The Curriculum

Students enrolled in Emmanuel School of Religion have graduated from liberal arts colleges, universities, and Bible colleges. Some enter directly from undergraduate programs, while others have acquired many years of experience in various professions since their college days. Therefore, the degree programs of Emmanuel, while consisting of a common core of requirements, are individually tailored to the needs of each student as much as possible.

At the time of admission, each student is assigned a faculty advisor whose function is to guide the student in planning his or her academic program each term and to be available as a special counselor in the whole process of maturing for ministry through the seminary experience. The student should remain in close contact with his or her advisor. The faculty advisor is ready to help obtain assistance from other professional resource persons should this be needed. Individual growth is significantly assisted by a general review of each student’s progress by the whole faculty at least twice within the program, and an oral examination by a faculty committee at the end of the program.

The Master of Divinity Degree

The Master of Divinity is considered the standard program of ministerial education and is formally required for ordination by many churches. This degree aims at providing a breadth of education in all the areas of theological learning, with special focus on the practice of pastoral ministry.

The student who completes this program should, presupposing the general educational goals stated in this catalog, be able to:

1. Understand and interpret Scripture and the Christian tradition in relation to the ministry of the church.
2. Articulate a theology of ministry consistent with the nature of the church and appropriate to his or her specific goal(s).
3. Communicate clearly and appropriately through preaching, teaching, writing, and/or other forms applicable to his or her specific vocation.
4. Design and implement forms of ministry appropriate to particular circumstances.
5. Function with appropriate ministerial ethics.
6. Assess people and situations accurately and sympathetically to provide ministerial leadership in such activities as counseling, preaching, worship, teaching, program planning, and administration.
7. Establish a lifelong learning plan to increase understanding and effectiveness.
8. Articulate convictions persuasively, but with tolerance, humility, and a spirit of cooperation in relations with other religious traditions.

The Master of Divinity Degree requires the satisfactory completion of 90 semester hours of graduate course work, including a senior project, distributed according to the requirements set forth below:

1. Twelve semester hours in the Old Testament area, including OT 5150 and 5160 or the equivalent.
2. Twelve semester hours in the New Testament area, including NT 5150 and 5160 and NT 7100 or the equivalent.
3. Twelve semester hours in the Church History area, including CH 5010 and 5020 or the equivalent.
4. Twelve semester hours in the Christian Doctrine area, including CD 5150 and 5160 or the equivalent.
5. Twelve semester hours in the Christian Ministries area, including CM 5010 or the equivalent. The other three courses must be taken from three different fields within the CM Area.
6. Six semester hours in Supervised Ministerial Experience (Modules I, II, and III), including CMF 5010 and 5020 and CMF 7050 and 7060.
7. CD/CMM 5030 (3 semester hours), which may be counted toward either the Christian Doctrine or the Christian Ministries requirement.
8. Twelve semester hours of Greek (Elementary and Intermediate) and 6 semester hours of Hebrew, or the equivalent. Students who have already met all or part of their language requirements before enrolling in Emmanuel may use these hours as free electives.
9. A senior project, for 3 semester hours of credit.
10. The additional hours necessary to complete 90 semester hours.

Special Master of Divinity Tracks

Although the standard M.Div. program is recommended for most students preparing for ministerial service, four special options are available to qualified students.

With Concentration

In some cases, students may be permitted to distribute the hours required for the Master of Divinity degree in such a way as to allow them to concentrate more in one area of study than would otherwise be possible. The educational goals remain the same as for the standard M.Div.

Admission to this program is by petition to the faculty, and requires the following:

• Evidence (ordinarily transcripts) showing that the student has done undergraduate theological study of sufficient quantity and quality to warrant a decrease in the size of the normal M.Div. area core requirements.
• Completion of 30 hours of graduate theological study with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
• Demonstration of the capacity for independent study.
• Recommendation by the student’s academic advisor and the chair of the area of concentration, and approval by the faculty.

This track requires the satisfactory completion of 90 semester hours of graduate study, including a senior project or thesis. The 90 hours shall be distributed as follows:

1. Nine semester hours in the Old Testament area, including OT 5150 and 5160 or the equivalent.
2. Nine semester hours in the New Testament area, including NT 5150 and 5160 or the equivalent.
3. Nine semester hours in the Church History area, including CH 5010 and 5020 or the equivalent.
4. Nine semester hours in the Christian Doctrine area, including CD 5150 and 5160 or the equivalent.
5. Nine semester hours in the Christian Ministries area, including one course in three of the five fields.
6. Six semester hours in Supervised Ministerial Experience (Modules I, II, and III), including CMF 5010 and 5020, and CMF 7050 and 7060.
7. CD/CMM 5030 (3 semester hours), which may be counted toward either the Christian Doctrine or the Christian Ministries requirement.
8. Twelve semester hours of Greek (Elementary and Intermediate) and 6 semester hours of Hebrew, or the equivalent. Students who have already met all or part of their language requirements before enrolling in Emmanuel may use these hours as free electives.
9. A senior project, for 3 semester hours of credit.
10. The additional courses and seminars necessary to complete the required total of 90 semester hours.

Christian Care and Counseling

The purpose of this program is to offer students the skills and understandings in Christian Care and Counseling that are grounded in Bible and theology, shaped by the mission of the church, informed by the historic practices of the church, and conversant with the social sciences as they pertain to a ministry of care and counseling. Admission to the program requires the following: declaration at time of admission, or petition to the faculty. The higher GPA averages required in the M.Div. with Concentration do not apply.

In addition to achieving the educational goals stated for the standard M.Div, the student who successfully completes this program should be able to:

• Understand the meaning of Scripture as it relates to the ministry of Christian care and counseling.
• Relate the practices of Christian care and counseling to the essential practices and theological understandings of the church.
• Articulate a philosophy of Christian care and counseling that contributes to the church’s mission.
• Locate the ministry of Christian care and counseling within the history of the church and particularly within the Stone-Campbell tradition.
• Critically appraise the contributions of the social sciences to the practice of Christian care and counseling.
• Assess people and situations accurately with a view to a genuine ministry of Christian care and counseling.
• Implement and administer a ministry of Christian care and counseling within the local congregation.

This track requires the satisfactory completion of 90 semester hours of graduate course work, including a senior project, distributed according to the requirements set forth below:

1. Nine semester hours in the Old Testament area, including OT 5150, 5160, and an exegesis course.
2. Nine semester hours in the New Testament area, including NT 5150, 5160, and an exegesis course.
3. Nine semester hours in the Church History area, including CH 5010 and 5020, and an elective.
4. Nine semester hours in the Christian Doctrine area, including CD 5030, 5150, and 5160.
5. Three semester hours of The Nature of Christian Ministry (CM 5010).
6. Twelve semester hours of Greek (Elementary and Intermediate) and 6 semester hours of Hebrew, or the equivalent. Students who have already met all or part of their language requirements before enrolling in Emmanuel may use these hours as free electives.
7. Concentration:
• CMC 5010, CMC 6040, and CME 5050 (9 hours)
• CMC electives (12 hours)
• Supervised Ministry Experience (Modules I, II, and III), including CMF 5010 and 5020, CMC 7220 and 7230, and CMF 7050 and 7060.
8. A senior project for 3 semester hours of credit.

Christian Education

The purpose of the program is to offer students a professional program in Christian education that is strongly grounded in Bible and theology as well as the ministry of Christian education. Admission to the program requires the following: declaration at time of admission, or petition to the faculty. The higher GPA averages required in the M.Div. with Concentration do not apply.

In addition to achieving the goals for the standard M.Div., the student who successfully completes this program should be able to:

• Understand the meaning of Scripture and the Stone-Campbell tradition as each relates to the ministry of Christian education.
• Articulate an educational mission that is an extension of the mission of the church.
• Teach the Scriptures effectively.
• Function professionally, using sound educational theory.
• Assess people and situations accurately with a view to genuine ministry.
• Function as an effective change agent.
• Enlist commitment from others to the educational mission of the church.
• Equip those who are recruited to the mission of the church to teach effectively.
• Administer a program of Christian education.

The Christian Education track requires the satisfactory completion of 90 semester hours of graduate course work, including a senior project, distributed according to the requirements set forth below:

1. Nine semester hours in the Old Testament area, including OT 5150, 5160, and an exegesis course.
2. Nine semester hours in the New Testament area, including NT 5150, 5160, and an exegesis course.
3. Nine semester hours in the Church History area, including CH 5010 and 5020 and an elective.
4. Nine semester hours in the Christian Doctrine area, including CD 5030, 5150, and 5160.
5. Three semester hours of The Nature of Christian Ministry (CM 5010).
6. Twelve semester hours of Greek (Elementary and Intermediate) and 6 semester hours of Hebrew, or the equivalent. Students who have already met all or part of their language requirements before enrolling in Emmanuel may use these hours as free electives.
7. Concentration:
• Foundations—9 hours including CME 5010 and 5050. The other course may be chosen from CME 5020, 6020, or 7010.
• Administration—CME 6010.
• Age-specific Ministry—9 hours, including CME 6120. The other two courses may be chosen from CME 6070, 6110, 6140, or 7040.
• Formation/Supervised Ministry—CMF 5010, 5020, 6550 and 6560 (or 6850 and 6860), 7050, and 7060.
8. Elective from any area (3 hours).
9. A senior project for 3 semester hours of credit.

Urban Ministry

This degree is intended to provide special preparation for urban ministry by allowing the student to spend either one semester or one academic year in Chicago in an integrated program of classroom study and field experience at the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (one semester) or at the urban church planting program of Lincoln Christian Seminary (one year).

The goals for the standard M.Div. apply to this degree.

Admission to the program as an incoming student is by special application; admission as a current student is by petition to the faculty. The following criteria apply:

1. Evidence (ordinarily transcripts) showing that the student has done undergraduate theological study of sufficient quantity and quality to warrant a reduction in the size of the normal M.Div. area core requirements. Note that, whereas an academically weak student will not usually be admitted to the M.Div. in Urban Ministry, the higher grade point average requirements for the M.Div. with Concentration do not apply to this degree. The GPA requirement is that of the regular M.Div. degree.
2. Demonstration of a genuine interest in urban ministry.
3. Recommendation by the student’s academic advisor and of the Emmanuel School of Religion dean to the appropriate program.

Requirements include the satisfactory completion of 90 semester hours of graduate studies, including completion of the SCUPE program in Chicago or the Lincoln program in Chicago and a senior project. The hours shall be distributed as follows in the Lincoln program:

1. Nine semester hours in the Old Testament area, including OT 5150 and 5160 and an exegesis course, or the equivalents.
2. Nine semester hours in the New Testament area, including NT 5150 and 5160 and an exegesis course, or the equivalents.
3. Nine semester hours in the Church History area, including CH 5010 and 5020 or the equivalent.
4. Nine semester hours in the Christian Doctrine area, including CD 5150 and 5160 and CD 5030, or the equivalents.
5. Six hours in the Christian Ministries area, including CMM 5410 or 5420, CMM 6350 or 6010.
6. SME: CMF 5010, 7060.
7. Up to twenty-seven semester hours in the chosen off-campus program. Preferably, this program will be completed during the Middler year.
8. Twelve semester hours of Greek (elementary and intermediate) and 6 semester hours of Hebrew, or the equivalent. Student who have already met all or part of their language requirements before enrolling in Emmanuel may use these hours as free electives.
9. Senior Project (3 hours).
10. The remaining hours to complete 90 hours of credit.

Other requirements include:

1. Students will complete at least the following courses prior to going to the Chicago center: OT 5150–5160, CD 5150–5160, CH 5010 and 5020, CMM 6350 or 6010, CMF 5010.
2. Students participating in this program will work 15–20 hours per week in a paying job in the community, participate in the Mentored Field Experience program 15–20 hours per week, and live in the city of Chicago within walking distance of the center.
3. Students may choose to spend an additional year at the Chicago center and complete the M.A.U.M. from Lincoln.

Note:

Students who have taken undergraduate courses that closely parallel required courses in the M.Div. curriculum may be exempted from such courses with written certification by the appropriate Area Chair (usually on the basis of a proficiency examination) that the student has indeed already mastered the subject at issue. The Area Chair will report the results of the examination to the Dean. In such cases, the student is expected to take a different course in the same area, according to the recommendation of the area faculty.

For information about the transfer of credits from other graduate institutions, see Admissions. At least the last 24 semester hours of work, including 3 semester hours of Supervised Ministerial Experience and the senior project, shall be completed in the Emmanuel School of Religion curriculum.

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 is required in the curriculum area from which the senior project advisor is appointed, and an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.50 is required for graduation.

The Senior Project

Each M.Div. student must complete a senior project. The student is required to plan the M.Div. program so that the senior project is finished by the completion of 81 hours, counting the hours assigned to the project. The student may select from one of the options listed below for the senior project. The student must make this selection on the degree plan sheet to be submitted for approval by the faculty by the end of the semester in which 60 hours are completed.

1. A Thesis. The student investigates in depth a defined question within one of the theological disciplines. The thesis is not expected to make a completely original contribution to the discipline (as is a doctoral dissertation), but it is expected to demonstrate the ability to frame a significant question, to identify and collect the pertinent materials, critically to evaluate the available data and to make sound judgments about the central question, and to present a coherent written account of the investigation and its conclusions. A formal proposal sufficient to present a definition of the topic, an outline of the expected approach, preliminary bibliography, and expected dates for completion of the thesis must be submitted to the supervisor who will approve it and in turn inform the faculty. The proposal must then be deposited in the Dean’s office. The thesis committee comprised of the supervisor and two other persons will conduct an oral examination. The thesis must be completed with a grade of no less than B. The thesis is required of all students who take the M.Div. with a concentration (except in Christian education, urban ministry, and Christian care and counseling) and carries 3 hours of credit. Other students may choose to do the thesis.
2. An Extended Research Paper. This paper, of at least 30 pages, may be written in a 600 or 700 level class. It must be rewritten as necessary in order for any two faculty members (one being the class instructor) to certify that it represents A–quality work in content, form, and compositional style. The student must declare this option to the professor and on the registration form at the time of enrollment in the class. A meeting of the student and both faculty members will be formally scheduled by the Dean for the purpose of critically discussing the paper. No additional academic credit will be given for this. The student may then enroll in an additional class to meet the hour requirement for the program.
3. A field-based ministry project, carrying 3 semester hours credit, will be completed under the direction of a faculty advisor. This project consists of the design, accomplishment, and evaluation of a program planned for and conducted in a congregation or other ministry setting. A research design must be submitted for approval to the advisor who will then inform the faculty. The design is then deposited in the Dean’s office. The written project, usually not to exceed 30–35 pages, will provide a theological and biblical context for the project and the description of the implementation and outcomes of the project. A minimum grade of B must be earned. A second reader/evaluator will be appointed and an oral exam will be conducted. One of the committee members must be a CM faculty member. Most Christian care and counseling and Christian education M.Div. students will be expected to pursue this option.
4. A written review of approximately 2500–3000 pages of reading pertinent to a significant topic. A faculty supervisor will direct and evaluate the project; he/she will be joined by a second faculty member for an hour-long critical discussion of the completed paper. The review may take one of the following forms: (1) a critical reflection on the content of the reading; (2) an analysis of various methodological approaches represented in the works read; (3) an investigation of a major theme or themes arising from the works read; (4) a bibliographic essay documenting the progress of research on a particular theme; or (5) some combination of the above. The written project must earn a minimum grade of B.

Junior Year (1–30 Semester Hours)

1. Completion of orientation.
2. Successful completion of all required entrance and proficiency examinations; removal of any deficiencies in the undergraduate study program; and completion of any Emmanuel courses recommended by the faculty to the Dean in subjects where educational insufficiencies have been discovered.
3. Enrollment in as many as 30 semester hours of course work as approved by faculty advisor.
4. Formal faculty approval of continuation of studies beyond 30 semester hours on the basis of proficiency examination scores, satisfactory performance in courses taken, and the demonstration of moral character and maturity.

Middler Year (31–60 Semester Hours)

1. Presentation of a proposed degree program to the academic advisor by the end of the eighth week of the semester during which at least 60 semester hours are being completed. The degree program proposal must designate the curriculum area in which the senior project will be completed and the name of the faculty member (of the student’s choice) who has agreed to supervise the senior project. When approved by the academic advisor, the degree program is then submitted by the student to the Dean for approval by the whole faculty.
2. Submission of a written senior project proposal to the designated advisor for approval. The advisor-approved proposal is to be submitted by the student to the Dean before the end of the twelfth week of the semester during which at least 60 semester hours are being completed.
3. Faculty approval of the degree program and acceptance by the Dean of the advisor-approved senior project proposal confer upon the student the official status of degree candidate. (Any subsequent change of senior project advisor or program requires formal petition to the faculty through the Dean.) Faculty approval of the degree program will be based not only on the adequacy of the academic program and the student’s academic performance, but also on the demonstration of moral character and maturity. [At this time, a thesis carrel is assigned.]

Senior Year (61–90 Semester Hours)

1. Completion of the senior project before enrollment in the 82nd hour of the program. This includes first draft, oral examination and deposit of the final draft of the project.
    
   Note:
   If the senior project is completed in the fall semester and if the choice is a thesis, field-based project, or bibliographic essay, the first draft is due the first Fri day of fall classes. The final oral examinations on all projects must be completed by end of the first week in December. The final copy of the project must be deposited in the Dean’s Office and forms completed by the last day of the semester. The same order prevails during the spring semester if the student plans to complete enrollment in the summer or fall terms, i.e., first draft by the first Friday in February, examination completed by the end of the first week in May, and final materials deposited by the last day of the semester.
    
2. Recommendation by the faculty and approval by the Board of Trustees for the bestowal of the degree.
3. Settlement of all accounts with Emmanuel School of Religion as certified by the Business Manager no later than one week preceding Commencement.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the Master of Divinity degrees must be completed within seven years after initial enrollment in Emmanuel School of Religion. The faculty may grant an extension of one year when a degree candidate presents a petition through the Dean; in some cases the faculty may attach conditions to the granting of an extension. The faculty reserves the right to disallow course work originally included in the approved degree program but which has since become more than ten years old. In such cases, the student will be required to enroll in equivalent courses at Emmanuel or other institutions approved by the faculty.

The Master of Arts in Religion Degree

The Master of Arts in Religion is an academic degree for persons interested in pursuing graduate study primarily in one of the theological disciplines, while acquiring minimal introductory exposure to the other areas of classical Christian learning. It is designed to lead to deepened biblical and theological understanding in preparation for further study or for more effective service in the church and in the world while in a “secular” profession. It is not a substitute for the M.Div. as foundational preparation for full-time church ministry. The M.A.R. may not be taken with a major in Christian Ministries.

Presupposing the general educational goals stated in this catalog, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a competency in one of the academic areas sufficient to pursue further graduate study in the area
   and/or
2. Articulate the importance of the general theological curriculum for the practice of a “secular” vocation.

The Master of Arts in Religion degree requires the satisfactory completion of 56 semester hours of graduate study, including a thesis, distributed as follows:

1. Twenty-four semester hours, including a thesis, in one of the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Christian Doctrine (Christian Ministries is not an option.).
2. Twenty semester hours distributed among all four remaining curriculum areas. At least one 3-semester-hour course must be taken in each of these four areas.
3. Twelve semester hours of languages. These will normally be 6 hours of Greek and 6 hours of Hebrew, but another language or languages may be substituted or required by the faculty in the area of concentration. Where language competency is determined on some basis other than graduate study hours, the hours involved can be allocated to other courses.

Note:
Supervised Ministerial Experience courses are not applicable to this degree.

At least the last 24 semester hours of course work, including the thesis, shall be completed in the Emmanuel School of Religion curriculum.

A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation.

The Thesis

The thesis will be an investigation in depth of some topic of interest within the area of concentration, with special emphasis on original, independent research. A thesis advisor to supervise the student’s work in preparing the thesis is appointed from the faculty of the appropriate curriculum area; a second faculty reader to assist in evaluating and approving the finished thesis is also appointed, usually from a different area. After the advisor and reader have approved the final draft of the thesis, the student must successfully pass an oral examination about one and one-half hours in length, conducted by a committee consisting of the thesis advisor as chair, the reader, and at least one other faculty member appointed by the Dean. This examination centers on the thesis but may range more widely over the student’s whole program of study.

After the student has been admitted to Emmanuel School of Religion, the progression of the Master of Arts in Religion degree program shall be as follows:

Junior Year (1–28 Semester Hours)

1. Completion of orientation.
2. Successful completion of all required entrance and proficiency examinations; removal of any deficiencies in the undergraduate study program; and completion of any Emmanuel courses recommended by the faculty to the Dean in areas where educational insufficiencies have been discovered.
3. Enrollment in as many as 28 semester hours of course work as approved by the faculty advisor.
4. Presentation of a proposed degree program to the academic advisor by the end of the eighth week of the semester during which at least 28 semester hours are being completed. The degree program proposal must designate the curriculum area in which the thesis credit will be earned and the name of the faculty member (of the student’s choice) who has agreed to supervise the thesis. When approved by the academic advisor, the degree program is then submitted by the student to the Dean for approval by the whole faculty.
5. Submission of a written thesis proposal to the designated thesis advisor for approval. The advisor-approved proposal is to be submitted by the student to the Dean before the end of the twelfth week of the semester during which at least 28 semester hours are being completed.
6. Faculty approval of the degree program and acceptance by the Dean of the advisor-approved thesis proposal confer upon the student the official status of degree candidate. (Note that any subsequent change of thesis advisor or program requires formal petition to the faculty through the Dean.) Faculty approval of the degree program will be based not only on the adequacy of the academic program and the student’s academic performance, but also on the demonstration of moral character and maturity. (At this time, a thesis carrel is assigned.)

Senior Year (29–56 Semester Hours)

1. Continuation of classes.
2. Presentation to the thesis advisor of the complete first draft of the thesis in acceptable form by the end of the first week of the spring semester of the year during which the student expects to graduate (or the first week of the fall semester if the student wishes to have the oral examination during the fall semester).
3. Completion of the final draft of the thesis as approved by the thesis advisor and reader and submission to the Dean of two copies by Tuesday of the ninth week of the semester.
4. Certification by the thesis committee of the final approval and acceptance of the thesis following satisfactory performance in the oral examination. Oral examinations must be completed by December 1 or May 1, depending on the semester.
5. Recommendation by the faculty and approval by the Board of Trustees for the bestowal of the degree.
6. Deposit of two final copies of the thesis, with the appropriate approval form, in the Dean’s office no later than two weeks prior to Commencement.
7. Settlement of all accounts with Emmanuel School of Religion as certified by the Business Manager no later than one week preceding Commencement.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the degree must be completed within five years after initial enrollment in Emmanuel School of Religion. The faculty may grant an extension of one year upon a degree candidate’s petition through the Dean; in some cases the faculty may attach conditions to the granting of an extension. The faculty reserves the right to disallow course work originally included in the approved degree program but which has since become more than ten years old. In such cases, the student will be required to enroll in equivalent courses at Emmanuel or other institutions approved by the faculty. Students who have completed all course requirements except the thesis must pay a continuation fee each semester until the degree is granted.

Study Toward Both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Religion Degree

Permission to work toward both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Religion degree at Emmanuel School of Religion is granted only by specific approval of the faculty upon petition by the student through the Dean. Work toward the second degree may be undertaken only after such permission has been officially granted.

The following conditions will apply:

• All specific requirements for each degree must be fulfilled
• No more than 30 hours from the Master of Divinity may be applied to the Master of Arts in Religion; no more than 28 hours from the Master of Arts in Religion may be applied to the Master of Divinity
• The same thesis cannot be submitted for both degrees

Student Load

Students who are taking at least 9 semester hours for credit each semester are officially classified as full-time students. No student may enroll in more than 15 semester hours of credit, unless prior faculty approval is granted upon petition through the Dean.

System of Grading

Note:
With the exception of Incomplete, a course grade cannot be changed after it is recorded by the Registrar. However, a course may be repeated, in which case only the higher of the two grades will be used in calculating the grade point average.

Academic Probation

General Requirements

In addition to the other requirements set forth, a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 is required for the Master of Divinity degrees. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the Master of Arts in Religion degree.

Entering M.Div. students must achieve an overall GPA of 2.25, and entering M.A.R. students must achieve an overall GPA of 2.50, by the end of their second consecutive semester of enrollment. (A student who has not formally chosen a degree program will be held to the M.Div. requirement).

In subsequent semesters, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 (M.Div.) or 3.0 (M.A.R.). For the purposes of this requirement, the cumulative GPA will be calculated at the conclusion of the spring semester in each academic year until the degree is granted.

Probation and Suspension

Students who fail to achieve these GPA requirements at the end of their second or subsequent semesters will be placed on academic probation. After being placed on academic probation, they must achieve the required cumulative GPA by the conclusion of the following spring semester. Students who fail to do so will be suspended. Suspension means the withdrawal of permission to enroll in classes for credit and the termination of any status of degree candidacy that may have been previously conferred.

(a) After a minimum of one semester’s suspension, students may petition the faculty for permission to re-enroll. Such permission will normally be granted only if evidence is presented that makes it appear likely that they will be able to achieve and maintain the required cumulative GPA

(b) If students can show extenuating personal circumstances to be the cause of their failing to achieve the GPA needed to lift the probation, they may petition the faculty for a one-semester extension of the probation.

Reading Courses

A reading course may be arranged for an especially capable student of senior standing who wishes to do independent study of a topic that is not available in the regular course offerings of the curriculum. Such a course must be under the immediate direction of a faculty member. The approval process requires that the student obtain a “Request For Reading Course” form from the Dean’s office, on which are to be listed the curriculum area (with the course number 7000), title, number of credit hours, instructor, and a full description of objectives and requirements. This form, signed by the student, the instructor, and the Area Chair, is then submitted to the Curriculum Committee no later than its last stated meeting prior to the beginning of the term in which the course is to be taken. If it endorses the proposal, the Curriculum Committee will secure the necessary approval from the general faculty.

Having been fully approved, a reading course is included in the registration process at the start of the term as part of the student’s regular academic load, and is charged tuition. The course is graded and is subject to all pertinent academic regulations. Only one reading course may be taken in any term, and the faculty will not usually allow more than one or two reading courses in a degree program (except the Master of Divinity with Concentration).

It is emphasized that reading courses are not approved merely to help students even out the totals of their credit hours in an area, or to alleviate inconveniences in the class schedule. Their primary function is to provide opportunity for advanced study in a subject of special interest.

Summer and January Intersession Programs

Emmanuel School of Religion offers a number of special two-week courses during the summer and again during January. These are designed to offer intensive, specialized study opportunities not usually available from the resident faculty in the regular curriculum. These are often taught by specialists from the faculties of other seminaries or universities or by persons of unique competence in some aspect of church ministry or missions. Occasionally these courses involve clinical or practicum elements that take place away from the Emmanuel campus.

Summer courses are also offered at Milligan College, East Tennessee State University, and other area colleges which can be advantageous to those students who need to make up academic deficiencies in their undergraduate work or who wish to supplement their seminary studies.

Related Academic Programs

The Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center

Emmanuel School of Religion holds membership, along with forty-four other seminaries, in the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC), located at Berea College, Berea, Kentucky.

AMERC was founded in order to provide instruction and experience for students preparing for small-town and rural ministry, particularly in the Appalachian region. Through its two educational programs—two three-week summer terms and a three-week winter travel seminar—AMERC offers opportunities to learn about the Appalachian region, its people and history, its culture and religious traditions, and its needs and issues for ministry. The summer program provides a combination of academic coursework and participation in field experience. The winter travel seminar visits various types of Appalachian ministries, alternating between the northern, southern, and central portions of Appalachia, a region covering parts of 13 states and 397 counties.

Students may receive up to six semester hours of academic credit for the summer term and three semester hours for the winter seminar. Scholarship assistance is available. Deadlines for applications and scholarship information are available from the Director of Supervised Ministerial Experience and from the Dean.

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education

Through Emmanuel’s membership in the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, accredited programs of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) are available to students locally and at over 250 hospitals, clinics, correctional and rehabilitation institutions, and other centers. One-half, one, or more accredited units of CPE can be earned.

Two accredited CPE programs are offered in Johnson City. At the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a one-unit CPE program (400 hours of supervised experience) is offered annually on either a summer (June through August) or extended (September through May) schedule. At the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital, one-half (250 hours of supervised experience) and one-unit CPE programs are available.

Middle East Travel Seminar

Emmanuel has joined with Duke University Divinity School, Candler School of Theology, Columbia Theological Seminary, Mercer University, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to participate in an annual three-week study tour to Syria, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Greece. The program, subsidized by a private foundation, is directed by Dr. J. Maxwell Miller, Professor of Old Testament at Emory University, and Dr. Gerald Mattingly of Johnson Bible College. Students are selected annually from each of the schools to join lay persons from the Southeast to participate in the tour.

The program is designed to fulfill several purposes: to provide a tour, under the guidance of a knowledgeable professional, of the region central to the biblical heritage and to international affairs today; to provide opportunities for students from different seminaries to develop a friendly and supportive relationship; and to unite “lay” persons in key positions in business and community affairs with students preparing for ministry.

On the basis of nomination from the faculty, student selections are made from those who have completed at least one year of seminary study and who are not graduating seniors, who have a primary vocational commitment to the pastoral ministry, and who have not before traveled in the Middle East. Participants pay approximately one-third the actual cost of the tour.

One semester hour of credit, in Old Testament, New Testament, or Church History, may be earned for participation, graded Pass/Fail. Eight hundred pages from the reading list supplied by the Seminar leaders must be read. A signed affirmation that this reading has been completed (listing titles) and a typewritten copy of the reflection paper required by the Seminar must be submitted to the Dean by the due date specified by the Seminar leaders. Registration must be completed and tuition paid no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the Seminar.

Overseas Ministries Study Center

Emmanuel is one of thirty schools holding membership in the Overseas Ministries Study Center of New Haven, Connecticut, a residential center providing continuing education in Christian world mission for missionaries on furlough, ministers, professors, and students.

Seminary Student Seminars on World Mission are held at the center each January. Emmanuel’s cosponsorship of these courses enables students to pay registration and tuition fees only half those of nonmember schools.

Arrangements for receiving academic credit may be made through the Dean’s office. Information is available from the Dean or the professor of world mission.

Cross-Registration at Milligan College and East Tennessee State University

Emmanuel has a cooperative arrangement by which students may register through Emmanuel for graduate courses at both Milligan College and East Tennessee State University.

A wide range of programs is available at ETSU that can fruitfully supplement the Emmanuel curriculum. Offerings in counseling, philosophy, education, and modern languages are those most often of interest to Emmanuel students. This relationship makes it possible for Emmanuel students to enroll in ETSU courses at instate tuition rates, which are considerably lower than Emmanuel’s own tuition.

The courses in Milligan College’s Master of Education degree program can also be of benefit to Emmanuel students having a special interest in education. Some students have chosen to earn the M.Ed. (leading to state teacher certification) along with their Emmanuel degree.

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