12.8.20
We have several information items to present to council from GST.
Please review the proposals below and use the comment section for any discussion.
Thank you for your work on the council this year!
Information Items
- Master of Arts in Global Studies
- Change the requirement of BIBM/BMIS Elective to a Free Elective (3 hrs). Rationale: The BIBM/BMIS elective requirement is too restrictive for diverse ministry needs and interests.
- Change the requirement of BIBM 651, 652, and 656 (1 credit hour each) to an option of either BIBM 648 of BIBM 621 (3 credit hours).
- Change the requirement of BIBL 680 to a menu where a student will choose from BIBL 610, 611, 620, and 621. Rationale: BIBL 680 is no longer taught with appropriate frequency.
- Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
- Change both of the required courses BIBL 630 and 682 to a BIBL text elective (BIBL 600-699 or BGRK/BHEB). Rationale: Give more flexibility for advising and better reflect current practice.
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies
- Add BIBM 602 – GST Orientation (0 credit hours) to the degree plan. Rationale: Each of our other master’s programs has an orientation course, and we simply overlooked this when setting up the program.
- Doctor of Ministry
- Remove the requirement for two spiritual formation retreats. Rationale: Student feedback has shown mixed levels of effectiveness. The DMin student body now included increasing numbers of international students with limited residency requirements in the US and the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated moving residencies online. DMin retreats have always been zero credit, so this change will not impact total hours in the degree plan.