Women's Leadership Institute

Seminary Studies for Student Wives

Southwestern Seminary is making an investment in student wives. We believe that there is a need for a ministering wife to join her husband in the educational pilgrimage. This unique program combines practical, spiritual, and academic studies.

Student wives can be equipped and earn seminary credit by attending courses offered one night a week through Seminary Studies for Student Wives. There are three certificate tracks a student wife may take. To be eligible to take any of these courses for credit, the student wife must complete the application for admission for certificate and non-degree programs.

Seminary Studies for Student Wives Certificate, 12 hours
Students take 12 hours from any of the following courses:

  • SSSWP 1102 Overview of the New Testament I
  • SSSWP 1112 Overview of the New Testament II
  • SSSWP 1122 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study and Interpretation I
  • SSSWP 1132 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study and Interpretation II
  • SSSWP 1202 The Art of Teaching
  • SSSWP 1212 How to Teach the Bible
  • SSSWP 1302 Overview of the Old Testament I
  • SSSWP 1312 Overview of the Old Testament II
  • SSSWP 1402 Basic Christian Doctrine I (Foundational Doctrines)
  • SSSWP 1412 Basic Christian Doctrine II (Theology of Women)
  • SSSWP 1702 Spiritual Development of Children
  • SSSWP 1802 Woman-to-Woman Ministry
  • SSSWP 1822 Counseling for Women

Seminary Studies for Student Wives in Missions, 16 hours
Completion of this program meets IMB educational requirements for spouses. Students in this program must complete the following:

  • SSSWP 1102 Overview of the New Testament I
  • SSSWP 1112 Overview of the New Testament II
  • SSSWP 1122 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study I
  • SSSWP 1132 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study II
  • SSSWP 1302 Overview of the Old Testament I
  • SSSWP 1312 Overview of the Old Testament II
  • SSSWP 1402 Basic Christian Doctrine I
  • SSSWP 1412 Basic Christian Doctrine II
  • SSSWP Elective

Advanced Seminary Studies for Student Wives Certificate, 8 additional hours
Any student who has completed either of the above certificates may complete an additional 8 hours of SSSWP courses and receive the "Advanced Seminary Studies for Student Wives Certificate."

Fees and Enrollment Information
The fee for SSSWP courses is $40 per class. As certificate students, student wives are also eligible to take regular seminary courses. The standard course fee rates apply to regular seminary courses. Regardless of course type, S.S.S.W.P. students will not be required to pay campus fees, provided the courses taken count towards the completion of the certificate. Six credit hours of regular seminary courses may be taken in lieu of three SSSWP courses.

Courses offered in the this program will be offered in six-week blocks. Each course will count as 2 hours of credit. At least two courses will be offered each fall and spring semester.

For additional information concerning Seminary Studies for Student Wives or Seminary Studies courses, call the Dean of Women at (817) 921-8680.

Certificate and Advanced Certificate of Ministry Studies

These certificates comprise courses from the S.S.S.W. program and are aimed at women who are serving in churches or other ministry contexts as staff, ministry leaders, or lay leaders. As women have tremendous influence in the leading, discipling, teaching, and ministering to other women, it is important to be equipped biblically and theologically to serve confidently in today’s culture.

These certificate courses are offered in a 6-week format, in both residential and online settings, at a reduced rate, and are not eligible to transfer into a degree program.

Certificate of Ministry Studies, 12 hours
Students take 12 hours from any of the following courses:

  • SSSWP 1102 Overview of the New Testament I
  • SSSWP 1112 Overview of the New Testament II
  • SSSWP 1122 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study and Interpretation I
  • SSSWP 1132 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study and Interpretation II
  • SSSWP 1202 The Art of Teaching
  • SSSWP 1212 How to Teach the Bible
  • SSSWP 1302 Overview of the Old Testament I
  • SSSWP 1312 Overview of the Old Testament II
  • SSSWP 1402 Basic Christian Doctrine I (Foundational Doctrines)
  • SSSWP 1412 Basic Christian Doctrine II (Theology of Women)
  • SSSWP 1702 Spiritual Development of Children
  • SSSWP 1802 Woman-to-Woman Ministry
  • SSSWP 1822 Counseling for Women

Advanced Certificate of Ministry Studies
Students who have fulfilled the requirements of the Certificate of Ministry Studies may complete an additional 8 hours of SSSWP courses and received the Advanced Certificate of Ministry Studies.

SSSWP Course Descriptions

SSSWP 1002 Women in Church History
This course is designed to be an overview of prominent women in church history and the recognition of their contributions and accomplishments. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1102 Overview of the New Testament I
An introductory overview of the New Testament with attention to the authorship, audience, purpose, and outstanding doctrines covering Matthew to Acts of the New Testament. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1112 Overview of the New Testament II
An introductory overview of the New Testament with attention to the authorship, audience, purpose, and outstanding doctrines covering Romans to Revelation of the New Testament. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1122 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study and Interpretation I
This course is an introduction to the interpretation of the Bible, seeking to provide a historical perspective and reliable principles with which to study, interpret, and apply Scripture. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1132 Hermeneutics: Approaches to Bible Study and Interpretation II
The course is a continuation of SSSWP 1122. It is part two of an introduction to the interpretation of the Bible, seeking to provide a historical perspective and reliable principles with which to study, interpret, and apply Scripture. 2 hours. Prerequisite: SSSWP 1122

SSSWP 1202 The Art of Teaching
A study of the principles and methods of effective Christian teaching, including the development of presentation skills. This course is designed to improve the Christian worker's ability as a teacher. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1212 How to Teach the Bible
This course provides practical knowledge, skills, and strategies for effectively studying and teaching the Bible with confidence in whatever setting a woman may be called to serve. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1302 Overview of the Old Testament I
An introductory overview of the Old Testament with attention to the authorship, audience, purpose, and outstanding doctrines covering Genesis to Esther of the Old Testament. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1312 Overview of the Old Testament II
An introductory overview of the Old Testament with attention to the authorship, audience, purpose, and outstanding doctrines covering Job to Malachi of the Old Testament. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1402 Basic Christian Doctrine I
A study of the biblical, historical, and contemporary interpretations of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1412 Basic Christian Doctrine II
An amplified study of womanhood from the Scriptures in order to establish the foundation for systematizing a consistent and non-contradictory pattern and plan for biblical womanhood throughout the generations and especially for the present era. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1502 Intro to Biblical Languages: Greek
This course introduces the student to the Greek alphabet, the basic building blocks of Greek grammar and basic Greek vocabulary. The student will also be introduced to valuable resources, tools, and study aids for the Greek language. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1602 Intro to Biblical Languages: Hebrew
This course introduces the student to the Hebrew alphabet, the basic building blocks of Hebrew grammar, and basic Hebrew vocabulary. The student will also be introduced to valuable resources, tools, and study aids for the Hebrew language. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1702 Spiritual Development of Children
A study of the spiritual development of preschoolers and children, with discussions of how to lay the foundation of faith in the lives of children. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1802 Woman-to-Woman Ministry
An introductory study and overview of the biblical basis of woman-to-woman ministry and developing a ministry to women in the local church. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1822 Counseling Women
This course will focus on equipping ministry wives to counsel other women with God's Word. This course exposes women with a variety of topics a counselor may encounter while counseling other women. Scripture references are provided as a tool to help the counselee. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1902 Women and Evangelism
Principles and practices of ministry and personal witnessing as it relates to women. 2 hours.

SSSWP 1992 International Missions
Created in a directed study format, students may earn credit while participating in regular seminary site-based education opportunities. (Dean approval required). 2 hours.

SSSWP 2102 Women and Missions
This course equips women for International Missions by examining issues related to women serving across cultures. 2 hours.

SSSWP 5032 Special Topics
A class or seminar in which significant topics for ministry wives are explored. 2 hours.

Leadership Certificate in Ministry to Women

The purpose of the Leadership Certificate in Ministry to Women program is to equip women as lay leaders and church staff in woman-to-woman ministries in the local church by providing quality training and networking opportunities.

The Leadership Certificate in Ministry to Women can be acquired by completing 12 hours of WOMIN/WOMST course credit. This is accomplished by completing four 3-hour courses taught by Southwestern faculty and other experts in the field of ministry to women. Courses are available online and in a traditional schedule format at the Fort Worth campus. It is possible to complete the program in two years. Courses may also be taken for credit in Southwestern's master's or baccalaureate programs.

WOMIN Course Descriptions

WOMIN 3513 (1513) Women in Leadership
A study of the philosophy, theology, skills, and methods of personal leadership development, leadership team development, and administrative procedures that are unique to women's ministry in the local church. Students will conduct personal evaluations of leadership skills, develop a plan for leadership and create an administrative procedural resource. 3 hours.

WOMIN 3713 (1713) Discipling Women
This course will examine the process of discipling women. This course will also examine the biblical principles that relate to issues frequently experienced by women and competencies necessary for effective discipling of women. 3 hours.

WOMIN 4123 (2123) Counseling Women
This course will focus on equipping women in ministry to counsel other women with God's Word. Topics such as sufficiency of Scripture, role of the local church, and the responsibility of church leaders will be discussed. Other subject matters also include judging others and challenging issues a counselor faces. This course exposes women with a variety of topics a counselor may encounter while counseling other women. Scripture references are provided as a tool to help the counselee. 3 hours.

WOMIN 4223 (2223) Ministry to Women
A study of a biblical model of ministry to women in a variety of contexts with a focus on a biblical foundation, leadership issues, and considerations for women as well as the practical outworking of the tasks of a woman-to-woman ministry. 3 hours.

WOMST Course Descriptions

WOMST 3113 Theology of Women
A study of the biblical passages relevant to a theology of women and gender in order to form a culturally informed, theologically consistent interpretation and to discover application for one's personal life and ministry. 3 hours.

WOMST 4043 Intro to Expository Teaching
A study of the oral presentation of a biblical text. Basic principles of communication will be studied and applied in a speaking experience, including the formulating of a central idea and structure developed from a text, audience analysis, support material, delivery, and application. Special attention will be given to the area of woman-to-woman communication. 3 hours.

WOMST 4063 Women in Missions and Global Concerns
This course establishes a biblical and theological framework for the dignity of women, giving special attention to the Old Testament law and its relevance to women, as well as worldwide concerns that affect women. 3 hours.

WOMST 4123 (2123) Contemporary Issues in Women and Gender Studies
This course equips students to identify and respond to debates concerning women and gender from a theological framework for the purpose of articulating a culturally informed theology of womanhood and gender. 3 hours.