Sacramento Area Cohorts
Launching Spring 2026!
The need for theological training in the Sacramento Area is more urgent than ever. That's why we've designed the Sacramento Area Cohort specifically with local ministry leaders in mind. Thanks to generous tuition grants, this program costs significantly less than a typical seminary degree and meets for two days every other month to make graduate-level training more accessible to those in ministry. Students who complete the cohort will earn the MA in Ministry and Leadership in three years, and all coursework can be applied to a Master of Divinity for those desiring a second master's degree.
This cohort is uniquely designed to equip and train local church leaders for missional ministry in the Sacramento Area. It is for next-generation leaders, youth and young-adult leaders, worship leaders, church planters, and anyone else who desires to be equipped with a theological and biblical foundation for the ministry to which God has called them.
What Sets This Cohort Apart?
- Receive a generous tuition reduction.
- Enjoy a condensed classroom format, meeting once a month.
- Journey through your degree alongside the same small group of students from start to finish.
- Build a theological framework that empowers decades of impactful ministry leadership.
- Earn credit within your ministry context with an experienced mentor in ministry.
Having served in ministry in the Sacramento area for the last 16 years, I know that the need for Christ-centered, theological training in our area is at an all-time high. I'm grateful that this degree is available here in a cohort model."
Cody Cannon, DMin
Cohort Curator and Lead Pastor of Life Pointe Church
Curriculum
See Course Schedule
Year One
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
| BT502 | Understanding Biblical Theology | 2 |
| MF501 | Introduction to Theological Study and Ministry Formation | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| BL501 | Interpreting the Old Testament I: Genesis to Song of Solomon | 4 |
| CS501 | Loving God Loving Others | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| BL502X | Interpreting the Old Testament II: The Prophets | 2 |
| BL502Y | Interpreting the New Testament I: The Gospels | 2 |
| CS502 | Growing in Prayer and Other Key Spiritual Disciplines | 2 |
Year Two
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| BL503 | Interpreting the New Testament II: Acts-Revelation | 4 |
| ML501 | Theology and Practice of Gospel-Centered Ministry | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| TH501 | Theology I: Knowing the Triune God | 4 |
| ML502 | Transformational Leadership | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| TH502 | Theology II: Glorifying the God of Our Salvation | 4 |
| ML504 | Taking the Gospel to Diverse Cultures | 2 |
Year Three
| Semester One | ||
|---|---|---|
| TH503 | Theology III: Living as the Community of the Spirit | 4 |
| ML506 | Ministerial Ethics | 2 |
| Semester Two | ||
| TH526 | Religions of the World | 2 |
| ML507 | Gospel Responses to Contemporary Challenges | 2 |
| PT502 | Theology and Practice of Worship | 2 |
| Semester Three | ||
| CH502 | Insight and Inspiration from Church History | 2 |
| TH504 | Integrating Ministry and Theology | 2 |
Receive a Generous Tuition Reduction
We have tuition grants that can reduce the cost up to around half normal tuition. Request Info to connect with the admissions team to find out more.
Develop Deep Relationships
Sacramento Area Cohort students who go through a set of classes as part of their degree program simultaneously for three years. They maintain continuous enrollment as they pursue their master's degree.
The deep relationships developed in the cohort enable the friendship and trust for mutual growth in knowledge, character, and skills for ministry. Discussions and assignments are designed for immediate application in the students’ ministry context, enriching both the classroom and church life.
Meet Once a Month
Class meetings are conveniently scheduled once a month at LifePoint Church. This schedule drastically reduces commute and travel time. The once-a-month format also makes it manageable for commuter students, who may live further from the Sacramento Area.
Learn from Ministry Practioners
Cohort curator Cody Cannon, DMin, will help guide you in applying the insights you gain in the program to the challenges of life and ministry. Teaching will also come from other Western Seminary faculty in their areas of expertise on Bible and theology. You will be able to have discussion with professors as you are equipped for ministry in today’s world. In addition to the teaching professors, you will also work with an experienced cohort mentor.
Real-World Ministry Application
It is not enough to master content and learn the head knowledge. Transformative theological education encompasses the whole person. This program embraces a holistic educational model that will also include a highly personalized approach to your own formation as a student, a follower of Jesus, and a ministry leader.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Will Western find a mentor for me?
No. The expectation is that cohort students have a mentor in mind for the cohort when they apply. Western will help train your assigned mentor
Is this an Online Program?
While there are online compenents, the once-a-month classes are in person, and the interaction is face-to-face. Professors may have students submit work online, or give information through an online portal, but these are in-person courses. The only reason why it falls into our Global program is because we may have live classes meet at locations not at Western Seminary-San Jose.
Can I web-conference into the in-person classes?
It is vital to have all students present for each class every semester. Please talk with your cohort host and professor if for some reason you can't be there in person.
What will a course load look like time-wise?
Whether you're registered for a traditional campus course, a hybrid course (with content delivered both in the classroom and online) or an online course, you can use these metrics as general rules of thumb:
|
2 hours of out-of-class study per hour of instruction time |
15 hours of instruction time per credit |
30 hours of out-of-class study per credit |
The only difference with this standard is the classroom time lessened to one Friday per unit. This will mean that other work must substitute for that missed seat time.
How soon in advance with the schedule be posted?
You will know what the schedule will be at least one year in advance.
Will the schedule look differently in summer months?
No.
Will I receive a grade for courses?
Yes. Bible and Theology courses will be graded like any seminary course. Ministry courses will be graded by the mentor as Pass or Fail.
Students may view grades by logging in to the Student Information System at the conclusion of each semester in which course work is attempted. Courses which are assigned a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory grade are not computed in the grade point average. Transfer credits are not included in the determination of the grade point average.