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2020-2021 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Youth & Young Adult Ministry/Social Work Dual Degree MAYYAM/MSW

Andrews University has formed a collaborative between the Department of Discipleship and Religious Education in the Seminary and the School of Social Work in the College of Arts & Sciences to prepare students for youth and young adult ministry and social work. Students choosing this program would receive both a master’s in Youth and Young Adult Ministry and a master’s in Social Work.

The objectives of this program are to equip students for various forms of ministry in which clinical and administrative skills in social work and ministry are needed; to enable students to integrate both ministry and social work knowledge, values and skills into a multifaceted approach to Christian service, thereby enhancing their usefulness as instruments of the Holy Spirit; and to sensitize them to nontraditional ministry opportunities by exposing them to theories and practice skills related to counseling approaches, person-in-environment, social and economic justice, human rights and global perspectives from a Christian worldview.

The program is designed to give students both master’s degrees within three years.

Total Credits - 78

The details of the program are as follows:

  • The dual degree will consist of 78 credits.
  • The student will need to be accepted into both programs.
  • There will be shared electives between the two programs:
    • Eight credits for the MA in Youth & Young Adult Ministry.
    • Ten credits for the Master of Social Work.
  • Fieldwork will also be a shared experience, being cross-listed as SOWK 535 - Generalist Field Experience  and DSRE 660 - Field Practicum: Youth and Young Adult Ministry . Four credit hours will be required for a total of 400 clock hours of field during this course. A total of nine credit hours or 900 clock hours will be required for the program.
  • One course will be cross-listed and be taken in the Department of Social Work:
  • GSEM 525 - The Bible and Biblical History  will be considered a prerequisite course. If the student passes the Biblical Literacy Exam, that will satisfy the prerequisite. If the student does not pass the exam, they will need to take the one-credit GSEM 525 in addition to the 78 credits for the dual degree.
  • Since both, the MSW and MAYYAM programs, reduce the total credits in order to reduce costs and achieve a more streamlined and efficient program, both degrees must be received simultaneously in order to fulfill the requirements of either degree.

Program Information

Information for the two programs (Youth & Young Adult Ministry MAYYAM and Social Work MSW) follows:

Click here to jump to Social Work MSW.


Youth and Young Adult Ministry MAYYAM

E-mail: youthm@andrews.edu

The MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry (MAYYAM) provides study in theology, church history, world mission, and the specialized field of youth and young adult ministry. The graduate of the MAYYAM will be competent to serve in a variety of vocations such as youth pastor, university/college/academy chaplain, dormitory dean, local church youth leader, conference youth director, and guidance counselor.

Mission:

The MA in Youth & Young Adult Ministry program equips students to fulfill the teaching and discipling mandates of the gospel commission through a lifetime of work with youth and young adults.

Vision:

The MAYYAM program will lead the Adventist church in effectively discipling and empowering our youth and young adults.

Goals:

The goals of the MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry (MAYYAM) program are to provide the church with specialists who:

  1. See their enduring career path as working with youth and young adults in the church in varying capacities.
  2. Are able to critically analyze the theology of youth and young adult ministry.
  3. Develop skills in the design, implementation and assessment of ministry efforts directed at youth for the purpose of improving the retention of youth and young adults in the Seventh-day Adventist church.
  4. Make disciples of Jesus Christ who will disciple the youth and young adults of the church to continue the discipleship process. 

Concentration Option:

Campus Chaplaincy (See concentration requirements below) 

Intensive Curriculum Option:

The MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry offers an intensive format for those who are unable to study in residence. It is completed over three years by attending five weeks of intensives on campus each year. Some courses can be completed through distance learning and a field practicum.

MAYYAM Dual Degree Options:

The MAYYAM is also available with the following dual degree options:

Total Credits - 48

Electives or Concentration

Students can complete 12 credits of electives or complete the Campus Chaplaincy concentration as outlined below. (Students in the MAYYAM/MSCID Dual Degree program may fulfill 6 elective credits with MSCID courses. Students in the MAYYAM/MSW Dual Degree program may fulfill 8 elective credits with MSW courses.) 

Electives - 12

Campus Chaplaincy Concentration - 12

Additional Requirements

Degree Requirements

The MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry degree is awarded upon successful completion of a minimum of 48 semester credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. A minimum of 24 semester credits are to be taken at the Theological Seminary or at an authorized extension center. The course work for the MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry normally should be completed within seven years.

Elective Courses

Students in the MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry program can utilize their elective credits to tailor a program to their specific ministry needs. They can take up to 6 credits in DSRE 690 - Independent Study.

Transfer Credits

A maximum of 9 transfer graduate credits, when applicable, may be transferred into the MAYYAM program from other institutions or from other master’s programs within the Seminary upon approval of the dean. Credits approved under the Credit Through Learning in Professional Experience provision (see below) are considered part of the maximum of 9 transfer credits.

Credit Through Learning in Professional Experience

In place of DSRE 660 - Field Practicum: Youth and Young Adult Ministry, some students may be eligible to receive up to six credits for professional experience when approved by the dean, using the following criteria:

  • Applicants must have completed at least 18 credits toward the MA degree with a minimum GPA of 2.50.
  • The applicant must submit a Professional Experience Portfolio, including (1) an up-to-date curriculum vita, (2) a description of ministerial experiences, (3) a reflection-learning paper in which the applicant analyzes his/her professional skills and ministries and demonstrates how learning based on the reflection-reaction process occurred, and (4) supporting letters from administrative and pastoral supervisors which identify and document a variety of professional experiences.
  • The applicant must submit the completed Professional Experience Portfolio to the program director and the Department of Discipleship and Religious Education no later than the semester prior to graduation. For details, contact the director of the MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MA in Youth and Young Adult Ministry program should read the general admission requirements of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Applicants to the MAYYAM program must also meet the qualifications listed below:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree
  2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
  3. Represent high moral integrity with a character, lifestyle, and spiritual commitment reflective of the beliefs and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and show promise of usefulness for ministry through personal maturity and adequate experience in the Church. (Persons of other faiths who are willing to live in harmony with these standards are welcome to apply.)
  4. Submit an autobiographical history and statement of purpose reflecting the applicant’s family, religious development, sense of calling to ministry, experience in church work, and future goals in relationship to the MAYYAM program.
  5. Interview with a representative of the MAYYAM program, if required, either by personal contact, telephone, or e-mail.
  6. Pass the Biblical Literacy Entrance Test with a score of 80% or take the course GSEM 525  and pass with a grade of C+ or better.
  7. Complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed.

Graduates of the MAYYAM program receive calls for ministry.  However, completion of the program does not guarantee employment in Adventist ministry or any other church employment.

English Language Requirement

For those applicants whose native language is not English, the following is required:

  • MELAB - score of 81 (must achieve a passing score on each section: written, verbal and comprehension) or
  • TOEFL - score of 565 (paper based) or score of 85 (computer based with a minimum of 20 on each section: written, verbal and comprehension) and
  • A personal interview with the program director or designee

Applicants who fail to meet any of the above may be admitted only after departmental consideration of the specific circumstances.  Additional coursework in English may be required.  A student who graduated from a four-year English-speaking high school, college or university may be exempted from all or parts of the above requirements.

Additional Information

Students who seek to serve in general pastoral or church leadership positions should consider, as an alternative, the Master of Divinity program as stipulated by North American Division policy (L 05 05 and L 05 15).

CPE Unit

In addition to completing the 48-credit professional MAYYAM with an emphasis in Campus Chaplaincy, an individual wishing to be employed as a campus chaplain should complete 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - Community Based Option (8 months). In international settings where CPE units are not available, supervised internship in campus ministry must be arranged in accordance with established curricula guidelines and with qualified mentoring.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Christian Apologist - Articulates effectively a theology and philosophy of youth ministry.
  • Pastor-Teacher - Uses appropriate methodologies to disciple youth and young adults.
  • Servant Leader - Understands youth and young adult culture relevant to its application in the biblical discipleship process.
  • Maturing Christian - Engages consistently in biblical devotional habits to be open to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in his or her life.
  • Youth and Young Adult Specialist:
  • Develops youth ministry for the broader church.
  • Advocates for youth and young adults and for effective ministry to them.
 


Social Work MSW

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a professional degree enabling the graduate to enter practice as an advanced-level practitioner. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of clinical, administration, and development focus areas. The foundation curriculum for the MSW consists of 9 core competencies that are required for every accredited MSW program: 1) Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior; 2) Engage diversity and difference in practice; 3) Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice; 4) Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice; 5) Engage in policy practice; 6) Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; 7) Assess and plan with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; 8) Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; and 9) Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. In addition, our program has added an additional competency: 10) Demonstrate a Christian social work perspective. The curriculum is designed to teach students the knowledge, values and skills, along with understanding of the cognitive and affective reactions and judgement that accompany these dimensions. Measurement outcomes for these competencies can be found on the first page of the Andrews University School of Social Work website. The Andrews University MSW program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education through the year 2019.

Dual Degrees Options

The MSW Dual Degree Programs allow the student to complete two degrees in one additional year, with a tuition reduction of 33% for the MSW credits. To facilitate this objective, the two programs will reduce the total number of required credits and will share a practicum and a limited number of elective courses. Specifically, the School of Social Work will reduce the required number of credits by 9-10 credits by allowing students to take their required social work electives in the other graduate program. In addition, approximately 16 credits will be shared between the two programs. The following Dual Degree options are available:

Curriculum

Core advanced interpersonal practice courses supplemented by optional areas of focus are offered. Students wishing to enroll in core graduate social work courses must be enrolled in the MSW program and/or have the instructor’s permission. Students may transfer up to 20% of the credits from one degree into the MSW program. All courses are subject to change based on accreditation needs.

MSW Social Work Tracks

Areas of Focus

Students may choose to specialize in the following focus areas: Human Resources, Mental Health, School Social Work, Marriage & Family, Christian Ministry, International Social Work, and Medical Social Work. Please refer to the School of Social Work website for further information: www.andrews.edu/cas/socialwork/. Students are not required to choose a focus area.

Additional Requirements

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in Social Work Program.
  • No grade of D or F (or U) may count toward a graduate degree.
  • The maintenance at all times of professional conduct and behaviors appropriate for a social worker according to the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.
  • Defense of the professional degree portfolio as part of SOWK689 Advanced Professional Seminar. This portfolio is a demonstrative collection of professional competencies.
  • Other Andrews University degree requirements as presented in the Graduate Academic Information section of this bulletin.

Past experience strengthens all MSW student applications. However, following Council on Social Work Education requirements, no social work course credit can be given for life experience or previous work experience.

Admission Requirements

English Language Requirements

For those applicants whose native language is not English, the following is required:

  1. Demonstration of English proficiency by obtaining at least a minimum score on any one of the following exams. Exam must be taken within two years prior to enrollment.
    • TOEFL ITP (paper-based): A minimum score of 550
    • TOEFL iBT (internet-based): 80 with a minimum of 20 on each section
    • MELAB: 80 with a minimum of 80 on each section
    • IELTS (Academic version ): 6.5
    • PTE (Academic version): 54
  2. MSW program participates in the Bridge program which allows students who are close to the minimum scores to take 3-6 credits of MSW courses along with ESL courses. Requirements to participate in the Bridge program are below.
    • TOEFL ITP (paper-based): A score of 500-549 (2-3 ESL courses and up to 3-6 credits of regular MSW course work)* OR
    • MELAB - Bridge 1: 70-75 (3 ESL courses; up to 3 credits regular MSW course work)*
    • MELAB - Bridge 2: 76-79 (2 ESL courses; up to 6 credits regular MSW course work)

                  *with permission of the department

  1. Nelson Denny: score of 13
  2. Personal interview with MSW program director or designee

Applicants who fail to meet any of the above may be admitted only after committee consideration of the specific circumstances. Additional course work in English may be required.

A student who graduated from a four-year English-speaking high school, college or university may be exempted from all or parts of the above requirements.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Students who are applying for admission to the MSW program are not required to take the GRE.  For those students who are seeking the GRE scholarship, the GRE must be taken. The amount of a potential scholarship is related to the score achieved on the GRE as follows:

GRE Score Scholarship
320 50% tuition reduction
310 25% tuition reduction
300 10% tuition reduction

Additional Information

MSW Scholarship

Since the MSW program does not require the GRE, an equivalent graduate scholarship is offered in the department. The amount of potential scholarship is related to GPA and supporting documents. This applies to the last 3 semesters of the program. Please refer to the School of Social Work website for further information:

https://www.andrews.edu/cas/socialwork/scholarships/msw-scholarship-policy.pdf

GPA Scholarship
3.90 - 4.00 50% tuition reduction
3.50 - 3.89 25% tution reduction
3.30 - 3.49 10% tuition reduction*

*available to Advanced standing 1 year students only, based on BSW GPA

Assistantships

Students have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistantships—teaching or research. These assistantships give students the opportunity to develop their expertise. Students interested in becoming social-work educators—especially those with years of clinical experience—may teach undergraduate courses. Research assistantships offer experiences in community consulting, grant writing, and/or conducting research.

Resources

MSW Student Handbook

The MSW Student Handbook has been designed as the social work student’s aid in understanding the program requirements of the School of Social Work as well as relevant policies of Andrews University. Inside the handbook you will find information such as expectations of students, the MSW curriculum, departmental policies, and other relevant information.

Field Manual

The Field Manual has been designed as your aid in understanding field education requirements, your role as a student in a field agency, and relevant policies of Andrews University.

You are responsible for the information found in this handbook, so please take the time to familiarize yourself with the handbook and know where to find questions and answers if the need arises.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will:

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
  • Engage diversity and difference in practice
  • Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
  • Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
  • Engage in policy practice
  • Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Assess and Plan with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities
  • Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  • Demonstrate a Christian Social Work Perspective