2018-19 Graduate Academic Catalog

2018–19 Graduate Academic Catalog Page 27 School of Biblical and Theological Studies Master of Divinity Academic Advising Each student is assigned a faculty advisor by the assistant dean. The faculty advisor offers counsel concerning course scheduling. Students are encouraged to consult their faculty advisor prior to registration, whenever an academic problem is encountered, or when considering any changes in their educational program. Degree-seeking students may review their academic program progression by selecting the Progress Tab option in Student Planning at cedarville.edu/studentplanning . The program director will work with each student individually to construct a uniquely complimentary ministry internship. Course Sequencing The M.Div. program may be completed in as little as three years. Contact your program advisor for information about full-time and part-time completion options. Course Load Assuming that proficiency requirements have been satisfied, a minimum of 98 semester hours is required for graduation. Repeating Courses The general requirements for repeating graduate coursework apply to the M.Div. program. Transfer Credits In addition to the general requirements for the transfer of graduate credits, students may transfer up to 33 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited program into this program if they have earned a grade of “B” or better in each course and have earned the credits within the last 10 years. Any transfer courses must be graduate level, completed with a grade of “B” (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale) or higher, and must be similar in content to courses offered by the School of Biblical and Theological Studies. Courses must have been completed within the past seven years. Transfer credit is not included in the cumulative grade point average. To request transfer credit, send an official transcript directly from the transfer institution to the Office of the Registrar at Cedarville University. Once the official transcript is received, the program director will evaluate the transfer request. The Office of the Registrar will send a notification email when approved transfer credits have been added to the transcript. Ministry Internship A part-time ministry internship serves as the capstone experience for the M.Div. program. This evaluated ministry experience under the direction of a qualified field mentor takes place following a mentorship experience. The requirements include: • Developing a personal philosophy of ministry • Keeping weekly journal to evaluate personal ministry strengths and weaknesses • Reading reaction papers • Teaching observation, planning, experience, and self- evaluation • Forming individual mentor/mentee relationships • Completing leadership development and observation The assistant dean will work alongside students to craft a meaningful internship experience. The field mentors are required to complete a training and equipping session to ensure that course objectives are met and that students have a rich and profitable experience. Graduation Requirements Completion of all listed requirements for a program, including a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 within the given program, is required to be certified for graduation. All requirements for the degree must be completed within five years after matriculation in the program. Walking in Commencement Application for the May commencement ceremony must be received no later than March 15. Graduate students may participate in commencement if all courses have been completed and all that remains is the student’s internship. The diploma will be awarded after the first graduation date which follows the successful completion of the internship. Center for Apologetics and Public Christianity The Center for Biblical Apologetics and Public Christianity at Cedarville University exists to prepare believers to engage culture with the credible news of the Gospel grounded in God’s biblical revelation of Himself. This center will be a visible example of the core mission of the University by offering students resources and opportunities to think deeply and biblically about the role of the Christian in the public square, and the position of the Gospel in the marketplace of ideas. The center also affords another avenue by which a diversity of views can be presented and addressed from a biblical perspective. Center for Biblical Integration The Center of Biblical Integration at Cedarville University promotes biblical integration throughout curriculum, teaching, and research for both the University and the evangelical community. The center strives to be a resource for integrative study, teaching, and service in drawing connections between a biblical and theological foundation, academic disciplines, and topics of life. The center also aids faculty members in their personal integration efforts in their classrooms, academic research, or professional field.