Christian ministry in our world requires leaders who demonstrate a thorough understanding of Scripture and theology, competence in ministerial functions, and spiritual maturity (including personal holiness, integrity, wisdom, love, and both emotional and psychological wholeness). Supervised ministry provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate their giftedness and suitability for professional ministry through a continuing process of discernment, real-life application, self-evaluation, and formation.
- Ongoing development of self-knowledge and personal maturity that contributes to worldview, personal integrity, responsible functioning, and interpersonal relationships;
- Ongoing development of a biblically-based philosophy of ministry that closes the gap between theory and practice;
- Ongoing development of their own relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, meditation, and accountability; and
- Ongoing development of skills in the basic functions of ministry such as preaching, teaching, evangelism, administration, and pastoral care.
Internship Preparation
Students are required to participate in the internship preparation courses TL 002A and TL 002B at least two academic terms prior to the student’s desired internship start date. Internship preparation includes:
- Reviewing prerequisites
- Reviewing the internship process and requirements
- Choosing a site, supervisor, and mentor
- Writing a reflective paper (Personal and Professional Development Plan)
- Preparing and signing an Internship Agreement
- Vocational Formation Interview and approval to begin an internship
TL 002A • Professional Internship Assessment and Preparation A 0 Credit
Vocational Assessments MDiv/MAMin, students will complete two assessment inventories and an individual conversation with a professional counselor to interpret and discuss the results of the inventories. The TL 002A inventories focus on the student's vocational and conflict management skills, promoting vocational discernment and integration as well as helping students assess and develop their vocational skills.
TL 002B • Professional Internship Assessment and Preparation B 0 Credit
Students will explore the ten modules in preparation for the internship. The modules will address Internship plans, outcomes, pedagogy, the site supervisor and mentor role, and required experiences. Essential pre-coursework includes the Internship Agreement and Personal and Professional Development paper. The students will use the experience from the TL 002A course and chosen measurable goals to craft their personal and professional development papers.
Internship Courses
TL 566A • Professional Internship for MDiv A 2 Credits
Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: SP 001, TL 002A, TL 002B, SP 540, CP 510, ML 545, PC 512. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received pre-approval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. 400 hours are required between TL 566A and TL 566B. This course is intended for MDiv students.
TL 566B • Professional Internship for MDiv B 2 Credits
Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: TL 566A. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received preapproval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. This course is intended for MDiv students.
TL 568A • Professional Internship for MA in Ministry A 2 Credits
Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: SP 001, TL 002A, TL 002B, SP 540. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received pre-approval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. 400 hours are required between TL 568A and TL 568B. This course is intended for MA Ministry students. The corresponding MDiv internship course is TL 566A.
TL 568B • Professional Internship for MA in Ministry B 2 Credits
Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: TL 568A. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received preapproval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. This course is intended for MA Ministry students. The corresponding MDiv internship course is TL 566A.
PC 566A • Chaplaincy Internship A 2 Credits
This course provides students opportunity to intern in the work of chaplaincy. Students complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (a total of 400-440 hours of ministry and reflection) in a CPE center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Students contract with a CPE site for a supervised experience in a hospital, hospice site, elder care facility, homeless shelter, or other accredited CPE site.
Prerequisites: TL 002A, TL 002B, SP 540, PC 512. CPE site fees are paid directly to the CPE center. These fees are reimbursed to students at the completion of the CPE unit with the submission of a valid invoice or receipt documenting the amount paid to the CPE site. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship.
PC 566B • Chaplaincy Internship B 2 Credits
This course provides students opportunity to intern in the work of chaplaincy. Students complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (a total of 400-440 hours of ministry and reflection) in a CPE center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Students contract with a CPE site for a supervised experience in a hospital, hospice site, elder care facility, homeless shelter, or other accredited CPE site.
Prerequisites: For MA and MDiv students, PC 566A. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year.
PC 705 • Clinical Pastoral Education 1-4 Credits
Students contract under an accredited CPE center for one unit of CPE, a 400-hour supervised experience, usually in a hospital or nursing care center. CPE is particularly important for persons who plan to enter chaplaincy posts of various kinds, but it is also applicable to many other ministry settings. The credits may be applied as pastoral care electives but may not be applied to professional internship requirements.
Prerequisites: PC 512. CPE site fees are paid directly to the CPE center. These fees are reimbursed to students at the completion of the CPE unit with the submission of a valid invoice or receipt documenting the amount paid to the CPE site. Grade exceptions: This course is Pass/Fail. Special Notes: A passing grade will be assigned when the Office of the Registrar receives, from the student, a notarized copy of the ACPE Certificate of Completion.