Youth & Young Adult Ministry MA

Total Credits - 48

Other Requirements

GSEM 505  Colloquium Credits: 0

(4.5 hour) Colloquia on a variety of ministry topics will be offered each semester for all on-campus students.

• On-Campus MA students will take 1 colloquium per Fall/Spring semester for the remaining semesters of their in-campus program

Core Courses - 25

• 2 credits of  CHIS 674 - Development of Seventh-day Adventist Theology Credits: 2,3
• 3 credits of  DSLE 503 - Marriage, Family, and Interpersonal Relationships Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 534 - Ministry to Youth and Young Adults Credits: 2,3
• 3 credits of  DSLE 541 - Foundations of Biblical Spirituality Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 607 - Intergenerational Ministry Credits: 2
• 3 credits of  DSLE 610 - Teaching for Discipleship Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  PATH 526 - Conflict Management Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  THST 615 - Doctrine of the Church Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of a MSSN World Missions course
• 4 credits of NTST/OTST courses

Youth & Young Adult Ministry Courses - 17

• 2 credits of  DSLE 564 - Discipling Young Adults Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 608 - Youth and Young Adults in Contemporary Culture Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 615 - Collaborative Ministry: School, Church, Community Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 626 - Discipling At-Risk Youth Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 636 - Discipling Youth Credits: 2,3
• 2 credits of  DSLE 656 - Counseling Youth and Young Adults Credits: 2,3
• 3 credits of  DSLE 662 - Field Practicum: Professional Credits: 1–6 (take after 24 credits)
• 2 credits of  PATH 632 - Contextualized Preaching:___________________________ Credits: 2,3 (for Youth & Young Adult Ministry)

Degree Electives - 6

Choose courses from the following to total 6 credits:

• DSLE 651 - Foundations of Biblical Counseling Credits: 2,3
• DSLE 678 - Spiritual Nurture of Children Credits: 2,3
• PATH 553 - The Church and Social Issues Credits: 2,3
• PATH 555 - Pastoral Counseling Credits: 2,3

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Youth and Young Adult Ministry MA program should read the general admission requirements of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Applicants 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 concentration to which they are applying.
   
5. Interview with a representative of the YYAM MA program, if required, either by personal contact, telephone, or e-mail.
   
6. Demonstrate a solid background in Old and New Testament knowledge through a department review of prior transcripts OR take OTST 500 Survey of the Old Testament and NTST 520 Introduction to the New Testament within the first year of enrollment.
   

English Language Requirement

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

• TOEFL - score of 550 (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.

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 (SV)- to administer their background checks. There is a standard fee charged by Sterling Volunteers for this service. (If you have previously completed a background check within the past three year through SV, please login to your SV profile and share your Background Check with Andrews University.)
  
• Applicants to all Seminary programs are required to complete and submit to the Seminary the “Pre-Admission Conduct Disclosure Statement.”
  

Policy for Applicants to Youth and Young Adult Ministiry MA Program Who Hold Degrees from Unaccredited Schools or Lack Baccalaureate Degrees

Purpose of this policy/protocol: To streamline the admission process and to create standardized admission requirements for students that hold degrees from unaccredited schools or lack baccalaureate degrees. As per 2020 ATS guidelines, and as part of the SDATS application process, the following procedure will be followed.

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

1. A 12 to 15-page research paper on a biblical/theological or education/teaching topic that demonstrates solid and academic-level research and writing skills.
   
2. A resume documenting at least 3-years of teaching/education/ministry/pastoral leadership and work experience.
   
3. A statement of purpose including the call to ministry showing authentic biblical spirituality.
   
4. Three recommendations.
   
5. Official transcripts showing the completion of an undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree with a minimum 2. 5 GPA.
   
6. A petition letter from an education/church administrator (usually conference youth director of president/ministerial) requesting/endorsing the applicant’s admission to the program.
   
7. Interview: Applicants will be interviewed by one or two Admission Committee members or one of the Deans education/ministry, life experience, goals, and distinctive doctrines and theology.
   

In addition to all requirements above, applicants who lack baccalaureate degrees must also:

1. Submit official transcripts showing the completion of a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits or an associate degree with a minimum 2. 5 GPA.
   
2. Be at least 35 years of age.
3. If required, the applicant will be interviewed by the program director or the 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 Master’s Admissions Committee only those cases that fall outside of this policy/protocol.

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).

Regular and punctual attendance is required at seminary worships and assemblies for faculty, staff, and students in residence, except students registered for 7 credits or fewer, and faculty who have assignments off-campus or are on an approved research term. Student requests to be excused from this requirement should be addressed to the dean’s office in writing. Regular worship attendance is a graduation requirement for students in residence. For further details, please refer to the “Seminary Worship Attendance Policy” under Student Life at the Seminary website, www.andrews.edu/sem/studentresources.

Program Learning Outcomes

PLO1: Demonstrate competence at an advanced level in critical thinking, training and education, teamwork, and engaging diverse perspectives related to discipleship across the lifespan. (Transferrable Skills, GIO 1)

PLO2: Achieve a comprehensive and critically-aware knowledge of methods of discipleship and practices with appropriate specializations in youth and young adult ministry, family life education, campus chaplaincy, religious education, and Bible teaching. (Knowledge, GIO 2)

PLO3: Critique from a Seventh-day Adventist perspective key ideas, techniques, or methods in the field of discipleship in lifespan education. (Faith Development, GIO 3)

PLO4: Be prepared to train leaders at all levels of the church in diverse settings and communities using advanced skills and knowledge of discipleship across the lifespan in a manner consistent with both professional and Seventh-day Adventist Christian thought and practice. (Faith Integration, GIO 4)