minary W orld Class Seminary - Bethel Seminary - Bethel University

gree upon students who complete theprescribed sequence of courses and thesenior requirements. However, graduationis not automatic when academicrequirements have been met. Sincethe seminary aims to graduate menand women who qualify as Christianleaders, the faculty and administrationwill evaluate a student’s qualificationsin terms of spiritual, doctrinal, and professionalstandards as well as academicstandards. Program standards and policiesare further described in the MFTStudent Handbook, which is bindingfor all students.Marriage and family therapy coursesmeet during the day on Mondays andTuesdays, or during one-week intensives.Biblical, theological, and historicalcourses are taken as part of thepresent seminary offerings in the daytimeor evening. This schedule givesboth predictability and flexibility.In addition to the regular seminary admissionrequirements, a student applyingfor this program will need: at least18 semester hours in the social sciences(e.g., family studies, sociology, anthropology,early childhood studies, socialwork, psychology, etc.); one course inbasic counseling skills; 100 hours ofvolunteer work and/or professionalwork experience with individuals,couples, and/or families; and an undergraduateGPA of at least 3.0.In addition to regular seminary applicationmaterials, applicants to thisprogram will need: two references fromsupervisors of volunteer and/or professionalwork experience; a personalprofile; and a 1,500-2,000 word paperdiscussing personal family experience.A group interview is also required ofall qualified applicants. The applicationdeadline is April 1.Course work meets the academic requirementsfor licensure as a marriageand family therapist in most states, butadditional supervised clinical practiceand the taking of a licensing examinationwould typically be needed toobtain actual licensure.A Master of Arts in Marital and FamilyTherapy is offered in San Diego. Itincorporates distinctives necessary forCalifornia licensure. For further information,see pages 66 and 71.The Master of Arts inChildren’s and FamilyMinistryThe Master of Arts in Children’s andFamily Ministry (offered through theInMinistry program) is designed forthe emerging cadre of professionalswho minister to the special needs ofchildren and families. This program isspecially designed for those ministeringin churches, child evangelism organizations,Christian schools, professionalorganizations, and missions agenciesfocused on ministry to children andfamilies. The program allows nonresidentstudents currently serving inprofessional or lay volunteer ministryto complete the degree requirementsthrough a distributed learning format,with a mixture of distance courses andon-campus intensives taught at theSt. Paul campus. The 24-course sequenceis accomplished in approximately40 months.A hallmark of this program is the linkbetween classroom learning, peerinteraction, and practical applicationin the day to day ministry context ofthe student. This program includes12 courses focused on biblical andtheological foundations. These includehermeneutics, both Old and New Testament,systematic theology, and churchhistory. In addition, the professionalemphasis of this degree program focuseson ministry to children andfamilies in a congregational context.Special emphasis is placed on spiritualformation in children, human developmentand family systems, curriculumand program development, dynamics ofstaffing leadership, and current trendsin children’s and family ministry.The seminary confers a Master of Artsdegree in Children’s and Family Ministryupon students who satisfactorilycomplete the prescribed program-relatedrequirements. These include thecompletion of course requirements,participation in the assessment andevaluation program, the writing of asatisfactory personal statement of faith,achieving a grade point average of C(2.0) or above, financial clearance fromthe business office, and participation ingraduation ceremonies. Graduation isnot automatic when academic requirementshave been met. Since the seminaryaims to graduate men and womenwho qualify as Christian leaders, thefaculty and administration will evaluatea student’s qualifications in termsof spiritual, doctrinal, and professionalstandards as well as academicstandards.The suggested sequence of courses forthe Master of Arts in Children’s andFamily Ministry degree is listed onpage 41.The Master of Artsin TransformationalLeadershipThe Master of Arts in TransformationalLeadership (offered through the In-Ministry program) prepares emergingleaders for ministry in churches andmissions organizations. The Masterof Arts in Transformational Leadershipis a cooperative venture betweenBethel Seminary and designated partnerchurches or missions agencies thatprovide a supervised ministry site andSt. Paul31