​​The Emmanuel  Communion

Formation College

​Forming strong character through study, worship/prayer, and discipleship

FORMATION COLLEGE is a Benedictine Not-For-Profit learning institution of the Emmanuel Communion. In a busy world with time and financial constraints, people should not have to give up their lives and resources in order to gain a good education. Therefore, Formation College offers distance, mentored, education using modern technology to facilitate learning.

Formation College believes in a balanced life model of Study-Worship-Discipleship. Our programs are based upon a style of learning through mentored research. We offer a Certificate for those who cannot meet the educational requirements presently for more advanced degrees and for those not pursuing ordination. We also offer a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate for those meeting the requirements.

CERTIFICATE IN BIBLE AND MINISTRY
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Prospective Students must be proficient enough in English to complete their studies. The program consists of 34 Semester Hours designed for those without a college degree, but with some formal education.

This program is designed for those who wish to learn more about the Christian Faith or those who may desire to work in a church/parish related occupation other than as ordained clergy.

Total Semester Hours: 34

Biblical Studies 14 Hours / Credits:
OT102 Introduction to the Old Testament 2
OT105 The Psalms 2
NT102 Introduction to the New Testament 2
NT105 Elective: Romans or John 2
NT105 Introduction to Using New Testament Greek 2
NT217 Biblical Hermeneutics for Preachers and Teachers 2
ST202 Introduction to New Testament Biblical Theology 2

Theological Studies 8 Hours / Credits:
ST201 Systematic Theology 1 2
ST202 Systematic Theology 2 2
ST204 Life of Christ 2
ST209 Discipleship 2

Historical Studies 6 Hours / Credits:
CH202 History of Christianity 1 — Ancient and Medieval 2
CH204 History of Christianity 2 — Reformation to Modern Era 2
CH207 History of Heresy Ancient and Modern 2

Pastoral Studies 6 Hours / Credits:*
PS201 Basic Pastoral Counseling 2
PM205 Homiletics 2
PM206 Teaching the Bible 2

Final Exit Exam

*Students must complete OT102, NT102, ST201, ST202, before enrolling in Pastoral Ministry courses.

 
MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES ORDINATION TRACK
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) is an academic degree program designed for persons who intend to pursue ordination in the Emmanuel Communion. It is also appropriate for those who wish further graduate religious studies above the bachelor’s degree level in Biblical exegesis and theology.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
A bachelor’s degree or the educational equivalent is required. English language proficiency should be good enough to understand and complete required studies.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies requires completion of a total of 65 credit hours providing competence in the discipline. The rigorous program is mainly directed mentored research in the Oxford tradition with lectures available in selected areas. To graduate, a student must earn at least a grade of C- (1.7) in each course, and must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
The program follows the pray-study-serve form. In this way, study, spirituality, and service are interdependent and interrelated for a comprehensive forming of the Christian mind, Christian outlook, and Christian relations.
Upon successful completion, the student is awarded the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
A graduate of the MA in Theological Studies will
• Effectively communicate Christ and His Gospel throughout the entirety of Scripture.
• Be increasingly transformed by the Gospel, growing in Christ-likeness, and growing in desire and competence for sharing that gospel with others.
• Articulate the centrality of the Gospel for prayer, study, and service.
• Thoughtfully exegete their culture and understand the Christian’s responsibility to participate in God’s work of making all things new.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ORDINATION TRACK
Total Semester Hours: 65

Biblical Studies 27 Hours / Credits:
OT502 Introduction to the Old Testament 3
OT505 The Psalms 3
NT602 Introduction to the New Testament 3
NT605 Elective: Romans or John 3
NT605 New Testament Greek A 3
NT606 New Testament Greek B 3
NT712 Biblical Hermeneutics (Greek New Testament) 3
BT501 Old Testament Biblical Theology 3
BT502 New Testament Biblical Theology 3

Theological Studies13 Hours / Credits:
ST601 Systematic Theology I  3
ST602 Systematic Theology Christology II  3
ST603 Systematic Theology III  3
ST608 Morals and Ethics 2
ST700 The Sacraments 2

Historical Studies 10 Hours / Credits:
CH502 History of Christianity 1 — Ancient and Medieval 3
CH504 History of Christianity 2 — Reformation to Modern Era 3
CH505 Missions 4

Pastoral Studies 16 Hours / Credits:*
PS601 Classical Pastoral Counseling 3
PS706 Supervised Ministry 1

PS707 Church Polity 1
PM502 Homiletics 3
SD601 Spiritual Formation 3

PS704 Worship 4

*Students must complete OT502, NT602, ST601, ST602, ST608 before enrolling in Pastoral Ministry courses.

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
48 Credit Hours
The Doctor of Ministry Degree is the highest professional degree for those engaged in ministry. This degree is designed to give increased effectiveness to those engaged in pastoral ministry, missions, and para-church ministries.

Academic Requirements for Admission
A Master of Divinity Degree is required for entrance and being actively engaged in present ministry. A person with an MATS or equivalent may be admitted by taking additional coursework prior to entering the Doctor of Ministry Program. Each module and the program itself involves the disciplines of study-worship-service.

Academic Requirements for Completion
The Doctor of Ministry Degree involves theoretical research and a practical ministry project. Five modules must be completed, including a ministry project, for a total of forty-eight credit hours.

Learning Outcomes
The DMin degree seeks to give the students competence in preaching to the modern world, and either teaching in a ministry context or spiritual development in a parish context. Another module focuses on the Book of Common Prayer and worshiping in a ministry context. These are followed by either Option 1: A shortened dissertation and a shortened ministry project or Option 2: A lengthy ministry project.  Graduates should be able to equip their congregations through the preaching of Scripture, teaching to disciple, and worshiping as a whole model for ministry. Students should, as a result, also be able to guide others in their spiritual lives and mentor them.

D.Min Degree Track/Credits:
1. Preaching in Ministry Context 12
2. Teaching in Ministry Context or Spiritual Development 12
3. Book of Common Prayer: Worship in a Ministry Context 12
4. Dissertation and Ministry Project 12