School of Religion Kuali PDF Assoc Prog

Catalog 2023 - 2024     Discontinued (2023-01-01) Academic Level: Graduate

Personnel

Dean: Greg A. King

Graduate Program Coordinator: Alan Parker

Faculty: Stephen Bauer, Hyunsok Doh, Eliezer Graterol, David Hartman, Michael G. Hasel, Greg A. King, Martin G. Klingbeil, Judson Lake, Alan Parker, Wilson Paroschi, Barry Tryon

Research Faculty: J. Douglas Jacobs, Edwin Reynolds

Adjunct Faculty: Mark Finley, Steven Grabiner, Carlos G. Martin, Marla Nedelcu, Philip G. Samaan



About

General Information

The Master of Ministry program, with emphases in Church Leadership and Management, Biblical Counseling, and Evangelism and Ministry, is designed to provide quality professional graduate education in church leadership, church ministry, evangelism, missions and biblical counseling. The emphasis in Church Leadership and Management is specifically designed to prepare church leaders and administrators with training in the principles of business management, as well as to equip them with leadership ministry training skills. The emphasis in Evangelism and Ministry is specifically designed to enrich the preparation of workers for effective evangelistic and pastoral ministry. The emphasis in biblical counseling is designed for both pastors and lay people who will be offering biblical counseling and life coaching within a church setting.

The Master of Arts program, with emphases in Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies and in Religious Studies, is designed to provide quality academic graduate education in biblical, theological, and religious studies. The emphases in Old and New Testament Studies are specifically designed to help provide students with the study, research, and writing skills needed to enter an academic doctoral program in Old or New Testament. The emphasis in Religious Studies is specifically designed to provide a flexible graduate program in religion for those who desire to enter an academic doctoral program in religious studies or to further their religious education in a more general way.

The purpose of all of these programs is to enhance the ability of students to serve a culturally diverse church and society from a biblical perspective and to deepen each student's personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Master of Divinity is the degree preferred for professional ministry by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. However, it is recognized that some pastors, due to individual circumstances, may need to explore other options for graduate study in ministry. The Master of Ministry and the Master of Arts degrees are excellent possibilities to consider for those who choose to explore these other options. These programs enable the pastor to receive quality training for ministry, while earning credits that could be transferred to a Master of Divinity program. The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary will accept up to 36 transfer credits toward the M.Div. degree, should the student choose to continue his or her studies there.



Mission Statement

The School of Religion offers biblical, theological, and practical courses to help its students experience a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, understand His teachings in the context of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and live ethical lives in harmony with the Scriptures. It provides quality graduate training with emphases in Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Church Leadership and Management, Evangelism and Ministry, Biblical Counseling, and Religious Studies, so its graduates, solidly grounded in Scripture and with a clear burden for others' salvation, become instruments in God's hands to impact the world.



Degrees Offered

The School of Religion offers two graduate degree programs-one professional and one academic:


The Master of Ministry (MMin) with the following three emphases:

  • Biblical Counseling
  • Church Leadership and Management
  • Evangelism and Ministry

The Master of Arts (MA) with the following three emphases:

  • New Testament Studies
  • Old Testament Studies
  • Religious Studies


Admission

Admission to Classes

  1. Students are considered to be admitted to classes (see "Admission Requirements") on a non-degree basis until they are granted either provisional or regular acceptance into one of the degree programs from the School of Religion.
  2. With School of Religion approval, students may take up to 12 hours of coursework before completing all prerequisites for admission and being formally accepted on regular status into one of the degree programs.
  3. Registration for any graduate religion class is by permission of the School of Religion.


Additional Information

Curriculum

The curriculum for the MMin and MA degrees consists of a minimum of 36 semester credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. 75% of the degree program must be completed at Southern Adventist University, allowing for up to 25% of the program to be transferred in. (see Transfer Credit). All degree requirements must be completed within nine years from first enrollment. Courses are offered primarily as intensive sessions during the summer. Requirements for successful completion of a given course generally consist of a pre-session reading assignment, attendance and participation in a two-week intensive class session in residence, and a post-session writing assignment. Online courses will be offered as they are developed, and these typically take place over fall and winter semesters. All courses require a research paper or major project, which is generally the post-session assignment for the course. No more than four courses may be taken within one summer. The recommended load is two courses per summer for those in full-time ministry.

Course Audit

With the approval of the School of Religion, students may register on an audit basis in courses for which they are qualified. Auditors may be admitted to classes if space is still available after all students who wish to enroll for credit have been accommodated. Class attendance is expected, but examinations, reports, and other assignments are not included, except as requested by the student and allowed by the professor. With the approval of the professor and School dean, the student may change a course registration from audit to credit or from credit to audit only during the first two days of the summer intensive classes. No credit may be given at any later time for courses audited. Courses taken for audit are charged at one-half of the regular graduate tuition charge.

Guidelines for Pre-Session and Post-Session Assignments

  1. Students should expect pre-session assignments for summer graduate intensives. Students must apply for these intensive classes at least 6 weeks before the intensive session begins in order to provide time to complete the reading.
  2. Pre-session assignments are due the first day of the intensive session. Only assignments submitted on time will receive full credit. There will be no credit for pre-session assignments that are submitted following the completion of the intensive.
  3. Post-session assignments give the student opportunity to apply information learned during the intensive to the local ministry context and to do further research on the subject matter. Due dates for these assignments are listed in the course syllabus.
  4. Online classes may not require pre-session assignments, but there will be extensive reading assignments during the class.



Associated Programs


Admission Requirements

In addition to the general application and application fee requirements for graduate study, the candidate will comply with the following requirements:

  1. Presentation of an official transcript from an accredited bachelor's degree. This transcript must include a minimum of 12 semester hours in religion with an exception possible for experience in fulltime ministry recognized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Other prerequisites may apply to the specific emphases.
  2. Intermediate level Biblical Hebrew or Greek with a grade of C or higher. Courses may be part of the 12 semester hours in religion required above. Religious Studies emphasis is excluded from this requirement.
  3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25. For an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to 3.24, applicants may appeal to be admitted on a provisional basis. A formal academic paper to demonstrate academic competency may be required of the candidate.
  4. Two recommendations. If the applicant is employed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of these recommendations must be from the applicant's employing organization.
  5. If applicable, a record of denominational employment indicating the places and dates of service, and the capacity in which the applicant was employed.
  6. Candidates are to submit a written "Statement of Purpose" following the guidelines provided by the School of Religion.
  7. For students for whom English is not their first language and they did not graduate from an English-medium college or university, an Internet-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 100 is required which may be taken through Duolingo.
  8. Final decisions about acceptance into the program are made by the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Religion.


Program Specific Info

Project and Thesis Procedure

  1. All MA students choosing the emphases in Old or New Testament must complete a thesis, while students who choose the emphasis in Religious Studies must complete either a thesis or a project.
  2. The project must be done in conjunction with an adviser assigned by the Graduate Studies Committee. The adviser will work with the student to select a topic, plan the research, guide in the organization of the paper, and evaluate the result.
  3. The thesis must be done in conjunction with a three-person Thesis Committee, chaired by the adviser and appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee.
  4. The project or thesis must conform to the style guidelines of the School of Religion, which are based on the footnote and bibliography style of the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian's Manual for Writers. For more details regarding style guidelines, project or thesis procedures, and suggested timelines, please consult the School of Religion Graduate Handbook.
  5. Credit hours for the project or thesis may be distributed as desired over the course of the work, but since students must remain continuously enrolled until the work has been completed and approved. If all credits have been exhausted before the work is completed, the student must enroll for RELT 679 Thesis Continuation (0 credit) and pay the continuation fee.


Requirements

REQUIRED COURSES (12 Total Credits)
EMPHASIS/CONCENTRATION (24 Total Credits)
  • Minimum 24 credits
  • Please select an emphasis below.
Grand Total Credits: 36


Graduation Requirements

  1. File a completed graduate application with Graduate and Professional Studies not less than two months before the expected graduation date.
  2. Finish all coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.25, including no more than two classes with a minimum letter grade of C. (See grade policies.)
  3. Pass a written comprehensive examination taken no earlier than 3 months and no later than 12 months after receiving the study guide from the Graduate Program Coordinator, which will be sent after the student completes the last course in his or her program. Examination dates will be arranged in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator.
    • The examination is expected to last 4 1/2 hours.
    • The candidate for graduation will need to give comprehensive answers to several questions drawn from a larger list of questions available for research and review at the end of his or her coursework.
    • A score of 80% or above will constitute a passing grade.
    • In case of failure, the examination may be repeated only once. A second failure will disqualify the student for graduation from the MA program.


New Testament Studies Emphasis

Catalog 2024 — Indefinite    

NEW TESTAMENT STUDIES (0 Total Credits)
RESEARCH COURSES (12 Total Credits)
ELECTIVES (3 Total Credits)
  • Select NTST (New Testament Studies), OTST (Old Testament Studies), RELB (Biblical Studies), RELG (Religious General Studies), RELP (Religious Professional Studies), RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives from courses numbered 500 - 699 (3 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 15

Old Testament Studies Emphasis

Catalog 2024 — Indefinite    

About

Objectives

  1. To enhance the student's knowledge of background, exegetical and theological issues in the Old Testament.
  2. To prepare the student for academic studies at the doctoral level.
  3. To increase the student's facility in research and writing.
  4. To increase critical thinking skills and enlarge the student's awareness of the trends and secondary literature in biblical and theological studies.
  5. To increase the student's ability to interpret the Bible in harmony with sound principles of biblical hermeneutics.

OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES (6 Total Credits)
RESEARCH COURSES (12 Total Credits)
ELECTIVES (3 Total Credits)
  • Select NTST (New Testament Studies), OTST (Old Testament Studies), RELB (Biblical Studies), RELG (Religious General Studies), RELP (Religious Professional Studies), RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives from courses numbered 500 - 699 (3 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 21

Theological Studies Emphasis

Catalog 2023 — Indefinite    

About

Objectives

  1. To prepare the student for academic studies in religion and theological studies at the doctoral level.
  2. To increase the student’s facility in research and writing.
  3. To enhance critical thinking skills and enlarge the student’s awareness of the trends and literature in religious studies.
  4. To provide resources for developing and implementing a biblical philosophy of life.
  5. To establish a sound theological foundation for Christian faith and practice.

BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL COURSES (9 Total Credits)
  • Select NTST (New Testament Studies) Electives (3 credits)
  • Select OTST (Old Testament Studies) Electives (3 credits)
  • Select RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives (3 credits)
PROJECT/THESIS OPTION (15 Total Credits)
  • Minimum 15 credits
  • Choose either project or thesis track below.
PROJECT
  • RELG 600 - Research Methods and Writing 3 hours
  • RELT 620 - Project in Theological Studies 3 hours
  • Select nine (9) semester hours from graduate courses offered by the School of Religion.
THESIS
  • RELG 600 - Research Methods and Writing 3 hours
  • RELT 640 - Thesis Proposal and Literature Review 3 hours
  • RELT 650 - Thesis in Theological Studies 6 hours
  • Select three (3) semester hours from graduate courses offered by the School of Religion.
Grand Total Credits: 24

Sample Degree Plan

Grand Total Credits: 36


Admission Requirements

In addition to submitting the appropriate application and application fee for graduate study, the candidate must submit the following materials or meet the following requirements in order to be accepted into the MMin program:

  1. Presentation of an official transcript with a completed bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. This transcript must include a minimum of 12 semester hours in religion, with an exception possible for experience in fulltime ministry recognized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Other prerequisites may apply to the specific emphases.
  2. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00. For an undergraduate GPA of 2.50 to 2.99 applicants may appeal to be admitted on a provisional basis.
  3. Two recommendations. If the applicant is employed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of these recommendations must be from the applicant's employing organization.
  4. If applicable, a record of denominational employment indicating the places and dates of service, and the capacity/capacities in which the applicant was employed.
  5. Candidates are to submit a written "Statement of Purpose" following the guidelines provided by the School of Religion.
  6. For students for whom English is not their first language and they did not graduate from an English-medium college or university, an Internet-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 100 is required which may be taken through Duolingo.
  7. Final decisions about acceptance into the program are made by the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Religion.


Requirements

REQUIRED COURSES (12 Total Credits)
EMPHASIS/CONCENTRATION (24 Total Credits)
  • Minimum 24 credits
  • Please select an emphasis from below.
Grand Total Credits: 36


Graduation Requirements

  1. File a completed graduate application with Graduate and Professional Studies not less than two months before the expected graduation date.
  2. Finish all coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, including no more than two classes with a minimum letter grade of C. (See grade policies.)
  3. Submit a final portfolio within six months of completing the last course in his or her program.


Biblical Counseling Emphasis

Catalog 2021 — Indefinite    

About

What is biblical counseling? Biblical counseling is a practice of the local church whereby each member is empowered to speak the truth in love, so that the whole congregation grows together toward spiritual maturity. Biblical counseling applies the gospel to everyday life situations, allowing the practical wisdom of Scripture to guide decisions, resolve conflict, heal emotional wounds, build relationships, and empower change.

Biblical counseling is not professional counseling. A student who takes classes in biblical counseling at Southern is not preparing for state licensure or to receive church credentials. The program is designed for those who work in a church setting, who wish to enhance their coaching and counseling skills while gaining a broad-based ministry and theological background. It teaches the counselor how to do "triage" when hurting people come to the church for help and how to effectively refer. The program also prepares students for further studies in biblical counseling.

Objectives

  1. To provide an understanding of how the gospel applies to everyday life situations.
  2. To give the skills needed for life coaching in variety of areas such marriage, family and personal development.
  3. To give basic counseling skills for handling intrapersonal crises and interpersonal conflict.
  4. To provide tools and training for interpreting the Bible in harmony with sound principles of biblical hermeneutics.
  5. To develop the skills necessary for successful interpersonal interaction.

BIBLICAL AND GENERAL STUDIES (3 Total Credits)
  • Select OTST (Old Testament Studies), NTST (New Testament Studies), RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives (3 credits)
BIBLICAL COUNSELING STUDIES (18 Total Credits)
ELECTIVES (3 Total Credits)
  • Select RELB (Biblical Studies), RELG (Religious General Studies), NTST (New Testament Studies), OTST (Old Testament Studies), RELP (Religious Professional Studies), RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives from courses numbered 500 - 699 (3 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 24

Church Leadership and Management Emphasis

Catalog 2021 — Indefinite    

About

Objectives

  1. To develop a sound Christian leadership philosophy.
  2. To provide a broad knowledge of leadership and management theory skills.
  3. To provide quality training required for new responsibilities in the church and ministry.
  4. To establish a solid spiritual and ethical foundation for Christian faith and practice.

MANAGEMENT STUDIES (9 Total Credits)
  • Course(s):
  • Select BUAD (Business Administration), ACCT (Accounting), BEXM (Business Executive Management), BHRM (Human Resource Management), BMKT (Marketing), ECON (Economics), FNCE (Finance), HADM (Healthcare Administration), NPLD (Church & Non-Profit Leadership) Electives (3 credits)
MINISTRY STUDIES (12 Total Credits)
ELECTIVES (3 Total Credits)
  • Select RELB (Biblical Studies), RELG (Religious General Studies), NTST (New Testament Studies), OTST (Old Testament Studies), RELP (Religious Professional Studies), RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives from courses numbered 500 - 699 (3 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 24

Evangelism & Ministry Emphasis

Catalog 2021 — Indefinite    

About

Objectives

  1. To enhance skills in personal outreach and public evangelism.
  2. To introduce new methods of evangelism and mission outreach for a rapidly changing, post-modern society in North America and the world.
  3. To provide tools and training for interpreting the Bible in harmony with sound principles of biblical hermeneutics.
  4. To emphasize the communication of the gospel in the context of the Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14.
  5. To develop skills for societal analysis and interpersonal interaction.

BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL COURSES (6 Total Credits)
EVANGELISM AND MINISTRY STUDIES (9 Total Credits)
ELECTIVES (9 Total Credits)
  • Select RELP (Religious Professional Studies) Electives from courses numbered 500 - 699 (6 credits)
  • Select RELB (Biblical Studies), RELG (Religious General Studies), NTST (New Testament Studies), OTST (Old Testament Studies), RELP (Religious Professional Studies), RELT (Religion and Theology) Electives from courses numbered - (3 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 24

Sample Degree Plan

Grand Total Credits: 36