Awaken your calling while earning college credits

Find clarity on your purpose through Waymaker Institute's Academic Certificate Program
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College Credits

Personal Development

Leadership Experience

The Academic Program is for you if you…

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Are a high school graduate

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Desire college credit

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Thrive with hands-on training and experiences outside of the classroom

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Want to serve God in the community, church, or across the world

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Are still figuring out your next step in life

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Aspire to become a confident leader

We believe you deserve coaching not just classes

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Practical Training

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Individual Coaching

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Spiritual & Personal Development

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Rooted In A Healthy Culture

Backed by the local church. Trusted by Academia.

Waymaker Institute partners with Liberty University and Cairn University to provide students in the Academic Certificate Program the opportunity to pursue an accredited undergraduate degree after completing the Academic Program.

Credits transfer to our partner institutions!

Get a jump-start on life, not just school

The one-year Academic Program focuses on the foundational skills and knowledge needed to one day effectively lead as a follower of Jesus in any context.

The program focuses on three key areas:

    • Education
    • Ministry Training
    • Spiritual Formation

Whether your ultimate goal is a college degree or working in ministry, the development you receive in the Academic Program will give you the foundational tools to help you in future classrooms, life, and ministry.

become a waymaker today

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Apply For The Academic Program

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Get the development you need to become a high-capacity, high-character leader

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Impact your community, lead in your church, and change the world

Get the direction you’ve been missing

identify your calling

Two semesters of undergraduate courses to help you get there

find your confidence

Apply what you’re learning through hands-on training at Waymaker.Church

impact others

Develop your spiritual gifts to shape your character and influence

What Our Graduates are saying

Waymaker Institute provided me a safe place to awaken my calling and embrace my identity in Christ. Surrounded by a spirit-led community, I have been developed and cared for like never before.

Lily Pillow

Academic Student 2021-2022

From being an Academic Student at WMI to being a Summer Intern, I truly don’t think I would be where I am today without the development and growth I experienced at WMI! I had the pleasure of working with our Student Ministries Team during my time at Waymaker Institute - and I learned so much. I got to be a part of seeing The Lord transform the hearts of young people. God taught me that He wants to use my story and testimony to minister to the hearts of the next generation. All followers of Jesus have a role in building the kingdom of God, and Waymaker Institute gave me the space to learn how I can best serve with the giftings God has given me. I believe WMI was an amazing launching pad that has equipped me for a deep pursuit of ministry and as a follower of Jesus in everyday life!

Peyton Reynolds

Academic Student 2021-2022

Waymaker Institute has changed my view of ministry. It has prepared and equipped me to go after more within ministry than I would've ever thought possible.

Allyson Mountcasel

Academic Student 2020-2021

The Academic Program was life-changing. This year shifted old ways of thinking and perspectives to new, transformative, godly approaches to the world and the church. I know I can walk confidently that the Lord has equipped me and will continue to equip me with the things for his mission. I am so grateful for WMI in how much this year taught me.

Chase Dupin

Academic Student 2022-2023

Waymaker Institute has prepared me for living out my life on purpose and being obedient to where God leads me.

Michael Kamps

Academic Student 2020-2021

Going through the academic program transformed my mindset in regard to walking faithfully and being Gospel-minded in all aspects of life. In addition to learning practical ministry skills, one of the most prominent lessons I still dwell on is the concept of beginning with the end in mind and allowing God’s heart for His mission to inform my decisions.

Brenda Castonguay

Academic Student 2019-2020

Take a test drive. Plan your visit.

Experience Waymaker Institute

Experience Waymaker Institute over the course of multiple days and see if it’s a fit for you.

You will participate in academic classes, meet professors, and shadow a student in ministry training.

Sign up to schedule your visit!

What You Get with a Waymaker Education

Classroom Instruction

Fall Semester:

    • Old Testament Survey
    • Spiritual Formation
    • Church Ministries
    • Academics 101
    • Ministry Training

Spring Semester:

    • New Testament Survey
    • Hermeneutics
    • Leadership
    • Cultural Engagement
    • Ministry Training

Ministry Training

The ministry training practicum provides students with a broad view of ministry in the local church through education and exposure. Students have an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to diverse ministry areas at Waymaker.Church.

Potential ministry areas include:

    • Discipleship
    • Outreach
    • Worship
    • Connections
    • Groups
    • Production
    • Student Ministry: Middle School
    • Student Ministry: High School
    • Kids Ministry: Birth-4th Grade
    • Creative Team (Graphic Design/Videography)

Spiritual Formation

Students participate in weekly environments that provide opportunities for spiritual development and personal growth.

Students craft their spiritual lives through the Waymaker Institute Rule of Life. The WMI Rule of Life calls our students to the regular practices of prayer, sabbath, fasting, and scripture reading.

Through these environments and practices, our students form their lives towards loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Take a test-drive and hear from our leaders

Certificate Program Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.5

High School Transcript

Application

Complete Financial Check-In

Tuition: $4,000

    • $250 deposit due upon Financial Check-in
    • Includes: Textbooks, access to Microsoft Office 365

The Waymaker Institute Academic Certificate Program is proudly recognized by the Virginia State Council of Higher Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

What are the admissions requirements?
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • High School Transcript
  • Application
  • Complete Financial Check-In
  • Tuition ($4,000)
What is the application process?

Application, questionnaire, personal statement essay, High school transcripts, and interview with WMI staff.

Can I transfer credits to another college?
Yes. Credit hours received through our Academic classes can transfer to our partner universities and colleges.

Read more about how credits transfer HERE.

How do credits transfer to Liberty & Cairn Universities?

Click HERE to see how Waymaker Institute’s Academic Certificate Program credits transfer to both Liberty University and Cairn University.

Is there an age limit for students to attend WMI?
The maximum age of a Waymaker Institute Academic and Internship student is 25. The student meets the age limit if they turn 25 after the first day of the academic year.
Do you admit international students on F or M visas?
We currently do not have SEVP certification from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This means that we don’t have the ability to issue Form I-20 which allows international students to apply for a visa to enter the United States for study.

Finance

How much does Waymaker Institute cost?

Tuition is $4,000, with $250 due upon Financial Check-in. Tuition covers classes, textbooks, access to Microsoft Office 365 and access to Accordance Bible Software.

Can I report payments to Waymaker Institute on my tax filing?
Since Waymaker Institute does not participate in Title IV funding (federal financial aid), a student will not receive a 1098-T form and can’t report the tuition payments on his or her tax return.
Is there a payment plan?

Yes, Waymaker Institute provides payment plans and fundraising options for Academic students.

Please see our Academic Program Tuition document for more information. 

Can i receive federal student loans or financial aid?
Waymaker Institute is not a Title IV educational institution, and as such our students are not eligible for federal student aid or to have student loans placed in deferment.

Other FAQs

Is housing provided?

Waymaker Institute provides female and male housing in the neighborhood adjacent to Waymaker Institute. If you have questions, please email info@waymaker.institute for help.

Is transportation provided?
All students are required to provide their own transportation.
What are the technology requirements?
Academic and Internship students are required to provide their own personal laptop compatible with Office 365. Resident students will receive a laptop with the necessary software.
What are the doctrinal beliefs of Waymaker Institute?
Waymaker Institute is a non-denominational Protestant ministry training program. Our beliefs are broadly evangelical and drawn from the historic creeds and confessions of the global and historical church. Waymaker Institute is a partner of Waymaker.Church, whose beliefs can be found here.
Our institutional statement of faith and our statement of secondary institutional positions can be found here and here.

 

What do I receive after graduating from Waymaker Institute?
Waymaker Institute students receive a certificate indicating their completion of the program. Academic students also receive transfer credits to a Partner Institution.

Not sure if you are ready to commit?

Experience Waymaker Institute over the course of two days and see if WMI is a fit for you!

You can participate in our academic classes, meet our professors, and shadow a student in ministry training on a Sunday morning. Over the course of two days, you and your parents can get clarity on your next step with Waymaker Institute.

Sign up to begin your next step today!

Have another question? Send us a message!

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Become the leader you are meant to be!
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