When can I apply?
Today! Go to the Application web page and work through each piece of the application process. Email us at pliadmin@mcusa.org if you have any questions.
When can I start my first class?
Generally, we start a group of new students the first week of every quarter – spring (March to May), summer (June to August), fall (September to November) and winter (December to February) — as long as there are at least 8 to 10 students ready to begin at the same time.
Is there a time allotted for each unit, or is it a self-paced program?
You must complete the course unit within the quarter you start it. It is not self-paced. You must keep pace each week because your weekly classroom session will pertain to that week’s study. However, you can pace the program by the number of courses you take each quarter. For instance, to complete everything in 27 months, you would need to successfully complete two courses every quarter; but you could slow your pace down by taking only one course per quarter or skipping a quarter now and then.
What is the weekly time commitment needed to complete this program in two years?
We suggest students allow 5 to 8 hours per week per course for studying and an additional 2 hours per week per course for classroom discussion and instruction. To complete the program in 27 months, you must pass two courses every quarter.
And don’t forget the internship – the hands-on ministry training. If you’re hoping to complete the whole program in two years, allow an additional 5 to 10 hours per week for your internship in the first year and 10 to 15 hours per week for your second year. The internship should keep pace with your academic schedule, so moving at a slower pace with your course work (e.g., one course per quarter) would obviously require less time per week for the internship as well.
PLI is no cakewalk and requires you to significantly and wisely restructure your lifestyle – as would any seminary student.
Must I take two courses per quarter? Can I skip a quarter?
No and yes! Two courses per quarter moves you through the entire program in a little over two years; and to maintain continuity it’s best to take at least one class every quarter. However, demands of job, ministry, family, or finances may require you to sit out a quarter or longer. While this will push back your graduation date and may make finding the course you want when you want it more difficult, taking PLI at your own pace is quite doable.
There seems to be a lot of reading, is it really necessary?
READERS ARE LEADERS! You must become a reader to be a good pastor and leader. This is where you’ll start. A speed reading course is a terrific investment.
How can I prepare for PLI?
Check out “Preparing for Your First PLI Class” for more information.