Pastoral Ministry MAPM (English Track)

Total Credits - 48

NOTE: All courses in this program are to be taken for 3 credits.

Additional Requirements

The MA in Pastoral Ministry degree is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 48 credits of formal course work.

• Course work in North America is offered off campus twice annually in two one-week intensives, normally at Adventist institutions. Students should expect pre- and post-class assignments as part of the total academic requirements of each course. The intensives generate the equivalent of 6–12 credits annually.
• All students must participate in supervised ministerial experience as part of their degree requirements.
• Attendance of at least 6 credits on the Andrews University campus (or approved complete degree site) during the first year of the program is required. This residency requirement is offered as an approved exception to the Association of Theological Schools larger residency expectation stated in Degree Program Standard B, section B.3.1.3.
• Lay people must take two additional courses which are currently only offered online:

1. PATH 552-Foundations of Pastoral Ministry (2 cr) and
2. GSEM 515-Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics (3 cr).

Maintaining Academic Standing

• Students failing to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 are placed on probation. Any student remaining on probation for the equivalent of two years (maximum of 18 credits) must withdraw from the program.
• Only grades of a C- or above will count towards the 48-credit requirement.
• Following an absence of two years or more, a student’s previous admission status will have lapsed and the student must reapply to the program.
• Course work should be completed within six years of beginning the program. Credits older than ten years will not be applied toward the degree. In some cases, provision may be made to update the courses.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MA in Pastoral Ministry is based on the following requirements in addition to the general admission requirements for all graduate students and the general Seminary admission requirements:

• Hold a BA degree or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Provide evidence of three years of successful pastoral leadership/ministry experience.
• Be recommended by the local conference administration, a pastoral colleague and a local church leader/elder.
• Complete the Mentoring Agreement Form (retrieve from the Ministerial Mentoring Experience page).
• Be over the age of 35. (Exceptions by petition only.)
• Complete a Criminal Background Check.

Because seminary students will, during and/or after their studies, be working in positions of trust, applicants who have lived in North America (US or CN) for 6 months or more are required to complete a Criminal Background Check before being accepted to the seminary. This is a regular requirement for many areas of leadership and is required by the North American Division for all volunteers and employees who work with children.                ​​​​​​​​​​

Andrews University has selected the same company used by the North American Division - Sterling Volunteers - to administer your background check. There is a standard fee charged by Sterling Volunteers for this service.  Please click here to complete this step.  (If you have previously completed a background check with Sterling Volunteers please email your status report to SemTest@andrews.edu.)

With Sterling Volunteers, you can rest assured that your information is safe. All data is encrypted and is stored in a completely secure environment. If you have any questions or concerns about Sterling Volunteers’ security measures or payments, feel free to contact them at TheAdvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com or 855-326-1860, Option 1.

• An interview with a representative of the MAPM program may be required, either by personal contact, telephone, or video.
• Applicants to all Seminary programs are required to complete and submit to the Seminary the “Pre-Admission Conduct Disclosure Statement.”

Policy for Applicants Who Hold Degrees from Unaccredited Schools or Lack Baccalaureate Degrees:

Unaccredited Schools

Applicants who hold degrees from unaccredited schools will submit the following:

• A research paper: 12-15 pages on a biblical/theological or ministerial topic that demonstrates solid academic-level research and writing skills.
• A resume documenting at least 3-years of ministry/pastoral leadership and work experience.
• A statement of purpose including their call to pastoral ministry showing authentic biblical spirituality.
• Three recommendations (as indicated above)
• Official transcripts showing the completion of an undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• A letter of petition from a church administrator (usually conference president or ministerial director) requesting/endorsing the applicant’s admission to the program
• Interview: Applicants will be interviewed by the program director or one of the Deans. The interview will address key elements of the applicant’s life, including his or her philosophy of ministry, life experience, goals, distinctive doctrines and theology.
• Additional credits: For students accepted into the MAPM program, an additional 6 credits will be required as per the recommendation of the MAPM director.

Lack of Baccalaureate Degree

For applicants who lack baccalaureate degrees, in addition to all requirements above, they must also:

• Submit official transcripts showing the completion of a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits (semester) or an associate degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Additional Credits: For students accepted into the MAPM program, an additional 14 credits will be required as per the recommendation of the MAPM director.
• If required, the applicant will be interviewed by the program director or Seminary Dean.

Students requesting consideration under these exceptions must submit a complete graduate application prior to being considered for admission.

Students who meet the above requirements will be processed by the program’s office, taking to the Masters Admissions Committee only those cases that fall outside of this policy/protocol.

Additional Information

Transferred and Earned Term Credit Limits

• All course credits applied towards degree requirements should be earned within 10 years of the awarding of the degree. In some cases, provision may be made to update the courses.
• All graduate courses taken at the SDATS with a C- grade or above are eligible to be transferred to the MAPM program.
• Upon approval by the dean, a maximum of 24 graduate credits may be transferred from approved seminaries or universities.
• A maximum of 8 credits may be transferred from another conferred degree upon approval by the dean.

Reapplying to the Pastoral Ministry MAPM Program

• Following an absence of two years or more, a student’s previous admission status will have lapsed and the student will need to reapply to the program and pay all the admission fees. Students will be accepted under the current bulletin.

Note for Washington State citizens:

Andrews University is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Andrews University to offer specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA  98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.

The transferability of credits earned at Andrews University is at the discretion of the receiving college, university, or other educational institution. Students considering transferring to any institution should not assume that credits earned in any program of study at Andrews University will be accepted by the receiving institution. Similarly, the ability of a degree, certificate, diploma, or other academic credential earned at Andrews University to satisfy an admission requirement of another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Accreditation does not guarantee credentials or credits earned at Andrews University will be accepted by or transferred to another institution. To minimize the risk of having to repeat coursework, students should contact the receiving institution in advance for evaluation and determination of transferability of credits and/or acceptability of degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has authority to investigate student complaints against specific schools. WSAC may not be able to investigate every student complaint. Visit https://www.wsac.wa.gov/student-complaints for information regarding the WSAC complaint process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Deliver effective biblically-based sermons.
• Demonstrate proper biblical interpretation skills.
• Understand the historical-theological development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
• Train church members for evangelism.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to empower church members for leadership.
• Reach specific social groups.