Ministry Internship FAQ
Why Internships?
KCU believes internships are invaluable for training effective ministry workers. We also believe local churches and parachurch ministry organizations have invaluable expertise to pass on to our students. Practical theology requires a place to practice theology.
Our program partners ministry students with churches and parachurch ministry organizations for the purpose of working together to grow individuals, churches, and God’s larger Kingdom.
Students completing a degree in Ministry or Worship are required to complete an internship. We also highly encourage our students completing a degree in Biblical Studies to complete an internship.
Students completing a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Ministry or Bible and Worship are required to complete a 6-month internship (24 weeks; almost 1400 hours of fieldwork) for 12 hours of academic credit. This internship can run from January to June or from June to December.
Students completing an Associate’s degree in Ministry are required to complete a 10-week summer internship (400 hours of fieldwork) for 3 hours of academic credit. Students completing a Bachelor’s degree in Advanced Biblical Studies or an Associate’s degree in Bible are encouraged to pursue this kind of internship.
What Kinds Of Ministry Internships Are Offered By KCU?
Our interns serve in preaching ministry, Christian leadership, youth ministry, children’s ministry, campus ministry, family ministry, pastoral care, and worship. For students emphasizing in pastoral care, we have a partnership with UK King’s Daughters that can be an option. Also, we partner with mission agencies to provide internship opportunities for students emphasizing in missions.
We offer three kinds of internships:
- 6-month internships for 12 hours of credit. Bible and Ministry and Bible and Worship majors are required to complete one.
- 10-week summer internship for 3 hours of credit. Students pursuing the AA in Ministry are required to complete one. All other students in the Keeran School of Bible and Ministry are encouraged to complete one.
- Internships for no credit. All KCU students are encouraged to complete as many as they can!
Who Are Your Interns?
Our interns are Bible and Ministry majors with an emphasis in Campus Ministry, Christian Leadership, Missions, Pastoral Care, Preaching, Small Group Ministry or Youth and Family Ministry, or are Bible and Worship majors. They have completed at least 60 hours at KCU and are in good standing. Students pursuing the AA in Ministry have completed at least 30 hours at KCU and are in good standing.
What Kind Of Churches Get Interns?
All kinds! We send interns to a wide variety of churches: traditional and contemporary, large and small, rural and urban. Your congregation must have, at least:
- A full-time, dedicated staff person to oversee the intern. This person should have been in their position with the congregation for 1-2 years. Churches without stable leadership should postpone taking an intern.
- A plan for the intern. We will help you develop some of this, however, you should have a basic job description for the intern before they arrive.
- A financial plan. The intern will need a place to live, food to eat, and income to live on.
Our Church Has An Established Internship Program. Can We Work With KCU?
Yes! We will gladly work with you to make sure your program and our program integrate well together to craft a positive internship experience for all involved.
Our Church Has Never Even Considered An Intern. Can We Work With KCU?
Yes! We will send you our Internship Manual and work with you to make sure you are well-prepared.
How Are Internships Promoted? How Are Interns Assigned To Churches?
It is the responsibility of the student to connect with interested churches. We do not assign interns. We do promote internships on our website and through recommendations to students.
If your church is interested in promoting with us, contact us at biblekcu@kcu.edu. We will post your material and promote it to our students.
What Is A Preferred Placement KCU Internship?
Churches who work with us to develop strong partnerships through internships can become Preferred Placements. Preferred Placements:
- Ensure their internships work well with our program.
- Meet the criteria for a KCU internship placement.
- Have a track record of good internship experiences.
- Are given first priority to students seeking internships.
What Is The Timetable For KCU Internships?
Our interns have an Orientation class every semester. Interns then seek their placements before the end of that semester. Internships start in January and end sometime in June or start in June and end in December (these details are worked out between the intern and their placement).
We’re In! What Should We Do Next?
Here are the next right steps in the process of getting a KCU Ministry Intern:
- Pray! Make sure this is what your congregation wants to do.
- Develop a basic plan, including financial and time commitments.
- Contact us at biblekcu@kcu.edu and we will send you our Internship Manual.
- Give us your church’s information no later than two months before the internship begins.
- Pray! We trust that God will guide this process.
