minary W orld Class Seminary - Bethel Seminary - Bethel University

St. Paulsponsor a student or student cohortgroup. This unique educational settingprovides a day-to-day ministry contextfor study, leadership development, andministry application. The programallows non-resident students currentlyserving in professional ministry to completethe degree requirements througha distributed learning format, with amixture of distance courses, local onsitementored leadership courses, andon-campus intensives taught at theSt. Paul campus. The 24-course sequenceis accomplished in approximately36 months.A hallmark of this program is the linkbetween classroom learning, peer interactionamong the cohort group, andpractical application in the day-to-daysupervised ministry context of the student.This program includes 12 coursesfocused on biblical and theologicalfoundations. These include hermeneutics,both Old and New Testament,systematic theology, and church history.In addition, the professional emphasisof this degree program focuses on principlesof transformational leadership,team leadership, communication andorganizational leadership, and mentoredleadership development.The seminary confers a Master of Artsin Transformational Leadership uponstudents who satisfactorily completethe prescribed program-related requirements.These include the completionof course requirements, participationin the assessment and evaluationprogram, the writing of a satisfactorypersonal statement of faith, achieving agrade point average of C (2.0) or above,financial clearance from the businessoffice, and participation in graduationceremonies. Graduation is not automaticwhen academic requirements havebeen met. Since the seminary aims tograduate men and women who qualifyas Christian leaders, the faculty andadministration will evaluate a student’squalifications in terms of spiritual,doctrinal, and professional standards aswell as academic standards (See Evaluationof Student Progress under Studentand Community Life, and DevelopmentalProbation under Academic Informationand Policies.)The suggested sequence of courses forthe Master of Arts in TransformationalLeadership degree is listed on page 46.This program is offered with somecohorts meeting on the San Diegocampus. See the San Diego AssociateRegistrar for details.The Master of Arts(Theological Studies)The Master of Arts (Theological Studies)is intended for persons who seekto integrate their faith and learning ascommitted and informed Christiansand to relate their theological studiesto their vocations and interests. Thisprogram is available both during theregular day program and in special eveningclasses. This degree is especiallyappropriate for:1. persons preparing for service in worldmissions when their main focus is inan area such as medicine, education,agriculture, or mechanics;2. persons choosing to serve in parachurchorganizations and Christiansocial agencies;3. persons planning to teach religionin an academic or other graduatesetting;3. persons pursuing further graduatework; and4. laypersons who desire to equipthemselves for more effective witnessin and through their localchurch.A student must declare a concentrationin one of six areas: biblical studies,pastoral care, history, theology, globaland contextual studies, or marriage andfamily studies. Three of the concentrationsare available to evening students:biblical studies, pastoral care or globaland contextual studies. The first fourconcentrations allow the student tochoose electives within the respectivedepartments. The last two areprescribed curricula. Although Greekis not required, students will want togive consideration to taking Greek forexpanded skills in biblical study andinterpretation.The degree requires the completion of96 credits, participation in the first‐yearself‐assessment and evaluation program,participation in covenant groups,the writing of a satisfactory personalstatement of faith, achieving a gradepoint average of C (2.0) or above,financial clearance from the businessoffice, and participation in graduationceremonies. Graduation is not automaticwhen academic requirements havebeen met. Since the seminary aims tograduate men and women who qualifyas Christian leaders, the faculty andadministration will evaluate a student’squalifications in terms of spiritual,doctrinal, and professional standards aswell as academic standards. The professionalsupervised ministry program isnot required, and thus the seminarydoes not assume responsibility forplacement assistance upon completionof this degree.The Master of Arts(Theological Studies)with Global andContextual StudiesConcentrationThe Master of Arts (Theological Studies)with Global and Contextual Studiesconcentration is intended for thosewho want to further the cause of worldevangelism, but who will function invarious roles other than those associatedwith preaching and the pastorate.The program provides for a soundknowledge of the Scriptures, principlesof interpretation, and the ability tocommunicate across social and culturalboundaries. This degree requires thecompletion of 96 credits and the othergraduation requirements for the Masterof Arts degree as stipulated on page 45.The Master of Arts(Theological Studies)and Master of Divinity,Modular Format(SemPM)Bethel Seminary’s modular approach toministry preparation began in the fallof 1993, and has been well-received bystudents in the program. Two degreesare available in this format: the Masterof Arts (Theological Studies) and theMaster of Divinity.The “Three Centers” philosophy atBethel is woven into this delivery sys-32