Academic Policy updates October 17, 2013

Transcription

1 Academic Policy updates October 17, 2013 The statements and policies that follow replace similar statements and policies in student and faculty handbooks and other official documents. Vision Statement Bexley Seabury is called to be a 21 st century seminary beyond walls open to all who seek to deepen their Christian formation in a generous spiritual and intellectual tradition. Mission Statement As an Episcopal center for learning and discipleship at the crossroads of the nation, the Bexley Hall Seabury Western Seminary Federation forms lay and clergy leaders to proclaim God s mission in the world, creating new networks of Christian formation, entrepreneurial leadership and bold inquiry in the service of the Gospel. Passed by the Board of Directors, October 2013

2 Policies Regarding Baccalaureate Equivalency for the Purpose of Admission to the MDiv and Anglican Studies Program As a graduate school of theology and ministry, the Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation requires a bachelor's degree or the equivalent for admission. Students may be admitted to Bexley Seabury without a bachelor's degree if they can demonstrate bachelor's equivalency. Those without a bachelor's equivalent can petition Bexley Seabury for special student status. An applicant seeking admission to Bexley Seabury who does not have a bachelor's degree, but who has taken several training programs and/or courses at the college level over a period of several years, may apply for an evaluation of BA equivalency. An evaluation of BA equivalency happens concurrently with Bexley Seabury's standard admissions process. Prospective students should complete and submit all paperwork needed as a part of Bexley Seabury's standard admissions process. In addition to Bexley Seabury's standard MDiv application, those without a BA who wish to be granted BA equivalency must also provide: Copies of certificates and/or evaluation documents for all ministry training. Written description of ministerial roles (paid and volunteer). A word essay addressing this question: How has my professional life and experience prepared me for graduate study at Bexley Seabury? Note that this and other application essays serve as a writing sample that should indicate appropriate ability to write clearly and understandably. A timeframe when the applicant is available for an interview with the Dean and one faculty member, either on site or via electronic media. Letters of recommendation must include the following: A letter of recommendation from a member of the clergy or a professional supervisor with whom the applicant has worked. A letter of recommendation from an instructor or facilitator for prior educational training which addresses the applicant s ability to engage in graduate level academic study. Process: 1. Each application is evaluated by the MDiv Admissions Committee and the Dean. 2. When the committee and the Dean judge that an applicant is capable of graduate-level work and is otherwise qualified, the applicant is admitted to the MDiv program.

3 3. When the committee and the Dean judge that there is insufficient evidence to indicate that the applicant is capable of graduate-level work, the applicant may be admitted as a Special Student in order to enroll in two or more courses (as determined by the Dean). 4. If the applicant completes all indicated courses with grades of B or higher, then the applicant requests that the committee re-evaluate her/his materials for admission to the MDiv program. If you have questions about demonstrating bachelors equivalency, or need more information, please contact: Tom Ferguson

4 Policies Regarding Equivalency for M.Div. Degree for the Purpose of Admission to the D.Min. Program Assessment of M.Div. Equivalency: Criteria and Process An applicant seeking admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program of the Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation who does not have the M.Div. degree, but who holds another master's degree(s) in the fields of theology and/or ministry and who has exercised significant ministerial leadership, will have her/his materials evaluated to determine M.Div. equivalency. The evaluation of MDiv equivalency occurs concurrently with the admissions process. All applicants must submit the Federation s official DMin application, along with official transcripts from all colleges, universities, institutes, ACPE programs attended a curriculum vitae an annotated list of readings in theology and ministry (books, journals, other resources) over the past two years, indicating connections between readings and ministry goals Criteria: MDiv equivalency is considered to be achieved by graduate theological education across a broad spectrum that includes theology, biblical studies, history, and the arts of ministry. Bexley Seabury uses as a guideline its M.Div. checklist to determine if the applicant meets these requirements. Process: 1. The Doctor of Ministry Admissions Committee, consisting of the Director of the D.Min. Program and a faculty member appointed by the Dean, evaluates each application and determine admission. 2. Graduate courses recorded on an applicant's graduate transcripts are compared to the Bexley Seabury M.Div. checklist. 3. In the case of applicants who do not hold M.Div. degrees, the committee may dete1mine that equivalency exists if the number and range of courses fulfills the degree expectations. 4. If the number of credits and/or theological or pastoral areas is still lacking then

5 applicants may be admitted as pre-d.min. students and typically are enrolled in MDiv/ Anglican Studies program in order to complete the courses required to achieve M.Div. equivalency. Admission as pre-dmin. typically means that the applicant is approved to complete the hours and/or courses needed to qualify for the D.Min. program. 5. If the applicant completes all the courses indicated as necessary for establishing M.Div. equivalency, with grades of B or higher, then the applicant requests that the committee re evaluate his/her materials for admission to the D.Min. program. If you have questions about M.Div. equivalency, or need more information, contact: Ellen Wondra

6 CREDIT HOURS POLICY A credit hour represents approximately 1 hour of work per week in a semesterlength course, including at least 1 hour of direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class. (Out of class work may include internships, practica, and other academic work.) Most courses offered by Bexley Seabury are 3 credit courses, involving approximately 36 hours of direct faculty instruction plus more than 72 hours of work outside of class.

7 TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY Credit will be transferred from accredited graduate schools and seminaries if it can appropriately be applied to a Bexley Seabury degree program, with certain provisos. Students must complete at least one third of their studies at Bexley Seabury to qualify for a Bexley Seabury degree. No transfer credit will be given for work done with a letter grade under B. There is a time limit of 10 years on (1) transfer credit, (2) credit from Bexley Seabury for a degree that was not completed, and (3) credit from Bexley Seabury for a completed masters degree that is to be applied to a different masters degree Program. At the discretion of the Dean, students holding an M.A. or equivalent degree may be granted transfer credit for up to two-thirds of the required hours in the M.Div. degree at Bexley Seabury. Although credits transferred from another institution may be used to satisfy Bexley Seabury core and option requirements in a specific field of study, a student may be required, at the discretion of the Academic Dean, to take additional work in that field. Applicability to Bexley Seabury core and option requirements is determined by the Dean in consultation with appropriate faculty. Bexley Seabury accepts DMin credit in transfer for work done at the doctoral level at other accredited seminaries or institutions of higher education, subject to the degree restrictions on number of credits which can be transferred. With the permission of the Academic Dean, students in this program may transfer up to two doctoral-level course credits from another accredited seminary or institution of higher education. At the discretion of the Dean, Bexley Seabury may apply graduate credits earned as part of another degree program.