Advanced Study: Advanced Graduate Certificate Program (non-degree) 

The Advanced Graduate Certificate is particularly appropriate for those in chaplaincy ministry (military, hospital, hospice, college, school,etc.). It is designed to follow the first theological degree (MAR or MDiv), and to enable the candidate to engage in serious study in applied theology. It may be combined with study for either the Master of Sacred Theology or the Doctor of Ministry degrees.

DESCRIPTION

1. The Advanced Graduate Certificate (AGC) is in Applied Theology.
2. The certificate requires completion of 8 STM/DMin level courses in applied theology with a GPA of at least 2.75 in a 4.0 scale.
3. Courses are in such areas as worship/liturgy, preaching, education, ethics, public theology, world religions, administration, evangelism, pastoral care, communication, collegial ministry, church and society, and stewardship. Five to eight such courses are offered annually through one-week "intensives" and distance learning, and are described in the LTSP Graduate School Brochure. Additional courses are offered through semester courses and independent studies (normally limited to one or two per student).

LENGTH

4. Courses may be taken over a six-year period.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

5. AGC or AGC/STM applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited college and either a Master of Divinity degree (generally, 90 semester hours of graduate credit) or a Master of Arts in Religion degree or equivalent (at least 60 semester hours of graduate credit) from a fully accredited seminary or divinity school. For admission to AGC/DMin, applicants must have a Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent from an accredited seminary or divinity school, plus three years of ministry following completion of the Master of Divinity degree. In all cases, the GPA on the MDiv or MAR degrees must be 3.0 or higher.

RELATION TO MASTER OF SACRED THEOLOGY (STM) AND DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DMin) DEGREES

6. Persons may apply either to the AGC and STM programs simultaneously or sequentially, or to the AGC and DMin programs simultaneously or sequentially. If simultaneously enrolled, the student should bear in mind that the maximum length of the STM and of the DMin programs is six years per degree program, which includes the additional degree work, outlined below in point 7. Annual extensions beyond six years require permission of the faculty and payment of an extension fee.
7. A sheet of directions is available to help students consider what is involved in the AGC-STM or AGC-DMin combined program.
8. Only students with a GPA of 3.0 at the conclusion of the AGC are able to continue in the DMin program. Only students with a GPA of 2.75 overall and a GPA of at least 3.0 in five courses are permitted to continue in the STM program (with a major in Applied Theology).

9. Up to four courses toward the AGC may be transferred from other schools that are accredited to offer STM/DMin degrees. Such courses must be completed at the STM, DMin or similar advanced level with a grade of B or higher. (i.e. no MDiv or other basic level courses will be accepted.) Courses completed over 10 years ago will not be able to be applied to the certificate without approval of the faculty.
10. In the case of a student in the combined AGC-DMin program, up to two courses of advanced standing may be granted for supervised study that has not been previously credited towards a degree, and that has been completed at a level of ‘B' or better, provided that the combined credit for transfer and/or advanced standing and/or advanced CPE units does not exceed four courses of credit.
11. No advanced standing is given for students in the AGC or combined AGC-STM program.