Upcoming courses for admitted students only

One credit hour; two-term sequence — Andy Brubacher Kaethler, PhD

Students register for the MACF project for two consecutive semesters. In the first semester, students plan and receive approval for their final project. In the second semester, they implement and evaluate the project and meet with the faculty project supervisor and the second reader. Students integrate biblical, theological, and historical knowledge with pedagogical, spiritual, and performative competence in the fulfillment of the project.

Two credit hours — Drew Strait, PhD

Students in the MATGA program enroll in a two-hour seminar in the final semester of study, which includes six meetings with the MATGA Program Director and other students. In the seminar, students will develop an extensive bibliography as well as engage in guided and integrative reflection on the educational outcomes of the program, leading up to exams. In limited cases, students enrolled in the seminar can petition for a thesis option to replace the exams. A successful thesis will substitute for one course in the elective requirements.

Three credit hours — Weds, 1:30–4:30 p.m. ET

This summative seminar takes place during the final semester of study for MATPS students. It includes meetings with other MATPS students and the student’s faculty advisor. Students will focus on writing a synthesis paper that integrates theological, theoretical, and practical analysis of peacebuilding work drawn from the internship. This paper then serves as the basis for the MATPS comprehensive interview. MATPS students must satisfactorily complete the seminar and the comprehensive interview to be eligible for graduation.

Three credit hours

MATPS students complete a part-time two-semester-long internship in a location approved by the Peace Studies Director. The internship site must have a qualified supervisor to guide and evaluate the student’s learning and growing competence in peacebuilding work. Two online modules are required during the first semester of the internship: one on compiling field notes sufficient for further analysis (INT673); and one on spiritual practices for sustaining the work of peacebuilding (INT674). Students can petition for a full-semester internship (six hours or nine hours) as an alternative to the default two-semester internship. It is recommended that students take Practicing and Embodying Nonviolence before the internship.

One credit hour — Andy Brubacher Kaethler, PhD — Weds, 8:30–11:30 a.m. ET

This seminar directs students in the completion of their formation portfolio and ministry case study paper. It helps prepare students for the senior interview and for completion of the senior ministry assessment. This seminar provides the structure for students to focus intentionally on their growth and integration in the pedagogies of knowing, doing, and being, with particular attention to their anticipated ministry vocation. Students should wait to take this course until the final year of their program. Prerequisites: Leadership Education in Anabaptist Perspective (LEAP), Ministry in Church and World, and advancement to candidacy for the MDiv degree.

Three credit hours; two-term sequence — Leah Thomas, PhD — Weds, 1:30–4:30 p.m. ET

The primary content for this two-semester course is the student’s experience in an 8- to 10-hour-per-week ministry internship. This context provides a setting for the student to test and refine ministry skills, develop ministerial identity, and grow in self-awareness and confidence as a practitioner. The student may do the placement in a congregation, church institution, or community service agency under the supervision of an experienced practitioner with recognized theological formation. Weekly classes led by an AMBS faculty member focus on fostering the skills of theological and ethical reflection on the practice of ministry; peer consultation; and the development of healthy personal boundaries. Students must submit an application to the Director of Contextual Education and be advanced to candidacy for the MDiv degree by the faculty after completing 11 credit hours at AMBS. Prerequisites: Leadership Education in Anabaptist Perspective (LEAP) and advancement to candidacy for the MDiv degree.

Three credit hours; two-term sequence — Allan Rudy-Froese, PhD — Online (synchronous): Weds, 1:30–4:30 p.m. ET

The primary content for this two-semester course is the student’s experience in an 8- to 10-hour-per-week ministry internship. This context provides a setting for the student to test and refine ministry skills, develop ministerial identity, and grow in self-awareness and confidence as a practitioner. The student may do the placement in a congregation, church institution, or community service agency under the supervision of an experienced practitioner with recognized theological formation. Weekly classes led by an AMBS faculty member focus on fostering the skills of theological and ethical reflection on the practice of ministry; peer consultation; and the development of healthy personal boundaries. Students must submit an application to the Director of Contextual Education and be advanced to candidacy for the MDiv degree by the faculty after completing 11 credit hours at AMBS. Prerequisites: Leadership Education in Anabaptist Perspective (LEAP) and advancement to candidacy for the MDiv degree.

Three credit hours — Leah Thomas, PhD

The SME is a 400-hour professional ministry placement served in a congregation, church institution, or community service agency under the supervision of an experienced practitioner with recognized theological formation. Students may complete the SME on either an intensive basis (full time) or an extended basis (over two semesters). The SME site and supervisor are arranged in consultation with the Director of Contextual Education. Students must submit an application to the Director of Contextual Education and be advanced to candidacy for the MDiv degree by the faculty after completing 11 credit hours at AMBS. Ministry in Church and World is recommended as a prerequisite.

Three credit hours; two-term sequence — Andy Brubacher Kaethler, PhD

Students enrolled in the MDiv program with a Theological Studies major may petition to write a thesis. If the petition is approved, the student must register for this research course in the next two semesters and, if necessary, MDiv Thesis Extension for up to two semesters after that, until he or she completes and successfully defends the thesis. Students must complete the thesis in two years or less. Students cannot enroll in MDiv Thesis Research in an Intensive Term. For more information and instructions, see the MDiv Manual.