The program was developed in collaboration with the Education Department of The Salvation Army Central Territory and continues as a joint effort of both The Salvation Army and Olivet Nazarene University. The Territorial Secretary, Education Department of The Salvation Army Central Territory, serves through Olivet as Coordinator of the Practical Ministries degree. The major goal of the program is the preparation of students at the bachelor's degree level for ministry that confronts society as a whole while focusing on religious, social, and cultural issues, especially as they relate to The Salvation Army. Each year, weeklong seminars are held on the Olivet campus. In May and August five different seminars are offered during the week, and may be taken for credit or non-credit.
Students return to their homes and have nine months to complete their seminar assignments.
These nondegree seeking students are registered through Olivet and records are kept of their seminar completion and participation. Students are involved in concentrated studies during these seminars with experts in the field of practical ministries. Instructors include faculty from Olivet as well as qualified personnel from The Salvation Army. Work relating to these seminars and various aspects of practical ministries as carried on by The Salvation Army are assigned as workstudy projects. Additional courses needed to satisfy the 128-hour degree requirement may be taken at other institutions and transferred into this program.