School of Theology
Carl Cosaert, Dean; Brant Berglin, Susan Bungard, Paul Dybdahl, Mathilde Frey, Pedrito Maynard-Reid, David Thomas, Jody Washburn.
The principal purposes of the School of Theology are to provide undergraduate education for students seeking to pursue religious callings such as pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, religious scholarship, and to teach religion and offer courses in religion for the general student body in harmony with the mission of the University.
Students interested in becoming pastors, chaplains, evangelists, Bible workers, or teachers of religion are best advised to pursue the Theology Major. This degree is the preferred degree for entering the various religious professions because it includes elements of religious practice, the necessary academic components, as well as the development of proficiency in two major Biblical Languages, Greek and Hebrew. The Theology Major is also designed to meet Seminary entrance requirements.
A Religion Major is also offered for those who wish to have an emphasis in religion at the undergraduate level, but who do not want or need to have the practical elements of ministry or biblical languages as part of their education.
The School of Theology offers a third major, one in Biblical Languages. This major is intended for those who wish to gain facility in the basic tools for biblical study, especially those anticipating graduate work in this and related areas.
Candidates for the Theology degree who want to receive a recommendation from the faculty to Church employing agencies, in addition to completing the listed requirements for the degree, must go through the process of endorsement. The process of endorsement is more fully described in a separate handbook obtainable from the School of Theology. Those who achieve endorsement should expect to go on into some kind of internship before going to seminary, typically the Theological Seminary at Andrews University, where they will complete an additional two years of study in order to earn the basic ministerial degree, a Master of Divinity. Those planning to attend the Seminary should complete the undergraduate subjects required for entrance and maintain a minimum grade-point average of 2.50.
All majors must successfully complete a Senior Comprehensive Examination in order to graduate. In addition, Theology and Biblical Language majors are required to take Greek and Hebrew qualification exams prior to graduation which, if they pass at appropriate levels, may be recognized by the Andrews University Theological Seminary according to their policies thus obviating the need for students to take the language entrance exams at the Seminary.
Students who plan to teach religion in Seventh-day Adventist academies are advised to obtain teacher certification as outlined in the Education section of this bulletin. Students should consult the Dean of the School of Theology about courses required as early as possible in their university career.