending class and assume you will not be charged.

Auditing Courses

Graduates of the Black Ministries Program are also eligible to audit BMP courses at the reduced rate of $75 per course.

Cost of the Program

Black Ministries Program courses are $235 each. A non-refundable application fee of $40 must be submitted with your application. Limited scholarship assistance is available.

Each course must be paid in full prior to the start of the next class. Students who need tuition assistance should complete the scholarship form provided in the application. Each student is responsible for the purchase of books and materials for their classes.

Convocation and Scholarship Banquet

Upon completing the requirements for your certificate, you will be eligible to participate in Hartford International’s closing exercises, graduation and the Annual Black Ministries Program banquet. Graduation is held in May. The location, day and time may be found on HIU’s academic calendar. The annual BMP scholarship banquet also takes place in May.

*A $65.00 graduation fee is assessed at the end of the program, which is used for kente cloth stoles for you to keep, robe rental and other incidentals related to this event.

Alumni Seminar

Designed in response to the needs of BMP graduates, the Alumni series offers additional advanced coursework that builds upon the foundation of the Black Ministries Certificate Program. Availability of these courses will depend upon enrollment. Students who have successfully completed the Black Ministries Certificate Program are invited to apply to the Alumni Seminars. Alumni Seminar applicants who have not completed the Black Ministries Certificate Program will be admitted at the discretion of the Director.

Hybrid Synchronous

These are courses that meet on campus, typically weekly, where the instructor is on campus, but where some students  attend  in person and some students attend  synchronously online. All students, whether in person or online, are required to access syllabi, reading materials, instructions, assignment, and assignment grades. Online students should be in a secure location that has adequate microphone, camera, and sound capabilities. Students are normally expected to have a live camera feed to ensure active class participation.  Students must designate F2F or online attendance at time of registration.  

BLACK MINISTRIES PROGRAM and PROGRAMA DE MINISTERIOS HISPANOS

FALL 2023

Theology and the Black Experience (BMP-190)*

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Alvan Johnson

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (In-Person & Online)

Sept. 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, Oct. 7th, Oct. 14th (10/14 online only)

The purpose of this course is to use the African-American experience and search for identity in America as a lens through which to understand the development of African-American theology in the context of the Christian tradition.

Black Church Ecclesiology in the Modern Digital Age (BMP-233)

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Horace A. Hough

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (In-Person & Online)

Oct. 21st, Oct. 28th, Nov. 4th, 11th, 18th, Dec. 2nd

This course studies the developing identity and role of the Black Church in this post-pandemic and increasingly technological age. Topics of exploration include reexamining the role and significance of the Black Church for varied generations, efficient organizational infrastructure, flexible ministerial models, and the necessity of utilizing technological tools when operating in a liminal space.

SPRING 2024

Expository Preaching (BMP-161)

Instructor: Rev. Dr. B. K. Watts

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (In-Person & Online)

Jan. 20th, 27th, Feb. 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th  

This course will be to instruct each student in the necessary "how to" of sermon preparation and delivery. Particular emphasis will be placed on the distinctiveness of preaching in the Black religious context.

Charismatic Praise and Worship (BMP-300)

Instructor: Rev. Lisa Clayton

Saturdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (In-Person & Online)

Mar. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, Apr. 6th, 13th  

The Black Church has long been known for its dynamic praise and worship experience. This course will explore contemporary trends of praise and worship in the Black church in light of the historical, biblical roots to provide participants with insights and skills to develop sound contemporary praise and worship teams and music ministries for the Black church context.

Black Theological Ethics: A Case Study Approach (BMP-280)

Instructor: Dr. C.L. Stallworth

Fridays: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and Saturdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

(Fridays: Online Only, Saturdays, In-Person & Online)

Apr. 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, May 3rd, 4th  

In this course case studies will be used to explore contemporary ethical problems impacting the black community from a theological perspective. The cases will focus on such issues as environmental racism, affirmative action, economics, health, and sexuality to help participants gain a better understanding of faithful, ethical decision-making.

*Connotes a required course.

If you are a new or returning student:
Click here to complete the online registration form to register for classes.