GRADUATE PROGRAM

186 - LEARNING OUTCOMES 187 - ADMISSIONS TO MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM 192 - TRANSFER OF CREDITS, ADVANCED STANDING, SHARED CREDITS 196 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 206 - STUDENT LIFE 209 - ACADEMIC POLICIES 220 - DEGREE PROGRAM: COURSE OF STUDY 224 - COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry at Ozark Christian College equips graduate students for effective ministry rooted in Scripture. This degree helps ministry-minded students see their vocation come to fruition. Whether the student has completed a biblical/theological undergraduate degree or a bachelor’s degree in another field, this program prepares the student to serve the kingdom of God.

The Master of Arts program will leverage technology (distance interaction) and proximity (in-person interaction) to create a community unhindered by distance as the conduit for transformational education. Some graduate programs are residential only, which means you must leave your life and ministry to receive the education. Other programs are online only, which means you never experience the physical presence of professors and other students.

We believe there are strengths and weaknesses to both models, which is why our degrees and courses will utilize both technology and proximity to provide a space for transformation, education, and community.

Degrees will be offered using synchronous (zoom, intensive weeks, virtual classes, etc.) and asynchronous elements (discussion posts, assignments, videos, etc.). Students may select each term which interactive option they prefer (e.g., travel or no travel), both of which are enhanced through synchronous learning opportunities with their professor and other students. In addition to the course modalities, the Master of Arts will require students to participate in one of the following (two times each term enrolled): mentoring, life coaching, or spiritual direction.

The Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC.org) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE.org).

Mission of Graduate Programs of Ozark Christian College: To offer advanced education and training in the areas of biblical and professional studies.

Core Commitments of Graduate Programs: Ozark Christian College’s graduate-level program is committed to developing a transformational education community, centered on scripture, spiritual formation, community-building, and ministry.

Ozark Christian College’s legacy is rooted in biblical training, where scripture is our textbook and foundational for all of life. The graduate program preserves and extends this commitment through its emphasis on transformation guided by biblical truths to spiritually-form the individual into an ambassador for Christ who creates, renews, and develops Christian communities that intentionally bridge the gospel to every nation, people, gender, and ethnicity.

Thus, these four commitments are core to the graduate program.

• Scripture: Regardless of the topic taught or the course taken, the graduate program will orient, challenge, and extend the student’s knowledge, understanding, and ability to engage Scripture.

• Spiritual Formation: In order to “love our neighbor” we need to be formed in the image of Christ. Thus, in every course and every interaction, intentional elements of spiritual formation will be inserted to develop and mature each student.

• Community-Building: As Scripture teaches us, the goal of spiritual formation is for the body of Christ. Community-building aspects, then, will be the zenith of educational goals for each degree challenging the students to engage culture, appreciate diversity, and build up the community of people through Christ’s love.

• Ministry: The goal is to take Christ to “every tribe, tongue, people, and nation” (Rev 5:9). Taking the Gospel to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) necessitates the previous three core commitments, so that scriptural principles that shape the individual and community will result in life-giving ministry, translating what Christ did for us into a Spirit-empowered ministry for others.

Learning Goal Graduates will be grounded in Scripture, growing in Christlikeness, practicing cultural discernment, and vocationally prepared for Christian service.

Students grounded in Scripture will know and value the content of the Bible as well as the principles of its study and application. Students will integrate this instruction to form the foundation of a comprehensive and cohesive worldview informing all aspects of life.

Students growing in Christlikeness will develop their personal faith and devotion. They will grow in their knowledge and appreciation of God and will see their lives in relation to his purposes. Furthermore, they will learn principles and strategies that will allow them to continue to grow throughout their lives.

Students practicing cultural discernment will appreciate, interact with, and analyze culture in its various manifestations. Students will be committed to and will love people within their context, regardless of their particular culture setting.

Students vocationally prepared for Christian service will be prepared to enter the workplace. To this end, they will be trained in the foundational principles, the current issues, the effective strategies, and the skills for success in their ministries or professions.

MASTER OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL MINISTRY LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will be able to…

1. Interpret Scripture through interaction with historical analysis and theological inquiry, in order to offer contextual application.

2. Engage in spiritual practices for continued maturity in Christ.

3. Demonstrate cultural agility through appreciation of multicultural and multi-generational contexts.

4. Implement scriptural principles to build Christian community.

The Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry includes three concentrations: 1. Biblical Studies: Learn to study the Bible on the deepest level. For students who want to dive deeper into God’s Word by learning languages and wrestling with scriptural interpretation. Study the Word in a challenging way. This is deep engagement with God’s Word.

2. Strategic Leadership: Become an agile Christian leader in a church or nonprofit. For Christian servants who find themselves in a variety of leadership contexts. Learn to lead through team-building, conflict, organizational threats, and more. This concentration develops strategic, biblical leaders across cultures and generations.

3. Spiritual Formation: Be discipled to disciple others. For students called to disciple others by first learning to be discipled themselves through God’s Word and in partnership with his Spirit. Learn to biblically partner with the Holy Spirit in the inner work in order to do the outer work of healing others in Christ.

ADMISSIONS TO MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM

ENROLLMENT PLANNING When you decide you want to become a student at Ozark Christian College, you may have questions regarding admission requirements and procedures as well as financial considerations including tuition, fees, and financial aid. We hope the material in the following pages will help answer your questions.

ADMISSION Admission to the master’s level program at Ozark Christian College is granted based on the following criteria: 1. An earned baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by a US agency recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the demonstrated educational equivalent of a North American baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). For all non-US/all foreign transcripts, Ozark Christian College partners with a Transcript Evaluation Agency, currently SpanTran, accredited by NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) to evaluate standard equivalencies. 2. Evidence of academic, personal, and spiritual preparation that demonstrates potential for making a contribution to church and society. 3. Evidence of intellectual capacity for graduate-level studies, having developed to a satisfactory degree the ability to think independently, to communicate effectively, and to research adequately.

PROVISIONAL STATUS The Admissions Committee will identify deficiencies and specify how they are to be addressed. Students may be provisionally admitted but restricted as to the number of courses they may take until the requirements are met. No student can apply for degree candidacy while on provisional admittance status. Students must satisfy all conditions of their provisional acceptance by the end of their second term.

Students without an earned baccalaureate degree may be admitted to the Master of Arts program on a probationary status. This rare exception will be based upon the normal considerations for admission, plus years of experience and history of ministerial excellence. The Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, with the assistance of the Admissions Committee, will review these exceptions. History of excellence in ministry is assessed on the basis of a letter of recommendation

from an official representative of the applicant’s church, references from two additional persons acquainted with the applicant’s ministry, and an essay on the applicant’s goals for graduate studies written by the applicant and demonstrating a sound rationale for the exception. These materials must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office along with the application to the program. Students must successfully complete 6 hours of the chosen degree (including concentration) with a 3.0 or better for the probationary status to be removed.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 1. Submit the appropriate online application at my.occ.edu. 2. Write a brief essay, as described in the application material. 3. Request official transcripts from the undergraduate institution where a degree was granted and all graduate institutions attended. 4. Provide two different individuals for references as described in the application.

Only students who have been fully accepted and have completed a Verification of Student Identity (see below) may enroll in classes.

When all necessary application materials have been received and approved by the Graduate Admissions Committee, the student will be notified by phone and/or email. The student should not consider himself/herself accepted and admitted to Ozark Christian College until receiving notification from Ozark Christian College.

Ozark Christian College admits students who meet the admission requirements regardless of race, color, age, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, disability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, or other school-administered programs.

Students must complete the application and be accepted for admission at least one day prior to the Orientation to Graduate Studies gathering.

VERIFICATION OF STUDENT IDENTITY Federal regulations [34 CFR 602.17(g)] require institutions that offer distance education to “have processes in place through which the institution establishes that the student who registers in a distance education or correspondence education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the academic credit.”

Before a student may enroll in graduate courses at Ozark Christian College, the student must satisfy federal regulations for verification of student identity. As a result, Ozark Christian College has instituted the following policies:

1. For all courses, students must access and submit all course work through the campus learning management system (LMS) Canvas or the Ozark Christian College email system through a secure login provided by the college’s technology team, and

2. Complete at least one of the following authentication measures in coordination with the OCC Graduate Studies Department: a. One in-person interaction with OCC Graduate Studies personnel with a government-issued photo ID verification (e.g., orientation, meeting by appointment, etc.), b. One real time interaction online through videoconferencing technology with OCC Graduate Studies personnel with a government-issued photo ID verification, or c. One notarized Verification of Student Identity Form along with a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Ozark Christian College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. In addition to the admissions requirements for transfer students listed above, international students will need:

1. English Proficiency Test If English is not the first language of the applicant’s country of origin, he/ she must present evidence that he/she has sufficient knowledge of the English language to pursue a full course of studies at Ozark Christian College. We accept the following English proficiency tests:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requires a score of at least 550 on the “written exam,” 213 on the “computer-based exam,” or 95-100 on the “internet-based test.” Our TOEFL registration number is 6542.

• Duolingo English Test: Minimum acceptable score is 115. This test can be taken online, on-demand in under an hour for $49. Have your certified results sent to: Ozark Christian College.

2. Transcript Evaluation The prospective student will need to submit their official transcripts/ diplomas to a credential evaluation agency. Ozark Christian College partners with SpanTran to guarantee that the application will receive a discount, and the college receives the evaluation we require.

3. Internet Access and Security International students must have secure, adequate, and consistent internet access for the duration of their enrollment in the master’s program.

NON-DEGREE STUDENTS Students with a baccalaureate degree not planning to pursue a master’s degree may enroll in courses as a non-degree seeking student by following an abbreviated process: • Submit the appropriate online application at my.occ.edu. • Write a brief essay explaining why the student desires to take courses. • Request official transcripts from the undergraduate institution where a degree was granted and all graduate institutions attended. • Submit one personal reference • Approval for the desired course by the Graduate Studies Office is required. • Complete Verification of Student Identity requirements as outlined above.

If a student later decides to enroll as a degree-seeking student the enrollment process must be completed in order to be admitted to the Graduate Studies program.

AUDIT STUDENTS Students with or without a baccalaureate degree can audit a course by providing the institution with general contact information and a statement of desire regarding auditing courses. Not all courses are available for audit based on the learning outcomes of the course and the professor’s discretion. The abbreviated admission process for audits is as follows: • Submit the appropriate online application at my.occ.edu. • Write a brief essay explaining why the student desires to take courses. • Request official transcripts from the undergraduate institution where a degree was granted and all graduate institutions attended. • Submit one personal reference. • Approval for the desired course by the Graduate Studies Office is required. • Complete Verification of Student Identity requirements as outlined above.

ADMISSION OF RETURNING STUDENTS Students not continuously enrolled at Ozark Christian College (i.e., not enrolled for at least one course during the previous 12 months) will need to complete the Application for Readmission before being permitted to register for courses.

Students who have not been enrolled for more than three (3) years will need to contact the Admissions office to reapply.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS, ADVANCED STANDING, SHARED CREDITS

TRANSFER OF CREDITS Current students and applicants who have completed courses at other accredited graduate institutions may receive transfer credit for comparable course offerings in the Master of Arts curriculum. Transfer of credit is not automatic; it is conditional upon approval by the Graduate Studies Office in consultation with the faculty as described below.

According to the established practice in higher education, receipt of credit from other institutions is neither automatic nor obligatory. The receiving institution has the exclusive right to accept or reject credits earned at other institutions.

1. Ozark Christian College will accept credit for equivalent courses for degrees offered at Ozark from other institutions accredited by accrediting organizations recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Administration).

2. Academic transcripts from previous colleges will be evaluated by the Graduate Studies Office. Official transcripts must be sent to the Ozark Christian College Registrar’s Office directly from the college(s) and/or university(ies) previously attended. The transcripts must be official, authentic, signed, and affixed with the school seal. Transcripts may be faxed to the college; however, they will be considered unofficial documents only, pending the official, authenticated, signed, and sealed documents received in the mail or via an electronic transcript services used by the other institution.

3. Determination of equivalency will be made by the Graduate Studies Office in conjunction with the faculty. Students may be asked to submit a course description, course syllabus, and completed assignments to evaluate equivalency of course work.

4. Students must have earned a grade of at least 2.000 on a 4-point scale.

5. Ozark Christian College measures all courses in semester/term credits. Transferred courses that were transcripted using a quarter system will be converted to semester/term credits.

6. Courses completed more than ten years previous may not be accepted unless continued academic capacity can be demonstrated.

7. For students enrolling in master’s degree programs, a maximum of 50% of transfer credits can be accepted toward a master’s degree.

Upon completion of the evaluation of a student’s previous course work, a copy of the Transfer of Credit Form indicating awarded courses will be sent to the student by email.

ADVANCED STANDING The Higher Learning Commission and Association for Biblical Higher Education allows students to apply for advanced standing of up to one-half of the total credits required for a graduate degree program. Advanced Standing is not automatic; it is conditional upon approval by the Graduate Studies Office in consultation with the faculty as described below. Advanced Standing is available to students whose undergraduate cumulative GPA is a 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and the courses being considered received a grade of B or higher. Typically, Advanced Standing is granted where the bachelor’s degree is from an accredited institution with a major or minor in Bible, theology, religion, or a ministry-related field of study. Upon approval from the Graduate Studies Office in consultation with the faculty, such standing may be assigned:

1. Without credit – waiving students from some course requirements without reducing the total number of academic hours required for the degree.

2. With credit – reducing the number of hours required for the degree. [NOTE: Advanced Standing “with credit” is limited to six (6) hours in 36-hour concentrations and is not available for 30-hour concentrations.]

Biblical Languages Advanced Standing for Biblical Languages (with or without credit) will be considered if the requesting student’s undergraduate transcripts demonstrate at least two semesters/terms in the specified language. In addition to the application for Advanced Standing listed below, the student will be required to demonstrate proficiency through an oral or written exam from the professor of the chosen biblical language course. The professor’s recommendation will then be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Office final approval or denial.

Application for Advanced Standing Students must request an Advanced Standing evaluation within the first academic year. Advanced Standing evaluations are not necessarily conducted during the admissions process. Incoming students must have a completed application on file and have received a letter of acceptance before Advanced Standing will be considered. It is the student’s responsibility to request an Advanced Standing evaluation from the Graduate Studies Office. The student must submit the following:

1. A list of courses for which Advanced Standing is being requested.

2. A web link to the undergraduate catalog or hard copy of the course descriptions.

3. Upon request, a syllabus for the course.

4. Upon request, copies of completed assignments.

Upon the completion of the evaluation of a student’s previous course work, a copy of the Advanced Standing form indicating awarded courses will be sent to the student by email.

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

OUR COMMITMENT Ozark Christian College is committed to full compliance with all laws regarding equal opportunity for students with disabilities. Students, the faculty, and the Academics Office all play a role in ensuring that reasonable and appropriate accommodations are provided in a timely and effective manner. The following is an outline of the process followed at OCC when a student requests services or accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

REQUESTING ACCOMMODATION • It is only through a student’s voluntary disclosure of disability and request for accommodation that OCC can support disability needs.

• Students with disabilities who wish to receive accommodations or services must disclose the disability and make a personal request to the Director of Academic Operations. The student meets with the Director of Academic Operations, submits required disability documentation, and formally requests services, including accommodations, a minimum of two (2) weeks before the start of a term. Depending on the nature of the disability more time may be necessary to satisfy the reasonable accommodation.

• A disclosure of disability or request for an accommodation made to a faculty or staff member other than the Director of Academic Operations will not be treated as a request for an accommodation.

• Requests for services or accommodation should be made prior to the start of each term to allow time to review requests and documentation and make proper arrangements. Accommodation arrangements may be compromised or denied if a request is not made in a timely manner. Requests must be renewed each term.

For the complete Students with Disabilities policy, see occ.edu/disabilityservices.

ADMISSION OF THOSE HAVING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THEM OR HAVING A PRISON RECORD All requirements apply. In addition, those with criminal charges against them cannot be admitted until those charges are fully cleared. Those who have a prison record must have been released from prison (not out on bail) for at least one year in order to demonstrate recovery, during which time they must have been actively involved in their church directly under the oversight of the elders and the minister(s) of that church.

ACADEMIC HONESTY IN ADMISSIONS/TRANSFER OF CREDIT Statement of Policy - Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: altering or misusing documents; impersonating, misrepresentation or knowingly providing false information as to one’s identity; or providing false information regarding professional history or accomplishments.

Procedure - Staff, faculty, or students who believe that a student has not adhered to the Academic Honesty Policy will bring the matter to the attention of the Academics Office. In cases where the authenticity of documents submitted by a student is in question, an investigation will be conducted by the Executive Vice President of Academics, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Registrar’s Office, and/or Admissions Office. Should the documents submitted by a student be determined to be fraudulent (such as identification documents, a transcript, diploma, certification, references, etc.), the student will be notified via their official school email and written notice to the student’s last known address by the office that conducted the investigation of the violation and the proposed disciplinary action. If the student acknowledges responsibility, they will enter into an agreement regarding an appropriate sanction.

In response to violations of the Academic Honesty Policy, Ozark Christian College reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions as appropriate to the violation: • Bar the student from enrolling in the college or registering for courses. • Suspend or dismiss the student. If the student is dismissed, the college reserves the right to revoke all credits. If the student has withdrawn or graduated, any credits and/or degrees and certificates/diplomas previously awarded may be revoked and the student will be asked to return the certificate or diploma. • Suspend or terminate all college services previously available to the student. • Retain all tuition and fees paid by the student. • Withhold course grade(s) and/or examination score(s) and official Ozark Christian College transcripts. • Permanently annotate a student’s record to reflect action(s) taken by the college in response to the student’s violation of the Academic Honesty Policy. • Notify educational institutions, licensing or certification boards, employers, or others who have previously received a transcript or similar certification of any action taken by the college. • Prohibit re-enrollment in Ozark Christian College except by appeal. • Take other action as appropriate.

If a student does not acknowledge responsibility or disputes the accusation of the violation of academic dishonesty, the student and appropriate administrator will enter into the following formal process: 1. Student issues formal appeal: Student expresses in writing (a) the situation at hand, (b) the student’s appeal, (c) any evidence to support their position, and (d) sign the document. The student is to submit the appeal to the Executive Vice President of Academics and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies through the school’s email system. 2. If necessary, a hearing before the Graduate Studies Committee may be conducted.

3. The response from the Executive Vice President of Academics, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Studies Committee (if necessary) will be emailed through the school’s email system as well as physically mailed to the student’s physical address on file.

Upon completion of the informal or formal process, students have the right to appeal the decision through the OCC Grievance Policy. The Academics and Registrar’s Office maintain records of all student violations of the Academic Honesty Policy.

Petition for Reinstatement - A student who has been denied services or has been dismissed because of a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy may petition for reinstatement no sooner than two years from the date of the final decision. The petition must be in writing, must present a rationale for reinstatement and should be addressed to the Executive Vice President of Academics, Ozark Christian College, 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801. Students who are subsequently reinstated will be governed by the academic policies in effect at the time of reinstatement. Certificates or degrees previously revoked will not necessarily be reinstated.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAYMENT POLICY Registering for and attending college creates a financial obligation, and that obligation necessitates a plan for fulfilling payment. Upon a student’s registration and the completion of their financial aid file, preliminary charges and preliminary aid can be accessed on the OCC student portal (my.occ.edu).

OCC students have two payment options:

1. Pay in full: complete payment of residential tuition and fees (less anticipated aid) by August 15, 2022, for the fall term, January 15, 2023, for the spring term and May 15, 2023, for the summer term.

2. Enroll in the Payment Plan: OCC offers the opportunity to spread your bill over several interest-free monthly payments. The only cost for this service is an administrative fee of $30 to be assessed each term this payment option is used. The enrollment form is available on the OCC student portal.

PAYMENT DEADLINES

FALL 2022

Payment 1: September 15, 2022 Payment 2: October 15, 2022 Payment 3: November 15, 2022 SPRING 2023

Payment 1: February 15, 2023 Payment 2: March 15, 2023 Payment 3: April 15, 2023 SUMMER 2023 Payment 1: June 1, 2023 Payment 2: July 1, 2023 Payment 3: August 1, 2023

FAILURE TO MEET PAYMENT DEADLINES Failure to fulfill the payment agreement will result in the following:

• A late payment fee of $35 will be assessed each month that payment is more than 7 days past due. • Transcripts will not be released if payment is past due. • Administrative withdrawal from class. • Students are not allowed to attend future terms until student account and bookstore balances are paid in full. For assistance, contact OCC Student Financial Services at 417.626.1216 or finaid@occ.edu.

COUNTING THE COST AT OZARK CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Ozark Christian College wants every prospective student to be given the opportunity to receive a Bible college education. To that end, OCC works with the student in financial planning and will assist in securing financial aid.

Ozark seeks to maintain a high quality of education at the lowest possible cost, and, thanks to many donors who generously support OCC, the student pays only a part of the total cost of education. The charges listed on the following pages are in effect for the 2022-2023 school year.

It is critical that the college teach students wise principles for personal money management. OCC encourages students to keep their lives as free as possible from the burden of debt (Rom 13:8; 2 Thess 3:7-15). It’s also important and right that the college does not waste its resources, sacrificially provided by God’s people, by carelessness in collecting the tuition and fee assessments. Therefore, tuition, fees, room, and meal charges are due and payable according to the payment policy. Financial arrangements are businesslike, and the college insists that students keep all accounts paid up-to-date.

COLLEGE COSTS The following list itemizes the fee schedule for students in a Graduate program, which is in effect for the 2022-2023 school year.

Tuition and other fees are subject to change without notice.

Tuition and course fees per term: Tuition per credit hour Student Services Fee per credit hour $475.00 $60.00

Other fees: Graduation fee $100.00

Late application fee for graduation

$25.00 Independent Study Fee per credit hour $100.00 Thesis and Extended Research Paper Re-Registration Fee $100.00 Field Experience Course Fee per credit approved $50.00 Off-OCC Campus Intensives/Retreats $TBD*

*NOTE: Some intensive courses have substantial fees attached to them. They are not listed here, as they are dependent on changing circumstances, location, rental fees, etc.

ESTIMATED COSTS Below is an estimate of the costs for a graduate student at Ozark Christian College, based on the assumption that the student will be taking 6 credit hours of study in a term.

GRADUATE STUDENT PER TERM Tuition at $475 per credit hour Enrollment/Student Services fee

$2,850.00 $360.00 Books $600.00 Subtotal $3,810.00 Tuition and fees are due and payable according to the payment policy.

ESTIMATED COSTS PER YEAR FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (in U.S. dollars) Tuition, fees, books, and supplies $11,430.00 Living expenses for on academic year (12 months) $16,656.00 One Year Health Insurance Cost (estimated) academic year $1,582.00 Estimated Total $29,668.00

Additional cost to consider:

If both spouses enroll, add per year $3,810.00 If bringing children, add per child per year for living expenses $2,665.00

*All costs are subject to change without notice. Costs may rise 3-5% annually.

NOTE: Ozark Christian College provides neither on- or off-campus housing for graduate students.

OCC REFUND POLICY Refunds of tuition and certain fees may be made upon official withdrawal of any student. Course drop or withdrawal from school before Monday of the third week of the term will receive a 50% refund. There will be no refunds issued beginning the Monday of the third week. Date of withdrawal will be determined by the date the official drop slip was completed in the Registrar’s Office. For Withdrawal from Course Policy, see page 49.

Refunds will be credited to the student’s account. A disbursement will be made to the student when the account has a credit balance.

For students receiving federal student aid (FSA) who withdraw before completing the enrollment period for which they were charged, federal regulations require that a school calculate a Return of Title IV Funds, using the formula set by the Department of Education.

RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS The law specifies how your school must determine the amount of FSA program assistance you earn if you withdraw before completing at least 60% of the term. The amount of assistance you have earned is determined on a prorated basis.

For example, a student who withdraws at the end of the fourth week of a term will have “earned” approximately 30% of their aid (completed four weeks of a 13week term). The remaining 705% must be repaid. If you received (or your school received on your behalf) less assistance than the amount that you earned, you will be eligible to receive those additional funds.

If you received excess funds that must be returned, your school must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of the amount of Title IV funds that the student does not earn or your institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of your funds.

If there are FSA funds to be returned by the school, they must be returned in the following order until the return amount is exhausted. 1. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans 2. Grad PLUS Loans

If OCC is not required to return all of the excess funds, you must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that you must return, you (or your parent for a PLUS loan) repay in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. That is, you make scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period of time.

If you are responsible for returning grant funds, you do not have to return the full amount. Regulations limit the amount a student must repay to the amount by which the overpayment amount exceeds 50% of the total grant funds disbursed or could have been disbursed.

Any amount that you do have to return is a grant overpayment, and you must make arrangements with the Department of Education to return the funds. Eligibility for additional aid is dependent upon the student repaying the grant(s) in full or abiding by a repayment plan.

If a student does not officially withdraw and fails to earn a passing grade in at least one enrolled course during the term, the Student Financial Services Office will verify if the failing grades were earned or were the result of non-attendance. If non-attendance is determined, the “unearned” calculation will be applied based on the last date of a documented academically related activity or the midpoint of the term.

For more information on withdrawal procedures, see Withdrawal from College on page 67.

FINANCIAL AID PHILOSOPHY The fundamental purpose of the financial aid program at Ozark Christian College is to make it possible for students to attend OCC. Based on the belief that higher education should not be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford to purchase it, and that educational opportunities should not be limited by the financial resources of the student and his/her family, the OCC Student Financial Services Office will seek out funds and make them available to prospective and current students so as to meet their demonstrated financial need, without regard to race, creed, national origin, sex, color, handicap, or age.

The Student Financial Services Office will make every effort to meet the demonstrated needs of all students in an ethical manner, to the extent funding will permit. We recognize that the primary responsibility for financing post-secondary education rests with the student. Financial assistance from OCC and other sources is intended only as supplementary to the student contribution.

The confidentiality of student records will be respected. Information will be released only with the written consent of the student and/or his/her family, and all policies and procedures will protect the student’s right to privacy.

All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the beginning step in generating any financial aid at OCC.

FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID Ozark Christian College receives no federal monies given directly to the college for use in general funds. However, students at OCC are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance. Students who are in default on a federal student loan or have a grant repayment outstanding will not be eligible for federal financial aid. Federal aid will not be applied to a student’s account until enrollment eligibility and satisfactory academic progress (explained later in this section) have been verified.

STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS Loans are to help students meet their financial need to obtain a college education after exploring all scholarships, grants, church assistance, and job possibilities. Borrowing is much easier than repayment, so borrow wisely!

Graduate students may be eligible to receive aid from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans – Eligible students may borrow up to $20,500 per school year.

• Direct PLUS Loans – Eligible graduate students who need to borrow more than the maximum unsubsidized loan amounts to meet their education costs may apply for a PLUS loan. A credit check will be completed during the application process.

Maximum amount per academic year is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received. The aggregate (lifetime) amount allowed $138,500 (includes undergraduate loan amounts borrowed).

DISBURSEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID

All federal funds are sent to the school electronically. Funds are received and applied to the student accounts weekly, beginning the third week of classes each term. Award amounts will be disbursed based on the number of enrolled credits at the end of the add period (approximately one week of class) each term. Award amounts may change if a student does not begin attendance in all courses enrolled. No funds will be disbursed until all requested student documents are on file in the Student Financial Services Office and Admissions Office.

NOTE: The awarding of all financial aid is contingent upon the college’s receipt of funds from its various sources. To receive these funds, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined. All financial aid programs are subject to review each year by the college and the federal government.

VETERANS’ EDUCATION BENEFITS For those veterans who are eligible for VA Education Benefits, for proper application procedures contact the Student Financial Aid Advisor at finaid@occ.edu.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION BENEFITS Students who have a physical disability may qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits. Questions concerning eligibility should be directed to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in the student’s home state.

OZARK CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID The following scholarships have limited availability. The scholarship application deadline is March 1 for Fall Term and November 1 for Spring/Summer Term.

Matthew 9:38 Scholarship The Matthew 9:38 Scholarship is designed to recruit students who desire to be trained for biblical leadership at the graduate level at Ozark Christian College.

Value: 40% of tuition for up to four years.

Selection Criteria: Admissions to OCC Graduate Studies. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following considerations: financial need, undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.5, ministry and life experience, scholarship application, essay, and video.

Revelation 7:9 Diversity and International Scholarship The Revelation 7:9 Diversity and International Scholarship is designed to recruit students who desire to be trained for biblical leadership at the graduate level at Ozark Christian College and come from an underrepresented ethnicity or from another country.

Value: 40% of tuition for up to four years.

Selection Criteria: Admissions to OCC Graduate Studies. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following considerations: financial need, undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0, ministry and life experience, scholarship application, essay, and video.

2 Timothy 2:2 Scholarship The 2 Timothy 2:2 Scholarship is designed to recruit students who desire to be trained for biblical leadership at the graduate level at Ozark Christian College.

Value: 25% of tuition for up to four years. The scholarship will be applied upon enrollment.

Selection Criteria: Admissions to OCC Graduate Studies. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following considerations: financial need, undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0, ministry and life experience, scholarship application, essay, and video.

Austin Scholarship The Austin Scholarship is named in honor of Lloyd and Joyce Austin and is designed to recruit students who desire to be trained for biblical leadership at the graduate level at Ozark Christian College.

Value: 10% of tuition for up to four years.

Selection Criteria: Admissions to OCC Graduate Studies. Scholarships will be awarded based on the following considerations: financial need, undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0, ministry and life experience, scholarship application, essay, and video.

Mieir OCC Graduates Scholarship - Automatic and unlimited The Mieir Scholarship is named in honor of William (“Bill”) and Dorothy Mieir and is designed to recruit OCC undergraduate alumni who desire to be trained for biblical leadership on the graduate level at Ozark Christian College.

Value: 10% of tuition for up to four years. Students may also apply for other scholarships. The highest valued scholarship will be awarded.

Selection Criteria: Guaranteed to OCC graduates upon acceptance.

Additional Award Information

• All candidates must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for any scholarship awards. The FAFSA is available after October 1 at fafsa.gov.

• All candidates must complete the Ozark Christian College Graduate Studies Application by the stated deadline for consideration of any scholarship awards.

• All scholarships will be awarded based on available institutional aid unless otherwise stated and before the start of applicable terms (i.e., no midterm awards).

Renewal Requirements All OCC scholarship will be renewed based on the following: • Student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA each year • Scholarships are renewed by academic year. If a student loses a scholarship at the end of an academic year, it can be renewed following the completion of the next academic year by reaching a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS FOR FINANCIAL AID RECIPIENTS NOTE: Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension are different. Please see the Registrar’s Office for information about Academic Policies.

Federal regulations require that financial aid recipients make satisfactory academic progress in order to remain eligible for federal and some institutional assistance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, therefore, apply to students receiving financial assistance from such programs as Federal Stafford Loans and OCC Scholarships.

The SAP Policy has two components: qualitative and quantitative. Satisfactory Academic Progress means meeting the requirements for both components as outlined below and being enrolled in an eligible program.

Qualitative requirements: (Grade Point Average – GPA) • Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

Quantitative requirements: (Pace of completion) • A student must have earned 67% of the total hours attempted to be considered eligible for financial aid. For example, if after the fourth term the student has attempted 20 credit hours and has completed only 12 credit hours, the quantitative pace of completion rate is 60%, and the student would be placed on warning even though the student may have had a cumulative GPA of 2.65. • A student must complete a program within an established time frame. Financial aid will be awarded according to the number of the program’s credit hours multiplied by 150%. If the student changes degrees, only the hours that apply to that degree will be included in the calculation for this portion of SAP. For example, the Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry degree with a Concentration in Spiritual Formation requires 36 credit hours; therefore, the student could receive federal aid for up to 54 credit hours.

• A student will lose eligibility for financial aid for all future terms after the term in which the maximum hours allowed are exceeded.

Students’ academic progress (both qualitative and quantitative) will be checked at the end of each term. If a student does not maintain the above standards, the following will apply: 1. The student will be placed on FINANCIAL AID WARNING. Warning means the student will be eligible to receive financial aid, but it also means the student must complete the required percentage of hours with the required GPA by the end of the term on warning. If not, the student will be placed on FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION the following term. 2. FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION means that the student will not be able to receive any financial aid until the student again meets the required completion rate and GPA standards as outlined above.

Appeal Procedure At the time a student is placed on financial aid suspension, the student may appeal the condition in writing to the Director of Student Financial Services. Appeals must be based on unusual circumstances such as long-term illness, death or illness of a family member, etc. The Financial Aid Appeal Committee will review the student’s file, and the student will be notified of the decision.

Letters of appeal must be submitted to the Student Financial Services Office by the date printed on the Suspension Notification Letter, along with any and all appropriate documentation.

Repeated Courses When a course is repeated, only the highest grade will be included in the GPA calculation. However, repeated hours are counted as attempted hours each time you take the course.

Federal regulation allows for the following in determining enrollment status for students that are retaking coursework: • If a student retakes a previously failed course, the repeated course will be included in the student’s Title IV enrollment status and Title IV funds will be available to pay for the repeated course. • If a student retakes a previously passed course, one repetition of the repeated course will be included in the student’s Title IV enrollment status and Title IV funds will be available to pay for the repeated course. • Repeats of a dissertation writing course are not counted as a repeated course and are not subject to repeat restrictions.

Withdrawal from Courses Students withdrawing from a class before the Monday of the third week of the term will be given a “W” (withdrawal), the class will count only as hours attempted.

Courses dropped beginning the Monday of the third week of the term will be given an “F” and will count in GPA and hours attempted.

Incomplete Grades Grades of “I” (Incomplete) will count only as hours attempted. Once an incomplete grade is finalized, the final grade will be factored into the student’s GPA and hours earned (if passing) during the next evaluation.

Transfer Students Academic transcripts from all other colleges attended will be included when evaluating satisfactory academic progress. Transfer credits accepted by OCC will be included when calculating hours attempted and hours earned but not in GPA calculation. The student will be placed on financial aid satisfactory progress or warning based upon the review. If a student’s progress is not satisfactory, the student will be notified.

The policy is printed in the Financial Aid sections of the OCC catalog and website.

STUDENT LIFE

Attending a master’s program that utilizes interactive online elements as well as interactive intensive weeks is a unique and exciting experience for students of all ages, walks of life, and locations around the world. Many of the blessings associated with increased flexibility, though, create new challenges.

Specifically, there is an increased need for self-imposed boundaries on time and space that must be negotiated with family, work, and ministry responsibilities. Intentionally and strategically carving out time and space in one’s schedule is essential for the student to manage all the synchronous (e.g., Zoom, virtual attendance, on-campus attendance, etc.) and asynchronous (e.g., assignments, discussion posts, pre-recorded videos, etc.) elements present in this highly flexible model of learning.

Upon acceptance into the master’s program, new students will receive an OCC email address, access to the student portal (for online billing, financial aid, and informational purposes), access to, and training on, the campus’s learning management system (Canvas). These elements are essential for each course and all modalities of OCC’s master’s program.

In addition, students are required to meet (in-person or virtually) with a mentor, life coach, or spiritual director at least two (2) times per term. OCC’s graduate studies department provides a list of names for each category for the student to choose from to meet with without any additional cost. If the student chooses to meet with someone outside of the provided list of names, all cost is assumed by the student.

While there is a physical separation between the students and the professor (even for extended portions of interactive intensive courses), much learning, mentoring, and community can still exist when students feel immense freedom to interact with everyone in the course—questions, conversations, and discussions are central components to transformational education communities.

Finally, throughout each term, the Graduate Studies Department will work to clearly communicate important dates, program changes, upcoming events, resources, and other bits of information essential to our master’s community. While it takes a campus to meet all the educational and personal needs of a master’s students, the Community Formation Coordinator for Graduate Studies (occmasters@occ.edu) is available to assist students with their concerns. Students are encouraged to ask questions early and often.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES Several special on-campus events throughout the year provide master’s students an opportunity for additional training for themselves and their church members. More information is available on the college’s website.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

NOTE: Additional information can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Library The Seth Wilson Library has over 29,000 square feet on two floors. Named for OCC’s first academic dean, Seth Wilson, the library collection exceeds 100,000 items, including books and audio-visual materials. Additionally, the library houses a special archives section, the Seth Wilson Bible Collection. Library access is 24/7 via phone (417.680.1302), email (library@occ.edu), or online (occ.edu/ library) to renew items, place holds on requested materials, or ask questions. Additionally, students can take advantage of the online databases EBSCOHost and MOBIUS for research needs. These resources provide access to electronic materials and delivery of physical books from OCC to an associated library that may be near the student.

During the school year, the library is open seven days a week and provides research assistance during regular hours. Electronic resources such as the Christian Periodical Index, Academic Search Premier, ATLA Religion Database, and over 450,000 e-books assist patrons in finding electronic periodicals or access to full-text articles. In cooperation with the MOBIUS consortium, over 250,000 electronic resources are housed in the library’s OverDrive collection (mobius.overdrive.com). The library also utilizes JSTOR which provides access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.

Some books and articles are available through MOBIUS (a consortium of over 75 libraries in Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, Colorado, and Texas) and interlibrary loans to students and personnel. MOBIUS libraries provide access to over 30 million titles. The library also offers audio-visual equipment to checkout for school assignments, projects, or ministry needs or to rent for other purposes.

Academic Resource Commons (ARC) The mission of the Academic Resource Commons (ARC) is to help students succeed academically by providing resources, instruction, and peer-tutoring on academic skills, writing, and research; facilitating learning accommodations; and offering test proctoring services for Ozark Christian College students. Graduate-level students can make virtual appointments with tutors to assist with writing and research questions.

Graduate Resource Commons Students have access to helpful links and resources pertinent to the OCC master’s community within Canvas.

Chapel (Livestream) Students also have access to weekly chapel services (livestream) during the Fall and Spring terms through the Ozark Christian College website.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

CREDIT (TERM) HOUR DEFINITION Graduate programs utilize the following structure for terms of instruction:

• 13-week terms populated with instruction and assignments necessary for the content of each course.

• Three (3) terms of 13 weeks per term throughout the academic calendar year: – Fall term – Spring term – Summer term

Course Workload All Ozark Christian College master’s courses contain academic work (e.g., instruction, research, assignments, etc.) that is approximately three (3) workload hours per credit hour per week.

CLASSIFICATION Full-time students are those who are enrolled for at least six credit hours in a fall, spring, or summer term. Part-time students are those enrolled in less than six credit hours in a term.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM Ozark Christian College recognizes the freedom of expression and pursuit of truth as essential to the goals of graduate education. All faculty and students are free to research and explore ideas appropriate to various disciplines and to express ideas and views without fear of reprisal. Within the boundaries of their commitment to the doctrinal statement, mission, and objectives of Ozark Christian College, faculty members are given the right and responsibilities of academic freedom. Faculty and students have freedom of expression in the classroom but should avoid the classroom as a forum for personal agendas not relevant to the discipline or to the outcomes of the course.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY Due to the commitment of training men and women for Christian service and of educational excellence, academic integrity is our natural expectation. Violations of academic integrity and their definitions are as follows:

• Plagiarism: Submitting as part or all of one’s own work material that is copied or paraphrased from another source, including online sources, without the proper acknowledgment of the source. Examples include: failing to cite a reference, failing to use quotation marks where appropriate, or misrepresenting another’s work as your work.

• Cheating: Using unauthorized material or study aids for assistance on examinations or other academic work. Examples include: looking at a peer’s exam, altering a graded exam, or using notes without permission.

• Fabrication: Submitting altered or contrived information in any academic assignment. Examples include: falsifying data, text material, or sources.

• Facilitating academic dishonesty: Helping another student violate this policy. Examples include: allowing one’s work to be copied, working together on an assignment where collaboration is not allowed, or doing work for another student.

Procedure If a faculty member suspects that a violation of Academic Integrity has occurred, the faculty member may discuss the circumstances with the student face-to-face (in-person or via technology) or via email using school email addresses. If a student suspects another student has committed a violation of Academic Integrity, they may notify the appropriate faculty member or the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

If the faculty member concludes there is a violation, the faculty member will notify the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. The faculty member and student in consultation with the Academics Office may agree to handle the issue through an informal process. If the student acknowledges responsibility, they will enter into an agreement with the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and faculty member regarding an appropriate sanction. Descriptions of potential sanctions are provided below.

First Offense: In the first case of dishonesty, the instructor will normally give the student a zero for the assignment or test on which the student has been dishonest. Instructors are free to impose more severe penalties if such penalties are announced in the course syllabus.

Second Offense: A second violation of the integrity policy in the same course or in any other course will result in an F in the course and student will be placed on disciplinary contract.

Third Offense: Any further violations of the integrity policy may result in suspension or dismissal from school.

If the student does not acknowledge responsibility or disputes the accusation of the violation of academic integrity, the student and faculty member will enter into the following formal process:

1. Student issues formal appeal: Student expresses in writing (a) the course and professor, (b) the description of the assignment from the syllabus, (c) the situation at hand, (d) the student’s appeal, (e) any evidence to support their position, and (f) sign the document. The student is to submit the appeal to the Executive Vice President of Academics and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies through the school’s email system.

2. If necessary, a hearing before the Graduate Studies Committee may be conducted.

3. The response from the Executive Vice President of Academics, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Graduate Studies Committee (if necessary) will be emailed through the school’s email system as well as physically mailed to the student’s physical address on file.

Upon completion of the informal or formal process, students have the right to appeal the decision through the grievance policy outlined in the OCC Grievance Policy. The Academics Office maintains records of all student violations of Academic Integrity.

Petition for Reinstatement A student who has been denied services or has been dismissed because of a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy may petition for reinstatement no sooner than one year from the date of the final decision. The petition must be in writing, must present a rationale for reinstatement, and shall be addressed to the Executive Vice President of Academics, Ozark Christian College, 1111 North Main Street, Joplin, MO 64801. Students who are subsequently reinstated will be governed by the academic policies in effect at the time of reinstatement.

Marking System of Grades The following symbols, together with plus (+) or minus (-) variations, indicate the student’s proficiency on final grades.

MEANING LETTER NUMBER GRADE GRADE GRADE POINT

Excellent A 100-95 4.000 A- 94-90 3.670 B+ 89-87 3.333 Good B 86-83 3.000 B- 82-80 2.670 C+ 79-77 2.333 Average C 76-73 2.000 C- 72-70 1.670 D+ 69-67 1.333 Poor D 66-63 1.000 D- 62-60 0.670 Failing F 59-0 0.000

P = Passing W = Withdrawn CR = Credit AU = Audit

REPEATING COURSES Students may retake courses for which they would like to earn a higher grade than previously earned. In order for the grade to be replaced and improve the student’s cumulative institutional GPA, the student must retake the exact same course and receive a higher grade. Some financial aid limitations may apply.

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives students the following rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include the right to inspect their own educational records, the right to request amendment of records they believe to be inaccurate or misleading, the right to give consent to the disclosure of their records (with specific exceptions allowed by law, including publishing directory information), and the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning any alleged failures of the college to comply with FERPA requirements. A detailed explanation of these rights is provided on the Consumer Information page of the college website: https://occ.edu/about/disclosures.

(not computed in GPA) (not computed in GPA)

RELEASE OF INFORMATION Records are maintained in the following offices: Academics-Registrar; Academic Integrity-Executive Vice President of Academics; Admissions-Vice President of Enrollment Management; Student Discipline-Associate Dean of Graduate Studies; Financial-Director of Student Financial Services.

ACADEMIC ADVISING A student will be assigned an Academic Advisor upon matriculation. A majority of students will be assigned to the concentration coordinator for their chosen concentration, a faculty member assigned to assist in that program, or the Community Formation Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Students will interact with their academic advisors prior to enrollment for each term. Students may also request additional appointments as needed.

Students have access through the student portal (my.occ.edu) to view their ongoing progress toward the completion of their degree program. Students can view and print an unofficial degree audit and unofficial transcript from the portal.

CHANGES OF CONCENTRATION Students changing from one concentration to another should secure a Change of Degree form from the Graduate Studies Office, secure the necessary approval, and coordinate with Registrar’s office. Students making such a change will be responsible for meeting the degree and other program requirements shown in the catalog at the time of their initial enrollment or the catalog in effect at the time of the change.

SCHEDULE CHANGES: Add, Drop, Withdraw Courses A student may add or drop a course anytime the Add/Drop period is open on the OCC student portal. In addition, students receiving financial aid must also talk with the Student Financial Services Office to determine whether adding or dropping creates a change in financial aid status.

A student may add a course during the first week of the term by contacting the Registrar’s Office. A student may not add a course to his/her schedule after the start of the second week of school. Sometimes exceptions are made, but those must be approved by the Graduate Studies Office.

Any courses dropped during the first week of the term will not be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Any student who wishes to drop a class outside of the open Add/Drop period must notify the Registrar’s Office and formally request to be dropped from the

class. Until this is done, the student is officially enrolled in the class whether he/she attends. Likewise, the student is responsible for appropriate charges and course work until he/she has officially dropped a course through the Registrar’s Office.

Courses dropped after the first week but before the third week of the term will be recorded as a “W” on transcripts. A grade of “W” will not be calculated into the GPA but will impact financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. Courses cannot be dropped after two weeks of class. The only exception is for reasons approved by the Executive Vice President of Academics and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. Courses that have not met at the time of the drop date will not be listed on the transcript.

• “W” = Drop before Monday of third week with 50% refund of course.

• No Drop with “W” = Beginning the Monday of the third week any courses dropped will result in an “F” in the course and 0% refund.

WITHDRAWAL FROM COLLEGE To officially withdraw from the college, a student must drop his or her classes through the Registrar’s Office.

The student is expected to meet all obligations involving his/her instructors, fellow students, deans, Student Financial Services director, and librarian. Students who leave college without officially withdrawing through the Registrar’s Office will receive a failing grade in each course.

In a limited number of circumstances (i.e., a student has not begun course work in the first week of the term, a student is unresponsive in the course for more than a week), a student may be automatically withdrawn from courses. OCC will not execute an administrative withdrawal until attempting to communicate with the student via phone and/or OCC student email account and allowing the student 48 hours to respond. Students will be dropped from their course(s) if they do not respond accordingly. If this occurs within the first two weeks of the term, a grade of “W” will be given for each course. If after the first two weeks, the student will receive a failing grade. No refunds will be given for administrative withdrawals.

In addition, a grade of “W” will be used if a student is experiencing an extraordinary circumstance that the college deems it appropriate to grant a withdrawal after the second week of the term.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Students are approved for graduation by the Registrar upon the recommendation of the administration and faculty under the authority of the board of trustees. In order to be approved for graduation, students must meet the following requirements.

1. Completion of all academic requirements of the chosen degree as listed in the Ozark Christian College academic catalog. a. At least 50% of the degree’s required credit hours must be taken from Ozark Christian College. b. The Graduate Studies Office must approve any substitution or waiver of requirements. 2. Receive a passing grade in all required courses and acceptable electives. A cumulative institutional grade point average of at least 2.5 must be maintained.

3. Complete all requirements listed in the catalog at the time of initial enrollment. Students may choose to complete requirements listed in catalogs subsequent, but not prior to their initial enrollment. Students who fail to complete the catalog requirements within ten years of initial enrollment will be required to meet the requirements of a more recent catalog. 4. Maintain a high level of biblical, moral, and spiritual integrity. Faculty review the list of graduation candidates. If serious character deficiencies are discovered, counseling may be advised and/or students may be prohibited from participation in Commencement. 5. Apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office. The following are the deadlines to apply for graduation. The late application fee is $25. Students may not apply for graduation after the deadline with the late application fee. AUGUST GRADUATION Deadline: June 1 Deadline with late application fee: July 1

DECEMBER GRADUATION Deadline: Sept. 1 Deadline with late application fee: Oct. 1

MAY GRADUATION Deadline: Jan 1 Deadline with late application fee: Feb. 1

Students who have not met all these requirements will not be approved for graduation, nor will they be allowed to participate in Commencement exercises. Those unable to attend the Commencement services because of distance or other circumstances may notify the Academics Office that they plan to graduate in absentia. Students who have not met all financial obligations to the college will not be granted a diploma or transcript. The college holds Commencement services in May, though it grants degrees in August, December, and May.

RELEASE AND MAILING OF ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS Official transcripts from Ozark Christian College may be requested in person or online at occ.edu/transcript. Ozark Christian College has contracted with Parchment to process online transcript requests for a nominal fee. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits release of student academic transcripts and certain other educational information without the student’s written consent. Because the student’s written authorization is required, requests made by telephone or by email cannot be honored.

Ozark Christian College policy is to not copy transcripts and other personal data from high schools and other colleges for anyone. Ozark Christian College cannot release transcripts unless all balances with the college are paid in full or current according to the agreement with Student Financial Services.

ACADEMIC CONCERN Students will be placed on Academic Concern if their previous term institutional GPA falls below the 2.5 GPA criteria for graduation (see above) and will be notified in writing by the Registrar’s Office.

ACADEMIC WARNING Students will be placed on Academic Warning if their cumulative institutional GPA falls below the 2.5 GPA criteria for graduation (see above) and will be notified in writing by the Registrar’s Office.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION At the end of a term on Academic Warning, students not meeting the cumulative institutional GPA requirements stated above will be moved to Academic Suspension and will not be allowed to enroll at OCC for one term. Students will be notified in writing from the Registrar’s Office.

ACADEMIC RE-ADMITTANCE Students returning to OCC after an Academic Suspension must provide written evidence which demonstrates they will achieve academic success. This written evidence must be presented to the Admissions Director. Upon approval for re-admittance on Academic Warning, the student will be permitted to take a maximum class load of 3 credit hours.

ACADEMIC PROBATION Students who experience a significant life circumstance during the term on Academic Warning (personal injury, illness, the death of a relative, or other special circumstances) may appeal, in writing, to the Academics Office. Appeals will be considered by a probationary committee and must include the following written requirements:

1. A description of why the student failed to make satisfactory academic achievement.

2. A statement of what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow him/her to make satisfactory academic achievement by the next evaluation.

Academic Probation will be granted after a successful appeal and may include a revised academic plan.

DISCIPLINARY SUSPENSION If a student is suspended for disciplinary reasons within the first two weeks of the term, the student will be withdrawn from school. After the second week, all grades will be “F.”

STUDENT NOTIFICATIONS All Ozark Christian College students must use the official email address provided by the college (lastname.firstname@my.occ.edu) to receive communication from the faculty and staff. The OCC student email address may be forwarded to another email service (e.g., yahoo.com or gmail.com).

INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES An independent study course may be arranged for an especially capable student who wishes to do independent study of a topic that is not available in the regular course offerings of the curriculum. Such a course must be under the immediate direction of a faculty member. The approval process requires that the student obtain a “Request for Independent Study” form from the Graduate Studies office, on which are to be listed the curriculum area (with the course number 7000), title, number of credit hours, professor, and a full description of objectives and requirements. This form, signed by the student and the professor, is then submitted to the Graduate Studies Office no later one week prior to the beginning of the term in which the course is to be taken. If the proposal is endorsed, the Graduate Studies Office will secure the necessary approval from the Graduate Studies Committee. Having been fully approved, an independent study course is included in the registration process at the start of the term as part of the student’s reg-

ular academic load; tuition, plus the additional independent study course fee is charged. The course is graded and is subject to all pertinent academic regulations. Only one independent study course may be taken in any term, and the faculty will not allow more than two independent study courses in a degree program.

It is emphasized that independent study courses are not approved merely to help students even out the totals of their credit hours in an area, or to alleviate inconveniences in the class schedule.

PROGRAM EVALUATION Each concentration requires summative work measured through its ongoing institutional research and effectiveness processes. Writing requirements and options are listed below.

THESIS OR CAPSTONE PROJECT Students in the MA in Biblical Ministry degree program will complete a thesis or capstone project. Note specific requirements or recommendations for particular concentration programs. The thesis or capstone project will carry three (3) credit hours.

A. Thesis (3 credit hours). The student investigates in depth a defined question within one of the theological disciplines or over a particular biblical text. The thesis is not expected to make a completely original contribution to the discipline (as is a doctoral dissertation). It is, however, expected to demonstrate the ability to frame a significant question, to identify and collect the pertinent materials, to evaluate critically the available data and to make sound judgments about the central question, and to present a coherent written account of the investigation and its conclusions. The final paper should be between 24,500-32,500 words, plus bibliography. Requirements for an acceptable thesis include: • Students must petition a faculty member to serve as the supervisor to complete a thesis. • A formal proposal sufficient to present a definition of the topic, an outline of the expected approach, preliminary bibliography, and expected dates for completion of the thesis, must be submitted to the supervisor who will approve it and in turn inform the faculty. • The proposal must then be registered with the Graduate Studies Office. • The thesis committee, comprised of the supervisor and one other person (chosen in collaboration by the student and supervisor), will conduct an oral examination, which centers on the thesis, but may

range more widely over the student’s whole course of study. • The thesis must be completed with a grade of no less than B and carries 3 hours of credit. • Students not completing the thesis during the term in which they register are required to re-register in BT 7991 Extension: Thesis until the thesis is completed and approved.

B. Capstone project. (3 credit hours) This project consists of the design, accomplishment, and evaluation of a program planned for and conducted in a congregation or other ministry setting. Utilizing qualitative research, the written project should be between 17,000-20,000 words, providing a theological and biblical context for the project and the description of the implementation and outcomes of the project. Requirements for an acceptable capstone project include: • Students must petition a faculty member to serve as the supervisor to complete a field-based ministry project. • A formal proposal sufficient to present the research design, an outline of methodology, preliminary sources, and expected dates for completion of the capstone project, must be submitted for approval to the advisor, who will then inform the faculty. • The design must then be registered with the Graduate Studies Office. • The capstone project committee, comprised of the supervisor and one other person (chosen in collaboration by the student and supervisor), will conduct an oral exam centered on the capstone project, but may range more widely over the student’s whole course of study. • A minimum grade of B must be earned and carries 3 hours of credit. • Students not completing the capstone project during the term in which they register are required to re-register in BT 7994 Extension: Capstone Project until the capstone project is completed and approved.

DEGREE PROGRAM: COURSE OF STUDY

MASTER OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL MINISTRY (30 OR 36 CREDIT HOURS) The Master of Arts in Biblical Ministry is designed to equip students with biblical principles, through the study of scripture, to accomplish their unique kingdom calling (as specified in the 36-hour concentration descriptions below). The Non-Concentration track (30-hour option) is for students without a background in biblical education. This program offers a foundation for biblical study, pastoral callings, and a variety of leadership settings.

Program Learning Outcomes Students will be able to… 1. Interpret Scripture through interaction with historical analysis, theological inquiry, and contextual application. 2. Engage in spiritual practices for continued maturity in Christ. 3. Demonstrate cultural agility through appreciation of multicultural and multi-generational contexts. 4. Implement scriptural principles to build Christian community.

CORE REQUIRED COURSES FOR ALL CONCENTRATIONS (18) Orientation to Graduate Studies (0) Contextualized Hermeneutics (3) Christian Doctrine and Theology (3) Worldview and Cultural Discernment (3) Biblical Theology of Mission (3) Spiritual Formation and Discipleship (3) Exegesis Elective (3)

COURSES IN THE NON-CONCENTRATION OPTION - (12) Self-Awareness and the Christian Leader OR Field Experience 1 (3) Pastoral Counseling OR Field Experience 2 (3) Free Elective

Free Elective (3) (3)

CONCENTRATION: BIBLICAL STUDIES - 36 hours The Biblical Studies concentration is designed to empower students to study the biblical text at the deepest level. The course of study facilitates interaction with the biblical languages, hermeneutical methodologies, exegesis of Scripture, and modern studies essential for the construction of the socio-historical setting of the text.

Biblical Studies Concentration Learning Outcomes Students will be able to… 1. Exegete texts using biblical language-based commentaries and other resources.

2. Dialog about issues in biblical studies debated and discussed by generations of scholars.

3. Utilize biblical interpretation for direct application to ministry settings.

COURSES IN THE BIBLICAL STUDIES CONCENTRATION: (18 CREDIT HOURS) Greek 1 (3) Exegesis Elective (3)

Greek 2 or Hebrew (3) Hermeneutics Elective (3) Free elective

Thesis (3) (3)

CONCENTRATION: SPIRITUAL FORMATION - 36 hours The Spiritual Formation concentration is designed to guide students in their own inner transformation through Christ so that they can, in turn, help guide others to healing in Jesus. The course of study unearths the process of Christian formation through biblical, theological, and historical inquiries into Spirit-centered transformation of the individual, the church, and the world.

Spiritual Formation Concentration Learning Outcomes Students will be able to… 1. Identify the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the spiritually maturing believer. 2. Integrate spiritual pathways and practices for individuals and local Christian communities. 3. Disciple others through relationships and spiritual practices.

COURSES IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION CONCENTRATION: (18 CREDIT HOURS) Awareness and Identity (3) Historical Streams of Christian Spirituality (3) Spiritual Formation in Christian Community (3) Spiritual Theology

(3) Spiritual Formation Elective (3) Capstone project (3)

CONCENTRATION: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP - 36 hours The Strategic Leadership concentration is designed to develop a biblical centered agility in students called to lead in a variety of ministry settings (e.g., churches, non-profits, para-church organizations). The course of study navigates the unpredictable nature of leadership contexts through examinations of conflict, team-building, crisis settings, multi-cultural dynamics, and the importance of self-awareness for Christian leaders.

Strategic Leadership Concentration Learning Outcomes Students will be able to… 1. Lead an organization through navigating both internal and external change dynamics. 2. Engage difficult leadership (or organizational) situations with Christian principles. 3. Identify the value and challenges of multi-cultural settings from a leadership perspective.

COURSES IN STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP CONCENTRATION: (18 CREDIT HOURS) Self-Awareness and the Christian Leader (3) Ethics in Leadership (3) Dynamics of Change and Conflict (3) Multi-cultural Dynamics in Leadership Settings (3) Strategic Leadership Elective (3) Capstone project (3)

MASTER OF ARTS IN BIBLICAL MINISTRY Course Descriptions

CORE COURSES – ALL CONCENTRATIONS BT 5101 Contextualized Hermeneutics (3 hours) A critical examination of various principles of interpretation through the book of Acts intentionally engaging in missiological, pastoral, and historical-grammatical contextual analysis. Students will learn both general and specific hermeneutical principles necessary to acquire and apply scriptural insights to various contexts. MLO 1

BT 5201 Christian Doctrine and Theology (3 hours) A survey of Christian Doctrine and Theology based on historical, theological, and philosophical inquiry with special emphasis on the first six centuries of the church. Students will learn to navigate theological categories and controversies with special emphasis on the articulation of core Christian doctrine and scriptural contexts. MLO 1

BT 5301 Worldview and Cultural Discernment (3 hours) This course outlines and analyzes the content of the many worldview systems operative in our world today from a Christian worldview rooted in Scripture. Attention is paid to the development of these worldviews over time as well as their many present applications. Students will learn how to understand and appreciate these worldviews, and how to evaluate and respond from a Christian worldview perspective. MLO 3

BT 5202 Biblical Theology of Mission (3 hours) A critical examination of the principles of missiology as seen in Scripture specifically engaging the major historical and theological perspectives on mission. Students will learn to distinguish missiological approaches with a particular emphasis given to the significance of Abrahamic covenant in Missio Dei theology. MLO 1, 4 SF 5101 Spiritual Formation and Discipleship (3 hours) An examination of the biblical truths that guide how spiritual practices become helpful to the spiritual journey of the individual and groups. Students will learn why spiritual practices are important, how they can be approached healthily and unhealthily, and how to apply certain spiritual practices for specific seasons of the spiritual journey. MLO 2, 4

SL 5101 Self-Awareness and the Christian Leader (3 hours) An exploration of the nature of Christian leadership development, which highlights an integration of spiritual leadership, inner life formation, and identity, as

found in Scripture. The student will learn how God shapes a leader over a lifetime for His unique purposes and how to partner with this process through various aspects of self-awareness. MLO 2

BIBLICAL STUDIES

LANGUAGE COURSES NT 5501 Greek 1 (3 hours) An introductory examination of New Testament Greek with emphasis on vocabulary, grammar basics, and language tools. Students will learn basic translation principles and implications of various linguistic nuances in the biblical text. MLO 1; BSLO 1

NT 5502 Greek 2 (3 hour) An introductory examination of New Testament Greek with emphasis on expanded vocabulary, grammar basics, and language tools. Students will expand their knowledge on basic translation principles and implications of various linguistic nuances in the biblical text. Prerequisite: Greek 1. MLO 1; BSLO 1

OT 5501 Hebrew 1 (3 hour) An introductory examination of Biblical Hebrew with emphasis on vocabulary, grammar basics, and language tools. Students will learn basic translation principles and implications of various linguistic nuances in the biblical text. MLO 1; BSLO 1

EXEGETICAL COURSES NT 6601 The Gospel of Matthew (3 hours) An exegetical study of the Gospel of Matthew based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, and theological insights from both the Greek and English texts with special emphasis on regal themes in the narrative. Students will learn to engage the socio-political contours of Matthew from a first-century perspective with special attention given to Jewish intersections in the text. MLO 1, 3; BSLO 1, 2

NT 6602 First and Second Thessalonians (3 hours) An exegetical study of first and second Thessalonians based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, theological, and pastoral insights from both the Greek and English texts. Students will learn the purposes and argument of both Thessalonian epistles with special emphasis on eschatological implications on Christian communities. MLO 1, 3, 4; BSLO 1, 2, 3

NT 6603 Romans (3 hours)

An exegetical study of Paul’s letter to the Romans based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, theological, and pastoral insights from both the Greek and English texts with special emphasis on the nature of the gospel of salvation in Christ and its impact on the shape of Christian communities in the first-century and today. Students will learn the purposes and argument of Romans as well as the details of key texts and their theological and pastoral implications. MLO 1, 3, 4; BSLO 1, 2, 3

NT 6605 Colossians (3 hours) An exegetical study of the letter to the Colossians based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, theological, and pastoral insights from both the Greek and English texts with special emphasis on the Christology—“who Christ is”—and how that impacts in the first-century church and the church today. Students will learn the purposes and argument of Colossians as well as the details of key texts and their theological and pastoral implications. MLO 1, 3, 4; BSLO 1, 2, 3

NT 6604 The Book of Revelation (3 hours) An exegetical examination of the Apocalypse of John based on grammatical, socio-cultural, imperial-critical, and theological insights from both the Greek and English texts. Students will learn to navigate apocalyptic literature from a first-century perspective with special attention given to appropriate modern-day application. MLO 1, 3, 4; BSLO 1, 2, 3

NT 6606 Galatians (3 hours) An exegetical study of the letter to the Galatians based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, theological, and pastoral insights from both the Greek and English texts. Students will learn the purposes and argument of Galatians as well as the details of key texts and their theological and pastoral implications.

OT 6601 Jeremiah (3 hours) An exegetical examination of the book of Jeremiah based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, pastoral, and theological insights from both the Hebrew and English texts. Students will learn to navigate this tragic period of Hebrew history with special emphasis on Messianic texts and God’s call to repentance amidst suffering. MLO 1; BSLO 1

OT 6602 Daniel (3 hours) An exegetical examination of the book of Daniel based on grammatical, socio-cultural, literary, pastoral, and theological insights from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and English texts. Students will learn to engage historical background and the prophetic-apocalyptic genre with special emphasis on Messianic prophecies and God’s kingdom. MLO 1; BSLO 1

HERMENEUTICS COURSES BT 6101 Christian Hermeneutics of the Old Testament (3 hours) A comparative analysis of the historical-grammatical approach to biblical interpretation and the hermeneutical practices of the early church from the apostle Paul to Origen of Alexandria to the Cappadocian fathers. Students will learn the differences and similarities, strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of modern interpretative approaches in light of early hermeneutical approaches. Prerequisite: Contextualized Hermeneutics. MLO 1; BSLO 1, 2

BT 6102 Imperial-Critical Readings of the Biblical Text (3 hours) A critical examination of the biblical text from an imperial-critical approach that explores the relationships and interactions between an empire and its subjects utilizing archeology, anthropology, sociology, and the historical-grammatical method. Students will learn to appreciate the socio-political dynamics in the biblical text and how the insights from this approach apply to the church today. Prerequisite: Contextualized Hermeneutics. MLO 1, 4; BSLO 1, 2, 3

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

CORE CONCENTRATION COURSES SF 6101 Awareness and Identity (3 hour) A critical examination of self-awareness and its relation to identity using Scripture, ancient and modern texts, assessment tools, and personality profiles. Students will learn spiritual practices that focus on deepening self-awareness, unearthing their identity in Christ, and how this impacts Christian community. MLO 1, 2, 4; SFLO 1, 2, 3

SF 6102 Historical Streams of Christian Spirituality (3 hour) A study of the major spiritual traditions in Christian history with special attention on integrating their concerns, foundations, and methods for contemporary disciple-making. Students will be introduced to major figures in the history of Christian spirituality and will apply their concepts to issues in spiritual formation today. MLO 2, 3; SFLO 1, 2, 3

SF 6103 Spiritual Formation for Christian Community (3 hour) A synthesis of various issues and traditions of Christian spiritual formation into the liturgical practices of a local community. Students will utilize biblical foundations, historical practices, and insights in group dynamics to imagine a fellowship that leads to personal spiritual maturity. MLO 1, 2, 4; SFLO 1, 2, 3

SF 6104 Spiritual Theology (3 hour) A critical approach to the nature and development of the spiritual journey, with

special attention to helpful and unhelpful responses to God’s work in the life of the Christian. Students will learn how to articulate, tend to, and build a framework for the work of the Spirit in their own lives and in the lives of those they companion. MLO 2, 4; SFLO 1, 2, 3

ELECTIVE COURSES SF 6105 The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation (3 hour) A study of how the content and various genres of Scripture define and shape models for spiritual formation. Students will craft a bibliological foundation for discipleship, as they integrate the message and form of Scripture with historical and contemporary concerns in Christian spirituality. MLO 1, 2; SFLO 1, 2 SF 6106 Narratives in Divine Authority and Identity Formation (3 hour) An examination of the effect of models of divine authority on the formation of identity: the meaning, relationships, and purpose of the human person. Students will use Scripture and ancient/modern literature to examine the sociological, psychological, and devotional ramifications of their understanding of the sovereignty of God. MLO 1; SFLO 1, 2

SF 6107 Soul Care and Discipleship (3 hour) This course will explore soul care practices and habits, as well as gain understanding of a Rule of Life. Students will experiment with different spiritual practices and habits throughout the term and create a working Rule of Life. MLO 2, 4; SFLO 2, 3

SF 6108 Ancient and Modern Mystics (3 hour) A critical exploration of the lives of ancient and modern mystics found throughout Scripture and Christian history to examine their intent, practices, and lifestyle. Students will learn ways to integrate key aspects of the lives of mystics into their own and expand their understanding of the influencers of the church over the centuries and today. MLO 1; SFLO 1, 2

SF 6201 Pastoral Counseling (3 hours) An introduction to pastoral counseling as a practice of ministry and a theological bridge that connects sound theology with the best practices of psychology and counseling. Students will learn specific interventions for the common issues pastors face including (but not limited to): addictions, marital problems, divorce, sexuality issues, trauma and death. Students will learn the solution-focused counseling model with an emphasis on ethical practice, confidentiality, and the skill of referral, with special attention given to the pastor’s own need for self-care in pastoral ministry. MLO 1, 4; SFLO 3

CORE CONCENTRATION COURSES SL 6101 Ethics in Leadership (3 hours) A critical analysis of the foundation, purpose, and methodology of various ethical systems, approaches to ethical decision-making, and applications to leadership contexts. Students consider leadership from the perspective of the personal character of leaders—their ability to make decisions and take actions considered good and right. MLO 3, 4; SLLO 2, 3

SL 6102 Dynamics of Change and Conflict (3 hours) An examination of the dual impact of the dynamics of change in organizations/ social systems and the inevitable conflict that arises in any setting. Students will learn practical, biblical approaches to navigating and communicating through both change and conflict, both on an interpersonal and organizational level. MLO 3, 4; SLLO 1, 2, 3

SL 6103 Multi-Cultural Dynamics in Leadership Settings (3 hours) An examination of the dynamics in multi-cultural and multi-ethnic teams seeking to execute strategies in a diverse setting. Students will be able to identify the strengths and opportunities that diversity brings to organizations and teams while developing strategies for problem solving and communication. MLO 3; SLLO 2, 3

ELECTIVE COURSES SL 6104 Communication Dynamics (3 hours) An analysis of the foundational concepts of intercultural communication with an emphasis on how social psychology, cultural anthropology, and communication theory informs one’s ability to send and receive messages in diverse environments. Students will examine the major value systems that inform communicative behavior to gain understanding of how perception, expression, and non-verbal communication relates to comprehension. MLO 3; SLLO 2, 3

SL 6105 Strategic Planning and Project Management (3 hours) An exploration of the strategic planning process with an emphasis on project management. The student will learn the steps to develop strategic plans, engage in analytical assessment, and employ project management principles. MLO 3, 4; SLLO 1, 2

SL 6106 Leadership in a Global Context (3 hours) A comparative analysis of leadership styles as seen in the largest cultural groupings worldwide with special attention given to how these approaches effect both

organizational and church leadership structures. Students will learn the advantages and disadvantages of these leadership methods in light of their cultural moorings and contexts. MLO 3; SLLO 2, 3

SL 6107 Cultural Intelligence and Agility (3 hours) An introduction to various multicultural frameworks, with special attention given to a variety of different cultural codes, values, worldviews, and the journey through the different stages of cultural intelligence. Students will learn to engage, discern, and do ministry in a variety of cultural contexts by utilizing various tools to identify cultural agility in themselves and others. MLO 3, 4; SLLO 1, 2, 3

SL 6108 The Church in the Public Sphere (3 hours) A critical engagement with a variety of contemporary social issues including (but not limited to) racial issues, gender issues, classism, and sexuality from a Christian worldview. Students will learn what the Bible says about such issues, the history of the social issues, and how the church has responded historically. MLO 3, 4; SLLO 1, 2, 3

EXPERIENCE COURSES BT 5501 Orientation to Graduate Studies (0 hours) An introduction to graduate studies at Ozark Christian College (OCC). Students will learn to use the learning management system, to do high-quality research with library resources, about OCC’s history and ethos, and about important channels for student success. MLO 4

BT 5401 Field Experience 1 (3 hours) An experience-based course that allows students to apply the objectives of the program through engagement in practical and substantive ministry experience. Students will develop assignments that demonstrate on-the-field training and experience centered on developing leadership skills, self-awareness, and pastoral awareness. Course fee. MLO 3, 4

BT 6401 Field Experience 2 (3 hours) An experience-based course that allows students to apply the objectives of the program through engagement in practical and substantive ministry experience. Students will utilize leadership skills, self-awareness, and pastoral awareness in a ministry context. Course fee. MLO 3, 4

CAPSTONE COURSES BT 7990 Thesis (3 hours) A guided study where students propose, write, and defend a central thesis in the area of Biblical Studies. Students will learn to research and write on a scholarly level, interacting with scholarly conversations through summarization, critique, and contribution. Prerequisite: students must have completed 60% of degree sought. MLO 1; BSLO 1, 2

BT 7991 Extension: Thesis (0 hours) An independent study where students complete and defend a central thesis in the area of Biblical Studies. Students will utilize learned skills in research and writing on a scholarly level to complete their thesis. Prerequisite: BT 7990 Thesis (3 hr.). MLO 1; BSLO 1, 2

BT 7992 Capstone Project (3 hours) A guided study where students propose, develop, and write an integrative project on a specified area of practical ministry. Students will learn to integrate theology and ministry while interacting with qualitative and quantitative research. Prerequisite: students must have completed 60% of degree sought. MLO 1, 2, 3, 4; SFLO 1, 2, 3; SLLO 1, 2, 3

BT 7993 Extension: Capstone Project (0 hours) An independent study where students complete an integrative project on a specified area of practical ministry. Students will utilize learned skills that integrate theology and ministry to complete their capstone project. Prerequisite: BT 7992 Capstone Project (3 hr.). MLO 1, 2, 3, 4; SFLO 1, 2, 3; SLLO 1, 2, 3