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:
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.
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.
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.
If applicable, a record of denominational employment indicating the places and dates of service, and the capacity/capacities in which the applicant was employed.
Candidates are to submit a written "Statement of Purpose" following the guidelines provided by the School of Religion.
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.
Final decisions about acceptance into the program are made by the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Religion.
File a completed graduate application with Graduate and Professional Studies not less than two months before the expected graduation date.
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.)
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
To provide an understanding of how the gospel applies to everyday life situations.
To give the skills needed for life coaching in variety of areas such marriage, family and personal development.
To give basic counseling skills for handling intrapersonal crises and interpersonal conflict.
To provide tools and training for interpreting the Bible in harmony with sound principles of biblical hermeneutics.
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)