New programs

Abundant new degrees give students exciting options

Faculty and staff look back on a banner year of creating new degree programs, including PBA’s first degree in the Spanish language, the Bachelor of Arts in Global Leadership (Licenciatura en Liderazgo Global); and the first Ph.D., in practical theology (see story on opposite page). Carolanne M. Brown, assistant provost for accreditation & assessment, cited the herculean effort of faculty members who served as “point people,” putting in the extra time to lead the development of each new degree. “They did a wonderful job,” she said. “They just really stepped up, and have produced excellent products. “It’s even more remarkable,” Brown said, “when you consider we’ve just had a pandemic.” Many of the planning meetings had to take place on Zoom, and several of the new degrees took shape as interdisciplinary efforts between departments and schools. “It was just a great thing to watch,” she said, though Brown did a lot more than watch. She is PBA’s liaison with SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Critical details toward SACSCOC accreditation of the new degrees called for many hours of work on her part. Developing new degree programs can be exhausting, Brown said, “but it was also energizing, and these degrees will be transformative for students for years to come.”

Follow the links below for details on each new degree.

Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology Go.pba.edu/phdpt Master of Science in Health Sciences Go.pba.edu/mshs Master of Science in Educational Leadership Go.pba.edu/msel Master of Science in Computer Science Go.pba.edu/mscs Master of Arts in Philosophy of Religion Go.pba.edu/mapr Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies Go.pba.edu/mais Bachelor of Arts in Global Leadership (Licenciatura en Liderazgo Global) Go.pba.edu/glspan Bachelor of Music in Worship Leadership Go.pba.edu/bmwl 4 Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, in Cinema, Dance, Graphic Design and Theatre Go.pba.edu/bfa Launching in Fall 2023, pending SACSCOC approval, Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Medicine Go.pba.edu/pa

First Ph.D. program creates diverse learning community

Dr. Bryan Froehle speaks to a group enrolled in the new Ph.D. in Practical Theology.

The University’s first Ph.D. program is off to a robust start, with 38 men and women enrolled. The Ph.D. in Practical Theology is a 54-credit-hour program accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This new Ph.D. has drawn enrollees of “extraordinary diversity,” said Dr. Bryan Froehle, program director. They come from 13 countries and 17 Christian denominations. This “intercultural and interconfessional” mix was envisioned by the program’s developers within the School of Ministry. It “creates exciting conversations and leads to new insight for doctoral learning community members as they work within their particular context while learning from their colleagues,” the planners said. “This is especially appropriate for practical theology since the emphasis is on practice, not dogmatic theological debates.” Graduates are expected to fill leadership roles in schools, seminaries, churches and church-related organizations. Applicants for the program should hold a master’s degree in theology, ministry or a related field. The Ph.D. is designed as a four-year program with a residency requirement, although students may request permission to study on a distance basis. For more information, visit Go.pba.edu/phdpt. The photo above was taken in late August, at the first weekend gathering of those enrolled in the program. Abraham Thomas, a pastor from India, concluded, “The warm and hearty welcome by the PBA School of Ministry, the opportunity to learn together with precandidates from diverse backgrounds and those meaningful conversations about life and practical theology made that weekend so special. What a great and exciting start of our Ph.D. journey.”