Total Credits - 48

• CHIS 574 - History of Seventh-day Adventist Theology Credits: 2
• 2 credits of  CHMN 523 - Worship: Word and Music Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  CHMN 632 - Contextualized Preaching:___________________________ Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 534 - Ministry to Youth and Young Adults Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 541 - Foundations of Biblical Spirituality Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 564 - Advanced Youth and Young Adult Ministry Leadership Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 608 - Youth and Young Adults in Contemporary Culture Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 610 - Teaching for Discipleship Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 615 - Collaborative Ministry: School, Church, Community Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSRE 656 - Counseling Youth and Young Adults Credits: 2,3
• 4 credits of  DSRE 660 - Field Practicum: Youth and Young Adult Ministry Credits: 1–6 (*Registration is normally allowed only after the student has earned 24 credits or more. MAYYAM/MSW Dual Degree students may replace this course with SOWK 535.)
• One course in MSSN (2 credits required)

•  

  Choose one of the following courses:

• 2 credits of  CHMN 526 - Conflict Management Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  CHMN 543 - Christian Leadership in a Changing World Credits: 2,3

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  Choose two of the following courses:

• 2 credits of  ANEA 510 - Archaeology and the Bible Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  GSEM 530 - Doctrine of the Sanctuary Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  NTST 515 - New Testament Backgrounds Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  NTST 535 - Studies in the Pauline Writings Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  NTST 536 - Studies in the Gospels Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  NTST 537 - Studies in Acts and General Epistles Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  NTST 538 - Studies in Hebrews Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  NTST 539 - Studies in Revelation Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  OTST 500 - Survey of the Old Testament Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  OTST 520 - Introduction to Old Testament Theology Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  OTST 546 - Studies in Daniel (English) Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  OTST 556 - Studies in Prophets (English) Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  OTST 566 - Studies in the Pentateuch (English) Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  OTST 570 - Readings in the Old Testament (English) Credits: 2,3

•  

  Choose two of the following courses:

• 2 credits of  THST 510 - Understanding the Christian World Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  THST 521 - Christian Theology I Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  THST 522 - Christian Theology II Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  THST 540 - Doctrine of Salvation Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  THST 550 - Principles of Christian Ethics Credits: 2,3

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.

Total Credits - 33-45

Concentrations - 12

The concentration area is selected by individual choice and will draw on University faculty strengths. The program director/advisor, in consulation with the student, will select a minimum of 12 credits of elective courses related to the chosen concentration to meet the student’s career goals.

Students may choose an area of concentration that aligns with their research and career interests. Concentration areas are listed below, along with courses a student may take in each area. Students, in consultation with their advisor, may substitute courses within a concentration area. Additionally, students may choose a different area of concentration, contingent upon documentation that they are able to meet the general concentration requirements (adequate credits, appropriate field practicum, and research projects are available). 

NOTE: Students who choose to complete a concentration will need a total of 45 credits to complete the program. Students in the MSCID/MAYYAM Dual Degree program are not required to complete a concentration.

Assistantships

Students may have the opportunity to apply for graduate assistantships within the Community and International Development Program. Please apply in the CIDP Office.

Additional Information

The schools and departments regulate policies that govern the elective courses offered as part of the concentration package and some may not be available. Some elective courses may require prerequisites and should be discussed in advance with the program director/advisor for guidance in completing the concentration.

The Field Practicum and Research Project/Thesis will necessarily be related to the area of concentration in order to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the chosen area, and with the possibility of applying course work in practice. Students are required to undertake a 720-hour internship (approximately 6 months at 30 hours per week) through a field placement with a domestic, national, or international organization/project. Internships are based on prior approval and advice from the program director. Arrangements for the internship will be made by the program director/advisor pending availability and feasibility of the placement proposed by the student.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet the following criteria, in addition to general admission requirements of the Andrews University School of Graduate Studies & Research:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in 8 or more credits of previously taken graduate courses graded A-F. Students may be admitted provisionally with a GPA of 2.6 or higher. Such students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher during their first 12 graduate credits to continue in the program.
• Completed Graduate Application packet.
• Completed coursework in Statistics and Research. Provisional acceptance may be granted without these courses with the expectation that the student will take them during the first year of enrollment. Credits for these prerequisites will not apply toward the MSCID.

The director of the program may request a personal interview or a third reference and/or other information.

Students who apply for admission to the MSCID program have two options related to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). For those students who are seeking a graduate scholarship, the GRE must be taken. Scholarship amounts are based on the score achieved on the exam. For students who do not seek a graduate scholarship based on the GRE score, the exam is not required.

A reading knowledge of a foreign language is strongly recommended for those planning on graduate work.