MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE

Transcription

1 CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL UNION MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE PROGRAM MANUAL Approved by Faculty Assembly September 22, 2011 Copyright Catholic Theological Union. All rights reserved.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents OVERVIEW OF THE MASTER OF DIVINITY PROGRAM... 1 Program Outcomes... 2 PROGRAM OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS... 3 Curriculum Overview and Program Yearly Guide... 3 Field Education and Related Areas... 5 Program Orientation Workshop... 5 Collaborative Skills for Administration in Ministry... 5 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES... 8 Admission and Program Prerequisites... 8 Academic Advisement and Registration Transfer of Credit to the M. Div. Program Petition for Candidacy / Continuance in the Program CONCENTRATIONS AND DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS Concentrations in the MDiv Program Dual Degree Programs APPENDICES Checklist for the MDiv Program... A1 Checklist for the MDiv Program, Fulfilling Academic Requirements for Roman Catholic Ordination... A3 Criteria for Assessing Admission for Special Students... A6 Request for Credit Transfer... A7 Petition for Advanced Standing... A8 Petition for Candidacy/Continuance... A11 Association of Theological Schools MDiv Program Standards... A13

3 OVERVIEW OF THE MASTER OF DIVINITY PROGRAM The Master of Divinity Degree Program has been a centerpiece at Catholic Theological Union since the school's inception in This Manual reflects the revision that started in 2004 and was refined and completed in The refinements were made in light of a review by the Vatican Congregation on Seminaries and from input by the CTU Corporation, formation directors, faculty, and students. These refinements in the areas of bible, church history, doctrine, ethics, preaching, and worship have strengthened the exposure to the Roman Catholic heritage required of ministry students, especially for those seeking ordination. As stated in the 2011 CTU Self-Study, the 2004/ 2010 curriculum has sought to facilitate integrated learning through the introduction of four interrelated areas that underlie the MDiv curriculum, i.e.: 1) the recognition that Pastoral Practice is central to ministerial education, 2) that theological reflection in ministry is a skill or Art, 3) that Religion and theology are always in context, and 4) that ministers must have a competence in knowing the Tradition. These elements, known at CTU by the acronym P-A-R-T, are explicitly introduced to entering MDiv students in four required foundational courses during their first year. The 2004 revision was particularly attentive to questions of cultural context. Students are first introduced to the importance of context for theology and ministry in the foundational courses, and this perspective is incorporated in numerous other ways throughout the entire program. The basic MDiv program (79 credit-hours) prepares students for full-time professional ministry in the Roman Catholic Church. The program outcomes are clustered around three goals, namely: that the graduate will be one who 1) exercises pastoral leadership in the Roman Catholic Church as a lay or ordained minister in a variety of pastoral, cultural, and geographic areas, 2) knows and articulates the Roman Catholic tradition and applies it accurately, proficiently, sensitively, and faithfully, and 3) acquires pastoral skills and demonstrates competence in effective pastoral ministry. (MDiv Program Outcomes, approved by the Faculty Assembly in 2006). The MDiv fulfilling academic requirements for Roman Catholic ordination (110 credithours) follows the guidelines of the U.S. National Conference of Catholic Bishops as articulated in The Program of Priestly Formation. The new design of the Master Divinity Degree Program at CTU conforms to the standards set by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the accrediting organization of theological schools in the United Stated and Canada. The ATS Standards of the MDiv program define the purpose of the degree as to "to prepare persons for ordained ministry and for general pastoral and religious leadership responsibilities in congregations and other settings (1.0). The goals an institution adopts for an MDiv degree should take into account: knowledge of the religious heritage; understanding of the cultural context; growth in spiritual depth and moral integrity; and capacity for ministerial and public leadership (2.0)." See the full text of the Standards in Appendix. 1

4 Program Outcomes (Approved by the Faculty Assembly in 2006) The graduate of the Master of Divinity Degree Program at CTU: 1. Exercises pastoral leadership in the Roman Catholic Church as a lay or ordained minister in a variety of pastoral, cultural and geographic settings. 1.1 Attains and nurtures a clear identity of the professional ecclesial minister 1.2 Engages in personal and communal spiritual formation toward personal transformation and growth 1.3 Evidences progress toward a coherent and personally integrated theological vision 1.4 Ministers and builds community in a collaborative style respectful of others and their gifts 1.5 Administers material and human resources 1.6 Demonstrates ability to do theological reflection for ministry 1.7 Identifies and articulates problems and assists in their resolution 1.8 Demonstrates a respect for other Christian traditions and religious way 2. Knows and articulates the Roman Catholic tradition and applies it accurately, proficiently, sensitively, and faithfully. 2.1 Interprets the Roman Catholic tradition in a faithful, historically critical, and culturally sensitive manner 2.2 Analyzes and interprets the Bible for believing communities 2.3 Analyzes various kinds of texts, themes issues, and methods in a judicious and reflective manner 2.4 Communicates the Roman Catholic tradition in written and oral forms 2.5 Engages the moral and social implications of the Roman Catholic tradition 2.6 Probes the Roman Catholic tradition as a living faith ever relevant to new situations 3. Acquires pastoral skills and demonstrates competence in effective pastoral ministry. 3.1 Presides at various kinds of liturgies and rites 3.2 Organizes and facilitates various kinds of groups 3.3 Teaches in catechetical and other kinds of settings 3.4 Preaches in various liturgical settings 3.5 Counsels and consoles, exhorts and challenges, and offers spiritual guidance - all in various pastoral situations 3.6 Advocates for and strategizes with the poor and the marginalized 2

5 PROGRAM OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS Curriculum Overview and Program Yearly Guide The program is divided into several integrated components: Foundational Courses, Integrating Courses, Area Requirements, Electives, Ministry Practica, and Workshops. (See sample program checklist in the appendix.) All CTU MDiv students are required to take at least one three-semester credit-hours course at one of the Association of the Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS). There are no additional language requirements for the MDiv program at CTU. The time limit for completion of the MDiv degree is ten years from the time of receiving degree candidacy. Exemptions may be granted by the Academic Dean under exceptional circumstances. The following diagram is a guide for helping students understand the sequence of the different segments of the program and for choosing the courses and workshops they may take at any particular stage in their program. This is only a general guide; students need to make a specific plan in consultation with their academic advisor based on their status, whether they are full or part time, using the program checklist as the main planning tool. The Academic Advisor s Advisor issued by the Dean s Office each year, available on the MDiv program web site, provides important guidelines that every student and academic advisor should be aware of. Year 1 Basic MDiv: Ordination MDiv: MDiv Program Orientation workshop (the week before the beginning of the semester) Fall J-term Spring Possible choice of courses: Foundational Courses Sacraments Living the Moral Life Introduction to New or Old Testaments Virtus Training Foundational Courses Sacraments Living the Moral Life Introduction to New or Old Testaments Required area courses (after taking the prerequisite Foundational Course) Issues in Human Sexuality Workshop Foundational Courses Sacraments Living the Moral Life Introduction to New or Old Testaments Required area courses (after taking the prerequisite Foundational Course) Professional Standards workshops MDiv Program Orientation workshop (the week before the beginning of the semester) Same as Basic MDiv Same as Basic MDiv Same as Basic MDiv 3

6 Year 2 Fall J-term Spring M4203 Ministry Practicum Orientation and Interview Workshop Required Formation: Formation requirements (Emmaus, Tolton, and Romero programs) Sacraments Required area courses (after taking the prerequisite Foundational Course) Integrating Courses (after taking the prerequisite Foundational Course) Ministry Practicum I. It could also be taken during the third year, but it is strongly recommended that basic MDiv students do their practicum during their second year. Same as Fall Semester Sacraments Required area courses (after taking the prerequisite Foundational Course) Integrating Courses (after taking the prerequisite Foundational Course) Ministry Practicum II Required Formation: Religious community formation requirements Same as Basic MDiv and: Preaching I (either in the fall or the spring) Ministry Practicum I. It could also be taken during the third year, but it is strongly recommended that basic MDiv students do their practicum during their second year. Same as Basic MDiv Summer Year 3 Fall J-term Spring Year 4 Fall Same as above Sacraments Required area courses Integrating Courses Same as above and the MDiv Capstone Sacraments Required area courses Integrating Courses Graduation! N/A Same as Basic MDiv and: Preaching II (either in the fall or the spring) Same as Basic MDiv Presiding Practicum I or II (Sacraments I, II and III are prerequisites for the Presiding practica) Required area courses Integrating Courses J-term N/A Same as above and the MDiv Capstone Spring N/A Presiding Practicum I or II Required area courses Integrating Courses Total credits 79 Semester Credit Hours 110 Semester Credit Hours 4

7 Field Education and Related Areas Field Education is an essential component of the MDiv program. For a full description of the Field Education area and for information on the Ministry practica, Year I workshops, which are requirements for doing the Ministry practica, and other related areas such as Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), Pastoral Internships, Overseas Training Program, Approved Summer Ministry Immersions, please see the various courses under the Field Education course category on the Union. At the completion of Clinical Pastoral Education, Summer Ministry Immersion, Pastoral Internship, etc., the student is required to have their supervisor complete and sign the Supervisor Report form and return it to the Director of Field Education, who submits a Pass/Fail grade to the Registrar. At the completion of Overseas Training Program, the student returns the completed supervisor s form to the chair of the Intercultural Studies and Ministry department, who submits a Pass/Fail grade to the Registrar. The grade for field education ministry courses must be received by the Registrar before any credit is granted by CTU. Program Orientation Workshop All MDiv students are required to take a Program Orientation Workshop before starting their program. The workshop is normally two hours long and is offered the week prior to the start of each semester. Students are required to register for taking this workshop in the Registrar s Office, and there is no fee required. The workshop offers students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with all aspects of the program, the sequence of the different requirements, academic advisement, registration, field education and formation requirements, and all other information they need to know in order to take responsibility for successfully planning and managing their program. Collaborative Skills for Administration in Ministry Collaborative Skills for Administration in Ministry is a series of six workshops. They are held the first Friday of every month in the fall (three) and spring (three) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The workshops may be taken anytime during the program and are mandatory for all MDiv students. The purpose of the workshops is to provide training in functions of church administration that are beyond the purely spiritual or directly ministerial dimensions of pastoral care. The learning goals are: 5

8 1) Participants will understand and appreciate that administration is also part of their stewardship responsibilities to God for the resources given to them in their ministry, whether those resources are people, property and/or money. 2) Participants will learn some of the administrative skills necessary to be good stewards. Workshops Description Leadership Styles - What it means to be a leader? What is servant leadership? Characteristics of a servant-leader. Jesus as servant-leader. Examination of Jesus leadership style. Explanation of various leadership styles and how these styles may or may not work in a ministry setting. Stages of group development. How to build a team; how to work as part of a team. Leadership discernment technique from the Quaker Tradition called the Clearness Committee. (This technique uses prayer and questions from others to help discern if one should take or remain in a leadership position.) Personnel Issues - Legal issues related to the workplace/church place. How the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church are practiced in the workplace. Hiring, disciplining, firing, and employment law. Laws from which the Church is exempt. Why the Church should follow some employment laws from which it is exempt. Best practices in compensation and benefits. Performance evaluations what are they, why they are needed, benefits to employer and employee, how to conduct them, and how to respond to them. Workplace Relationships Conflict management and conflict resolution. Understanding your emotional intelligence and that of others. Why conflict can be both good and bad. Causes of conflict and ways of managing it. When conflict exists how to work toward resolution using selected techniques. Understanding how various personality types and leadership styles function in a group setting. Working effectively with volunteers. Financial and Facilities Management - Importance of having a strategic plan before the budget is developed. Basic steps to develop a Strategic Plan including a brainstorming technique that helps facilitate the planning process. Understanding financial statements and parish budgets. Exposure to accounting and other software used in parishes. Facilities management in Canon Law. Why some knowledge of facilities is of vital importance to the minister and the congregation. Care of facilities. Building safety checks, maintenance, and inspections. Control of access to buildings. Public Relations and Marketing - Why both are necessary in ministry? Methods and means of communicating your message. Understanding the concentric circles of your market. Understanding your publics. Defining your publics -- both internal and external. Using webpages, Facebook, s, etc. to get out the message of Jesus Christ. Developing a marketing plan for church activities. Importance of having a crisis plan before there is a crisis and what goes into one. Media as friend and foe. How to deal with the media. Media interview practice. 6

9 Stewardship and Fundraising - What are they and why do they have a place in ministry? Biblical foundations for stewardship. New ways of looking at money, asking for money, and giving money. Spirituality of fundraising. Fundraising and development from a parish, institutional and diocesan perspective. Grant writing basics. 7

10 Admission and Program Prerequisites POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Admission Requirements Applicants for the MDiv program should have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. They should normally have a liberal arts background, including courses in philosophy. A limited number of applicants without a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent may be admitted as special students with certain conditions. The MDiv has two tracks: a basic MDiv, normally for lay and religious men and women preparing for professional non-ordained, and an MDiv that fulfills the academic requirements for Roman Catholic ordination, which follows the specifications for academic and ministerial formation as required by The Program of Priestly Formation (Washington: USCCB, 2005). Admission Procedure All candidates are required to submit a CTU Application for Admission, which may be obtained from the Admissions Office or requested online at 1) A complete application would include the following: a. A completed application form and personal statement. b. Official transcripts from all post-secondary education forwarded directly to CTU s Admissions Office by the Registrar of the institutions attended. c. Three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant s suitability for graduate study and ministry. Applicants from participating religious communities in the CTU Corporation are not required to submit these letters. A candidate sponsorship letter by a participating community constitutes adequate recommendation. In the case of diocesan priests and deacons or members of religious institutes which are not participating communities at CTU, one of the three recommendation letter must be from an official representative of the diocese or institute. d. Prospective students must demonstrate English proficiency. e. Payment of a non-refundable application fee. 2) The completed application form is due at least three weeks before the starting date of classes in any particular semester or term. Late applications may be considered, but there is no guarantee. 3) Upon receipt of the completed application form, the Admissions Committee will review the file. 4) CTU reserves the right to require a formal evaluation of applicants and personal interviews with representatives of the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee makes the appropriate decision relative to the application: admit, admit conditionally, admit on probation, or reject the application. 5) Applicants will be formally notified by the Admissions Office about the outcome of their 8

11 application. 6) The MDiv Program Director will communicate to admitted applicants the information concerning academic advisement and registration. Note: If an applicant is admitted as a member of one of the sponsoring religious communities or one of CTU s scholarship and formation programs, such as the Augustus Tolton or Oscar Romero, and later withdraws from the program for whatever reason, the applicant is required to re-apply and provide letters of recommendation, one of which must come from an official representative of the former community or scholarship program. Program Prerequisites The prerequisites for the basic MDiv program are nine semester credit hours of philosophy. For the MDiv that fulfills the academic requirements for Roman Catholic ordination, the prerequisites are thirty semester credit hours of philosophy and twelve semester credit hours in basic theology or religious studies. The philosophy course work should be balanced, comprehensive and coherent. It should include courses in the history of philosophy and studies in major philosophical issues, such as epistemology, critical thinking, metaphysics, philosophical anthropology, and ethics. Course work in theology or religious studies should provide applicants with an understanding of the basic Christian teachings. Applicants should also consider other areas important for ministry, such as cultural studies, anthropology, and classical European languages such as Latin and Greek. See the Guidelines and a list of suggested topics in Appendix. Policy on Completing the MDiv Prerequisites 1) The number of prerequisite credit hours is determined at time of admission. Students who lack prerequisites will be admitted to the program conditionally. Ordinarily, they have to fulfill those prerequisites within their first year in the program. 2) Students who need prerequisites in theology may take some Foundational Core courses to fulfill these prerequisites. When registering for a Foundational Core course as a prerequisite, the student must indicate this on the Registration Form. These courses will not be counted toward the fulfillment of the total number of credit-hours needed to complete the degree. 3) CTU also offers a selection of courses in philosophy to help MDiv students meet their degree prerequisites. Guidelines for Evaluating MDiv Prerequisites (Non-Credit) Many participating religious communities offer their candidates extensive studies in philosophy and theology as part of their formation programs prior to coming to CTU. Some of these studies may count as part of the prerequisites. The following are guidelines for evaluating these studies in view of counting the courses that could qualify as prerequisites. 1) Participating religious communities who would like parts of their formation program to be considered as counting toward fulfillment (either in part or in whole) of the prerequisites for 9

12 the MDiv program should submit a) a detailed list of each course so proposed; b) a syllabus for each course; c) an indication of the number of hours of instruction required in this course; d) the qualifications of the instructor(s) for each course; and e) the methods of assessment of students' learning used in each course. 2) The MDiv Director, in consultation with appropriate faculty, will evaluate and determine which courses may be counted toward fulfilling prerequisites and inform the religious community submitting the request, as well as document the evaluation; such documentation will be filed in the MDiv office and forwarded to the Registrar s office for official filing. 3) Students requesting that part of their formation studies be counted toward fulfilling prerequisite should: a) Submit a request in writing to the MDiv Director. The request should include a list of the courses the student wishes to be considered for counting toward the pre-requisites; b) The MDiv Director will consider the request based on the previously documented evaluation following the process mentioned above. If a student in a religious community takes a new course that has not been previously evaluated, the MDiv Director will request that the religious community that sponsored the course follow the same procedure outlined above for initiating an evaluation process. Academic Advisement and Registration Prior to registration, students are to discuss the courses they wish to take with their academic advisor and seek their approval. All students are required to keep an updated program checklist that they will use as a guide, in conversation with their academic advisor, to choose the courses according to the sequence required at each stage of the program. Academic advisement may be done in person or by . After approval by their academic advisor, students may register using either a paper form, which they can obtain from the Registrar s Office, or by using the online service through the CTU website. The paper form requires their academic advisor s signature. In the case of online registration, the request is forwarded automatically to the academic advisor who will electronically approve and forward it to the Registrar s Office. Students registering for a course at one of the ACTS schools fill out a paper form, get it approved by their academic advisor, and hand it in at the CTU Registrar s Office. Students registering for field education courses such as Summer Ministries, Clinical Pastoral Education, and Pastoral Internship are to obtain an initial approval of the Field Education Director in advance. After the initial approval, the student follows the proper procedure for each course. General information on this type of courses and procedures is available on the Field Education homepage at the Union or in the Academic Services office. Students who have more than one incomplete course from the previous semester need permission from the Dean before registering for new courses. 10

13 Also, a student with an outstanding bill will not be allowed to register for another course until the bill is paid. Changes in Registration Changes in registration are allowed through the first week of the semester with full refund of tuition costs. Thereafter, the percent of tuition refunded is according to the Refund Policy found in the Student Handbook. Dropping or Adding a Course All changes in registration must be accompanied by the Course Add/Drop form, which can be obtained from the Registrar's Office. This procedure requires the approval of the student s academic advisor. It is the student s responsibility to obtain the necessary signatures and submit the completed form to the Registrar, within the required time frame. Transfer of Credit to the M. Div. Program Credit may be transferred into CTU from other institutions according to the following criteria: 1) Credit will be transferred only for graduate level courses taken within the last seven years and completed with a grade of B or higher. 2) Ordinarily, a maximum of twenty-four semester credit hours to fulfill the basic MDiv requirements, and thirty-six semester credit hours to fulfill requirements of the ordination M. Div. may be transferred into CTU. Exceptions to these limits will be at the discretion of the Academic Dean and on an individual basis. 3) The MDiv Director may require a review of the content of a particular course before it may be substituted for a specific required course within the MDiv curriculum. 4) Courses taken at institutions of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) while a student is enrolled at CTU are considered as an extension of the CTU curriculum and not as transfer courses. Procedures for transferring credit are as follows: 1) To transfer credit earned before admission to the CTU MDiv program, the student will request an assessment by the MDiv Director and provide the necessary information, such as course description, syllabus, readings, and sample work if available. The MDiv Director recommends the transfer for approval by the Academic Dean. 2) To transfer credit to be earned at another school after admission to the CTU MDiv program, the student will 1) need an approval from their academic advisor prior to taking the course, and 2) inform the MDiv Director. 3) After completing the course, the student is required to fill out the Request for Credit Transfer form, (see Appendix) available from the Registrar s Office, obtains the signature of his/her academic advisor, and submit the form to the Registrar s Office. The student will then request an official transcript from the credit-granting school to be sent directly to the Registrar's Office at CTU. 11

14 4) The Registrar will attach a copy of the transcript to the completed form and forwards the request to the MDiv Director, who will review it and forward the request to the Academic Dean for approval. 5) After the Dean s approval, the Registrar then records the approved credits on the student's CTU academic record. Petition for Candidacy / Continuance in the Program Candidacy or Continuance Requirements In granting MDiv degree candidacy or continuance, CTU affirms that a student has demonstrated, through academic performance, ministerial sensitivity, and theological reflection, that he or she has the potential to complete the degree program successfully and to be an effective ecclesial minister. The process whereby a student is admitted to degree candidacy is an evaluative check-point. A student is admitted to MDiv degree candidacy or continuance only after the satisfactory completion of all admission requirements, including prerequisites, and 25 percent of the academic program (twenty semester hours for the basic MDiv, and twenty-eight semester hours for the MDiv fulfilling academic requirements for Roman Catholic ordination). Procedures for admission to degree candidacy or continuance are as follows: 1) Students download the Petition for Candidacy/Continuance Form from the MDiv program page at Union or get a paper form from the Academic Services office. 2) Students submit the Petition to their academic advisor for verification that they have completed all their prerequisites, have completed 25 percent of their degree coursework, and have achieved the appropriate grade point average. Academic advisors are to indicate whether they recommend that Candidacy/ Continuance be conferred, deferred or denied. 3) Students from participating religious communities submit the Petition for Candidacy/ Continuance Form to their formation director who indicates his/her recommendation. Students then submit the Petition for Candidacy/ Continuance Form (signed by the academic advisor and formation director) to the MDiv Director who will indicate his/her recommendation on each student. 4) All other students (those who are not in a formation program in one of the participating religious communities) submit the form signed by their academic advisor to the MDiv Director, who will then request a recommendation from the Emmaus formation program. 5) The MDiv Director compiles a list of the names of those students who have submitted petitions and submits the list to the Academic Dean. 6) The Academic Dean informs the full-time faculty of those students applying for Candidacy/ Continuance, requesting that faculty who have objections to a student s being granted Candidacy/ Continuance submit to the Office of the Dean their recommendation of deferral or denial and the substantiating reason(s). Faculty who do not submit any objection will be considered to have recommended conferral of Candidacy/ Continuance. 12

15 7) After receiving the recommendations of the academic advisor, formation direction, Program Director and the full-time faculty, the Academic Dean will decide whether to confer, defer or deny Candidacy/Continuance. Before coming to a decision to defer or to deny, the Academic Dean may choose to convene a meeting of the respective Program Director, academic advisor, formation director and student. 8) The decision of the Academic Dean to confer, defer or deny Candidacy/Continuance will be put into writing by signing the petitions and returning them to the MDiv Director. Electronic copies will be sent to the student and the academic advisor, and the original copy will be placed in the student s permanent file in the Registrar s Office. A decision to defer means that that there is some substantial obstacle(s) to the student becoming an effective minister that must be overcome, but specific conditions can be met and the student could petition for Candidacy or Continuance at another time, once the conditions have been fulfilled. A decision to deny means that there is some substantial obstacle to the student becoming an acceptable minister in the church, which most likely cannot be overcome. Catholic Theological Union as a school of theology and ministry prepares people for the service of the church. The good of the church is the chief criterion for decisions concerning whether or not to advance and graduate any student in programs preparing people for professional ministry. Thus, Catholic Theological Union reserves the right to advance any student or refuse any student for graduation. All such decisions made by Catholic Theological Union are final. [See Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, Bulletin, page 51.] The conferral of Candidacy or Continuance is a necessary condition for the awarding of the MAPS, M Div, MA degrees. Continuance Requirement Special students, that is those admitted without a baccalaureate degree or its equivalency, are not eligible to apply for degree candidacy (cf. 1.2), but rather must request and be granted Continuance toward an MDiv degree. In granting Continuance toward an MDiv degree, CTU affirms that a student has demonstrated, through academic performance, ministerial sensitivity, and theological reflection, that he or she has the potential to complete the degree program successfully and to be an effective ecclesial minister. The process whereby a student is granted this is an evaluative check-point. A student is admitted to this continuance only after the satisfactory completion of all admission requirements and of a substantial portion of the academic program, same conditions as specified above. Procedures for receiving continuance toward the degree follow the same process as outlined for degree candidacy, as specified above. 13

16 CONCENTRATIONS AND DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS Concentrations in the MDiv Program The MDiv program offers the possibility of concentrating in the following areas: Biblical Studies Health Care Mission Leadership Intercultural Studies and Ministry Interreligious Studies Word and Worship World Mission Concentrating the program in a particular area of studies requires using most of the elective credits for taking courses in that area as well as making particular choices of certain area requirement courses when applicable. Students interested in a concentration should declare their intention before the end of their first full time semester so that they can be assigned an academic advisor in their area of interest who will help them plan their concentration. Choosing a concentration is not a requirement of the program, it is an option. Most students do not choose a concentration. Dual Degree Programs 1. Dual MDiv/ MA a) In keeping with ATS Standards, students doing both the MDiv and the MA at CTU may use five courses to fulfill requirements for both degrees simultaneously. b) Students using a given course for both degrees are to make sure they register the course as dual degree, which requires approval by their academic advisors for both degrees. Students are also required to inform the instructor of the course and negotiate how they will satisfy course requirements appropriate to each degree. c) Courses serving dual purpose are so indicated on the course rosters and the student s transcript. 2. Dual MSW/ M. Div CTU and Loyola University-Chicago, School of Social Work collaborate in a program established for students interested in the professional practice of social work within a religiousbased ministry. a) Applicants must meet the entrance requirements and follow the application procedures of both schools. 14

17 b) The requirements for both the MSW (Loyola) and MDiv (CTU) degrees will be met by each degree program accepting four courses (a total of twelve semester credit hours) from the other program, which include three credits from the ministry practicum/ internship. c) For completion of their social work program at Loyola, dual degree students would be required to complete forty-eight hours of MSW credits and transfer in up to twelve hours of MDiv credit from CTU; for completion of their MDiv program at CTU, students would need to complete sixty-seven credit hours for the basic MDiv, and ninety-eight credit hours for the MDiv program fulfilling academic requirements for Roman Catholic ordination, and would transfer up to twelve MSW credits from Loyola. Transferred credits should be approved in advance by respective academic advisors. d) Further details may be obtained from the MDiv Office. 3. Coordinated MDiv in preparation for a Ph.D. at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago By virtue of a memorandum of understanding between the Divinity School at the University of Chicago and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, McCormick Theological Seminary, and the Catholic Theological Union, a student enrolled in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree program at one of these seminaries may undertake a coordinated program of studies with the intent of applying to the PhD program at the Divinity School. This is NOT a joint MDiv/ PhD program and it requires a separate application to the PhD program, usually in the last year of the MDiv. The coordinated MDiv/ PhD program may allow a student at one of the above mentioned seminaries to pursue the normal course of the MDiv at their home institution while completing certain requirements at the Divinity School that allow them to apply to the PhD program using the internal petition process. They would need to complete at the Divinity School a minimum of three courses in the area of study to which they plan to apply. After completing two years of full-time study in the MDiv program, the student may apply for admission to the PhD program at the Divinity School in the Winter Quarter of their third year if the following two conditions have been met: (a) prior endorsement of the Dean of the student's home seminary; and, (b) completion of sufficient coursework at the Divinity School, including at least three courses of bi-registration at the Divinity School in the area of proposed PhD concentration. A student who wishes to pursue this option should contact the Dean of Students at the Divinity School (contact information below) and declare their intention as early as possible in their program, preferably during their first semester. Teresa Owens Dean of Students The University of Chicago Divinity School [email protected], Tel:

18 APPENDICES Checklist for the MDiv Program... A1 Checklist for the MDiv Program, Fulfilling Academic Requirements for Roman Catholic Ordination... A3 Criteria for Assessing Admission for Special Students... A6 Request for Credit Transfer... A7 Petition for Advanced Standing... A8 Petition for Candidacy/Continuance... A11 Association of Theological Schools MDiv Program Standards... A13 16

19 Checklist for the MDiv Program (Fall 2011) Name: Religious Community (if applicable): Telephone: Date of Admission: Academic Advisor: Concentration: Date of Last Checklist Update: NOTES: Candidacy Approval Date: Required Workshop - MDiv Program Orientation Date Attended: Sem. Curriculum Area Course Number Cr. Foundational Courses 4 Courses (8 credits) Foundations: Theology and Practice of Ministry FP Foundations: Doing Theology FA Foundations: Religious Experience in Context FR Foundations: Understanding Christian Tradition FT Sem. Area Requirements Course Number and Title Cr. Bible 5 Courses (13 credits) Introduction to the Old Testament AR-B1 2 Introduction to the New Testament AR-B2 2 Old Testament Literature AR-B3 3 New Testatment Literature AR-B4 3 Either Old or New Testament Literature AR-B5 3 Doctrine 2 Courses (6 credits) Christology AR-D1 3 Ecclesiology and Mariology AR-D2 3 History History of the World Christian Movement (7th 20th centuries) AR-H 1 Course (3 credits) 3 Ethics 2 Courses (5 or 6 credits) Introduction to Moral Theology AR-E1 3 Sexual Ethics (2 cr.) or Medical Ethics (3 cr.) AR-E2 2 or 3 Intercultural Studies & Ministry 1 Course (3 credits) Area course designated by the department AR-C 3 Spirituality 1 Course (3 credits) Area course designated by the department AR-S 3 Pastoral Ministry 1 Course (3 credits) Area course designated by the department AR-PM 3 Basic MDiv Checklist A1

20 Liturgy 3 Courses (9 credits) Sacraments I (Initiation and Reconciliation) 3 Sacraments II (Eucharist and Sacramental Theology) 3 Lay Leadership of Prayer and Preaching 3 Sem. Electives - 9 or 10 credits (depending on choice of Ethics course) (Any combination of 1, 2, or 3 credit courses.) Enter Course Number and Title Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Cr. Sem. Integrating Courses 3 Courses (9 credits) Cr. Trinity and Mission: The God of Jesus Christ DC Liturgy, Contemplation and Mission: Ecclesial Spirituality WS Catholic Social Teaching and Mission: Living the Values of the Reign of God EMP Capstone 1 Course (1 credit) Integrating Seminar CAP 1 Sem. Ministry Practica 2 Courses (6 credits) Cr. Ministry Practicum I 3 Ministry Practicum II 3 TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 79 ACTS Course Date: Required Year I Workshops 1 Virtus Training 2 Issues in Human Sexuality 3 Professional Standards 4 M4203 Ministry Practicum Orientation & Interview Workshop Required Year II Workshop 1 Ministry Practicum Orientation and Theological Reflection Required Collaborative Skills for Ministry Workshops 1 Leadership Styles 2 Workplace Relations 3 Personnel Issues 4 Finance and Facilities Management 5 Public Relations and Marketing 6 Stewardship and Fund Raising Date Completed Date Completed Date Completed EMMAUS FORMATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 4/11 Basic MDiv Checklist A2

21 Checklist for the MDiv Program Fulfilling Academic Requirements for Roman Catholic Ordination (Fall 2011) Name: Religious Community (if applicable): Telephone: Date of Admission: Academic Advisor: Concentration: Date of Last Checklist Update: NOTES: Candidacy Approval Date: Required Workshop - MDiv Program Orientation Date Attended: Sem. Curriculum Area Course Number Cr. Foundational Courses 4 Courses (8 credits). Foundations: Theology and Practice of Ministry FP Foundations: Doing Theology FA Foundations: Religious Experience in Context FR Foundations: Understanding Christian Tradition FT Sem. Area Requirements Course Number and Title Cr. Bible 6 Courses (16 credits) Introduction to the Old Testament AR-B1 2 Introduction to the New Testament AR-B2 2 Old Testament Literature AR-B3 3 Old Testatment Literature AR-B4 3 New Testament Literature AR-B5 3 New Testatment Literature AR-B6 3 Sem. Doctrine 5 Courses (14 credits) Christology AR-D1 3 Ecclesiology and Mariology AR-D2 3 Patristics AR-D3 3 Creation & Eschatology AR-D4 2 Priesthood AR-D5 3 Sem. History 1 Course (3 credits) History of the World Christian Movement (7th 20th centuries) AR-H 3 Sem. Ethics 3 Courses (8 credits) Introduction to Moral Theology AR-E1 3 Sexual Ethics AR-E2 2 Medical Ethics AR-E3 3 Sem. Intercultural Studies & Ministry 1 Course (3 credits) Area course designated by the department AR-C 3 Sem. Spirituality 1 Course (3 credits) Area course designated by the department AR-SP 3 Sem. Pastoral Ministry 1 Course (3 credits) Area course designated by the department AR-PM 3 Ordination MDiv Checklist A3

22 Sem. Liturgy 7 Courses (18 credits) Cr. Sacraments I (Initiation & Reconciliation) 3 Sacraments II (Eucharist & Sacramental Theology) 3 Sacraments III (Marriage & Anointing) 2 Preaching I 3 Preaching II 2 Presiding I 3 Presiding II 2 Sem. Canon Law 1 Course (3 credits) Canon Law 3 Sem. Electives (12 credits of any combination of 1, 2, or 3 credit courses) Enter Course Number and Title Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Cr. Sem. Integrating Courses 3 Courses (9 credits) Cr. Trinity and Mission: The God of Jesus Christ DC Liturgy, Contemplation and Mission: Ecclesial Spirituality WS Catholic Social Teaching and Mission: Living the Values of the Reign of God EMP Sem. Capstone 1 Course (1 credit) Integrating Seminar CAP 1 Sem. Ministry Practica 3 Courses (9 credits) Cr. Ministry Practicum I 3 Ministry Practicum II 3 Immersion 3 Total Semester Hours 110 ACTS Course Date: Required Year I Workshops 1 Virtus Training 2 Issues in Human Sexuality 3 Professional Standards 4 M4203 Ministry Practicum Orientation & Interview Workshop Required Year II Workshop 1 Ministry Practicum Orientation and Theological Reflection Required Collaborative Skills for Ministry Workshops 1 Leadership Styles 2 Workplace Relations 3 Personnel Issues 4 Finance and Facilities Management 5 Public Relations and Marketing 6 Stewardship and Fund Raising Date Completed Date Completed Date Completed 4/11 Ordination MDiv Checklist A4

23 MDiv Prerequisites Guidelines Undergraduate philosophy: Thirty semester hours for the MDiv program fulfilling ordination requirements Nine semester hours for basic MDiv program Essential courses: Important Courses: History of Ancient Philosophy History of Medieval Philosophy Critical Thinking (Epistemology) An "Introduction to Philosophy may be very helpful Metaphysics (Ontology, theodicy) Philosophical anthropology (Philosophy of the Human Person) (Philosophical) Ethics Other History of Philosophy courses Eastern philosophies Other Possibilities (flexible): Philosophy of God Philosophy of Art Philosophy of Science Etc. Undergraduate theology/religious studies: Twelve semester hours for MDiv program fulfilling ordination requirements Suggestions: Basic Catholic Teaching Introduction to Moral Issues/Theology World Religion Church and Society Introduction to Liturgy MDiv Prerequisite Guidelines A5

24 Approved by APP: November 4, 2004 Approved by Faculty Assembly: December 17, 2004 Criteria for Assessing Admission for Special Students ATS Degree Program Standards Admission Requirements for M.Div A As many as 10 percent of the students in the MDiv degree programs may be admitted without possession of the baccalaureate degree, or its educational equivalent, if the institution can demonstrate by some objective means that these persons possess the knowledge, academic skill, and ability generally associated with persons who hold the baccalaureate degree. Admission of such applicants should be restricted to persons with life experience that has prepared them for theological study at the graduate level. Admission Requirements for MA in (specialized ministry) (MA in Pastoral Studies) C As many as 10 percent of the students in these degree programs may be admitted without possession of the baccalaureate degree, or its educational equivalent, if the institution can demonstrate by some objective means that these persons possess the knowledge, academic skill, and ability generally associated with persons who hold the baccalaureate degree. Such applicants should be restricted to persons with life experience that has prepared them for graduate theological study. Admission Requirements for MA E Admission to these degrees should be offered to students whose background and academic records indicate the ability to engage in graduate-level study for academic pursuits or personal development. CTU Criteria An applicant seeking admission to Catholic Theological Union as a special student for a degree program will complete the appropriate application process, and in addition will: Provide copies of any educational certificates received whether from an archdiocesan or diocesan lay ministry/deaconate training program, or other professional preparation or development programs. Provide written explanation of prior ministerial leadership roles, such as RCIA leader, catechetical leader, pastoral care or liturgical coordinator, or leadership roles associated with the applicant s professional life. Provide one of the required letters of recommendation from a Pastor or professional member of a Pastoral Staff with whom the applicant has worked in a ministry setting. Provide one of the required letters of recommendation from a facilitator of the prior educational training which addresses the applicant s ability to be successful in graduate studies. Provide a 2-page typed essay addressing the following questions: How has my life experience prepared me for graduate study in theology and ministry at Catholic Theological Union? Interview with the Program Director. The applicant must include these materials as part of the application process for admission to CTU. The respective Program Director will interview the applicant when the admission file is complete. The academic standing of the student will be reviewed by the Program Director after the first semester. Criteria for Assessing Admission for Special Student A6

25 Request for Credit Transfer Into Catholic Theological Union Date: Family Name: First Name: Date of Birth: Credits to be transferred into Program School Course No/Title Term Credit Hrs: (Sem/ Quarter) Grade Comments: Student Signature Academic Advisor Signature Program Director Signature Academic Dean Signature Processed by Registrar s Office: Date Request for Credit Transfer A7

26 CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL UNION Petition for Advanced Standing Student s Name Affiliation Date of Admission Student I.D. Academic Advisor Petition for advanced standing in (MDiv foundational area) in view of undergraduate work described below and supported by attached transcripts and documentation. SIGNATURES: CTU Instructor (Field Education Director for MP I) Date M. Div. Director Date Academic Dean Date FINAL ACTION: approved; credit hours to fulfilled in denied Copies to: MDiv Director, Academic Advisor, Registrar, Student (please return attachments to student) Petition for Advanced Standing A8

27 CTU POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ADVANCED STANDING Assessment for Advanced Standing At the beginning of their program students may petition to receive advanced standing for previous undergraduate work in foundational courses. Students should consult with their respective Program Directors. If the petition is granted, the hours in those areas are then used for electives. Upon admission, a student may request that prior intellectual formation and ministerial experience be assessed for advanced standing with credit. Up to one-sixth of the degree program may be approved. Ordinarily, advanced standing with credit is granted for Foundational Courses and/or the Practicum. Procedure 1. The Student confers with the Academic Advisor concerning the course/courses for which advanced standing with credit is sought. A. For Foundational Courses, the student petitions with the documentation to support the request including: Course syllabus Faculty name and credentials Transcript or Certificate of completion Description of context of learning and applies to an instructor of the respective Foundational Course for assessment. B. For Practicum, the student petitions with the documentation to support the request including: Written request that Practicum credit be awarded for prior ministry experience that included Theological Reflection A description of the ministry site, leadership role, and responsibilities Supervisor contact information and description of kinds of supervision offered Description of the contribution of the supervision to ministerial identity and competency A letter from the ministry supervisor including: o Evaluation of the ministry o Recommendation for recognition of the prior substantive supervised ministry and applies to the Director of Field Education for assessment. Ordinarily a student requesting advanced standing for Practicum is expected to have had some theological education prior to the ministry experience. 2. The instructor or Director of Field Education to whom the petition for advanced standing is submitted will forward the successful petition with the assessment and Petition for Advanced Standing A9

28 recommendation to the Program Director who submits the petition to the Vice President and Academic Dean for final approval. 3. The student pays one-third of the tuition rate for the credits granted. Approved by Academic Programs and Policies Committee, April 14, 2011 Approved by Faculty Assembly, May 5, 2011 Petition for Advanced Standing A10

29 Petition for Candidacy/Continuance Petition for Candidacy/Continuance A11

30 Petition for Candidacy/Continuance A12

31 Association of Theological Schools MDiv Program Standards A.1 Purpose of the Degree A.1.0 The Master of Divinity degree is the normative degree to prepare persons for ordained ministry and for general pastoral and religious leadership responsibilities in congregations and other settings. It is the required degree for admission to the Doctor of Ministry degree program, and the recommended first theological degree for admission to advanced programs oriented to theological research and teaching. A.2 Primary Goals of the Program A.2.0 The goals an institution adopts for an MDiv degree should take into account: knowledge of the religious heritage; understanding of the cultural context; growth in spiritual depth and moral integrity; and capacity for ministerial and public leadership. A.3 Program Content, Location, and Duration A.3.1 Content A The MDiv program should provide a breadth of exposure to the theological disciplines as well as a depth of understanding within those disciplines. It should educate students for a comprehensive range of pastoral responsibilities and skills by providing opportunities for the appropriation of theological disciplines, for deepening understanding of the life of the church, for ongoing intellectual and ministerial formation, and for exercising the arts of ministry. A Religious Heritage: The program shall provide structured opportunity to develop a comprehensive and discriminating understanding of the religious heritage. A Instruction shall be provided in Scripture, in the historical development and contemporary articulation of the doctrinal and theological tradition of the community of faith, and in the social and institutional history of that community. A Attention should be given both to the broader heritage of the Christian tradition as such and to the more specific character of particular Christian traditions and communities, to the ways the traditions transcend particular social and cultural settings, and to the ways they come to unique expression in them. A Instruction in these areas shall be conducted so as to indicate their interdependence with each other and with other areas of the curriculum, and their significance for the exercise of pastoral leadership. A Cultural Context: The program shall provide opportunity to develop an understanding of the cultural realities and structures within which the church lives and carries out its mission. A The program shall provide for instruction in contemporary cultural and A13 Association of Theological Schools MDiv Program Standards

32 social issues and their significance for ministry. Such instruction should draw on the insights of the arts and humanities the natural sciences, and the social sciences. A MDiv education shall address the global character of the church as well as the multicultural and cross-cultural nature of ministry in North American society and in other contemporary settings. Attention should also be given to the wide diversity of religious traditions present in the social context. A Personal and Spiritual Formation: The program shall provide opportunities through which the student may grow in personal faith, emotional maturity, moral integrity, and public witness. Ministerial preparation includes concern with the development of capacities intellectual and affective, individual and corporate, ecclesial and public that are requisite to a life of pastoral leadership. A The program shall provide for spiritual, academic, and vocational counseling, and careful reflection on the role of the minister as leader, guide, and servant of the faith community. A The program shall provide opportunities to assist students in developing commitment to Christian faith and life (e.g., expressions of justice, leadership development, the devotional life, evangelistic witness) in ways consistent with the overall goal and purpose of the school s MDiv program. A Capacity for Ministerial and Public Leadership: The program shall provide theological reflection on and education for the practice of ministry. These activities should cultivate the capacity for leadership in both ecclesial and public contexts. A The program shall provide for courses in the areas of ministry practice and for educational experiences within supervised ministry settings. A The program shall ensure a constructive relationship among courses dealing primarily with the practice of ministry and courses dealing primarily with other subjects. A The program shall provide opportunities for education through supervised experiences in ministry. These experiences should be of sufficient duration and intensity to provide opportunity to gain expertise in the tasks of ministerial leadership within both the congregation and the broader public context, and to reflect on interrelated theological, cultural, and experiential learning. A Qualified persons shall be selected as field supervisors and trained in A14 Association of Theological Schools MDiv Program Standards

33 supervisory methods and the educational expectations of the institution. A The institution shall have established procedures for selection, development, evaluation, and termination of supervised ministry settings. A.3.2 Location A MDiv education has a complex goal: the personal, vocational, spiritual, and academic formation of the student. Because of the importance of a comprehensive community of learning, the MDiv cannot be viewed simply as an accumulation of courses or of individual independent work. In order to ensure an appropriate educational community, at least one year of full-time academic study or its equivalent shall be completed at the main campus of the school awarding the degree or at an extension site of the institution that has been approved for MDiv degree-granting status. A If requirements can be completed in extension centers or by means of distance learning, the institution must be able to demonstrate how the community of learning, education for skills particular to this degree, and formational elements of the program are made available to students. A.3.3 Duration A In order to fulfill the broad educational and formational goals of the MDiv, the program requires a minimum of three academic years of full-time work or its equivalent. A15 Association of Theological Schools MDiv Program Standards