New Curriculum Offers Flexibility

By Laura Lehman Amstutz

Eastern Mennonite Seminary faculty have approved a new curriculum, “for such a time (and place) as this.” The curriculum makes major changes to the Master of Divinity degree and minor shifts to the Master of Arts in Church Leadership degree.

The Master of Divinity degree has been decreased from 93 credit hours to 90 credit hours. However, the biggest changes in this degree is a reduction of required core classes and a more flexible “ministry track” arrangement which will allow students to choose electives based on their interests and learning goals.

“We found students asking for more flexibility in the degree programs,” said Sara Wenger Shenk, associate dean of EMS. “This new curriculum gives them the opportunity to explore areas of ministry that are most exciting to them.”

New Curriculum has Four Ministry Tracks

The four tracks for the MDiv are: pastoral ministry (for traditional congregations and emerging church communities), academic, cross-cultural and community mission, and specialized ministries like chaplain, pastoral counselor or spiritual director.

MDiv students will choose one of these four tracks in their first year of seminary. With guidance from advisors, students will choose classes that fit with their specific ministry interests and give them a range of experience in different areas of study.

In addition to these course changes the seminary is expanding its internship requirement. Students in the MDiv will take 9 credit hours of internship/practicum work. Previously the requirement was six hours. The three additional hours, will be focused on mentored ministry in the particular track the student is interested in.

Cross-cultural and Formation Continue

While some things are changing, many of EMS’s distinctive educational traits will remain. There will still be a cross-cultural requirement, and the formation series has been expanded, and altered slightly.

In addition to the changes in the MDiv, the Master of Arts in Church Leadership degree has shifted for more flexibility as well. Rather than concentrations, student will choose classes based on interest and availability in an identified ministry specialization.

For more information on the new curriculum or studying at Eastern Mennonite Seminary contact the office of seminary admission 540-432-4257 or email semadmiss@emu.edu or visit the seminary website and view our newly revised catalog www.emu.edu/seminary/catalog.

posted 05/28/09