Department of Theology and Ministry

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In support of the South College mission, the mission of the Department of Theology and Ministry is to equip ministry leaders for effective leadership in a variety of settings, including the local church or parish, institutional chaplaincy, faith-based non-profit ministry organizations, and specialized fields of ministry such as youth and family ministry, worship ministry, and others. The programs offered are designed to enhance effectiveness through practical theological reflection, personal and spiritual growth, and the development of ministry strategies and skills appropriate to the students’ settings.

South College seeks to contribute to the ministry community through professional involvement and applied intellectual contributions through the programs provided. South College is committed to providing students with practical programs of study and stimulating classroom experiences that integrate real-world applications that lead to the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and applied skills necessary for graduates to succeed in their ministry settings.

While South College is a private and non-sectarian institution, the Department of Theology and Ministry adopts a broad-based Christian perspective for its approach to theology and the practice of ministry. The general theological perspective of the Department and its faculty aligns with the Nicene Creed, which is accepted as authoritative in some manner by nearly all Christian denominations and traditions. Persons of other religions (or none) are welcome to enroll in its degree programs and will not be discriminated against based on their personal beliefs and theological convictions.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND TRANSFER OF CREDIT
All courses for the Doctor of Ministry program must be completed at South College except for those circumstances when a M.Div. or MA degree in biblical, theological, or ministry studies with at least 54 quarter hour credits (36 semester hour credits) from an accepted accredited institution is approved during the admissions process. 

All courses in the Master of Arts in Ministry curriculum are required and must be completed at South College. Transfer credit, experiential learning, and advanced placement from another institution cannot be recognized.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS, STUDENT PROGRESS, AND GRADING
Upon entering a program in the Department of Theology and Ministry, students are encouraged to confer with their Advisor as needed. Students’ academic progress is monitored each quarter to ensure a cumulative GPA of 3.00, or better, with no grade lower than a B in each course. The Department of Theology and Ministry Advisor oversees each student’s academic record for all coursework at the end of each quarter and students not eligible for progression to the next quarter will be notified. If a student voluntarily withdraws from the program, a formal application for re-entry is required and program requirements in effect at that time must be met. A student’s deficiencies that may impact his or her academic standing, which may include warning, probation, or dismissal from the program, are monitored by the Department Advisor.

Categories of Academic Standing for Students are:

• Good Standing: Status of a student who has met academic requirements in a satisfactory manner.
• Warning: Status of a student whose academic performance places him or her in jeopardy of falling below the minimum stated standard grade of B on any course assessment during the quarter.
• Probation: Status of a student whose performance in the program has fallen below the minimum stated standards, or who has exhibited unacceptable professional behavior.
• Dismissal: Action whereby a student will be dismissed from the program due to failure to adhere to academic and program requirements, and/or policies or procedures as specified in the Graduate Program Handbook, South College Student Handbook, and the South College Catalog. The Department Advisor recommends dismissal and forwards the recommendation to the Department Chair.

Professional Behavior: For the purposes of this policy, unacceptable professional behavior shall be defined as inappropriate interpersonal communications (either written or verbal) directed towards South College faculty, staff, or fellow students, or actions and demeanor deemed inappropriate by the Chair of the Department of Theology and Ministry.

The causes of and consequences for receiving a Warning, Probation, or Dismissal are:

Warning
A student who receives a grade of less than a grade of B on any course assignment during the quarter receives a warning that work has not met minimum performance and that dismissal from program is possible if the cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 or if a course grade lower than a B occurs at the end of the quarter.

Probation
A student will be placed on probation if his or her cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 at the end of any quarter will receive notification from the Chair of the Department of Theology and Ministry that he or she is on Probation. If the student fails to raise his or her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 at the end of the next quarter, he or she may be dismissed from the program. If the student raises his or her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 or higher at the end of the next quarter, he or she will be removed from Probation. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 a second time, he or she will be dismissed from the program.

Dismissal
Action whereby a student may be dismissed from the program due to failure to adhere to academic and program requirements, and/or policies or procedures as specified in the Graduate Program Handbook, South College Student Handbook, and the South College Catalog.

• A student has a cumulative GPA of less than 3.00 at the end of any quarter and then fails to raise his or her cumulative GPA to a 3.00 or higher at the end of the next quarter
• A student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 for a second time
• A student’s professional conduct violates the performance standards set forth in the South College Academic Honor Code, the South College Standards of Student Conduct, or for unprofessional behavior or criminal activity.

South College reserves the right to dismiss at any time a student who, in its judgment, is undesirable and whose continued enrollment is detrimental to himself or herself or his or her fellow students or whose presence is disruptive to the learning environment, or the orderly operation of the College.

GRADING
Course instructors determine the final grade in all courses. Grades are based on the requirements of each course, attendance and active participation in online activities, and a final examination. Examples of assignments are written assignments, action research, oral presentations with use of technology, reading assignments, reflective journal entries, development of personal portfolio, and professional development activities. The weight or value of assignments is found on the course syllabus.

Letter Grade Percentage Score Range

A             4.00        90-100%
B             3.00        80-89%
C             2.00        70-79%
D             1.00        60-69%
F             0.00        below 60%

Students must earn a course grade of B, or better, in each graduate course and must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 to remain in the graduate program. Plus and minus grades are not awarded.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In order for a student to graduate from any program offered in the Department of Theology and Ministry, he or she must be in a good academic standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:

• Successfully complete the required quarter credit hours of academic course work.
• Evidence a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for the required coursework.
• Achieve a letter grade of “B” or better in all academic courses.
• Complete all required South College and Program documents in preparation for graduation.
• Honor all professional and financial obligations to South College.

South College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to give South College the right to require withdrawal at any time the college deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by South College as set forth in the South College Student Handbook and/or the South College Catalog.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
South College provides computer and Internet access to staff, faculty, and students while on-campus. Online students are required to secure their own access in their personal environments.  Developing computer skills is critical to the success of students in the program and in practice. Though not a requirement for admission, students are expected to possess computer skills prior to matriculation.  Please see the South College website for information regarding minimum computer requirements.  

Programs

• Ministry, Doctor

• Ministry, Master

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