Dr. Gary A. Chapman, Director |
A Ministry of the |
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES FAQ’s
Masters Classes at Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke
Why are these classes offered in Southwest Virginia? In 2006, the Southwest Virginia Christian Leadership Network developed a partnership with The John Leland Center, a Virginia Baptist education partner (more about The Leland Center at http://www.johnlelandcenter.edu ) . The Leland Center is fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools , the premier accrediting body for schools of theology in North America. Part of the vision for the Christian Leadership Network from its beginning in 2004 has been to offer affordable and accessible degree-credit classes here in SW Virginia. Our partnership with The Leland Center allows us to make college-level, certificate classes and Masters-level (seminary), certificate classes available to persons in our region.
Our educational philosophy? The focus of all classes we offer is on preparation for ministry and Christian impact, whether in the local church or in the community and culture. In doing so, we teach from a solidly Biblical perspective. We encourage an “engagement process”, believing ministry preparation is best achieved through open exchange of ideas and interaction between students, instructor, and curriculum. Our aim is to produce “reflective theological practitioners”, able to critically appraise, from a Biblical and theologically-sound perspective, any ideas they encounter while being effective in Kingdom ministry.
Advantages of Leland Partnership
What is the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies? This certificate program is a non-degree, Masters level program permitting students to take 20 credit hours (ten 2-hour courses). The program requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Note: The Masters classes offered in Roanoke do not lead to completion of a Masters degree. You would receive a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, indicating completion of 20 hours of Masters study. Though not a formal degree and even if you never pursue a full degree, the Graduate Certificate provides a strong foundation for ministry and is an impressive item to include on a resume. In addition, the Graduate Certificate allows you to complete a core of Masters study in Roanoke and can set the stage for pursuit of a full Masters degree.
Who would benefit from the classes? This program is especially suited for:
What is the cost for taking these classes? Tuition for each class is $700 (This is comparable to tuition fees at other seminaries in the region.). If a member of a Baptist General Association of Virginia church and taking the class for credit, students are eligible for a tuition scholarship of $234/class, meaning tuition would be $466 for each 2-hour class.
Students can also audit a course for $350. However, auditing students or those not members of BGAV churches are not eligible for the tuition scholarship. Additional fees include a one-time admissions fee of $25. Students taking classes for credit are assessed a student activity fee of $35 each semester. This fee covers administrative costs to register a student for classes, maintain grade records, and provide transcripts. A student auditing a class does not pay the student activity fee.
When do classes begin? Fall semester classes begin in late August and spring semester classes begin in late January. Classes meet 2 hours/week for 15 weeks. One week each semester is set aside for reading days/spring break and classes do not meet that week. We are open to offering daytime and evening classes as well as occasional “intensives”, depending on preferences and needs of students in the program.
What courses are offered? Courses to be offered (each course offers 2 academic credits):
Introduction to Theological Studies
Philosophy for Theology
Global Church History
Christian Ethics
Old Testament I and II
New Testament I and II
Spiritual Formation
Global Perspectives on Ministry and Mission or Christianity and Culture or Any other introductory course
Beginning with the fall 2009 semester, our intent is to offer two Masters classes each semester and one intensive class each year. This would allow students to complete their certificate in two years.
Who will be class instructors? All instructors for Masters classes are required to have a Ph.D and sufficient educational background in the course area they teach.
Does Leland have articulation agreements with other institutions? For students who wish to pursue a terminal Master’s degree, credits from the Graduate Certificate can be applied to the Master of Divinity, the Masters of Arts in Christian Leadership, or Master of Theological Study programs at The John Leland Center. Those terminal degrees do have some residency requirements, meaning you would have to take some classes in Arlington. But, Leland is mindful that students can't pull up family and ministry roots to move to Arlington. So, they are "creative" in scheduling classes to avoid disruption of family or ministry (weekends, Friday/Saturday, etc.). Also, Leland is pursuing online Masters classes.
Because the John Leland Center is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, other colleges and seminaries will, normally, accept transfer credits from Leland. Formal articulation agreements are already in place with some institutions and other agreements are being finalized. Check with Dr. Gary A. Chapman, director of the Christian Leadership Network, for more information.
How do I arrange to take classes? Before registering for a class, you must be admitted as a student to The Leland Center. This is necessary whether you take a class for credit or audit. There is a one-time fee of $25 to be included with the admissions form. As you will already be admitted to Leland for future classes, you will not have to pay this fee again. To begin the admissions process, simply contact the Christian Leadership Network, 540.777.3014 or toll-free, 866.223.9344. You can also e-mail the Network at gary.chapman@vbmb.org .
