2007-2008 Academic Catalog

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• George Fox Evangelical Seminary
• Seminary Programs
• Master of Divinity
• Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
• Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership
• Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation
• Doctor of Ministry in Leadership in the Emerging Culture
• Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation
• Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
• Certificate for Partners In Ministry
• Seminary Course Descriptions

Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation

(MA degree)

Purpose

The Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation is a professional degree designed for evangelical Christians who desire a deeper personal walk with Christ; a grounding in Bible, theology, and church history; and the development of ministry skills for helping others become more Christlike in their everyday living. The program provides professional ministry training for lay persons who desire to further their Christian understanding in a formational and academic context.

• Men and women who desire training in biblical and theological studies, in spiritual formation, and in discipleship, and who want a degree
• Spiritual directors who desire to augment their education with a degree program
• Persons who feel called to spiritual-formation ministry in the church or parachurch settings and want a degree program
• Professionals who desire formational experiences and training in an academic environment known for its excellence

Applicants looking toward certification by a denomination or parachurch organization must secure recommendation from the desired institution and fulfill the expected procedures and competencies required for the desired certification. MA in Spiritual Formation is not intended as preparation for pastoral ministry.

Program Objectives

Educational Objectives

To enable students to:

• Mature into God's fullness
• Develop habits of authentic disciplines for thinking and living in Christ's presence
• Gain a critical and constructive understanding of the biblical and theological foundations of the Christian tradition
• Define, implement, and assess spiritual-formation processes in individuals and groups in a variety of social and cultural settings
• Be trained as spiritual guides in the Christian tradition

Professional Objectives

To enable students to:

• Be equipped for lay leadership and teaching in the ministry specialization of spiritual formation

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the MA in Spiritual Formantion program must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university†, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

• George Fox Evangelical Seminary application form and application fee
• Submit one official transcript from each college/university attended
• Résumé
• Personal mission statement and statement of faith
• Three letters of reference (as specified in admissions materials)
• A group interview (by invitation only)

†Applicants who do not hold a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university may apply to the university but will be required to submit additional documentation to be considered for admission.

Transfer Credit

Transfer of up to 21 hours credit is allowed toward the MA in Spiritual Formation program from accredited graduate schools. Students must have earned a grade of B- or better for a course to be considered for transfer. In addition, only courses taken elsewhere within 10 years of the date of matriculation to the MA in Spiritual Formation program will be considered for transfer. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the registrar's office for information on eligibility of transfer credit.

Residence Requirements

Of the 42 hours required for the MA in Spiritual Formation program, a minimum of 21 hours must be taken in resident study at George Fox University. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Course Requirements

The MA in Spiritual Formation program is generally two to three years in length with 42 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation. Of the total hours required for the degree, 15 are in biblical and theological foundations courses, 12 in Christian or pastoral ministries courses, 15 spiritual formation hours.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with the MA in spiritual formation degree students must:

• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 42 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Be admitted to candidacy for the degree
• Be recommended by the seminary faculty for graduation from George Fox University.

Curriculum Plan

Seminary Course Descriptions