Prepare yourself to make a difference in the world of injustice, greed and poverty. Study the whole Bible, as well as the nature of God and His mission in the world. Hone the qualities required to thrive cross-culturally including confidence, maturity, contentment and advanced communication skills.
As you prepare for intercultural ministry we believe that it is important to know the living word of God.
You will complete a four to six month internship somewhere in the world, to develop and prepare you for your career through a structured experience in a real-life business or not-for-profit environment.
Box 4000
Three Hills, AB T0M 2N0
Canada
Phone: 403.443.5511
TollFree: 1.800.661.2425
admissions@prairie.edu
info@prairie.edu
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All courses are three credits unless shown otherwise.
In this course, students are introduced to the story of Jesus Christ and his earliest disciples as told by the four Gospels and the book of Acts. Students will grow in their understanding of who Jesus is as well as in their ability to interpret the bible by attending to its literary, historical, and theological character.
This course is an introduction to the life and letters of the apostle Paul. Students will gain a basic understanding of the historical, literary, and theological characteristics of each of Paul’s letters, and in the process will further develop their skills in attentive and critical bible reading.
In this course, students are introduced to the book of Hebrews, the Catholic epistles (James, 1, 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3, John, Jude), and the book of Revelation. This course will focus on the ways in which the earliest Christians navigated the eschatological tension between the first and second comings of Jesus. In the process, students will gain further understanding of the historical circumstances of Christians living in the late first-century Roman empire, as well as extend interpretive skills development (esp. literary analysis, canonical integration, history of interpretation, and theological appropriation).
A study of the first five books of the Bible, focusing on the historical, literary and theological features of these books as well as establishing a strong grounding in Torah principles as preparation for interpreting the rest of Scripture.
A study of the books of Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings and Ezra-Nehemiah in their cultural, historical, and literary setting. Brief interaction with Ruth, Esther, and 1-2 Chronicles as they relate to the books associated with them. Focuses on interpretive and contextual issues, historical setting, cultural concerns, and their relevance in developing a strong biblical theology in today’s world.
A study of Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs, focusing on historical, literary, and theological features of these books with special emphases on Hebrew poetry and ancient Near Eastern Wisdom literature.
A study of the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve), with Daniel and Lamentations, focusing on developing sensitivity to the historical, literary, and theological dimensions of these books. Class time will include discussion of the relevance of the prophetic books for contemporary critical issues.
The Christian life is the experience of God drawing us into a relationship that is nothing less than the believer’s participation in the life of God through union with Christ. This is the Good News (i.e. Gospel) that takes root through sola scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). The transformative participation in Christ and His purposes gives this present life value, direction and hope. The believer is called to the quest of faithful discipleship in this participation and engagement with Christ.
The course is an exploration of and involvement in that quest. You will be challenged toward intentional participation in the life of God through your faithful discipleship response to His person and work. The content will explore a Christian spiritual theology and practice of participation with Christ. The theological approach to this participation is as a transformational relationship with the triune God in which you have both responsibilities and privileges. The course is designed to stretch beyond a cognitive/intellectual exercise and therefore you will be encouraged to actively engage in whole-hearted participation with God, both inside and outside of the classroom. The desired result is that you will know God more deeply, relate to Him as one intimately known by Him, and desire to make Him known to others.
This course introduces students to the biblical, doctrinal, philosophical and historical “big picture” outlines of the Christian faith. The course aims to equip students with the skills to develop a Christian mind by assisting them in constructing a theological foundation for thinking and dealing with life’s most important issues. This course will also enable students to begin to think theologically and to construct a Christian worldview for the edification of the community of faith and to the glory of the almighty God whom we serve.
A systematic orientation to the center of Christian theology—the life of the Triune God. This course will cover the doctrines of God, Trinity, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Revelation. It will also consider questions of method, including the sources and norms of theology. The discipline of theology will be approached as a practice of the church, both local and global, carried out for the benefit of the church’s life, its proclamation, and its service to the world.
This course focuses on a variety of aspects of academic research. The student will critically assess a variety of sources that mostly pertain to the task of apologetics. The primary focus of this course is research and writing, and the secondary focus is apologetics. This means that the student will assess, analyze, summarize, and review source documents that pertain to apologetics. The student will learn how to write academically and how to properly paraphrase source documents in order to enhance their critical thinking skills. Additionally, the student will be familiarized with the library and information literacy. In sum, this course is designed to introduce the student to the task of sound research and proper academic writing.
This course covers, in survey fashion, the events and themes which make up the early part of the story of the western world. The chronological range extends from the period of the earliest known ancient near eastern civilizations through to the end of the medieval period (mid-15th century) in Europe. While related historical events in other parts of the globe will be used as reference points, the primary geographical stage will be the regions of the Middle East, the Mediterranean basin and the wider European subcontinent. The course focuses on key events, people and ideas which played a formative role in developing this collective entity referred to as Western Civilization.
This course picks up the narrative of western civilization where HF 231 left off. It covers the period from the late Middle Ages to the late 20th century. Two key questions which the course raises and then seeks to answer is: 1) what is modernity? and 2) how has it formed western civilization and then the world beyond the west? Or, to put it another way, ‘how did The West become The West?’ While using political events as the primary reference points in mapping the historical narrative, the course will also explore a variety of other cultural events, people and movements which shaped the modern age. These include: religious/philosophical ideas, especially as they are expressed in art, architecture, music and literature; developments in the fields of science and commerce; and key social institutions/practices. In addition to studying these developments through the writings of academic historians, students will also have an opportunity to practice the craft of producing an historical account of their own.
This class is comprised of a number of experiences designed to introduce students to different activities that promote holistic health and wellness. These activities, in the Explore program, primarily consist of wilderness disciplines such as canoeing, rock climbing, backpacking and mountain biking. These activities will be used to help develop the learner in not only physical health but also emotional, relational and spiritual health through guided facilitation of the experience. Instruction and experience in traditional workout methods, such as running and weight lifting, will also be provided. A large portion of this class will be helping the learner develop the skills necessary to safely enjoy and learn from the experiences in the wilderness disciplines they will encounter.
This course surveys the historical development of scientific thought, primarily in the western tradition, from its origins in ancient Greece to the twentieth century. While the course does examine major figures and their scientific achievements, it does not do so in the context of “science as the inevitable march from primitivism to progress,” i.e. science as the continuous accumulation of knowledge and mastery of the natural world. Rather these events will be studied in the context of the prevailing worldview or philosophical paradigm which provided the framework for scientific inquiry and discovery in various cultural periods. As such particular attention will be given to the interplay between philosophical-religious and scientific ideas.
This course describes and analyzes the range and nature of Christian expression around the world. This will be done in three ways: 1) by briefly describing the four main streams of Christianity evident today; 2) by examining the variety of expressions of indigenous Christianity in the various geographical regions of the globe, and major challenges Christians face in each region; and 3) by getting a brief introduction of how Christianity spread from its Hebrew roots in Palestine to becoming a global faith which is known today as World Christianity (Christianity whose agenda is no longer determined by churches in the nations of the West). The underlying question for Christians living in the West is, ‘What is our place and role in this recently altered global landscape of Christianity?’ This course will offer some possible answers to that question.
In this course students will study the fundamental principles of human behavior and cognitive processes. Students will learn to recognize and interpret various psychological theories and approaches, apply basic psychological principles and strategies to contemporary issues, accomplish a research project involving a major psychological concept and work cooperatively with classmates to begin to formulate an integrative approach to psychology.
This introductory course will assist in nurturing leadership character, convictions and competencies. The foundational content will explore a theology and philosophy of leadership, investigate the formation of a Christian leader and survey the primary tasks of leadership. Building on this foundation, you will receive contextualized training for the specific leadership ministry in which you will be serving during the academic year. You will be challenged toward becoming a godly influencer of others.
The course is an introductory overview of Cultural Anthropology—the study of human beings from a holistic perspective. We will study theory, insights, and methods used to understand people and their relationships in human cultures. We will learn to understand some basic rationale for different ways of life and how to apply general anthropological knowledge and skills to everyday life in Canada or overseas. The topics include the concept of culture, world view, social organization (kinship, economic, social groups, political, and religious/ideological organization), communication, life cycle, expressive culture, and change.
The purpose of this seminar is to aid students in the process of bringing faith, learning, vocation, and ministry into a coherent way of life. Any understanding of such a life is always worked out in reference to the vital questions and concerns of our cultural moment, as well as the enduring, universal questions faced by each successive generation. Students will study a range of cultural theologies from a variety of vocational perspectives and then present their own theological findings on a topic pertinent to their vocational future.
This class explores the dynamics and principles that affect the nature and health of an organization and how that affects its performance. Students will study organizations and the human beings that form and sustain them, including how stakeholders perpetuate the moral and personality traits of the organizations. They will also investigate how the organization in turn, affects people, especially its employees. The course will encourage students to develop a biblically moral basis for creating, leading and sustaining healthy and high-performing organizations where people can flourish.
This course is intended to introduce and lay a foundation for all the rest of our business program. The students should therefore develop practical competencies in management in the context of a robust and Scripturally-grounded theology regarding God’s view of work and, in particular, the work of management. Biblical Management involves the skills, knowledge and character needed to lead a business (or any other organization) in ways that glorify God and fulfill His purposes. This class then will prepare students for management through self-examination in the light of what management looks like when Biblical perspectives are taken on topics like roles, motivation, competition, leadership and wealth.
This course covers the fundamentals of financial accounting including its goals, guiding principles, key functions, uses, and limitations grounded in a biblical perspective. Students will experience what it is to build and use an accounting system while learning about the basics of bookkeeping and financial statements.
This class examines the creation, communication and delivery of value. The course approaches marketing as an organizational philosophy that should be integrated into every aspect of the business. The class will cover the traditional and fundamental frameworks and theories of marketing but will also discuss, in depth, the implications of Scriptural principles on the discipline of marketing. The class will explore how to create, communicate and deliver real value for those that the Kingdom-minded business seeks to serve.
The goal of this course is to help students develop a biblically informed understanding of foundational financial concepts like the time value of money. This understanding will then be applied to some typical financial decisions required of individuals and managers of organizations. Students will learn to use tools and frameworks that support the decision-making process.
This course is intended to provide students with a foundational grasp of law and organizational governance. The course will introduce students to some of the fundamental elements of business law and help them develop a healthy awareness of the legal implications of operating a business in the context of the Canadian legal system. The class will also present different perspectives on corporate governance along with their practical implications.
This one-and-a-half credit class is designed to introduce students to the world of Project Management. Key project management concepts, skills and tools will be learned and applied to several theoretical cases and at least one actual project. Students will learn to plan, execute, and then evaluate their success in project management.
The Business Internship course consists of a minimum of about 125 hours (approximately one month) of full-time work experience for every three internship course credits. The internship placement is to be in a business context that is suited to the student’s interests, abilities and educational goals. Specific responsibilities, dependent on the student and organization, will be given to the intern in addition to gaining broad exposure to the overall business operation. High levels of mentorship and development are expected to take place as the intern seeks to serve the organization by applying their effort, abilities, and knowledge to the roles and responsibilities they are given.
This class introduces the skills, knowledge and principles necessary to understand and use the experiential education method effectively at a basic level. Students will experience the model throughout their time in the Explore Program, but concentrated time is set aside to learn about how the student can facilitate experiences towards the learner’s growth and development. A four day course paired with a practicum opportunity will form the means of curriculum delivery and application. The experience and practice of the concepts from this class, however, are found throughout the entirety of the Explore Program.
This course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles, skills and knowledge necessary to plan and execute successful programming in a wilderness context. The course utilizes the Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) curriculum for Field Leader Hiking. In addition to the content provided through the OCC course, students will participate in a 5-day backpacking trip that will give opportunity for the students to apply principles, receive feedback and deepen their skillset. A practicum that takes place near the end of the semester will provide an additional opportunity to utilize the skills taught in this class.
PA 106 Pastoral Care and Coaching
An orientation to gospel coaching in its relation to ministry; in-class and out of class practicum involves small group coaching networks and observation. Students will discover that pastoral care involves coaching others which flows from listening to the Holy Spirit and using the Word of God to minister to others.
PA 165 Equipping for Pastoral Ministry
An introduction to contemporary youth and pastoral ministry. Students will examine youth and church culture, various models of youth and pastoral ministry, the biblical and theological foundations for reaching and discipling today’s youth and families as well as a short study on the history of youth ministry. The areas of programming, teaching, recruiting, volunteers, and administration, developing relationships with students and families, and personal care in ministry will also be covered.
PA 373 Leading Multiplication Movements
This course focuses on a Biblical understanding and practice of Kingdom multiplication. The basis for disciple-making will be explored and how disciple-makers can multiply disciple-making movements of gospel proclamation. This course will also include elements of church planting.
SP 141 Introduction to Sports Management and Leadership
This course is an introduction to the Sports Management & Leadership degree, exploring how its different components and courses fit together to produce the desired outcomes. The primary focus is on the sports industry, including professional sports entertainment, amateur, for-profit and nonprofit sport participation, sporting goods, and sports services. It offers an overview of the broad spectrum of sport management, introducing principles of management, marketing, financial and economic, legal and ethical, as they are applied to the field. Analysis of its sociological aspects, contemporary issues, industry trends, and best practices are infused in the class discussions.
SP 183 Integrating Faith and Sport
Sport not only plays a significant role in many people’s lives but have developed into large industries that exert a large influence within culture. Christians wishing to engage in sport at any level should do so thoughtfully, aware of both the positive and negative potential results. While often seen as a positive avenue for personal improvement and evangelism sport as an activity and its wider cultural impact often goes unexamined by Christians. In this course students will strive to examine this relationship and acknowledge the pitfalls that result from an uncritical embrace of sport by Christians. Students will learn the power or sport and its role in our culture, how Christians have engaged with it, and how they can engage in sport in a meaningful and theologically informed way. This will include an examination of how sports is and can be used as an evangelistic tool.
SP 243 Event Management and Advancement in Sports
This course will provide students the marketing and management strategies necessary to manage faith and non-faith based events in sport. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to organize, plan, control sports and entertainment events while maintaining the highest levels of ethics.
Choose 3 courses
IS 140 World Religions
A basic understanding of the beliefs, doctrines, and practices of the major world religions will allow Christians to be more effective in their witness for Christ in today’s multicultural world. After a survey of the ideas, philosophy, doctrine, and major practices of the main religions we will discuss how our Gospel witness can be/should be contextualized to people from a particular world religion. We will not include Christianity or Judaism in our study. Includes visits to places of worship in Calgary.
IS 351 Cross-cultural Communication
In this course, we will deal with foundational principles for communication between people from different cultures. You will learn to be aware of the influence of thinking processes, worldviews, plus verbal and non-verbal behaviours. We will also cover aspects of anxiety and uncertainty that everyone faces when communicating with someone from a different culture. Most of the assignments will relate to you applying the teaching to your own interaction with different cultures or people from different cultures.
SJ 101 Social Justice Foundations
This course is an introduction to global social justice issues within biblical perspectives and global understandings. The course also covers the development of human rights including political, historical, and philosophical viewpoints.
TH 332 Theology of Mission
This course will look at God’s mission and the biblical foundation for doing mission–including the nature and purpose of God, mission in the Old and New Testament, the essential missionary task, and the instruments of mission. We will also examine a number of contemporary models/paradigms/theologies of mission.
DM 120 Introduction to Audio and Color in Film (2 credits)
This course intends to provide a basic skill set whereby students can produce the audio component of video projects for not-for-profit and mission-based organizations. Topics covered include pre-production, production, post-production, as well as gear use, software use, and formats for projects so that the students will have a working knowledge sufficient to produce small scale, promo/interview projects. The course will introduce students to the importance of audio within their films in order to better serve their storytelling. It will equip them with the knowledge needed to perform basic post-production tasks from an audio perspective and give them the vocabulary and skills to both record and edit sound for video. Students should have at least two projects as part of their portfolio at the end of this course.
DM 130 Advanced Drone Operator (1 credit)
To legally operate a drone in Canada, Transport Canada requires all Drone Pilots carry an operating certificate issued by Transport Canada. Students will complete an instructor assisted course, exam, and flight test to acquire their National Advanced Operations Certificate for drones under 25 kg.
DM 134 Fundamentals of Filmmaking
This course intends to provide a basic skill set whereby students can produce video projects for not-for-profit and mission-based organizations. Topics covered include pre-production, production, post-production, as well as gear use, software use, and formats for projects so that the students will have a working knowledge sufficient to produce small scale, promo/interview projects. The course will start introducing to students to the medium of film as a storytelling mechanism, and continue to equip them with the knowledge need to perform basic post-production tasks. Students should have at least two projects as part of their portfolio at the end of this course.
DM 145 Fundamentals of Photography
Fundamentals of Photography is a fast paced course introducing the basics of the craft, techniques, and concepts of photography. Motivated students will rapidly change from being picture takers to photography artists.
OL 116 Wilderness Advanced First Aid (1.5 credits)
Wilderness Advanced First Aid training is the entry level certification for outdoor professionals, guides and instructors who work in a wilderness setting. Course content extends beyond urban-based first aid programs to include elements inherent in leading groups in the outdoors and guiding wilderness adventures. Special emphasis is placed on prevention of injuries, accident scene management, leadership, leader responsibility and liability, advanced first aid kits, wound management and managing the trauma victim.
OL 134 Outdoor Leadership (1.5 credits)
This class serves to provide students, both in theory and practice, with a framework for understanding leadership. In particular, this class hopes to provide students the knowledge necessary to successfully lead or follow well in the Outdoor context. This class will present the transactional and transformational model of leadership to students as a framework for understanding how leadership works from the perspective of leader, follower or from an undefined role. The class addresses but moves past leader/follower functions to examine how “leadership” can come from anywhere, given a proper understanding and application of power, authority and influence.
OL 215 Wilderness Competencies
This course is designed to help students become effective leaders and instructors in the outdoor context. This is accomplished through team based adventures meant to challenge and develop students in character, leadership and as disciples of Christ. This course focuses on the discipline of mountain biking as a means for team based adventures leading to individual growth. Mountain biking also serves as a marketable skill and platform to develop as an outdoor instructor. Students will also complete their Wilderness First Responder certification (bridge course) in order to be better prepared to serve in outdoor learning environments.
OL 248 Teaching Through Adventure
An examination of theory, practice and skills necessary for teaching in adventure and various other settings. This course will use in-class practice, lecture, homework, practicums, feedback and reflection in order to develop student skills in leadership, communication, planning and educational methods, as well as introduce students to the skills assessment methods necessary to correctly evaluate adventure participant learning and manage participant risk and adventure. This course will be taught integrating principles of the Bible and a Christian worldview.
After you take this program, you’ll know the principles to:
The world and workplace are changing at a rapid pace. Nothing is guaranteed, but so much is possible. Your education is an important step in developing and credentialing yourself to be ready for what’s next.
The knowledge, skills and network you develop in this program set you up to:
Students wishing to further their education should be prepared to go on to pursue graduate level education in business, divinity, intercultural studies, outdoor leadership, or sports and recreation.
Academic Admissions Requirement:
For Homeschool students and applicants outside of Alberta please visit our Steps to Apply page.
Christian Life & Testimony:
Prairie College requires that students demonstrate a Christian life and testimony in order to effectively participate in our Christ-centered community. Applicants show evidence of meeting this requirement in the following application items:
English Language Proficiency:
Applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of English Proficiency. See International Admissions Procedures for more information.
For our Tuition & Fee rates as well as Room and Board please see Fees & Financial Aid
Program Specific Costs:
Business Administration students are charged a $300 program fee in the Fall semester.
Fall 2025 (September start) and Online Education (start anytime) applications are open.
Prairie welcomes applications from individuals all around the world! To begin the International Student Application please click the link below.
If you are applying for the Master of Christian Ministry Leadership or the Master of Global Christian Educational Leadership please click the link below.
Tell us a bit about yourself and an admissions representative will be in touch shortly!
We have launched our Campaign for Greater Impact to provide students with the very best learning opportunities and campus facilities for the decades ahead.
In Phase One of this Campaign, we plan to invest in much-needed campus renewal, including: upgraded Infrastructure, a new Student Residence, Cafeteria, Worship Auditorium, and expanded Aviation Training Centre. A modern campus requires an investment that is bold, and even expensive, but each Campaign Project is strategic, and designed to enhance Prairie’s campus and student life experience.
This expansion of PATC’s facility is a key project of Prairie’s Campaign for Greater Impact. It will increase the College’s capacity to train a new generation of Christian aviators to serve God in missions, and also address the growing need for trained pilots in the commercial aviation sector.
Invest in the next generation of missional professionals. Each year Prairie College distributes over $500,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students. We are grateful for each gift that reduces the burden of students’ tuition and allows students to fulfill their God-given professions.
Encourage inmates in five institutions across Alberta to discover or reconnect with Jesus Christ. This fund assists the students studying the Certificate in Bible program with scholarships, resources for classes, and instruction.
Prairie College is educating students to pursue a Biblical foundation for life and career. Your contribution to this fund assists in minimizing the College’s general operating expenses.
To allocate your gift, please select one of the donation buttons below.