Each semester is divided into the following:
- Full Semester (16 weeks): Covers the entire duration of the semester.
- Session A (8 weeks): The first half of the semester.
- Session B (8 weeks): The second half of the semester.
To maintain full-time student status, you must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester, which typically equals about 4 courses. For example:
- In Session A, you can take 2 classes.
- In Session B, you can take 2 additional classes.
This structure allows you to focus on 1-2 classes at a time during the 8-week sessions, making coursework more manageable and focused.
*Each semester, MLI students will be enrolled in a 3-credit, 16-week course titled Student Ministry Practicum (PMIN 2303)
WHAT DOES THE SEU ACADEMIC CALENDAR LOOK LIKE?
The Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) is a college internship program at Mission Church in partnership with Southeastern University (SEU). It provides students (ages 18-25) with online accredited degrees through SEU, grounded in practical, contextual ministry rotations at Mission Church that count as credits toward their degree called a practicum.
Mission Statement: Mission Leadership Institute exists to awaken and equip each student to transform communities for Christ through a life grounded in God’s Word, deep intimacy with Him, and a heart to make Jesus known.
WHAT IS MLI?
“Practicum is the heartbeat of the SEU partner site program. It’s the intersection of education and experience in the student’s journey through their degree program. More specifically, the practicum is the space in which students gain hands-on experience in a practical learning environment, either at the church or in the community and in this specific case, here at Mission Church!
It is designed to help students integrate ongoing classroom learning with practical, hands-on ministry experience in a supervised setting. Think of a practicum similar to an on-site internship program. Even more than just the hands-on activities, the practicum is also where profound personal, professional, spiritual, and leadership development can happen.
The practicum model is built on four key elements:
Mentorship — Personal, professional, spiritual, and leadership investment from leaders within the local context. This element is the foundation of the student experience.
Practical Experience — The hands-on activities performed locally by students in a supervised setting.
Experiential Application — The ministry project or ministry focus that demonstrates the learning of the student.
Self-Reflection — The continual processing of the practical and mentorship experiences by the student to realize aspects of personal, professional, spiritual, and leadership growth.
The practicum is delivered as a course within the degree program curriculum, meaning students have academic requirements. The students will have a professor for their practicum course. And yes, students will be graded. ” - cited from extension.seu.edu
At MLI, the practicum experience includes participating in a weekly discipleship class called 'Equip,' engaging in specific ministry rotations with a ministry mentor during the week, and serving in their designated ministry area during weekend services.
WHAT IS A PRACTICUM?
“Students at SEU extension sites and regional campuses may be eligible for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you may qualify for. SEU’s academic scholarships are not available to extension site & regional campus students.” This is cited from “https://partners.seu.edu/faqs/#3” For more information about Financial Aid please visit the website linked above.
IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
“Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
This is the Commission that accredits SEU and authorizes the university to offer degree programs and financial aid. This is the same Commission that accredits many other institutions like University of Florida, Auburn University and Georgia Tech. You may contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southeastern University.” This is cited from “https://partners.seu.edu/faqs/#3”
***Important***: Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) is a ministry of Mission Church. MLI is not accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and Southeastern University's accreditation does not extend to or include MLI or its students. Students must be admitted by Southeastern University and enrolled in university courses to benefit from regional accreditation.
IS SEU ACCREDITED?
The duration of the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) program varies based on the student's chosen educational path, ranging from one to four years:
One Year: Students can attend for one year to explore their identity and calling, then transfer their earned credits to the university of their choice.
Two Years: Students can complete the program in two years to earn an associate degree.
Four Years: Students can stay for four years to earn a bachelor’s degree.
This flexible structure allows students to tailor their educational journey to their goals and aspirations.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?
The cost of attending the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) is $11,006 per year, which includes:
Tuition: $8,136.00
Tuition covers the cost of classes only and is charged per credit hour. The listed amount is based on 15 credits per semester (for two semesters) with the practicum scholarship applied. Books and additional fees are not included.
Site Fee: $2,520.00
This fee covers expenses related to student development and classroom facilities. Charged at a flat rate per semester (annual total listed for two semesters), it includes retreats, a missions trip, family days, gym membership, and more.
Technology Fee: $350.00
This fee supports the cost of facilitating online classes and is charged at a flat rate per year.
Included in the Program:
Full-time education through Southeastern University
Intensive internship with Mission Church
Hands-on discipleship and leadership training
Not Included:
Books, supplies, and housing.
HOW MUCH DOES MLI COST?
At the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI), the following degree programs are available:
Associate Degrees:
AA in General Education
Associate of Ministerial Leadership
Bachelor's Degrees:
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
BS in Communication & Mass Media
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Biblical Studies
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Christian Ministry
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Pastoral Care and Counseling
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Worship Ministries
BS in Psychology
These programs provide a blend of academic rigor and practical ministry training, equipping students for leadership roles in various fields.
WHAT DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AT MLI?
The admission process involves two steps:
Apply to the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) through Mission Church:
Start by completing the MLI application. Click here to apply . Once your application is reviewed and you meet the necessary requirements, you will be invited to participate in an in-person interview. The deadline to apply is June 1st, 2025
Apply to Southeastern University (SEU):
Upon acceptance into MLI, you will complete the application process to enroll as an online student at SEU.
For FAQ’s about SEU’s admission process please visit: https://partners.seu.edu/faqs/#3
WHAT DOES THE ADMISSION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
The schedule can be broken down into these three main categories:
Designated study time
Leadership development and spiritual formation
Ministry experience hours.
Here’s a weekly schedule overview:
Saturday/Sunday: Church involvement, including setup, service–in your specific ministry rotation, teardown, and debrief.
Monday/Tuesday: Days off for study, rest, or part-time work.
Wednesday: Equip sessions, School and ministry rotations.
Thursday: Team prayer and ministry rotation.
Friday: Devotions, study hall, and team building activies.
WHAT KIND OF SCHEDULE CAN I EXPECT AS A STUDENT?
The Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) is a college internship program at Mission Church in partnership with Southeastern University (SEU). It provides students (ages 18-25) with online accredited degrees through SEU, grounded in practical, contextual ministry rotations at Mission Church that count as credits toward their degree called a practicum.
Mission Statement: Mission Leadership Institute exists to awaken and equip each student to transform communities for Christ through a life grounded in God’s Word, deep intimacy with Him, and a heart to make Jesus known.
WHAT IS MLI?
“Practicum is the heartbeat of the SEU partner site program. It’s the intersection of education and experience in the student’s journey through their degree program. More specifically, the practicum is the space in which students gain hands-on experience in a practical learning environment, either at the church or in the community and in this specific case, here at Mission Church!
It is designed to help students integrate ongoing classroom learning with practical, hands-on ministry experience in a supervised setting. Think of a practicum similar to an on-site internship program. Even more than just the hands-on activities, the practicum is also where profound personal, professional, spiritual, and leadership development can happen.
The practicum model is built on four key elements:
Mentorship — Personal, professional, spiritual, and leadership investment from leaders within the local context. This element is the foundation of the student experience.
Practical Experience — The hands-on activities performed locally by students in a supervised setting.
Experiential Application — The ministry project or ministry focus that demonstrates the learning of the student.
Self-Reflection — The continual processing of the practical and mentorship experiences by the student to realize aspects of personal, professional, spiritual, and leadership growth.
The practicum is delivered as a course within the degree program curriculum, meaning students have academic requirements. The students will have a professor for their practicum course. And yes, students will be graded. ” - cited from extension.seu.edu
At MLI, the practicum experience includes participating in a weekly discipleship class called 'Equip,' engaging in specific ministry rotations with a ministry mentor during the week, and serving in their designated ministry area during weekend services.
WHAT IS A PRACTICUM?
“Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
This is the Commission that accredits SEU and authorizes the university to offer degree programs and financial aid. This is the same Commission that accredits many other institutions like University of Florida, Auburn University and Georgia Tech. You may contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southeastern University.” This is cited from “https://partners.seu.edu/faqs/#3”
***Important***: Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) is a ministry of Mission Church. MLI is not accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and Southeastern University's accreditation does not extend to or include MLI or its students. Students must be admitted by Southeastern University and enrolled in university courses to benefit from regional accreditation.
IS SEU ACCREDITED?
At the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI), the following degree programs are available:
Associate Degrees:
AA in General Education
Associate of Ministerial Leadership
Bachelor's Degrees:
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
BS in Communication & Mass Media
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Biblical Studies
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Christian Ministry
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Pastoral Care and Counseling
BS in Ministerial Leadership: Worship Ministries
BS in Psychology
These programs provide a blend of academic rigor and practical ministry training, equipping students for leadership roles in various fields.
WHAT DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AT MLI?
The duration of the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) program varies based on the student's chosen educational path, ranging from one to four years:
One Year: Students can attend for one year to explore their identity and calling, then transfer their earned credits to the university of their choice.
Two Years: Students can complete the program in two years to earn an associate degree.
Four Years: Students can stay for four years to earn a bachelor’s degree.
This flexible structure allows students to tailor their educational journey to their goals and aspirations.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?
The cost of attending the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) is $11,006 per year, which includes:
Tuition: $8,136.00
Tuition covers the cost of classes only and is charged per credit hour. The listed amount is based on 15 credits per semester (for two semesters) with the practicum scholarship applied. Books and additional fees are not included.
Site Fee: $2,520.00
This fee covers expenses related to student development and classroom facilities. Charged at a flat rate per semester (annual total listed for two semesters), it includes retreats, a missions trip, family days, gym membership, and more.
Technology Fee: $350.00
This fee supports the cost of facilitating online classes and is charged at a flat rate per year.
Included in the Program:
Full-time education through Southeastern University
Intensive internship with Mission Church
Hands-on discipleship and leadership training
Not Included:
Books, supplies, and housing.
HOW MUCH DOES MLI COST?
“Students at SEU extension sites and regional campuses may be eligible for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what you may qualify for. SEU’s academic scholarships are not available to extension site & regional campus students.” This is cited from “https://partners.seu.edu/faqs/#3” For more information about Financial Aid please visit the website linked above.
IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
The admission process involves two steps:
Apply to the Mission Leadership Institute (MLI) through Mission Church:
Start by completing the MLI application. Click here to apply . Once your application is reviewed and you meet the necessary requirements, you will be invited to participate in an in-person interview. The deadline to apply is June 1st, 2025
Apply to Southeastern University (SEU):
Upon acceptance into MLI, you will complete the application process to enroll as an online student at SEU.
For FAQ’s about SEU’s admission process please visit: https://partners.seu.edu/faqs/#3
WHAT DOES THE ADMISSION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
The schedule can be broken down into these three main categories:
Designated study time
Leadership development and spiritual formation
Ministry experience hours.
Here’s a weekly schedule overview:
Saturday/Sunday: Church involvement, including setup, service–in your specific ministry rotation, teardown, and debrief.
Monday/Tuesday: Days off for study, rest, or part-time work.
Wednesday: Equip sessions, School and ministry rotations.
Thursday: Team prayer and ministry rotation.
Friday: Devotions, study hall, and team building activies.
WHAT KIND OF SCHEDULE CAN I EXPECT AS A STUDENT?
Each semester is divided into the following:
- Full Semester (16 weeks): Covers the entire duration of the semester.
- Session A (8 weeks): The first half of the semester.
- Session B (8 weeks): The second half of the semester.
To maintain full-time student status, you must enroll in at least 12 credits per semester, which typically equals about 4 courses. For example:
- In Session A, you can take 2 classes.
- In Session B, you can take 2 additional classes.
This structure allows you to focus on 1-2 classes at a time during the 8-week sessions, making coursework more manageable and focused.
*Each semester, MLI students will be enrolled in a 3-credit, 16-week course titled Student Ministry Practicum (PMIN 2303)
FOLLOW MISSION COLLEGE