New and Updated Degree Programs: 1.
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NEW! Master of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership: The Masters of Arts in Public and Pastoral Leadership recognizes the kinds of leaders that are needed for the changing nature of Christian communities and supports persons engaged in various forms of leadership, such as social entrepreneurship, faith-based social services, NGOs, community-based development, mediation services and community-based justice initiatives. For a detailed description of the program and its requirements, please see the MA PPL Program Guidelines on page 54 Master of Arts in Indigenous and Interreligious Studies: Updated guidelines and requirements for the MA IIS degree program were approved by Faculty Council in May 2012. Details about the revised program can be found under the MA IIS Program Guidelines on page 60. Master of Arts in Theological Studies: Faculty Council has passed the following motions: a. That due to the lack of professorial staff, the MATS concentration in Christian Spirituality be removed as an option for study at VST at this time. For details of the MATS program, please see the MATS Program Guidelines on page 56. Master of Theology: Faculty Council has passed the following motions: a. That a Th.M seminar in Research Methodologies be included as part of the Th.M program. As a result, the number of courses required in a student’s area of concentration is reduced to 12 (from 15). b. That due to the lack of professorial staff, the Th.m concentration in Liturgical Studies be removed as an option for study at VST at this time. c. That a Th.M concentration in Hermeneutics be added an as option for study at VST. For details of the Th.M program, please see the Th.M Program Guidelines on page 63.
New Covenant Group Guidelines: One way that VST tends to community life and spiritual formation is participation in a VST Spiritual Covenant Group. All M.Div students are required, and all others invited to participate in such a group. These groups meet at least once per month, and each group will explore and practice one particular spiritual discipline (i.e. Lectio Divina, centering prayer, fasting, the spirituality of song etc.). Below are the policies and procedures for Covenant groups:
All M.Div students are required to demonstrate faithful participation in a VST Covenant Group during a minimum of two (2) terms of study at VST, practicing at least 2 different spiritual disciplines. Students in degree programs other than the M.Div may elect to participate in such groups. A different Covenant Group, facilitated by a member of the VST faculty, will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays, at minimum 4 times per term. The spiritual discipline practiced and the number of times a group will gather will be determined by the faculty facilitator and communicated to students prior to the beginning of each Fall and Spring term. No VST Covenant Groups will be held during Summer Term. VST students will register their intention to join a Covenant Group in any particular term of study with the Registrar at time of registration, who will provide each Covenant Group faculty facilitator with a list of students expected to participate in their group. The faculty facilitator will report back to the Registrar those students who have faithfully attended their group. Although no degree credit is earned for Covenant Group participation, the fulfillment of this requirement will be recorded on the student’s official transcript.
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