Curriculum Overview
The Ph.D. curriculum for the concentration in Congregational Mission and Leadership consists of nine seminars or courses in addition to a thesis. The following assumptions are made in relation to the seminars and courses:
- That a full-time student takes two seminars each semester in addition to completing one additional seminar either during J-term or during the summer.
- That the introductory seminar and division seminars are offered yearly.
- That the concentration seminars rotate on a two year cycle with 1st and 2nd year students taking the same seminar in the offerings available each year.
Visual overview of 4-year course schedule -->
Requirements
Admission
All students entering this new concentration are required to fulfill the admission requirements that are presently in place, including taking the entrance examinations and completing the language requirements. Demonstrating competency in conducting qualitative and quantitative social science research is considered the equivalent of one of the modern language requirements.
Library Practicum
All first-year Ph.D. students are required to complete GR8000 Library Practicum, a non-credit course with pass/fail grading. Find out more about the Practicum in the Academic Catalog.
Introductory Ph.D. Seminar
- Common Ph.D. Seminar or completion of an Integration Seminar
Leadership Division Seminars
- The Hermeneutics of Leading in Mission
- Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Concentration Core
- The Gospel and Culture(s), CL8530
- Trinity and Mission, CL8950
- Congregational Leadership, CL8525
- The Congregation, ST8475
- The History and Theory of Mission, CL8940
- Developing a Contextual Missiology, CL8955
The student is required to take four of the six courses in the concentration core, but may take all six. As an alternative, the student may take up to two PhD electives in other departments to complete their required course work. Find out more about these concentration courses in the Academic Catalog.
Ph.D. Colloquia
Ph.D. colloquia are scheduled regularly in each area throughout the year bringing students and faculty together to discuss topics related to the research of both students and faculty. Attendance at colloquia is required.
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examinations
All students are required to complete a standard set of comprehensive exams that are appropriate for the concentration.
Thesis
Each student is expected to complete the Ph.D. thesis according to the guidelines published in the catalog.
Use of Technology
Rapid changes in technology continue to influence communication methods in the classroom (real and virtual) and in throughout the church. Efforts will be made to continually evaluate the need for modifications to this curriculum based upon the changing needs of the students, faculty, seminary, and the church in North America.
Each student is required to have access to a personal computer (either at home or on campus) and the Internet. The Seminary provides an email account for each student. Each student is also required to have experience with email, spreadsheets, charts/graphs, word processing, and creation of slides for presentation via overhead projector, video projector, or via the Internet.
Consideration is given to the potential for alternative delivery methods in the future such as video conferencing, interactive video via the Internet, etc. as deemed appropriate by ATS.