MINISTRY AND CHAPLAINCY PROGRAMS

I.   ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN APPLIED THEOLOGY

(1) GOAL: THE AIM OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO TRAIN SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR MINISTRY AND / OR CHAPLAINCY.

(2) AWARD: CERTIFIED PASTORAL MINISTER. POSTNOMIAL: CPM

(3) GENERAL GUIDELINES:

EACH STUDENT IS ASSIGNED ONE OR MORE FACULTY STAFF, WHO WILL SERVE AS A GUIDE AND RESOURCE REGARDING REQUIRED COURSEWORK AND TERM PAPERS.  MOST OF THIS PROGRAM CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED ONLINE, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF COURSE OR PRACTICAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS. THIS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE PROGRESSING MODULES, SPREAD OUT OVER ROUGHLY ONE YEAR / ONE MODULE ABOUT PER QUARTER (OR ANY PACE THAT IS COMFORTABLE TO THE STUDENT).DEPENDING ON WHICH MODULE, EACH ONE IS SUBDIVIDED INTO A NUMBER OF SPECIFIC CLASSES AND ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDING A STRUCTURED BOOK LIST WITH REVIEWS TO CONDUCT.

THE LENGTH OF EACH MODULE IS DETERMINED BY THE CONTENT OF THE CURRICULUM, RANGING FROM A MINIMUM OF THREE TO EIGHT CREDIT HOURS PER MODULE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SET TIME ASIDE, UPON MUTUAL ARRANGEMENT, TO DEDICATE TO THIS TRAINING IN ADDITION TO SPENDING TIME EVERY DAY WITH READING OR OTHER ASSIGNMENTS.

EVERYTHING CAN BE COMPLETED AT THE STUDENT’S OWN PACE. PERTINENT TO EACH MODULE IS A READING LIST OF ONE TO THREE BOOKS, PROVIDED BY FACULTY. THE STUDENT WILL READ / STUDY EACH BOOK THOROUGHLY AND WRITE A BRIEF BOOK REVIEW ONCE FINISHED. IT WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING STUDENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE.

(4) MODUS OPERANDI (IN SEQUENCE):

AFTER ACTIVATION OF STUDENT STATUS, STUDENTS MAY BEGIN THEIR STUDIES IMMEDIATELY AND WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE WITHIN THE MAXIMUM ALLOTTED TIME FRAME. EXTENSIONS MAY BE GRANTED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

EACH STUDENT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A STUDY GUIDE INTRODUCING SCHOOL GUIDELINES, POLICIES AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS.

ASSIGNED FACULTY WILL CONTACT THE STUDENT TO OUTLINE AND DISCUSS COURSE REQUIREMENTS.

THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE HIS FIRST ASSIGNMENT.

BOTH, FACULTY AND STUDENT, WILL STAY IN REGULAR CONTACT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.

• AFTER ALL COURSES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT (SUCH AS A TERM PAPER) HAS BEEN ACCEPTED, FACULTY WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEAN FOR THE STUDENT TO GRADUATE.

• THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE HIS OR HER CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND BE PLACED ON THE ALUMNI LIST.

• AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT MAY BE REQUESTED BY THE ALUMNUS AT ANY TIME AFTER GRADUATION.

(5) CURRICULUM:

1. DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE & GROUNDING: THIS CLASS EXAMINES, EXPLORES AND POSSIBLY EXPANDS THE STUDENT’S AWARENESS & DAILY PRACTICE

2. HISTORY: THIS CLASS COVERS COMPARATIVE RELIGION AND TYPES OF SPIRITUAL PATH WITH THE FOCUS ON COMMON GROUND AND INTERFAITH TRADITION

3. SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF THE STUDENT’S REALIZATION.

4. CULTURE STUDY

A STUDY OF HUMAN CULTURE WITHIN ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL EXPRESSION: THIS CLASS HELPS TO UNDERSTAND RITUAL AND FORM BETTER.

5. SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE: A LINGUISTIC APPROACH TO SPIRITUAL TERMS AS THEY ARE UNDERSTOOD FROM THEIR RUDIMENTARY LANGUAGE. THE CLASS ALSO OFFERS AN AUTHENTIC (VS. ANGLICIZED) PRONUNCIATION GUIDE TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE NOMENCLATURE.

ASSIGNMENTS: READING LIST

• THEOL-ADP1 / EXPANDED THEOLOGY

A SEARCH INTO THE DEPTH OF THE REDEEMING GOSPEL TRUTH

• THEOL-ADP2 / ENERGY HEALING (THEORY)

• THEOL-ADP3 / THE STUDY OF SPIRITUAL HEALING, ITS ROOTS IN HISTORY, LINEAGES, PRACTICES

• THEOL-ADP4 / MINISTRY (SKILLS, COUNSELING, HEALING, SERVICES) 

LEARNING ABOUT BASIC SKILLS WHEN OFFERING SERVICES TO PATIENTS AND CLIENTELE. BECOMING A TRUE MINISTER OR CHAPLAIN.

ASSIGNMENTS: READING LIST & BOOK REVIEWS

• THEOL-ADP5 / MINISTRY AS HEALING (PRACTICE) 

THIS CLASS IS TAILORED TO STUDENT NEEDS OR PREFERENCES. VARIOUS HEALING APPROACHES. BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN STUDENT ABILITIES TO OFFER AND PERFORM PASTORAL FUNCTIONS.

ASSIGNMENTS:READING LIST & BOOK REVIEWS

• THEOL-ADP6 / SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT (ANALYSIS OF HISTORY, INSIGHT THERAPY)

1. KNOW YOURSELF: EACH STUDENT PERFORMS A CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL ANALYSIS OF HIS OR HER LIFE, BEGINNING AT CHILDHOOD. WITH THE HELP OF A TEACHER, THE STUDENT INCREASES HIS OR HER AWARENESS, LIMITS, LIFE CHOICES, MENTALITY, STATE OF HEALTH, ETC.

2. ATTIRE AND DEMEANOR (PRACTICAL GUIDE): PRACTICAL GUIDE ADDRESSING PROFILE, FIRST IMPRESSION AND PUBLIC IMAGE.

3. LITURGICAL TRAINING

• THEOL-ADP7 / CHAPLAINCY: THIS IS A PRACTICE CLASS TAILORED TOWARDS THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENT

ASSIGNMENTS: FINAL PAPER (PROJECT)

THE STUDENT WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A PROJECT DEMONSTRATING HIS OR HER UNDERSTANDING AND INTEREST. THE STUDENT, UPON CONSULTATION, MAY CHOOSE THE TOPIC. TECHNICAL DETAILS AND FORMAT WILL BE DISCUSSED PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE TASK.

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OPTIONAL

-  ASSOCIATE DEGREE 

-  ORDINATION AS LAY MINISTER OR CHAPLAIN (THIS IS UPON STUDENT’S CALLING, SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND SUITABILITY (AS DETERMINED BY THE RESPECTIVE CHURCH OR DENOMINATION)

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II.  CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (THEOL-CPE)

RECOMMENDED AS TEXT BOOKS: LIVING WITH DEATH AND DYING BY ELIZABETH KUBLER ROSS AND STEPHEN LEVINE'S A YEAR TO LIVE. 

THEOL-CPE1 / THE GIFT OF PRESENCE

   1. CONSOLATION

    OFFER EUCHARIST

    PRAY WITH THE FAMILY

    LET THEM SPEAK THEIR CONCERNS

    EASE THEIR PATH BY FAITH

THEOL-CPE2 / HAVING EXPERIENCE WITH PERSONAL MORTALITY

   MINISTER SHOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER OR CLOSE FRIEND IN THE NOT TOO RECENT PAST

   MINISTER HAS EMPATHY FOR THE SICK AND THE DYING

   MINISTER IS CAPABLE OF BRACKETING OUTSIDE CONCERNS

THEOL-CPE3 / ILLNESS OF A CHILD

   PROVIDE A LISTENING EAR

   DO NOT TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT

   SIMPLY SAY YOU ARE SORRY

   HAVE EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH EXISTENTIAL TRUTHS

   QUIETLY REMAIN PRESENT

THEOL-CPE4 / HOSPITAL PROTOCOLS

   EVACUATION PROCEDURES

   TRAINING IN DISASTERS IN THAT FACILITY

   RECEIVING THE RAND AT THE DESK

   PSYCH WARD AND ICU MAY REQUIRE STAFF TO ACCOMPANY MINISTER

   CONFIDENTIALITY

THEOL-CPE5 / BE A MOMENT OF GRACE

OFFER A SMILE AND/OR A WINK

HOLD A HAND

DO YOUR BEST

LET GOD TAKE IT FROM THERE

THEOL-CPE6  / ICU OR TROUBLE SWALLOWING

  BREAK OFF SMALL PIECE OF EUCHARIST

  WHEN IN DOUBT ASK IF COMMUNION IS OK

  ASK IF PATIENT CAN SIP WATER FROM A STRAW AFTERWARD

THEOL-CPE7 / GREETINGS

  GREET EACH PATIENT BY LAST NAME

  ASK IF THEY WISH TO RECEIVE COMMUNION

  ASK IN ICU WHO CAN RECEIVE

  IF COMMUNION IS DECLINE, ASK IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SAY AN OUR FATHER

  TELL THEM YOU ARE PRAYING FOR THEM

  ASK THEM TO PRAY FOR YOU

THEOL-CPE8 / SPEAKING

   SPEAK ONLY SO THE PATIENT CAN HEAR.

   SPEAK CLEARLY ALLOWING FOR HEARING DIFFERENCES

THEOL-CPE9 / PRAY BEFORE THE MINISTRY

  BE AWARE OF YOUR CONCERNS

  CENTER IN PRAYER

  PUT CONCERNS AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND

THEOL-CPE10 / HELP GENERATE HOPE

ALLOW PATIENTS TO HAVE FUTURE HOPE

DO NOT TAMPER WITH THEIR DREAMS.

THEOL-CPE11 / IN HOMES FOR THE AGED

BE PRAGMATIC

KEEP FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL

STAY CALM

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY

REPEAT WORDS IN A CALM WAY

HAVE THEM REFERENCE PLEASANT PAST EXPERIENCES

ENCOURAGE GRATITUDE

THEOL-CPE12 / PROCESSING

ALLOW PATIENTS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS

INVOLVE THE FAMILY WHEN POSSIBLE

MENTION REFERENCES TO PAIN OR DISCOMFORT TO STAFF

THEOL-CPE13 / RESPECT

RESPECT IS RECIPROCAL

IF A PATIENT GETS AGITATED SPEAK TO STAFF

IF THEY ARE SLEEPING LET THEM REST

DO NOT COME AT MEAL TIMES

IF A PATIENT IS HAVING A PROCEDURE, CHECK BACK AT THE END

CPE CERTIFICATE

III.  MINISTRY COURSES (THEOL-MC)

THEOL-MC1 / AGING, DEATH AND DYING

SCRIPT LECTURE FORMAT

TIME FRAME APPROXIMATELY 9 WEEKS

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

3 UNITS

ENROLLMENT ALL YEAR

THEOL-MC2 / SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

LECTURE IN SCRIPT FORMAT

LENGTH OF COURSE, 9 WEEKS

CEU OR CERTIFICATE

3 UNITS

ENROLLMENT AVAILABLE ALL YEAR

THEOL-MC3 / CO-CREATING AS PRAYER

ONLINE AUDIO FORMAT

LENGTH OF COURSE, 10 WEEKS

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

THREE UNITS

ALL YEAR OPENINGS

THEOL-MC4 / RECONCILING VIOLENCE IN MINISTRY

THIS IS AN ONLINE AUDIO FORMAT

THE LENGTH OF THE COURSE IS 10 WEEKS

THIS IS A CEU

3 UNITS

ALL YEAR ENROLLMENTS

THEOL-MC5 / BALANCE IN MINISTRY

ONLINE AUDIO COURSE

11 WEEKS

CEU

THREE UNITS

ENROLLMENT ALL YEAR

THEOL-MC6 / PARENTING IN RECOVERY

A LECTURE SCRIPT COURSE

COMPLETION TIME NINE WEEKS

CEU OF THREE UNITS

ENROLLMENT IS ANY TIME

THEOL-MC7 / SOCIAL JUSTICE

AN AUDIO FORMAT COURSE

TIME FRAME FIVE WEEKS

OPEN ANY TIME

CEU 2 UNITS

TEXT:  SOCIAL JUSTICE HANDBOOK BY MAE ELISE CANNON, INTERVARSITY PRESS, 2009

LISTEN TO LECTURES ON PART I

READ CHAPTERS 1 AND 2 FROM TEXT

WRITE CORNELL NOTES ON LECTURES AND TEXT

SUBMIT NOTES

LISTEN TO LECTURES ON PART II

READ TEXT CHAPTERS 3,4,5

WRITE NOTES AND SUBMIT

LISTEN TO LECTURES ON PART III

SELECT 5 SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES FROM PART II OF TEXT, READ AND WRITE NOTES.

SUBMIT OUTLINE OF 10-PAGE PAPER ON ANY TOPIC OF SOCIAL JUSTICE STUDENT CHOOSES AS WELL AS A BIBLIOGRAPHY

WRITE PAPER, CORRECT, PROOFREAD AND SUBMIT

THEOL-MC8 / PASTORAL MINISTRY  & ETHICAL BEHAVIOR

THIS IS A COURSE FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY STUDENTS.

DESCRIPTION: THE HALLMARK OF BEING A PASTORAL MINISTER IS A CHARACTER GROUNDED IN ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND TRUST. THIS COURSE IS AN INDEPENDENT STUDY TO BE COMPLETED IN ONE SCHOOL QUARTER. IT IS AVAILABLE FOUR QUARTERS PER YEAR. STUDENT MUST BE FLUENT IN COLLEGE LEVEL ENGLISH.

NOTES ARE 40% OF THE GRADE AND FINAL PAPER IS 60%. THIS COURSE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PASTORAL COUNSELING.

REASON INFORMED BY FAITH AND ETHICS IN PASTORAL MINISTRY, BOTH BY RICHARD GULA. THESE MUST BE PURCHASED BY THE STUDENT. 

BI-WEEKLY CORNELL NOTES ARE EXPECTED FROM CHAPTER READING AND PRINT OUTS. 

A TEN PAGE PAPER IS REQUIRED APPLICABLE TO THE READING ASSIGNMENT. THIS IS A COURSE FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY STUDENTS. NOTES ARE 40% OF THE GRADE AND FINAL PAPER IS 60%.

THE COURSE IS ONE QUARTER. 

CERTIFICATE OF PASTORAL COUNSELING.