m COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Box 520 Decatur, Georgia 30031 www.CTSnet.edu Nonprofit Organization U.S. postage paid at Decatur, Georgia 30031-0520 Columbia Theological Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275) and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033) to award Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Theology degrees. The regulations, requirements, and general information included in this catalog are official for the 2002-2003 academic year but subject to revision at any time. Printed February 2002 Contents Welcome 1 Statement of Mission 2 History of the Seminary 4 Degree Programs and Admissions 5 Master of Divinity 5 Master of Arts in Theological Studies 12 Master of Theology 15 Doctor of Ministry 17 Doctor of Theology 22 Application Information for International Students 24 Non-Degree Enrollment and Auditors 25 Housing and Financial Information 29 Housing 29 Hospitalization Insurance 30 Financial Aid 30 Scholarships 32 Tuition and Fees 33 Refund Policies 35 Resources and Related Academic Programs 39 John Bulow Campbell Library 39 Columbia Bookstore 40 Related Academic Programs 40 Programs in Other Locations 41 Columbia in Service to the Church and Its Ministry 43 Continuing Education 43 Lay Institute of Faith and Life 43 Faith and the City 44 Center for New Church Development 44 International Theological Education 45 Campbell Scholars 45 Evangelism Emphasis 46 Christian Spirituality Emphasis and Certificate 46 Columbia Colloquium 47 Smyth Lectures 47 Community Life 49 Yearly Schedule 49 Orientation 49 Community Worship and Convocations 49 Student Organizations and Activities 50 Placement 51 Awards and Prizes 52 Graduate Fellowships 54 Prizes, Awards, and Fellowships for 2001 55 Curriculum and Courses 57 Biblical Area Courses 59 Historical-Doctrinal Area Courses 64 Practical Theology Area Courses 70 Interdisciplinary Courses 78 Supervised Ministry Courses 80 Atlanta Theological Association Courses 83 Academic Notes and Policies 87 Faculty 93 Staff 106 Support of Columbia Seminary 109 Board of Trustees ill Students 113 Graduating Class of 2001 113 Academic Scholarship Recipients 115 Doctor of Theology 117 Doctor of Ministry 117 Master of Theology 133 Master of Divinity 135 Master of Arts in Theological Studies 145 Calendar 148 Index 149 / A I i I 11/ Welcome " . . .and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk hum- bly with your God?" (Micah 6: 8, NRSV) m Each fall at Columbia, students enrolled in Old Testament Survey ponder these words from the f~ ***i 1 &*&M prophet Micah. Thev have come here from many W^^jH different places and from a wealth of back- grounds, compelled by their desire to explore the ways in which God is calling them and the ways in which they will respond to a world that needs the life-giving Word. They find on our campus a community of Christ's disciples who are seeking ways to be faithful to the saving love known to us in Jesus Christ. In this rich and nurturing en- I vironment, we engage one another theologically, prophetically, and pastorally; we model shared leadership with those within and beyond the church; and we embrace the global con- text of the church and the world. As a community of people joined in the common work of theological education, our contributions are rich and varied. Our lively faculty members pursue a diversity of research interests while they engage, inform, and encourage students in and out of the classroom. Through their involvement in teaching, preaching, research, and ser- vice beyond the seminary, they contribute to the vital connection between the educational institution and the larger church. Our staff, endowed with a wide range of talents and skills, cheerfully supports faculty and students while administering and maintaining our academic, continuing education, and lay programs; engaging in the business of the seminary; and keeping the institution running smoothly. Our stu- dents, who come to us full of gifts and experiences, flourish in the creative atmosphere of our curriculum and in the warmth of our community. Within these pages, we hope you will discover something exciting about the real people who are teachers and learners at Columbia. We hope you will find something unique about the theological resources we provide for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the ecumenical church, for women and men in ordained and lay ministries with a variety of theological concerns. We invite you to our campus, to this community of theological inquiry and formation for ministry in the service of the Church of which Jesus Christ is the head. We invite you into this place, to join us as we continue to discern the ways in which we are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. Laura S. Mendenhall President Statement of Mission Columbia Theological Seminary is an educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and a community of theological inquiry and formation for ministry in the service of the Church of Jesus Christ. At Columbia, people of faith seek to witness to God's creative power, redemptive action, transforming justice, and reconciling love, in a pluralistic society and interdependent world. We understand Christian faith to include worship of God, faithfulness to Jesus Christ, cultivation of the mind, disciplines of the Christian life, ministries of proclamation, nurture, compassion, and justice, expression of faith through the arts, and participation in the life of the Church. Our special mission in the service of the Church, and especially the Presbyterian Church (USA), is to educate women and men for leadership in ordained and lay ministries; to offer first degree, graduate degree, and continuing education programs; and to provide theological resources for the denomination, for the ecumenical church, and for persons with a variety of theological concerns. Because we are an education institution, our calling is to prepare persons to lead congregations in worship, witness, mission, and service; to pursue learning that joins mind and heart; to develop personal and professional skills for leadership in the church; to learn from the worldwide Church, from education, the arts, politics, economics, and science, and from those outside the centers of power and influence; to consider critically from the perspective of the Christian faith, ideological, technical, and scientific assumptions - including our own - about the human situation. Because we are a confessional community of the Church, we live under the authority of Jesus Christ as witnessed to in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, in the Church throughout the ages, and in the Reformed tradition and its confessions; affirm the worship of God as a vital and central feature of our life together and celebrate the goodness of God in all creation; believe in Christ's lordship over the whole world; articulate an evangelical understanding of life rooted in the rule of God's justice and love; listen with openness to voices of hopelessness and hope around and within us; acknowledge our own brokenness and need for redemption; commit ourselves to diversity and inclusivity, to ecumenicity, and to discerning the ongoing manifestations of God's presence in human affairs; nurture a personal and corporate faith which takes responsibility for our choices amid the political realities, the social institutions, and the global context in which we live. In carrying out our mission, we seek to be faithful to the gospel, and to become a living expression of the Body of Christ in the world. A Brief History of the Seminary From the time of its founding in Lexington, Georgia, in 1828, Columbia Theologi- cal Seminary has been committed to training persons for leadership in the church of Jesus Christ. Throughout its history, Columbia has nurtured, and has been nurtured by, the Presbyterian Church in the South; this connection continues to be a cherished tradition. While Columbia now enjoys an outstanding national and international reputation, it also faithfully upholds its historic covenants with the Synods of Living Waters and South Atlantic. In 1830, Columbia, South Carolina became the first permanent location of the seminary. The school became popularly known as Columbia Theological Seminary, and the name was formally accepted in 1925. The decade of the 1920's saw a shift in population throughout the Southeast. At- lanta was becoming a commercial and industrial center and growing rapidly in its cultural and educational opportunities. Between 1925 and 1930, President Richard T. Gillespie provided leadership that led to the development of the present facilities on a fifty-seven-acre tract in Decatur, Georgia. Because the early years in Decatur were difficult, the future of the institution be- came uncertain. Columbia, however, experienced substantial growth under the lead- ership of Dr. J. McDowell Richards, who was elected president in 1932 and led the seminary for almost four decades. Following Dr. Richards' retirement in 1971, Dr. C. Benton Kline served five years as Columbia's president. In January 1976, Dr. J. Davison Philips assumed the presi- dency; he retired eleven years later. Dr. Douglas W Oldenburg became the seminary's seventh president in January 1987. In August 2000, Dr. Laura S. Mendenhall began her service as Columbia's eighth president. I K '7 : Degree Programs and Admissions Degree Programs Columbia's seal carries the motto, jtoiuEvctg Kai SiSaoKciXoug, the Greek words for pastors and teachers. These words are taken from the letter to the Ephesians: "The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evange- lists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12 NRSV). Since its inception, Co- lumbia has seen its role as training persons for leadership in the ministries of the church by offering courses of study leading to both basic and advanced degrees. The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the first professional degree in theological education. The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.), a basic theological degree, is academic rather than professional in orientation. Advanced degrees include the Master of Theology (Th.M.), the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), and the Doctor of The- ology in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Th.D.). Women and men from all denomina- tions are eligible to apply for any of these degrees. Master of Divinity Introduction The Master of Divinity degree is offered as a basic theological degree for those who seek to serve as the pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers, and other leaders of the church of Jesus Christ. The curriculum offered to M.Div. students emerges from the seminary's identity as a community of memory and hope. The seminary finds its identity as part of the people of God stretching back thousands of years. It thus aims to lead students to a fresh critical appropriation of the Christian tradition for themselves and for the sake of the church they serve. The seminary is also a community that finds its identity in hope, in the promises of God, in the world that God will bring about, and in the opportunities still ahead for the work of the church in the Missio Dei. Consequently, the curriculum also aims to nurture students' hope and engage their imaginations for mission in a church and world in crisis. The Christian ministry needs persons who are possessed with a deep, informed, and personal faith and who are equipped with skills and imagination to lead the people of God in acts of compassion, proclamation, praise, confession, celebration, justice, reconciliation, and healing. Teaching and learning at Columbia exist for the purpose of equipping and forming the people who equip the saints to engage in the work of ministry. Length of Program The M.Div. curriculum is designed so that a full-time student can complete the requirements for the degree in three years. A student's program may be lengthened by a variety of factors, such as participation in internships or taking a reduced load in any given semester. All students must complete their work within six years from the date of matriculation. The Common Core Students in the M.Div. program take twenty-two prescribed course units of the total thirty-one units required to complete the degree. The required elements of the curriculum, called the common core, form the basis for a shared vocabulary and set of experiences for all students as they progress through the programs and into their ministries. These elements include foundational courses in the content and interpre- tation of the Bible, biblical languages, church history, theology and ethics, and the practices of the church and its ministry. One task of the curriculum is to help stu- dents integrate the knowledge they learn in seminary with their own lives in the Christian faith and their understanding of the church as the community of faith. The curriculum addresses this task by incorporating integrative seminars and experien- tial learning into the common core and electives; it seeks to put to good use the rich resources of learning environments such as the congregation and the hospital beyond the traditional academy. In their first fall semester at Columbia, new students take "Baptism and Evangeli- cal Calling," an integrative seminar that poses the questions, "What does it mean to be a Christian?" and "How is one incorporated into the church, the body of Christ?" In the spring semester, students in "The Eucharist and the Church's Mission" exam- ine the nature of the church and its practices and participate in field experiences in actual congregations. In these seminars, students, guided by faculty from a variety of disciplines, look at their own identities, experiences, and traditions, and those of others, through a range of perspectives. Students reflect on the experience of the people of God in diverse settings as they complete the required units of Alternative Context, Supervised Ministry, and pastoral care. Students who are studying for ordi- nation take a required course in polity that addresses the denominational context in which they intend to minister. Integrative Seminars Integrative seminars are offered both as required and elective course units in the curriculum. Called integrative because they are structured to bridge disciplines and gaps between theory and practice, the seminars take three basic forms. Some inte- grative seminars approach a single subject, such as sexuality or suffering, from a variety of perspectives biblical, ethical, pastoral with the aim of understanding the subject from a more fully informed theological viewpoint. Other integrative semi- nars take on a specific task that requires students and faculty to bridge disciplines to answer the task. One such task might be to produce a supplemental worship re- source for a multicultural congregation; to complete this task, seminar members would need to draw on all aspects of theological and ministerial education. Finally, some integrative seminars are organized around the principle of learning in which a group does specific acts of ministry and then engages in disciplined reflection on the prac- tices. For example, a group of students and professors might engage in church-based work with mentally ill persons, meet to read, compare their experiences, support and challenge one another, and reflect theologically on their findings. The Elective System The elective portion of the M.Div. curriculum is important, for it is here that per- sons preparing for the ministry take responsibility for their vocations as practical theologians. The elective elements of the curriculum allow students to prepare for specialized vocations, to adapt the Columbia education to the needs of service in a particular denomination, to follow interests created by prior coursework or life ex- perience, and to work through the meaning of the Christian faith in specific contexts. Columbia takes the interests and experiences of its students, and the diversity of ministries in which they will serve, seriously by making room for a large number of electives in its curriculum. Students are required to take nine elective units com- posed of courses and integrative seminars. In the elective courses and integrative seminars, students must carefully exercise choice in order to prepare for a lifetime of ministry. A holistic ministry requires min- isters of personal integrity and faith, who are well equipped in a variety of disci- plines, approaches, and skills, and who relate them to social and church contexts. Different electives make different contributions to the formation of students as ministers. In addition to a title, each of the elective units in the curriculum carries designations that signify the dominant pedagogical objectives met by the course. These objectives and their respective designations are as follows: Knowledge of Tradition {K} Electives with this designation aim to increase students' knowledge of the Chris- tian tradition and its significant conversation partners by means of their texts, patterns of thought, and /or practices. Experiencing God's People in Context {C} Electives with this designation place students in a community of God's people so that they may study how that community celebrates and lives its faith. Spiritual Formation {SF} Electives with this designation provide a context within which students may grow in Christian faith, discipline, and leadership to equip others in ecclesial piety. Clarifying Personal Beliefs {CB} Electives with this designation enable students to examine, articulate, and pro- fess their faith. Theological Reflection {T} Electives with this designation equip students to interpret contemporary life in light of the gospel. Missional Leadership {ML} Electives with this designation prepare students to guide Christian communities in worship, ministry, and mission and develop students' ability to reflect criti- cally on their work. Those who are equipped for Christian leadership must possess ethical and reli- gious integrity and the intellectual skills for critical and constructive leadership in both the church and social contexts. The pedagogical objectives and their designa- tions serve to guide students in the process of seeking balance in their preparation to be leaders in the church. In the total of their elective units (seminars, courses, and practicums), students should include selections from each of the six pedagogical objectives for ministry. Because many course offerings meet multiple objectives, stu- dents should note that this requirement does not impose unrealistic limits on their choice of electives. Advising In theological education, students find that it is important to integrate their stud- ies and experiences in their own lives. Faculty members aid this process of integra- tion and formation by serving as advisors, assisting students in their course selections each semester. As a result of conversation with their advisors, students make course selections that take into account areas of past experience, identified weaknesses, and the assessments of teachers and ministry supervisors. Early in the first year of stud- ies, students undergo an individual supervised ministry assessment with the Direc- tor of Supervised Ministry. The director makes a recommendation to the student and advisor about the student's contextual learning about ministry. The Calendar and Unit System Academic work for the M.Div. is offered in two long semesters in the fall and spring. The calendar also includes a January intensive term and a summer term designed for Greek language school and supervised ministry experiences. Each long semester consists of six weeks of classes, a midterm reading /exam week, another six weeks of classes, and a final reading /exam week. The reading /exam weeks enable students to complete the work for half-term courses and to finish reading assign- ments for courses that continue through the semester. Courses, practicums, and seminars that meet all semester for three hours a week are assigned one unit of credit. Those meeting for three hours a week for half the term are given one half unit of credit. The half-term courses allow students to take more subjects in a given term without increasing the number of classes they will carry simultaneously. Because of the time commitment involved, Greek School and Supervised Ministry 210 each earn two units of credit. Students may take up to a maximum of four units in any long semester. Visual Representation of the Curriculum The representation below is a calendar of courses for students who are able to complete the M.Div. in three years. Specific course prerequisites are listed with the course descriptions. Students are required to take twenty-two required course units and nine elective course units. The elective designations in the representation indi- cate times when electives may be taken. Year Summer Fall January Spring Essentials of Greek Old Testament Survey Elective New Testament Survey (2 units) New Testament Exegesis Worship and Preaching One Baptism and Evangelical Calling Elective Scripture Reading Practicum The Eucharist and the Church's Mission Church History Supervised Ministry: Essentials of Hebrew Alternative Old Testament Congregation Christian Theology I Context Exegesis Two (2 units) Pastoral Care or Elective Elective Christian Theology II Polity Pastoral Care or Elective Optional: Clinical Christian Education Elective American Religion and Pastoral Education Ethics or Elective Cultural History (1/2 unit) Three (2 units) Elective World Christianity (1/2 unit) or Advanced Elective Final Things Supervised Ethics or Elective Ministry Elective Mid-course Assessment A student's admission to candidacy for the degree emerges from the Mid-course Assessment and must be approved by the faculty. The Mid-course Assessment is a major review of the student's potential for ministry that occurs after the student has completed most of the common core coursework and the supervised ministry expe- rience. This assessment is usually scheduled in the spring term of the second year for full-time students. Students receive detailed guidelines for the assessment process well in advance, including criteria, data to be considered, composition of the assess- ment committee, intent of the interview, and possible recommendations to the fac- ulty that might ensue. All M.Div. degree students must meet the Mid-course Assessment requirement. In order to be eligible for an assessment, students seeking ordination are required to have an established working relationship with the appropriate ecclesiastical body. At the Mid-course Assessment, questions of personal and professional growth and other issues are addressed; any recommendations or stipulations that arise from the assessment are reviewed by the faculty before they award the M.Div. degree. Requirements for the Master of Divinity Degree To be eligible for graduation with the Master of Divinity degree, students are required to: 1. have on file with the seminary a complete and official transcript of credits show- ing graduation with a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university or college of liberal arts and sciences; a completed health form; stan- dardized test results; 2. be tested for and achieve competency in English writing and speech; test fees, where applicable, are the responsibility of the student; 3. be admitted to degree candidacy through the successful completion of the Mid- course Assessment; 4. satisfactorily complete all the requirements of the degree with a total of thirty- one units; 5. maintain a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.30; 6. pass an approved Bible Content Exam; 7. lead community worship at least once during the senior year; 8. be in residence for at least six long semesters on the Decatur campus (excluding transfer students); an exception to this policy can be granted only by faculty vote on a written request made to the Dean of the Faculty; 9. demonstrate to the faculty that they have sustained a sound moral and religious character in seminary life and give promise of useful service in the ministry or other church vocations; 10. pay all bills to the seminary and give assurance that all open accounts in the community and elsewhere have been satisfied. Students with education loans must agree to make prompt and regular payments. Certified Minister of Christian Education Students in the M.Div. program can take courses that will lead to certification as a minister of Christian education. Students interested in this specialty should see the Dean of the Faculty. The Master of Divinity Degree and Graduate Study for Teaching Students who are committed to the ministry of teaching at the college or graduate level may find the M.Div. program suitable to their preparation for that ministry. Students considering further graduate study are encouraged to explore with the Dean of the Faculty the ways in which their programs can meet the dual demands of edu- cation for service in the church and academy. Further Theological Study Beyond the Master of Divinity Degree Although the Master of Divinity program does not equip students with every- thing they will need to know for effective and faithful ministry, students are equipped with initial, essential tools to enable them to begin the practice of ministry. Because the search for faithful answers to the challenges of the Christian life today requires an ethic of learning for the faith, many graduates return to this and other places of group learning for regular additional study. Further knowledge, additional insight into the life of faith, and strengthened practice for faithful leadership result when graduates engage in regular, disciplined theological study at various stages in their ministries. 10 Admission to the Master of Divinity Program Persons seeking admission to the Master of Divinity program may obtain an ap- plication from the Office of Admissions. To be considered for admission, prospective students are required to: 1. have completed a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, at a university or college accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies; applicants with degrees from educational institutions not accredited by one of the six agencies must furnish test scores from the Graduate Record Examinations Gen- eral Test with their applications. Applicants without a bachelor's degree are not eligible to enter the M.Div. program at the seminary except by special ac- tion of the faculty. When requested to do so by presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) or other denominations, Columbia may accept applicants with- out a university or college degree for a special course of study; 2. furnish a) a completed application form, b) supplemental forms, c) transcripts, d) references on forms produced by Columbia, and e) a letter of endorsement from one's home church; test scores from the Graduate Record Examinations General Test are not required but may be requested in some circumstances; 3. complete an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee; this in- terview is best done on campus. Students in good standing in other accredited seminaries may be admitted after transcripts have been evaluated and their applications approved by the Admissions Committee. Such students must secure a letter from their academic dean indicating that they are students in good standing. Students in the M.Div. degree program may receive no more than fifteen units credit for work completed at another Association of Theological Schools (ATS) accredited seminary completed within the past five years. Transfer credit will only be given for courses passed with a grade of B or higher. The determination of whether or not courses taken at other institutions may receive credit is made by the Academic Affairs Office, which also determines whether the credits will fulfill either required or elective units. Ordinarily, no correspondence courses will be considered for transfer credit. All U.S. applicants (citizens or with permanent resident visas) for whom English is a second language must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before admission and enrollment for credit can be attained. Those seeking admis- sion must score at least 220 (new format) or 550 (old format). Applicants who score close to this level may take courses for credit for one semester but must retake the exam and attain the required score before further work may be undertaken. Interna- tional students (persons who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents) are ordi- narily accepted only for graduate work beyond the M.Div. level. Students admitted to Columbia will be given an application for seminary hous- ing and a health form to be filled out by a physician. Students who enroll in the M.Div. program are encouraged to have a reading knowledge of Greek prior to matriculation or to begin their studies with the Summer Greek School. 11 Master of Arts in Theological Studies The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is a two-year flexible degree program that provides theological studies for persons who are exploring career options, pre- paring for doctoral studies, church leadership positions, or specialized forms of lay ministry. The M.A.T.S. program is also for those persons who are investigating the relationships between a profession and theological issues or faith and the modern world. While this program is not designed to prepare persons for the practice of ordained ministry, it may be useful for those ministers who serve in traditions that do not require a degree in divinity for ordination, but who nevertheless wish to de- velop their formal knowledge of theology. Components of the Program Students must earn a total of sixteen units with a 2.30 GPA, including a one-unit research /constructive Independent Study in the major. In the first year of studies, students must enroll in the M.A.T.S. Seminar, take at least one basic course in three of the five fields of specialization, take an additional course in two of the five fields, and take a minimum of five courses in the chosen field of specialization and three courses in a cognate field. Other course requirements may be established by the area in which the specialization falls. No more than three Practical Theology Area courses may be counted as electives in the degree program. Students who do not earn a minimum grade point average of 2.30 upon comple- tion of five units will be placed on academic probation. Those students who do not attain the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.30 after eight units will be dropped from the program. At least three of the five basic courses must be completed within the first eight units. After they have earned eight units with a 2.30 GPA, M.A.T.S., students consult with the director of the M.A.T.S. program and then select one of the following five fields of specialization: Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Church History, Ethics. The director assigns to the student a faculty adviser from the area of special- ization. The adviser consults with the student in the selection of courses and the required Independent Study in the specialization. Students who choose the Old Tes- tament or New Testament specialization must be proficient in Hebrew or Greek. Students must successfully complete the one-unit independent study in the field of specialization. Ordinarily, the adviser is the faculty member with whom this in- dependent study is done. The independent study requires a major research paper and provides students with the opportunity to explore in depth a critical issue in the field and to bring analytical and constructive skills to bear on the issue. After the adviser has read the paper, the student and the adviser meet to discuss it. 12 Requirements for the Master of Arts in Theological Studies Degree To be eligible for graduation with the M.A.T.S. degree, students are required to: 1. have on file with the seminary a complete and official transcript of credits show- ing graduation with a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited university or college of liberal arts and sciences; a completed health form; and standardized test results; 2. be tested for and achieve competency in English writing skills; 3. satisfactorily complete all the requirements of the degree (including those listed in Components of the Program ); 4. complete all work within five years from the date of matriculation; 5. demonstrate to the faculty that they have sustained a sound moral and religious character in seminary life and give promise of useful service in the ministry or other church vocations; 6. pay all bills to the seminary and give assurance that all open accounts in the com- munity and elsewhere have been satisfied. Students with education loans must agree to make prompt and regular payments. Details of the program are available from the director of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies Program. M.A.T.S. with Certification in Christian Education Students in the M.A.T.S. program can take courses that will lead to certification in Christian education. Students interested in this specialty should see the Dean of the Faculty. Admission to the Master of Arts in Theological Studies Program Persons seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program may obtain an application from the Office of Admissions. To be considered for ad- mission, prospective students are required to: 1. have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, at an accred- ited university or college of arts and sciences; 2. furnish a) a completed application form, b) supplemental forms, c) transcripts, and d) references on forms provided by Columbia; test scores from the Graduate Record Examinations General Test are not required but may be requested in some circumstances; 3. complete an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. This inter- view is best done on campus. A student may transfer no more than five units in the five fields of the program from institutions outside the Atlanta Theological Association or from work completed prior to admission to the program. No transfer credit may be obtained for work done 13 more than thirty-six months before admission. Occasional Students subsequently admitted to the program may receive up to two units of credit for previous work taken in the past thirty-six months. All U.S. students (citizens or with permanent resident visas) for whom English is a second language must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before admission and enrollment for credit can be attained. Those seeking admis- sion must score at least 220 (new format) or 550 (old format). Students who score close to this level may take courses for credit for one semester but must retake the exam and attain the score level before further work may be undertaken. Visiting Columbia Those who are interested in applying for admission to a basic degree program are strongly encouraged to visit the seminary before or during the application process. Prospective students and their spouses may arrange visits that include a tour of the campus, appointments with admissions and financial aid staff, conversations with faculty and students, and class observation. Housing and meals at the seminary are provided during the visit. Arrangements for visiting can be made through the Ad- missions Office by calling 1-888-699-8765. Conferences for Prospective Students Each spring and fall Columbia sponsors a conference on ministry. During these conferences, women and men from any denomination who are exploring their call to ministry are invited to attend classes; meet in faculty homes; talk with students, staff, and faculty; and worship with the seminary community. The conferences are de- signed to provide a retreat atmosphere in which participants can reflect upon ques- tions of call and vocation in addition to gathering specific information about the seminary. All persons who are considering the possibility of a church vocation, whether college students or those currently engaged in other careers, are invited to participate in the conference of their choice. The dates for this year's conferences are November 1-3, 2002, and February 21-23, 2003. For further information, write to the Admissions Office. Advanced Degrees Introduction Columbia offers three programs leading to an advanced degree. They are the Mas- ter of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling. Each of these advanced degrees builds on the work completed in the M.Div. degree. In addition to the resources of the faculty and library on Columbia's campus, advanced degree students are expected to draw upon the resources of the Atlanta area. The Th.D. and D.Min. programs are administered by the Graduate Professional Studies Committee of the Atlanta Theological Association (A.T.A.), which coordi- nates and augments the resources of Columbia, Candler School of Theology of Emory University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Erskine Theological Semi- nary in Due West, South Carolina, and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. Th.M. degree students may also include in their program studies at these seminaries. 14 Resources within the Atlanta community are also available to Columbia's advanced degree students. Accredited programs of clinical pastoral education and pastoral counseling are available in many settings. The Urban Training Organization of At- lanta provides resources in the area of urban problems and urban ministries. Nu- merous national and regional offices of denominational and interdenominational agencies are located in Atlanta. Other educational opportunities are available at Emory University, Georgia State University, and area colleges. Master of Theology The Master of Theology degree program is designed for persons with an M.Div. degree who seek advanced study or specialization in an area of ministry. It is par- ticularly designed for persons engaged in pastoral ministry or preparing to teach or seek a Ph.D. degree. Concentration Th.M. students concentrate in one of the following areas: biblical studies, histori- cal-doctrinal studies, or practical theology studies. Students must take at least twelve course credits in the area of concentration. Within that area they must take at least nine credits, in addition to the six credits for the thesis or research courses, in a cho- sen field (e.g., Old Testament or theology or evangelism). At least six course credits must be earned outside the area of concentration. While students ordinarily earn course credit in 600 or 700 level courses, up to three credits of lower level course work may be counted if students receive prior approval from the thesis committee (if appointed) or the Director of Advanced Stud- ies and the Dean of the Faculty. Components of the Program As a part of their program of study, Th.M. students select and complete either the thesis option or the course option. The thesis option consists of an acceptable thesis, which constitutes six additional credits, and an oral examination given after the thesis has been completed. Students who select the thesis option must submit to the Advanced Degrees Committee for approval a written statement of the topic and proposal for research, together with the names of the faculty members serving on the thesis committee. This statement must be submitted no later than the November meeting of the Advanced Degrees Committee in the academic year in which the student anticipates graduation. The topic and proposal must have been previously approved by the student's thesis com- mittee. February 1 is the deadline for provisional approval of the thesis by the project committee; March 1 is the deadline for final completion of the project. The course option consists of two courses (three credits each) that require a major research paper. A grade of at least 3.00 must be earned in each course. A student who selects the course option must file a Th.M. Research Course Option Form with the Registrar by November 1 of the academic year in which the student anticipates graduation. 15 Requirements for the Master of Theology Degree To be eligible for graduation with the Th.M. degree, students are required to: 1. have on file with the seminary a complete and official transcript of credits show- ing graduation with the M.Div. degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited insti- tution; a completed health form; standardized test results; 2. complete twenty-four semester credits of academic work at the advanced level (courses numbered in the 600's) with grades that average not less than 3.00; this academic work must involve at least fifteen hours taken through regular residen- tial courses at Columbia; 3. select and complete either the thesis option or the course option and all of its requirements (including those listed in Components of the Program); 4. complete all requirements of the program within five years from the time of ma- triculation; 5. demonstrate to the faculty that they have sustained a sound moral and religious character in seminary life and give promise of useful service in the ministry or other church vocations; 6. pay all bills to the seminary and give assurance that all open accounts in the community and elsewhere have been satisfied. Students with education loans must agree to make prompt and regular payments. Students enrolled in the Master of Theology degree program will be assessed an administrative fee of fifty dollars for each half of the year in which they do not regis- ter for credit hours through course work or thesis research. Admission to the Master of Theology Program Persons seeking admission to the Master of Theology program may obtain an application from the Office of Advanced Studies. To be considered for admission, prospective students are required to: 1. have completed the M.Div. degree, or its academic equivalent, at an accredited seminary or divinity school. In certain cases a Master of Arts or a Master of Theo- logical Studies degree in the appropriate area may be accepted as a substitute, but additional preparatory work may be required: ordinarily, a B average in an applicant's college and seminary program is considered a minimum standard for admission. Applicants should have official transcripts of all work since high school sent directly from the institution; 2. have a knowledge of both the Hebrew and Greek languages; applicants whose M.Div. programs did not require these may substitute an approved language for one of the biblical languages. 3. submit three letters of recommendation (on forms provided by Columbia): one academic reference from a seminary or other graduate school professor and two character references from persons who are familiar with the applicant's ministry; 16 4. file the application for the Th.M. degree by May 1 for the following academic year; applications received after May 1 will be considered if space is available; applications from International students must be filed by February 1 for the fol- lowing academic year; 5. indicate to the Director by March 15 whether or not they will accept admission, if they have received notice of admission prior to February 15; applicants who re- ceive notification after February 15 must indicate their decision within thirty days; 6. Begin their course of study only in the fall semester. All U.S. students (citizens or with permanent resident visas) for whom English is a second language must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before admission and enrollment for credit can be attained. Those seeking admis- sion must score at least 220 (new format) or 550 (old format). Students who score close to this level may take courses for credit for one semester but must retake the exam and attain the required score before additional work may be undertaken. International students applying to the Th.M. program must follow the guidelines given under Application Information for International Students. Doctor of Ministry Aims of the Program The Doctor of Ministry degree program is designed for persons now engaged in ministry in the North American or Caribbean settings, who have completed basic theological studies (usually the Master of Divinity degree), and at least three years of full-time service in the practice of ministry after their M.Div. studies. Qualified stu- dents from other countries may, in certain instances, be admitted. The program provides a course of graduate study for ministers of the people of God in the church of Jesus Christ. It requires disciplined reflection upon, and per- haps further specialization within ministry. The program focuses on the critical en- gagement between the biblical, historical, theological, and pastoral disciplines of ministry. By helping people integrate ministerial theory and practice with basic faith commitments, the program strengthens ministers to exercise a critical kind of teach- ing role in the church and to increase their competency and faithfulness in practice. Because the program seeks to help students strengthen a holistic ministry in com- munity, the program is largely generalist in character, involving questions of per- sonal ministerial identity and of the nature of the church and its mission in a postmodern world. A doctoral project requires students to focus this integrated ap- proach in a particular context. In addition to the Church and Ministry program, possibilities for different ap- proaches include Gospel and Culture, Christian Spirituality, Cross-Cultural, Pasto- ral Counseling, and New Church Development. 17 Gospel and Culture Approach Designed by a group of Columbia faculty members, the Gospel and Culture ap- proach asks pastors to engage questions about the mission of the Church in contem- porary culture. Through the Introductory Seminar, the various elective classes, the doctoral practicum, and the doctoral project, students work with a faculty group representing a rich blend of diverse theological and cultural perspectives. Students are challenged to develop their own analyses and directions for the faithful ministry of the church in a context variously described as post-enlightenment, post-modern, post-Christian. In the initial Introductory Seminar, and then in subsequent studies, students and faculty are engaged with the writings and the analyses of sociologists, philosophers, cultural anthropologists, and historians. Participants reflect in some depth upon the concrete manifestations of culture the art and artifacts, the products, technologies, entertainments, institutions, and movements that characterize daily life. They exam- ine the major fault lines within the church about the meaning of Christian faith and the ways Christians read the theological signs of the time. Finally, students are asked to think through their practice of ministry in the light of their studies and to develop a doctoral project that will both strengthen their own ministry and make a critical and constructive contribution to the faith and practice of the church. All classes are taught in intensive two-week courses at the seminary over a three- to four-year period, but students will do most of their studies, their practicum, and project in their own ministry setting in consultation with the faculty. Christian Spirituality Approach Students may choose to undertake a specialization through interdisciplinary stud- ies centered upon the church's theology and practice of Christian spirituality. In this program, which has the same general aims and degree requirements listed previ- ously for other approaches, students explore God's relationship to persons, the com- munity of faith, and the world, including the ethical and social dimensions of spirituality. Through the introductory seminar, the various elective classes, the practicum, and the project, students are enabled to bring their minds to bear more effectively on matters of the heart and to gain resources to foster spiritual renewal not only in the lives of individuals, but also in the life of congregations. Studies and projects are rooted in congregational life. Students study the history of spirituality, the biblical resources in Israel's prayers, and the practices of the New Testament community. Issues of spirituality in a post- enlightenment, post-modern culture, discovery of issues of spirituality for children, and resources for the practices of retreats and small groups for spiritual direction are among the other explorations and research undertaken. Time for worship, commu- nity building, and spiritual retreats are an integral part of the program itself. The Introductory Seminar and most of the classes are taught at the seminary over a three- to four-year period, but students will do most of their further studies, their practicum, and project in their own ministry setting in consultation with the faculty. 18 C? vss-Cultural Approach Students who select the Cross-Cultural approach seek to respond to the urgency of living and ministering in a culturally diverse and religiously plural context. The program fosters critical thinking and helps students develop a theology of cross- cultural understanding that will inform and reform their practice of ministry in the life of congregations. The design of the program is framed under the following cross-cultural perspec- tives: it observes the particularities of cultural and religious groups, and their inter- action among each other; it seeks to facilitate and to encourage the encounter between diverse cultural and religious groups and the multifaceted dominant culture; and it aims to develop a Christian theology and practice of ministry that is informed by diverse cultural and religious dynamics. Pastoral Counseling Approach Students concentrating in pastoral studies may elect the field of pastoral care or a specialization in pastoral counseling. Students who select the specialization in pas- toral counseling must have previously and successfully completed a non-credit year of C.P.E. in an institution accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Educa- tion. The normal curriculum for students in the pastoral counseling specialization in- volves two years of participation in a pastoral counseling practicum at an Atlanta area training center accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. During the time in the practicum, students also take three of the four courses in the Th.D. curriculum and the D.Min. Introductory Seminar on ministry. The supervision provided by the practicum allows students to apply for membership in the Ameri- can Association of Pastoral Counselors. Students may apply the six credits from the practicum to the required credits for academic work. New Church Development Approach This approach, which focuses on the formation of new churches, recruits its stu- dents from the PC(USA) and other denominations. It equips church leaders in the development mission of starting new congregations for the twenty-first century; its particular focus is on equipping present and future ethnically and linguistically di- verse new church development leaders. Administration The D.Min. program operates under the supervision of the Advanced Degrees Committee of the seminary and is administered by a faculty member serving as Di- rector of Advanced Studies. The program cooperates with the other member schools of the Atlanta Theological Association. Students enter the program either through an Introductory Seminar offered at Columbia or through an Introductory Seminar offered in a location outside the At- lanta area. Students may also take courses in other schools of the Atlanta Theological 19 Association. Each fall, a Church and Ministry Introductory Seminar draws faculty and student participants from Columbia and the Interdenominational Theological Center. Advising Each student is guided by an advisory committee consisting of two faculty mem- bers. The primary adviser helps the student develop a plan of study. The primary and secondary advisers comprise the doctoral committee that administers the quali- fying examination, assists the student in developing a project proposal, and evalu- ates the student's written project report. Components of the Program The thirty-six-hour program comprises: An Introductory Seminar (six semester hours), required at the outset of the program. Students take part in an intensive seminar to explore interdiscipli- nary perspectives around contemporary issues of ministry and professional development. In this seminar students begin interdisciplinary integration and clarify an operative theory of ministry to guide their development of a study plan. Elective Courses (eighteen semester hours). The program requires a plan of study involving the integration of three dimensions: the biblical and theologi- cal norms of Christian faith; critical attention to the contemporary human situ- ation; and the practices of ministry and church mission. In consultation with an adviser, each student draws up a course of study to achieve the aims of both the student and the doctoral program. A Doctor of Ministry Practicum (six semester hours), a supervised activity in ministry. This practicum, often done in clinical pastoral education or preach- ing, can also take place in settings as diverse as business, governmental, com- munity, or church agencies where appropriate supervision and learning opportunities with peers are available. In any case, the practicum takes place outside the student's ordinary work situation, providing new perspectives on self, theology, profession, and the needs and challenges of other persons and institutions. A Doctor of Ministry Project Development and Design Workshop (non- credit). Toward the end of the program coursework, each student participates in a project development and design seminar to foster integration and to pre- pare for qualifying examinations and subsequent project proposal develop- ment and writing. A Doctor of Ministry Project (six semester hours). Elements of the course of study converge in the Doctor of Ministry Project. The student must complete a project and a written project report that interprets this project to the seminary community and the larger church. So that the project can be an integrating focus for the entire course of study, students should start thinking about the proposal for the project early in the program. The proposal must be approved 20 by the Advanced Degrees Committee no later than May 1 of the year prior to the anticipated graduation. Students who successfully complete a qualifying examination are permitted to proceed on the project. Ordinarily, students con- duct the project in their usual ministerial setting. February 1 is the deadline for provisional approval of the written draft by the project committee; March 1 is the deadline for final completion of the project. Students normally complete the program within four years. Extensions require the permission of the director and the Advanced Degrees Committee. Requirements for the Doctor of Ministry Degree To be eligible for graduation with the D.Min. degree, students are required to: 1. have on file with the seminary a complete and official transcript of credits show- ing graduation with the M.Div. degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited insti- tution; a completed health form; standardized test results; 2. complete the thirty-six-hour program and all its requirements (including those listed in Components of the Program) with a minimum 3.00 average; all work must be completed within six years of matriculation; 3. demonstrate to the faculty that they have sustained a sound moral and religious character in seminary life and give promise of useful service in the ministry or other church vocations; 4. pay all bills to the seminary and give assurance that all open accounts in the com- munity and elsewhere have been satisfied; students with education loans must agree to make prompt and regular payments. Students enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry degree program will be assessed an administrative fee of fifty dollars for each half of the year in which they do not regis- ter for credit hours through course work, supervised ministry, or doctoral project research work. Admission to the Doctor of Ministry Program Persons seeking admission to the Doctor of Ministry degree program are required to have a M.Div. or an equivalent degree with a superior academic record (a B aver- age or higher) from a school of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (or an equivalent accrediting body outside the United States and Canada). In addition, applicants are required to have completed at least three years of full- time work in ministry with demonstrated superior professional performance; this work must have been completed after the applicant received the M.Div. degree. To be considered for admission to the D.Min. program, applicants are required to supply the Office of Advanced Studies with: 1. an application for admission, including a personal statement; 2. certification of three years of experience in ministry after completion of the M.Div. degree; 21 3. official transcripts of all work completed after high school, sent directly from the appropriate institutions; 4. three letters of recommendation (on forms provided by Columbia): one academic reference from a seminary or other graduate school professor and two character references from persons who are familiar with the applicant's ministry; in some cases, the Director of Advanced Studies may request a personal interview with the applicant. All U.S. students (citizens or with permanent resident visas) for whom English is a second language must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before admission and enrollment for credit can be attained. Those seeking admis- sion must score at least 220 (new format) or 550 (old format). International students who apply to the D.Min. program must follow the guide- lines given under Application Information for International Students. With prior approval of the student's adviser and the Dean of the Faculty, a stu- dent may receive up to six semester hours of transfer credit from another accredited, degree-granting institution. An official transcript of this course work must be for- warded to the Office of Advanced Studies. Each course must be at the graduate level and the grade must be at least a B (3.0 on a scale of 4.0). Students may receive advanced standing credit of up to six semester hours (with the Dean of the Faculty's approval) for clinical or academic work taken before ad- mission into the program, provided the above policies for transfer credit are observed. A course submitted for advanced standing must have been taken no more than five years before entrance into the program. Students may not receive credit for academic work applied toward another degree. For application forms and further information, contact the Office of Advanced Studies. Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling The Doctor of Theology degree is offered through the Atlanta Theological Asso- ciation by Columbia, Candler School of Theology, and the Interdenominational Theo- logical Center. The program of study is conducted under the direction of the Th.D. Committee of the Atlanta Theological Association. The Th.D. Committee has respon- sibility for approving student admission to the program, establishing curriculum offerings, and certifying candidates for the awarding of the degree. Students may register for courses at any of the seminaries within the A.T.A. Aims of the Program The Th.D. prepares ministers to serve as pastoral counselors in a local church or on the staff of a community counseling center; to serve as consultants to other clergy; and to offer training in pastoral care and counseling. The program is designed to prepare persons for the specialized ministry of pastoral counseling at a doctoral level of competence and for membership at the Fellow level in the American Association 22 of Pastoral Counselors. The degree is intended to be comparable to the Ph.D., but it is designed for those whose interest in pastoral counseling is primarily professional and theological. Program of Study The studies included within the program help students gain an advanced under- standing of appropriate theological and theoretical concepts. Students learn under qualified supervision the application of these concepts in pastoral counseling and how to promote professional integration of theory and skills in both pastoral coun- seling and pastoral guidance. In addition, students design and execute a research project appropriate to their own professional practice that gives evidence of their creative ability to contribute to this aspect of pastoral counseling. Course Work and Practicum In carrying out this program, which should not exceed six years, the student must enroll for a minimum of fifty-four semester hours of academic course work includ- ing clinical supervision through the Pastoral Counseling Practicum. Th.D. students who have finished their course work are required to register for ATA499 for every long semester until the degree is awarded. Introductory seminars (three credits per semester: ATA463, ATA471, ATA473, ATA475) are required in the first four semesters of studies. Students ordinarily enter the pastoral counseling practicum when entering the program of studies and con- tinue in the practicum for four consecutive semesters. Students take one of the Quali- fying Examinations, the Performance Exam in the practice of pastoral counseling, after they complete four semesters in the practicum. The clinical setting for supervi- sion is the Pastoral Counseling Service of the Georgia Association for Pastoral Care. Each student admitted to the program has one member of the pastoral counseling faculty as adviser. Qualifying Examinations Upon completion of fifty-four credits with at least a B average, students may ap- ply to take the Comprehensive Examination, which tests competence in both the content and performance of pastoral counseling. Students are examined in the fol- lowing content areas: 1. Personal and Interpersonal Dimensions of Pastoral Counseling Exam 1 Therapeutic relationships and process in relation to personality, de- velopmental theories, psychopathology, and the psychological understanding of religion. Exam 2 Family theory and therapy, related social psychological understand- ings of therapeutic process, and either theory of group process or of consulta- tion and supervision. Exam 3 Pastoral theological methodology, theological anthropology and related theological issues, and the relation of theology to the human sciences. 23 2. Socio-cultural Dimensions of Pastoral Counseling Exam 4 Pastoral counseling as a profession in relation to other professions; its relation to class, race, and gender; its relation to contemporary family, work, and religion; its participation in larger cultural and religious traditions under- stood through such disciplines as cultural anthropology, cultural criticism, and feminist theory 3. Ecclesiological and Ethical Dimension of Pastoral Counseling Exam 5 Pastoral counseling in relation to the history and contemporary theory and practice of pastoral care; theology and ethics of pastoral counseling as a specialized form of the church's ministry Dissertation Following satisfactory performance in the Qualifying Examination, students en- gage in an approved research project and write a dissertation. Admission to the Doctor of Theology in Pastoral Counseling Program- Persons seeking admission to this program must hold the Master of Divinity or equivalent degree with a superior academic record from an accredited institution and must have had post-seminary professional experience in which significant learn- ing and professional promise were evident. In addition, applicants must have sig- nificant experience in ministry (usually three years of full-time employment after completion of the first theological degree) and in clinical pastoral education (usually four consecutive units). To be considered for admission to the Th.D. program, applicants are required to: 1. provide materials for assessment pertaining to their academic record and pro- fessional experience; 2. submit a statement of purpose; 3. supply references and other materials in addition to the application; 4. complete an interview with the inter-seminary admissions committee. The deadline for receipt of all application materials is February 15 of the year for which fall semester admission is requested. Application forms and further general information about the Th.D. program may be obtained from the Director of Th.D. Program or the Director of Advanced Studies. Application Information for International Students Ordinarily, international students (persons who are not U.S. citizens or perma- nent residents) are accepted only for graduate work beyond the M.Div. level. All international students are expected to have the written recommendation of their de- nomination. A statement of the student's plans for future work in the student's home country is also required. 24 Persons from non-English-speaking countries must furnish with the application recent evidence of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 220 (new format) or 550 (old format). Upon admission, and before the visa process can begin, persons must show proof of full financial resources to cover tuition, travel, and living expenses for the entire period of study in the United States. 1-20 and visa documents will not be processed until this completed certificate has been approved. International students are required to carry the school-sponsored hospitalization insurance, which meets the approval of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, for themselves and all accompany- ing family members. No applicant should come to Atlanta until he or she has re- ceived a formal letter of admission to the program from the Admissions Committee. In addition to the above, international students applying to the D. Min. program must meet additional regulations that are available upon request. They include the following: 1. a minimum of sixteen months residency in the Atlanta area (beginning in fall semester) to complete program components through the qualifying examinations and approval of project proposal; 2. letters of approval, with detailed plans for a specific project in ministry, from the student's church authorities; 3. identification of two persons who hold doctoral degrees and are residents in the country in which the applicant ministers; these persons should be familiar with the ministry of the applicant and be willing to serve as members of his or her doctoral committee. This committee advises the applicant regarding a course of study and supervises and evaluates his/her doctoral project. International students coming on special scholarships for a non-degree course of study at Columbia will be evaluated by the International Theological Education Committee for English proficiency to match the nature of their study at Columbia. Students needing additional proficiency in English will be encouraged to take courses in English as a second language in the Atlanta area. All international students should send their applications to the Director of Inter- national Programs. Non-Degree Enrollment and Auditors Students who meet requirements for admission to a basic degree program but do not wish to work toward a degree may be enrolled as Occasional Students to take courses for credit. The Dean of the Faculty must approve their program of study and course selections. They may be admitted by the Dean of the Faculty to take courses of particular interest if prerequisites for each course are satisfied. Occasional Student status must be renewed each academic term. Students for whom English is a second language and who wish to take courses for credit as Occasional Students must score at least 220 (new format) or 550 (old format) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Students may audit courses as Occasional Students without tak- ing the TOEFL. 25 Persons taking courses at Columbia for the purposes of transferring credit back to the school in which they are enrolled in a degree program must complete an applica- tion as an Occasional Student. The application must also include either a letter of good standing from the Dean of the Faculty or an official transcript of work com- pleted at their home institution. It is the responsibility of the student to determine if his or her home institution will accept the credit from Columbia. Regular students, spouses of students, and other members of the community are invited to audit courses with the permission of the instructor and as space is avail- able. Those who wish to audit should register for courses through the Office of the Registrar. Auditors are advised to follow the following procedures: 1. request a class schedule from the Office of the Registrar; 2. select the class to be audited; 3. secure permission from the professor of that class; permission of the professor and available space are required for auditing classes; 4. contact the Office of the Registrar to fill out an Occasional Student application form and a registration form; pending the Dean's approval, registration will be complete. Note: Cost for auditing a course is one-half the cost of regular tuition for a three- credit /one-unit course. Students taking a full-load may audit a class for no charge pending professor's permission. 26 & m i ,** 'V r Housing and Financial Information Housing Columbia's housing is reserved for full-time basic degree students. The Office of Admissions distributes housing application forms to applicants when they are ac- cepted. Students should apply for housing as early as possible following their accep- tance and should direct all inquiries about housing to the Business Office. Housing for Single Students Columbia's two residence halls, Florida Hall and Simons-Law Hall, are designed for single students and contain both single rooms and suites. Although most single rooms are fully furnished, several unfurnished rooms are available in Florida Hall. Single rooms in Florida Hall have private baths, while single rooms in Simons-Law Hall have connecting baths. In both halls, furnished and unfurnished suites consist of two rooms and a private bath. Efficiency apartments in both halls are available to single students if these units have not been assigned to married students. Students who live in single rooms and suites are required to participate in Columbia's standard board plan (eighteen meals per week). Housing for Married Students without Children While married students without children are welcome to live in the residence hall suites, most prefer to reside in the efficiency apartments, which include cooking fa- cilities. Students who reside in efficiencies are not required to participate in the stan- dard board plan. Housing for Students with Children One-to-four-bedroom apartments are available for students with children. Most of these apartments are equipped with washer/dryer hook-ups. Columbia does not provide refrigerators in these apartments. Housing for Students with Special Needs Columbia has a small number of housing units that are accessible to persons with physical limitations. For information about these units, contact the Business Office. Lease Agreement and Payment A student who has entered into a lease agreement for a seminary housing unit for a term, but who has not yet occupied the unit, is responsible for payment in full unless written notice that the unit will not be used is given to the Vice President for Business and Finance at least two weeks before the first day of classes. In that case, no rent will be charged for that term. In other cases, a refund amount may be given upon the initiative of Columbia. 29 Hospitalization Insurance Basic degree students are required to carry some form of hospitalization insur- ance acceptable to the seminary. Students may purchase group insurance offered to the student body, or they may purchase insurance through other sources. Presbyte- rian students who are inquirers or candidates of their presbyteries' Committees on Preparation for Ministry are eligible to participate in the major medical plan of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA). International students and all accompanying family members in the United States on J or F visas enrolled in any program of the seminary are required to carry the school-sponsored hospitalization insurance approved by the Immigration and Natu- ralization Service. Once a student is accepted and confirmation of arrival in the United States is made, the insurance application will be submitted and charged to the student's account. Insurance is renewed on an annual basis and remains in effect as long as the student is enrolled at the seminary. Financial Aid The seminary grants financial aid to eligible full-time basic degree students. Eli- gibility is based upon need as determined by the seminary's financial aid policies. Students applying for financial aid complete Columbia's financial aid application, which provides an estimate of their income and expenses, and a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The difference between a student's income and expenses, as calculated from the established expense norms, constitutes the financial need of the student. After financial need is calculated, financial aid is awarded in the form of work-study and a grant. Students who withdraw from the seminary or become part-time students (2 units or less) during a term forfeit their right to financial aid for the term in which such action is taken. New students who plan to attend Greek School must submit the seminary's fi- nancial aid application form and mail the FAFSA by June 1. New students entering in the fall must submit the financial aid application forms and mail the FAFSA by August 1. Students entering in the winter term or spring semester must apply for financial aid no later than four weeks prior to the first day of classes. Returning students are required to complete and mail the FAFSA by April 22 and return the seminary's financial aid application by April 29. All students should submit applications as early as possible since awards are made as applications are received and are contingent upon the availability of funds. Per- sons interested in more detailed information about the basic degree financial aid program offered by Columbia should contact the Financial Aid Office. A limited amount of financial aid is available for advanced degree students. In- formation on such aid is available in the Advanced Studies Office. 30 Federal Stafford Loan Program The Federal Stafford Loan Program is made available under the Higher Educa- tion Act of 1965 and regulated through federal and state agencies of Departments of Education so as to comply with subsequent amendments governing Title IV monies. This program is designed to provide loans to students enrolled in education beyond high school. Institutions such as Columbia assist students with the application pro- cess by determining the student's eligibility and need for the loan and by certifying the student's satisfactory participation in the course of education for which the mon- ies are borrowed. The loans to students are made primarily by commercial lending institutions. The Stafford Loan Program provides preferable interest rates and de- lays repayment of loans until after the student graduates or terminates the course of studies. An eligible student enrolled at Columbia may seek a loan within the state of Georgia or from a lending institution within the student's legal state of residence. Information pertaining to application procedures and policy regulations for a Stafford Loan at Columbia may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. To maintain eligibility for loans and deferment of prior loans, a student in an eligible degree program must continue to be classified as at least half-time and be making satisfactory academic progress as determined by the seminary's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Copies of this policy are available from the Registrar's Office and the Financial Aid Office. If a recipient of Title IV loan funds does not complete the period of enrollment for which a loan application was certified, or changes enrollment status to less than half-time, and a portion of loan funds was applied to seminary fees (tuition, room, and /or board), in accordance with federal regulations the seminary must return to the Title IV programs within thirty days of the determined date of withdrawal or change in enrollment status the difference between the student's earned and un- earned Title IV loan assistance. A student "earns" Title IV loan funds in direct pro- portion to the length of time enrolled. The student will be billed for any resulting amount owed the seminary. Changes in enrollment status such as dropping a class and changes in financial assistance may also affect loan eligibility. The funds are returned to the Title IV loan programs in the following order: 1. unsubsidized loan program if an unsubsidized loan was certified; 2. subsidized loan program. Veterans Administration Benefits Certification for VA. benefits is handled through the Office of Student Life. 31 Scholarships for Basic Degree Students Columbia Scholarships Qualified women and men planning to attend Columbia are encouraged to apply for a Columbia Scholarship. This scholarship is for persons accepted into the M.Div. program who have exhibited exceptional academic and leadership abilities during their undergraduate studies and in community involvement and church commitments. The Admissions Committee may award up to six Columbia Scholarships for Greek School and the following academic year. The scholarship covers tuition, room, and board at the single student rate. Students may use the Columbia Scholarship for expenses while they are in residence at the seminary as well as for SM210 and 1241. A Columbia Scholarships will be renewed for succeeding years if the recipient main- tains full-time status, retains a 3.60 cumulative grade point average, and continues to show outstanding potential for ministry. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or Canada. A scholarship application and a personal interview are ordinarily required. Application is made through the Office of Admissions and must be re- ceived no later than March 15. Announcement of Columbia Scholarship awards will ordinarily be made by April 15. Recipients who show need over and above a Columbia Scholarship Award may be granted financial aid. Such financial aid will include a work-study assignment. Those applying for Columbia Scholarships will automatically be considered for other scholarships if they are not awarded Columbia Scholarships. Honor Scholarships A number of Honor Scholarships have been established at Columbia for full-time M.Div. students. The Admissions Committee awards several scholarships annually to first year students on the basis of academic achievement, leadership in the church and on campus, and demonstration of outstanding promise for the ordained ministry. An Honor Scholarship covers tuition for Greek School and the following academic year. The scholarship will be renewed for succeeding years if the recipient maintains full-time status, retains a 3.40 cumulative grade point average, and continues to show outstanding potential for ministry. Students may use this scholarship for tuition while they are in residence at the seminary as well as for SM210 and 1241. Application is made through the Office of Admissions. A scholarship application and a personal in- terview are ordinarily required. Applications must be received no later than March 15. Announcement of Honor Scholarship awards will ordinarily be made by April 15. Recipients who show need over and above an Honor Scholarship award may be granted financial aid. Such financial aid will include a work-study assignment. Merit Scholarships A number of Merit Scholarships are given each academic year to full-time M.Div. students. They vary in amount from one thousand dollars to full tuition for the fall, winter, and spring terms. Merit Scholarships for entering students are awarded an- 32 nually by the Admissions Committee on the basis of academic achievement, leader- ship ability, and potential for ministry. These scholarships are not automatically re- newed in succeeding years. Merit Scholarships are also awarded each spring to returning M.Div. students. The Basic Degrees Committee makes the awards based upon the same criteria the Admissions Committee use for entering students. Merit Scholarships may be used for tuition while in residence at the seminary as well as for SM210 and 1241. A recipient who shows need over and above a Merit Scholarship award may be granted financial aid. Such financial aid will include a work-study assignment. Racial/Ethnic Scholarships Eligible full-time basic degree students are awarded Racial /Ethnic Scholarships for the fall, winter, and spring terms. Columbia Friendship Circle Scholarships A number of scholarships are funded annually by the Columbia Friendship Circle. These scholarships are awarded to PC(USA) M.Div. degree students by the Basic Degrees Committee upon nomination by the President and Dean of Students in con- sultation with the Office of Development and Seminary Relations. The following criteria are used in making nominations: The student must be a second or third year student (fourth year if the student has been involved in a year- long internship); have demonstrated both a strong commitment to God's call and diligence in studies at Columbia; be a parent with family responsibilities; and have demonstrated financial need. Recipients who show need over and above the Columbia Friendship Circle Schol- arship may be eligible for additional financial aid. Such financial aid will include a work-study assignment. Tuition, Fees, And Other Charges Effective Summer 2002 Master of Divinity and Master of Arts Degree Candidates Tuition $ 770 Per unit 385 Audit fee per unit 1,540 Essentials of Greek (Summer Greek School) Supervised Ministry Fees $ 770 Per unit Other Fees $ 125 1241 Alternative Context, Atlanta (plus 1 unit course fee) 250 1241 Alternative Context, Other U.S. (plus 1 unit course fee) 550 1241 Alternative Context, International (plus 1 unit course fee) 33 Advanced Degree Candidates and Occasional Students Tuition $ 300 Per credit hour 150 Audit fee per credit hour 1,540 Essentials of Greek (Summer Greek School) Supervised Ministry Fees $ 620 SM610, SM680, SM681, SM682, SM683, SM684, SM685 Other Fees $ 825 ATA401 Seminar on Ministry 415 ATA401e (First Session) 415 ATA401e (Second Session) 825 ATA496 Doctoral Project 125 D.Min. and Th.M. extension fee (first time) 250 D.Min. and Th.M. extension fee (second time) 50 Administrative and library fee (Advanced degree candidates only; does not apply to students enrolled in courses) 20 Thesis binding (per copy) For all students Other Fees $ 30 Application fee 20 Occasional student application fee 50 Late registration fee (does not apply to D.Min. doctoral practicums and doctoral projects or to Th.M. thesis registration) 100 Commencement fee Board $ 626 Essentials of Greek (Summer Greek School) 1,285 Fall or spring term 338 Winter term Housing Residence Halls 383-415 Single room, Summer Greek School 812-873 Single room, fall or spring term 203-218 Single room, winter term 550-605 Suite, Summer Greek School 1125-1232 Suite, fall or spring term 281-308 Suite, winter term 350-393 Efficiency units per month Village Apartments, per month 538-563 4 Bedrooms 492-539 3 Bedrooms 416-492 2 Bedrooms 373 1 Bedroom 34 Payment of Fees Tuition, fees, room, and board must be paid to the Business Office by the deadline set at the beginning of each term. Refund Policies Tuition Subject to the following schedule, students are entitled to refunds when they drop a course or withdraw from school with approval from the seminary. A course is con- sidered dropped or a student is considered to have withdrawn from the seminary at the time the Registrar receives written notice to that effect. A. Fall and spring term classes (full-term): By the end of the: First week 100% Second week 80% Fourth week 50% Sixth week 25% After sixth week 0% B. Classes less than nine weeks and greater than five weeks in duration: By the end of the: Third day of class 100% Second week 50% Third week 25% After third week 0% C. Winter term classes and other classes three to five weeks in duration: By the end of the: Second day of class 100% Fifth day of class 50% After fifth day of class 0% D. Two week classes: By the end of the: First day of class 100% Third day of class 50% After third day of class 0% No refund of course supervision fees or of clinical pastoral education fees will be made. Room and Board A student who has entered into a lease agreement for a seminary housing unit for a term or semester is responsible for payment in full unless written notice that the unit will not be used is given to the Vice President for Business and Finance at least two weeks before the first day of classes. In that case, a 100 percent refund will be 35 made. In other cases, a refund amount may be given upon the initiative of the semi- nary. A minimum charge of one month's rent will be assessed as a penalty for break- ing a lease. A student who otherwise is required to be on the seminary's board plan, but who has a sufficient medical reason for withdrawing from board status, may be granted a full refund if a written request is made to the Vice President for Business and Finance at least one week before the first day of classes. The seminary's Vice President for Business and Finance determines the validity of an exemption from the board plan, in consultation with the seminary's Food Service Director. A student who withdraws or drops out of school must vacate seminary housing and cease using its dining facilities or be held liable for room and board charges beyond his or her last date of attendance. Financial Assistance A student who withdraws from the seminary or becomes a part-time student (2 units or less) forfeits any financial assistance (scholarships and financial aid) pre- viously awarded for the term in which such action occurs. # 36 " i " <' 'ITJ v v * !K %T aJ^'^SExL*, '^ -,\> V :%, 3 S > -, 1 f. | . . 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