In order to promote a spirit of understanding and a sense of fairness and decorum, the Seminary maintains various institutional policies. These policies are intended, not as restrictions on student behavior, but as safeguards for smooth institutional and interpersonal relations.
- ACADEMIC PHILOSOPHY AND POLICIES
- I. PHILOSOPHY OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
The values of the Church of the Nazarene are embedded in the philosophy of education of APNTS. Education in the Church of the Nazarene prepares both laity and clergy for Christ-like service in the kingdom of God. Education is one of the means by which the global mission of the Church of the Nazarene, “to make Christ-like disciples in the nations,” is fulfilled. The church’s core values impact the curriculum and impel each school toward excellence as it reflects in its context what it means to be Christian, holiness and missional in character.
A. The Christian Character of Nazarene Education
“Christian” penetrates all dimensions of APNTS, its mission, leadership and practices. Biblical, theological and ethical precepts penetrate the entire curriculum (which includes the totality of the learning experience). APNTS is a community with shared Christ-centered values and aims. There is a sense of oneness, a spirit of cooperation, and a shared ethos among students, faculty members, administrators, and support persons. Our school lives out Christian virtues.
The principles and people governing and guiding institutions reflect the character of God. Christ-like care and pastoral concern as well as responsibility and integrity characterize administrators. The practices of the faculty reflect care and concern for students’ inward as well as intellectual development. The goal of APNTS is to enable both faculty and students to reach their highest Christian potential.
B. The Holiness Character of Nazarene Education
The global Church of the Nazarene gathers and enables local communities pursuing holiness. “Holiness” characterizes the distinguishing character and aims of Nazarene education. Nazarene schools reflect who we are collectively as a holiness people. “Holiness” implies persons-in-community who are passionately seeking Christlikeness in every aspect of their being. As persons walking along with Christ, we find through the presence of his Holy Spirit, living by faith, a moment of entire sanctification. Because holiness is also a process of maturing in Christ, schools instill practices that lead to life-long learning.
APNTS prepares lay persons and clergy holy in character and sound in education. A hastily-educated people will not suffice a church pursuing Christian perfection. There is no contradiction between the best scholarship and the deepest spirituality. Consonant with its pursuit of holiness, APNTS selects and nurtures faculty members who constructively contribute to students’ faith and who are willing disciplers. Faculty members exhibit the successful integration of religious experience, doctrine, and scholarship. Based upon the dynamics of perfect love and mutual care, learning is dialogical, filled with synergy among fellow-learners. Teachers foster cooperation and community rather than competition. Consistent with the experiential concerns of our movement, education is transformational rather than only transmissive.
An education undertaken with APNTS teachers will promote a Wesleyan ethos and denominational loyalty transmittable to local congregations. In our school each generation recaptures and internalizes the experience and the doctrines of holiness that are intertwined with the identity of the Church of the Nazarene. Amid new forms of educational technology, APNTS remains committed to both building community and transforming character.
C. The Missional Character of Nazarene Education
Education, just as evangelism, extends the gospel in the world. Persons educated at APNTS seek to understand and to develop competencies to engage the world for Christ. Sacrificially APNTS demonstrates Christ-centered love in its own locality.
At the same time, APNTS represents ethnic and linguistic diversity. In every context, rich or poor, the nurture and care of children flows out of compassion for them and concern for the future.
APNTS desires to remain close to districts and local congregations that entrust students to it. There is a shared missional oneness among the school and the churches, with responsibilities of mutual prayer, trust and care. APNTS is the church in education, and cannot fulfill its mission apart from local churches.
As part of its missional orientation, the Church of the Nazarene encourages schools to develop educational programs that meet the needs of the whole church. Educational programs develop not in schools’ search for financial viability, but out of missional obligations to laity and to society.
Nazarenes understand that prevenient grace is missional. As a holiness school, APNTS conveys optimism regarding the redeem-ability of persons and the world in both its natural state and social networks. The Holy Spirit is working among all persons, enabling belief, persuading and wooing, luring and beckoning toward full salvation. In Scripture we encounter Christ. Through the common core of shared knowledge that defines what it means to be educated, the same Holy Spirit teaches us about the world.
Our educational processes reflect optimism in the grace of God and intentionally offer faculty, students and staff the opportunity for transforming encounters with Christ within their spiritual journeys. APNTS passionately desires revival and awakening, both within it and among the churches that support it.
To reach the world, education requires attention to content and context, competency and character. APNTS provides various resources, including faculty, and seeks the widest possible deployment and use of these resources. APNTS takes every opportunity to prepare men and women for the twenty-first century. Growing populations and urbanization demand Christian response. APNTS employs relevant technologies and media resources so that students may develop skills that will best enable the proclamation of the gospel. Our expectation is that many students will be called to ministries reaching those who adhere to traditional and tribal religions, and post-modernists, as well as neglected segments of society, including children, women, minorities, disabled persons and the poor. The Wesleyan impulse is to carry a plainly spoken gospel to all people.
- II. CHARACTERISTICS OF MASTER’S LEVEL EDUCATION
The Global Consortium of Graduate Nazarene Theological Institutions has established a common understanding of “Master’s Degree Characteristics.” (Much in this section is from Australian Qualifications Framework Council, Australian Qualifications Framework, 2nd ed. [January 2013], 17.)
In keeping with the language established by the Consortium, certain APNTS degrees may be classified as “professional/vocational” and others as “focused/specialist”: APNTS degrees that do not require theses are considered “professional/vocational,” and degrees that do require theses are “focused/specialist.” Thus the Master of Ministry, the Master of Divinity and the Master of Science in Theology in Pastoral Ministry, none of which require theses, are considered to be professional/vocational, and the Master of Arts degrees in Religious Education and Christian Communication, and other Master of Science in Theology degrees, are considered focused/specialist.
This is not to say that the standards for one are higher than the standards for the other, but that the purposes of the degrees are different. The professional/vocational master’s degrees qualify individuals to apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice and serve as a pathway for further learning, whereas the specialist/focused degrees qualify individuals to apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and serve as a pathway for further learning.
In all master’s degrees offered at APNTS, graduates will have an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in one or more disciplines or areas of practice.
As to knowledge, graduates also will have expert, specialized cognitive and technical skills in a body of knowledge or practice in order to analyze critically, reflect on, synthesize and integrate complex information, problems, concepts and theories. Graduates will have knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of study and will have mastered a body of knowledge that includes an understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or professional practice. In addition, those taking professional/vocational degrees will have knowledge of the professional practice of ministry.
As to skills, they will be able to research and apply established theories to a body of knowledge or practice, and to interpret and communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Graduates will have the cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on context, theory and professional practice. They will have the cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyze, synthesize and integrate complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice. They will have the cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level. They will have the communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences. They will have the technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyze and theorize about developments that contribute to professional practice. In addition, those taking specialist/focused degrees will be able to contribute scholarship to the discipline.
As to the application of knowledge and skills, graduates will be able to demonstrate self-direction, originality, adaptability and responsibility as practitioners or learners. Graduates will be able to exercise creativity and initiative in professional practice and/or further learning. Graduates will be able to apply their learning with high levels of personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability. Graduates will be able to plan and execute substantial scholarship and/or professionally-focused projects.
APNTS master’s degree qualifications are designed to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes specified by these criteria, as well as by the Philippine government’s Commission on Higher Education, and the criteria set by the accrediting associations to which APNTS is accountable.
- III. ACADEMIC POLICIES
A. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF ADMISSION
For successful admission to APNTS:
- Students will have graduated with a baccalaureate degree from a government-recognized or accredited college, university or Bible College. (Students may be asked to submit college catalogues, syllabi or other documents in order to indicate the academic level of undergraduate work.)
- An application form will have been carefully filled out by the applicant. Such forms can be obtained from the Registrar upon request, and are available on-line. The application form requires that the student supply a small recent picture, and that the prospective student list the names of at least four persons who will recommend the student. The Registrar will correspond directly with individuals indicated by the student on the application form.
- The application fee of $20 (or its peso equivalent) will have been submitted to APNTS.
- The Registrar will have received recommendations from the four persons listed on the application form.
- Official transcripts of all baccalaureate and graduate schools attended by the student will have been presented to the Registrar.
- Students will have shown a college academic average grade of at least B-.
- Students who are transferring credits from other theological seminaries or graduate schools will have submitted a statement of honorable dismissal and a recommendation for admission. A transcript of courses is also required.
- Students will have submitted an official, standardized, internationally recognized English test result. (See English Language Policy below.)
- Students will have submitted all of the above within one month of APNTS Registration for either the first or second semester or summer modules.
- Students desiring to live on campus will have submitted a Request for Housing application.
- Students desiring financial assistance will have submitted a Scholarship application form.
- Provisional admission may be given to students falling short of full admission requirements.
B. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
In addition to the above, international students should contact the Registrar for current visa guidelines. They should prepare two original, official Transcripts of Records from prior school(s).
Successful international students will have begun the application process not later than six months prior to APNTS Registration.C. PLEDGE
Upon admission, students are expected to agree to abide by the following pledge: “I do solemnly promise that I will diligently and faithfully attend to the instruction and exercises of this Seminary; observe its rules of conduct relating to students, respect the admonition of the instructional staff, and cooperate with the Spirit and spiritual emphasis of the Seminary while I shall continue as a student of the institution.”
D. ENGLISH LANGUAGE POLICY
The language of instruction and common discourse at APNTS is English. It is imperative that students possess well-developed skills in reading, writing, comprehending and conversing in the English language. Prospective students for whom English is not their first language must pass an internationally-recognized, standardized English test.
✓ For admission to Graduate Certificates or Graduate Diploma programs, 500 is required on the English test.
✓ For admission to the Master of Divinity program, the score must be the equivalent of 500 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (173 on the computer-based TOEFL).
✓ For admission to the Master of Science in Theology Pastoral Ministry program, students need a score of 510 (180 on the computer-based TOEFL).
✓ For admission to the other Master of Science in Theology programs, the M.A.R.E., and the M.A.C.C., students need a score of 550 (213 on the computer-based TOEFL).A score of 450 (133 on the computer-based TOEFL) permits (a) provisional acceptance, (b) the initial processing of visas, (c) the privilege of enrolling in English courses, and (d) the possibility of taking undergraduate courses if offered at APNTS. Applicants whose score is below 450 will not be accepted as students at APNTS and are encouraged to enroll first at English language institutes.
Provisional students who have not yet attained 500 on the official TOEFL or an equivalent score have one school year to pass the English test. APNTS gives its own test at the beginning of each semester, and at the close of each second semester. Each of these tests is mandatory for all students enrolled at APNTS, both full and part-time, who have not yet either attained 500 on the TOEFL test or passed the APNTS English Test.
If a student fails to achieve a passing score at the end of one school year of study at APNTS he or she will not be allowed to enroll in the next semester’s or summer classes. If such students are living on campus, such students will be required to move off campus within two weeks after graduation ceremonies. Students who have not passed the APNTS English Test after one school year will be allowed to re-enroll only after presenting a test score of 500 on an official English test.
Likewise, M.A. and M.S.T. students having a score between 500 and 549 or the equivalent on an English test have one school year to reach the appropriate English level mandated for their programs. Students will not be allowed to enroll in Thesis Seminar or Thesis Writing until they have attained 550 on a test of English. That is, a score of 550 is necessary to write a thesis.
A TOEFL score of 500 to 549 (173-212 on the computer-based test) enables a student to enroll in up to twelve units of graduate work per semester.
A TOEFL score of 550 (213 on the computer-based test) or above enables a student to enroll in up to fifteen units of graduate work per semester.
These APNTS English policies are given with the awareness that not many M.A. and M.S.T. students will be able to complete the course requirements, including thesis, within two years, and not all M.Div. students within three years. Many students should pace their academic progress to include three years for M.A. and M.S.T. degrees and four years for the M.Div.E. PRE-SEMINARY PREPARATION AND ADVANCED STANDING
Seminary studies build upon solid undergraduate foundations, whether through a first theological degree or a degree in the arts or sciences. APNTS teachers assume students’ basic understanding of the Bible and broad knowledge of the humanities and social sciences, including some introduction to language, world history and psychology. In adequate undergraduate programs students will have learned the ability to read with understanding, both critically and analytically, and to write with clarity.
For the MASTER OF DIVINITY: Students for whom the Master of Divinity is a second degree in religion or theological studies may graduate with 78 units provided that their undergraduate degree is from a government-recognized or accredited institution and has included: Biblical Language (6 units in either Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek), Foundations of Christian Education, or its equivalent (3 units), and Nazarene History and Polity or its equivalent for non-Nazarene students (3 units). In addition, all in-coming students are required to have taken Psychology at the undergraduate level.
Students without these pre-requisites will be required to take these subjects at the graduate level at APNTS.
With the exception of the Pastoral Ministry concentration, which requires a Master of Divinity for acceptance, acceptance into the MASTER OF SCIENCE IN THEOLOGY requires applicants to have completed a “first” degree in religion or theological studies, which will have included: a Biblical Language (either Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek), 6 semester hours, and Instructional Methods or Teaching in Higher Education (or the equivalent), 3 semester hours.Acceptance into the MASTER OF ARTS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION requires students to have taken, in addition to at least one psychology subject, three subjects (9 units) in either education or Christian education.
Acceptance into the MASTER OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION program requires students to submit a sample project or production in some area of communication (printed, audio or visual).
F. HOUSING
APNTS values the importance of families staying together during the study years. The school is committed to a residential, campus-based education, and is concerned to minister to the whole family.
Nevertheless, housing on campus is limited. Students who are hoping to live on campus should submit a Housing Request form with their application form. The Dean of Students’ office will take action on this as soon as the student has been formally accepted as a student at APNTS.
Academic acceptance at APNTS does not guarantee housing on campus. As an institution of the Church of the Nazarene, which greatly subsidizes the school, priority is given to those students who are members of this denomination. Other consideration is given to denominations that sponsor full-time professors at APNTS. Housing, when available, is primarily for full-time graduate students, i.e., those taking nine or more hours of graduate credit during a semester. Spouses of full-time students are encouraged to enrol.
G. SCHOOL YEAR
The academic year consists of 36 weeks and is divided into two semesters of 18 weeks each. There is a two-week break between semesters. April through June three summer sessions are also held and are conducted Monday through Friday. The school calendar is posted on the APNTS web-site.
H. SUSPENSION OF CLASSES
APNTS honors Philippine national, provincial and local holidays and suspends classes due to inclement weather. Being in Taytay, Rizal, APNTS is located in Region IV, which lays just outside of the National Capital Region.
I. SEMESTRAL DATES
✓ LAST DATE to change to AUDIT or to DROP a course is the half-way point in any given subject.
✓ The LAST DATE to file for an INCOMPLETE is the at the three-fourths mark in any given subject
✓ DUE DATE is normally the Friday of the next-to-last week of the subject. No work received after this time will receive full credit.
The exact dates for the above will be provided by the Registrar’s office and posted on the APNTS web-site. - IV. PROGRAMS AND DEGREES
A. PREPARATION FOR PASTORAL MINISTRY
Students who are planning on ordination should enroll in the Master of Divinity. This course provides and solid and broad basis and background for pastoral ministry. Students who are not planning on ordination as an elder but who desire to prepare for leading or assisting in the discipleship and educational programs of a local church should consider the Master of Arts in Religious Education with a concentration in church ministries.
B. PREPARATION FOR MISSIONS
Individuals who are preparing for Christian service in the world mission of the church or in other intercultural ministries, and who anticipate ordination, should take the Master of Divinity and choose electives in the area of Intercultural Studies.
Such a student should consult with the intercultural studies program director for a sequence of appropriate courses. At least 10 subjects in intercultural studies (30 credits) are recommended for students who are anticipating service in the world mission or in intercultural ministries or who wish to pursue doctoral work in intercultural studies. These subjects should be carefully chosen in order to fulfill expected doctoral pre-requisites.
For students who are already ordained, or who do not anticipate ordination, there are three other programs at APNTS that help prepare persons called to intercultural ministries:
Graduate Diploma in Intercultural Studies. The Graduate Diploma would be appropriate for students who have already earned a Master of Divinity, or who have a shortened period of time in which to prepare for intercultural ministries. The Graduate Diploma may be completed in one year at APNTS.
Master of Arts in Christian Communication, with concentration in Intercultural Studies. This degree allows students to specialize in the communication of the gospel in various ways inter-culturally. This degree requires an Intercultural Internship as well as thesis.
Master of Science in Theology, with concentration in Intercultural Studies. This program can be completed in two years. For those who have completed the Master of Divinity, this degree can be completed in one further year of course work, and requires an Intercultural Internship as well as thesis.C. PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE TEACHING
Students anticipating teaching in Bible or other colleges are urged to begin preparation with the Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div. offers a wide range of courses needful for undergraduate teaching in religion and theology and important for further specialization.
Building upon the M.Div., the Master of Science in Theology program at APNTS offers students specialization in a particular field of expertise. The “Teaching in Higher Education” subject is strongly recommended.
The Doctor of Philosophy program offered through the Asia Graduate School of Theology, which offers degrees in Old Testament and New Testament, theology and church history as well as Transformational Development, Transformational Learning, and Holistic Child Development, is to be recommended.
D. GRADUATE CERTIFICATES
Each of the Graduate Certificates represents 15 credits (5 subjects) in a specialized field of study:
Graduate Certificate in Lay Ministries
The Graduate Certificate in Lay Ministries is for the continuing education of any layperson involved in the church, so that they more deeply understand and appreciate the Christian faith, and may more skillfully participate in its ministries.Foundations of Christianity
Introduction to Biblical Studies
Foundations of Christian Education
Christian Formation of Ministers
Regulated elective in Christian Education or Pastoral MinistryGraduate Certificate in Intercultural Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Intercultural Studies is intended for those preparing for missions service who may have finished another degree, and for missionaries intending to continue their education by focusing on missions studies.
The World Mission
Communication for Education and Ministry
Intercultural Communication
Cultural Anthropology
Regulated elective in Intercultural StudiesGraduate Certificate in Language Teaching Ministry
The Graduate Certificate in Language Teaching Ministry is aimed to prepare students to teach English as a second language, primarily to prepare them for teaching inter-culturally.
Applied Linguistics
Second Language Acquisition
Teaching Practicum
One of the following
Measurement and Evaluation
Instructional Methods and Technology
Teaching in Higher Education
Values and Moral Development
One of the following
Communication for Education and Ministry
Intercultural Communication
Cultural AnthropologyGraduate Certificate in Holistic Child Development
The Graduate Certificate is aimed for those who are practitioners ministering to children in crisis. It is intended to be completed through two summers and a practicum.
Child, Church and Mission
Intervention Strategies with Children
Holistic Nurture of Children
Practicum
One of the following:
Learners with Special Needs
Community Transformation and Development
Communities of Practice
Early Childhood Christian Education
Children and the ChurchE. GRADUATE DIPLOMAS
The Graduate Diploma programs aim to train men and women for ministry who either do not have the opportunity or need to pursue the normal seminary degrees of M.Div., M.A., or M.S.T. These certificates and diplomas focus upon preparing lay leadership for the church, but some full-time church workers may find this course appropriate for their needs. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized or approved institution is required for entrance. The minimum pre-seminary studies required for M.Div. and M.A. and M.S.T. students, however, are not required. Thirty (30) credit units – ten subjects – are required for the Graduate Diploma. The Graduate Diploma could be completed in one school year or one school year plus summer modules.
Graduate Diploma in Christian MinistryThe Graduate Diploma in Christian Ministry provides a vocational diploma for ministers or laypersons desiring foundational studies in Christian ministry, and constitutes a good core of subjects for the continuing education of ministers who have already served in the field.
Introduction to Biblical Studies
Foundations of Christianity
Christian Formation of the Minister
Biblical Hermeneutics
Christian Holiness
Communication in Education and Ministry
Three of the following
Urban Church Multiplication
Urban Anthropology
Pastoral Care & Counseling
Foundations of Christian Education
The Church in Asia-Pacific Societies
Evangelism
The World Mission
One unregulated electiveGraduate Diploma in Intercultural Studies
The Graduate Diploma in Intercultural Studies, which can be accomplished in one year, is aimed to prepare missionaries, or to provide continuing education for missionaries who have already served on the field.
The World Mission
Communication for Education and Ministry
Intercultural Communication
Cultural Anthropology or Urban Anthropology
Practicum
Three of the following regulated electives
Evangelism
Urban Church Multiplication
The Church in Asia-Pacific Societies
Theology of Mission
History of Missions
Two unregulated electivesGraduate Diploma in Holistic Child Development
The Graduate Diploma in Holistic Child Development sharpens the skills of practitioners dealing with children at risk and in crisis, and prepares students for further graduate work.
Foundations of Christian Education
Child, Church and Mission
Intervention Strategies with Children
Practicum
Four of the following regulated electives:
Holistic Nurture of Children
Children and the Church
Early Childhood Christian Education
Learners with Special Needs
Community Development
Christian Communities of Practice
Two unregulated electives
- I. PHILOSOPHY OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
- INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES
- GENERAL
The subjects taught at APNTS, their aims and objectives, and the ways in which they are taught reflect the values of the Kingdom of God, the ethos of the Church of the Nazarene, and the particular values of APNTS.
- Instructors recognize that every class is doxological: a time of reflection acknowledging the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst.
- Every subject addresses each of the “four Cs”: COMPETENCY, CONTEXT, CHARACTER, and CONTENT. Attention to each of these creates a balanced approach. Evaluation is based on the particular ways in which each of these is balanced in particular subjects.
- Every subject has a practical “out-put” that can be exhibited in the student’s portfolio.
- Every subject provides opportunity for dialogue with persons either actively engaged in ministry or persons who have had years of experience as ministers. Sometimes this means drawing upon the students’ own ministries.
- Every subject lends attention to the BEST: Every subject either acknowledges the biblical foundations of the material, or relates the subject matter to the teachings of the Bible; every subject pays respect to the Church – its teachings and its servants; every subject provokes the student’s interest in ministering in the community and addressing social issues; and, every subject instills passion for the world mission of the Church.
- Every subject lends attention to the GREAT . . . . Glorifying God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, experiencing Regeneration, Evangelizing, evidencing Agapeic love, and being
- Every subject is centered on the CROSS . . . taking up one’s Cross, living in Resurrection hope, living at One with others, living a Spirit-filled, sanctified life, and being reading to be Sent into the world.
- Every subject is concerned that students experience GOD’S ETERNAL LIFE in and through them. We expect that APNTS students have already sensed the Life of God moving in their own personal lives, that they already have found and are finding ways to distribute that same Life of God to others, and that they will allow the Life of God to work through them in the places to which God will call them.
THE FOUR Cs
As an institution of the Church of the Nazarene that intends to provide a course of study leading to ordination, APNTS used the “Four Cs” approach in its construction of subjects.
CHANGES IN DEGREE PROGRAMS
At the time of initial registration the student is to make a declaration of intention as to the degree to be pursued. This can be changed by permission of the Academic Dean and the director of the appropriate degree program.
After the completion of a Master of Divinity degree, students can acquire the M.A. or M.S.T. by taking a minimum of 24 more prescribed credit hours, including a thesis (except for the M.S.T. in pastoral ministry, which does not require a thesis). Likewise, students who complete the M.A. or M.S.T. may acquire the Master of Divinity by taking a minimum of 45 more prescribed credit hours.
STUDENT COURSE LOAD
- The normal class load is 9-12 credit units per semester. A full-time student is one who takes at least 9 hours per semester for credit.
- During the summer sessions, the maximum class load is 9 hours overall.
- Students who have between 500 and 549 on the English Test should enroll in 9 to 12 hours per semester, and students who have above 550 may enroll for a maximum of 15 per semester.
- Students are expected to spend two hours out of class in study for every one-hour in class. For many courses, instructions expect 1,500 pages of reading.
- Only students who have a full time classification may reside on campus. Audited courses do not count toward this requirement. In case of married couples, at least one is to have “full-time” classification, while the spouse is encouraged to register for classes in order to enter fully into the life of the community.
- During the summer, those who reside on campus are required to take at least two courses.
- If a student is taking or has completed the Thesis Seminar, and does not need 9 hours for graduation, he or she may pay a “thesis continuation” fee equivalent to the amount necessary for full-time residence on campus.
BIBLE CONTENT EXAMINATION
- All incoming and returning students are required to take the institutional Bible Content Examination. This exam will monitor the students’ continued mastery of the Bible during their period of study at APNTS. The exam is given at the beginning of each semester during Registration week.
- Study guides for the Bible Content examination are available from Bible Department professors or the Academic Dean’s office.
BIBLICAL LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Students who have not taken at least 6 credit units in either Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek before enrolling in the Master of Divinity or Master of Science in Theology programs are required to take two semesters (six credits) of either Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek at APNTS.
NAZARENE HISTORY AND POLITY
Nazarene students who have not taken the History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene at the undergraduate level, are required to take the subject at APNTS at the graduate level. Non-Nazarene students are not required to take this subject, but are expected to have had a similar subject at the undergraduate level if they have attended a Bible or theological college. Non-Nazarene students who have not had a similar subject are required to take Denominational Studies, which may be offered as a directed study.
MUSIC COURSES
CHORAL PRACTICUM (SEMINARY CHOIR)
This course is offered occasionally, and earns one-half hour graduate credit per semester, and meets at least one hour each week. Only one credit maximum will count toward the student’s graduate program (as an unregulated elective), only after enrolment in the course over two semesters.
APPLIED MUSIC
Only one hour of Applied Music (e.g. piano) will be counted toward the student’s graduate degree program; and only one hour of Applied Voice will be counted toward the student’s graduate degree program – both as unregulated electives. One-half hour credit will be given per semester and credit will be given only after enrollment over two semesters. A recital is required.
DIRECTED STUDIES
A directed study is a course in the existing curriculum conducted outside the normal classroom setting to help a student meet a graduation requirement that could not be scheduled otherwise. The following stipulations and guidelines apply:
- he subject must be required for the student’s graduation.
- The student must be unable to take the course when the class is normally scheduled.
- The directed study class must be approved by the professor and the Academic Dean.
- Taking directed study courses is possible only after completion of at least one half of the graduate subjects in a student’s program.
- The student must spend at least as much time on the subject as would be expected in a regular class.
- A syllabus with specific requirements and course outline must be submitted to the Academic Dean’s Office by the professor at the time of registration.
- The course must be completed within the semester. The final due date is in effect. If an incomplete grade is needed, proper request must be made in writing according to policy.
- The student and professor should meet periodically throughout the semester. The first meeting should be within the first week of the semester.
- Normally, the course will be conducted while the student is in residence.
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
Independent Study is a research or project oriented course that is not a part of the existing curriculum, conducted outside the normal classroom setting, in order to help advanced students maximize their abilities for graduate study. The following guide-lines apply:
- The student must carry a GPA of 3.4 based on a minimum of 30 hours of graduate courses.
- The subject must be one that is not available in the existing curriculum.
- The subject must be approved by the professor and the Academic Dean.
- The student must spend at least as much time on the subject as would be expected in a regular class.
- A detailed syllabus with specific requirements and subject outline must be submitted to the Academic Dean’s Office by the professor at the time of registration.
- The subject must be completed within the semester. The final due date is in effect. If an incomplete grade is needed, proper request must be made according to policy.
- Each student is limited in taking courses in this manner accordingly: up to 15 hours for M. Div., and up to 9 hours in the M.A. and M.S.T. programs.
- No more than two classes may be taken in this manner per semester.
- The professor must receive periodic progress reports from the student. It is recommended that these be weekly.
- The student may accomplish the subject off-campus if adequate resources are available.
SUPERVISED MINISTRY
Supervised ministry provides the means by which one develops ministerial identity and acquires skills for ministry while serving Christ and his church. The Director of Supervised Ministry gives specific guidelines for the administration of supervised ministry learning. The Director approves on-site field supervisors or mentors, and both monitors and evaluates the ministry experience of each student.
PHILOSOPHY
It is the purpose of Supervised Ministry to provide supervised settings in which ministers-in-training can practice, explore, and reflect upon the profession of ministry. Through work with people in real situations of Christian service, the student is exposed to opportunities for developing professional competence in various Christian ministries. To insure quality supervised ministry experiences, students will be assigned to be approved ministry sites by the Director of Supervised Ministry.
Supervised Ministry is a holistic approach to theological education seeking not only learning but formation in the lives of students. Learning suggests the communication of techniques, skills and methodologies. Formation, on the other hand, refers to the journey of development, enablement and self-discovery. Specifically, contextualization of ministry practice is encouraged. Thus, the Supervised Ministry program seeks to form and transform the students’ intellectual pursuits, technical skills, spiritual development, and theological astuteness.
The principle of learning by doing under supervision is an ancient and valued one. This was the method used by Christ in the training of the twelve as well as the sending of the seventy. Of the apostles it is written: “And he chose twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them forth to preach” (Mark 3:14). Thus, the Master prepared the twelve by supervising them in the work of ministry. APNTS utilizes this model in its Supervised Ministries program.GOALS
- To bring seminarians to discover personal identity as Christian ministers.
- To bring together the activities of thinking and acting theologically, along with allowing theology to inform life and life to inform theology.
- To relate students to a supervision process that will support personal and spiritual growth, critical reflection, shared ministry, and professional competence.
- To develop within students an on-going self-assessment process, utilizing self-perception and feedback from others for the purpose of stimulating further growth.
- To offer seminarians an opportunity to serve Christ and his church while preparing for full-time Christian service.
- To encourage seminarians to reflect creatively upon their broader context of ministry and issues of contextualization of ministry practice.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
A total of three credits in Practicum are required for graduation with the Master of Divinity. The emphasis is upon supervised field education, not fieldwork. The purpose of the program is educational. While APNTS expects and encourages students to become actively involved in the work of ministry from the time of enrollment until the date of graduation, this does not in itself constitute a basis for granting academic credit for this work. Credit is given only for supervised experience. The Practicum requires in-depth, mentored and monitored ministry.
The Practicum will be taken toward after the completion of at least one full year of academic work so that seminarians will have already acquired Biblical, historical, theological, and theoretical foundations for ministry before taking on an academic supervised ministry experience. In order to focus on the Practicum, students should consider taking one entire semester or summer to be immersed in a local ministry setting.Normally the Practicum will take place in parish ministry under the direction of a mature pastor. In some cases, depending on the student’s sense of vocation, the Practicum may entail ministry in a para-church organization, hospital, jail or community development program. Those interested in missions are strongly urged to take an Intercultural Practicum.
Pre-briefing and de-briefing group seminars, ministry participation, verbal and written reflections and evaluations, reports, analyses, supervisory conferences, case studies, and time commitment are all a part of the Supervised Ministry experience. A high level of professional performance is expected.
Supervised Ministry subjects will require between 200 and 300 hours of participation in order to fulfill objectives.
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION
The Practicum may be fulfilled by taking an approved course in Clinical Pastoral Education. CPE is especially recommended for those contemplating pastoral ministry or chaplaincy.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The APNTS Practicum is designed to be taken virtually anywhere in the world, provided the setting will enhance the student’s program, and can be supervised and monitored. In some cases, the internship will contribute to the topic chosen by the student for a thesis. Internships are undertaken with approved on-the-site supervision, and the general oversight of the Director of Supervised Ministry. The site will be approved by the Director and the Academic Dean.
This program provides: (1) the means by which one may develop practical ministry identity, (2) the environment for acquisition of some ministry skills while serving Christ and his church, and (3) the human models for doing ministry. There is the dual purpose of learning and serving while engaging in the internship.
PHILOSOPHY: It is the purpose of internships to provide supervised settings in which students can explore, observe, practice, and reflect upon ministry. Through work with people in real-life situations involving Christian service, students will be exposed to opportunities for developing competence and character in ministry. As a form of Supervised Ministry, this program reflects an integrating philosophy of theological education, seeking both formation and transformation in the lives of students.
PREQUISITES: Students should have completed one year of study at APNTS. Normally students will take the internship during one semester or summer.
THESIS AND INTERNSHIP
Especially if the student is undertaking a program in Inter-cultural Studies, students may coordinate the internship with their thesis. This will require that the thesis topic and prospectus to have been approved, and a thesis advisor to have been appointed before the internship can be undertaken.
Students writing a thesis in relation to their internship should have completed at least Research Methods and either Quantitative or Qualitative Research before beginning the Internship.
REQUIREMENTS
Before students begin on-the-site training, the faculty supervisor will assign and discuss readings. Certain assignments will be due before students embark to their sites, and other assignments will be due after the on-site training has ended.
While undertaking the Internship, the immediate supervisor and the faculty supervisor will assign readings to students. Generally, the onsite supervisor will meet with students in an agreed-upon schedule and give direction to the fieldwork of the students. The on-site supervisor will file a written report and evaluation of the student with the Director of Supervised Ministry.
The duration of an internship is normally three to four months. All transportation costs for the internship will be the responsibility of the student. The students, likewise, will provide for all food, housing and personal expenses. Students will sign a waiver of liability both for APNTS and for any participating organization. Students must give proof of medical insurance, including accident and death coverage, to the satisfaction of APNTS. Students must present a copy of a complete physical examination with a physician’s signed statement that the student is physically and mentally capable of completing the proposed internship. Passports, visas and related matters are the responsibility of the student. Any internship sites involving the Church of the Nazarene will have the approval of the Regional Director, the Field Strategy Coordinator involved, and the local District Superintendent.
- THESIS
Faculty members will typically serve as advisers to thesis writers. Thesis advisors should possess an appropriate degree and are assigned by Program Directors based upon the topic, prospectus and proposal prepared by the student in the Research Methods and Thesis Seminar classes. The topic should be submitted in writing to the Academic Dean and Program Director before enrollment in Thesis Writing. Minor modifications in the topic may be handled by the thesis adviser, while major modifications should be approved by the Academic Dean and Program Director.
The obligations of the thesis advisers include the following:
- The advisers will help to guide students through the processes of research, reflection and writing.
- The student may expect to meet with the adviser on a regularly scheduled weekly basis.
- The thesis adviser will work together with the student in the preparation of the Proposal, which will be defended by the end of the Thesis Seminar class.
- The topic of the thesis should be within the range of the advisor’s area of competence.
The thesis adviser is responsible to:
- Enable the student to structure the paper in accordance with an acceptable and appropriate format;
- Direct the student to available sources;
- Help the student to state arguments and conclusions fairly and independently of the sources;
- Monitor student progress;
- Return thesis drafts to students within one week.
The thesis adviser is not responsible to:
- Correct English grammar or spelling (though the adviser may notate such);
- Write or significantly revise any segment of the thesis;
- Take initiative in tracking down either sources or students.
The obligations of the students include the following:
- Submit a thesis proposal in acceptable format to the Program Director during the Thesis Seminar.
- Make sure that the thesis has been read for English corrections.
- Type the thesis in correct format (Chicago Manual of Style [Turabian]).
- The student must heed the advice of the advisers and readers at each stage of the thesis’s development. This is not to imply, however, that the thesis adviser will necessarily agree with the conclusions of his or her student.
- If irreconcilable differences develop between the student and the adviser, a conference should take place with the Program Director, who may arrange for the student to work under another professor. This could take place if any part of the adviser/student obligations break down.
- Final responsibility for the development of the thesis rests with the student.
THESIS FORMAT
The thesis proposal and final thesis must be formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style following the most current edition of Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
THESIS DEFENSE AND SUBMISSION
Each M.A.R.E., M.A.C.C., and M.S.T. student is required to defend his or her thesis before a committee selected by the Academic Dean and Program Director that includes the student’s advisor, an outside reader from another institution, and at least two other professors. Students should be able to relate their research to the entire scope of their Seminary education and should be able to relate the practical implications of their research for the church and its usage in the world.
The thesis will be defended orally before this committee no later than two weeks prior to graduation. The thesis defense is scheduled by the Academic Dean upon the recommendation of the Program Director. The Academic Dean and Program Director have the right to determine whether or not the thesis is ready for defense.
Penultimate drafts for thesis defense readers should be distributed electronically or in printed form (depending on the preferences of the readers) no less than one week before the scheduled defense.The thesis panel has four options in its final deliberations regarding a thesis, and, under the guidance of the thesis defense Chair (either the Academic Dean or someone duly appointed) the panel must reach a consensus on one of these four categories:
- PASS: No corrections or typographical errors only. A letter grade can be assigned.
- CONDITIONAL PASS: Needs only minor corrections. A letter grade will be provisionally assigned, but the grade will be recorded as “I” until the corrections indicated by the panel members are rectified.
- NOT PASSING AT THIS TIME: Needs major corrections. The student will face another defense panel. The grade is “I.”
- THE THESIS IS NOT WORKABLE: The student should significantly improve the data gathered, or the data-gathering procedures, or find another research project. The grade for the thesis and for Thesis Writing is “F.” The student must re-enroll in Thesis Writing.
FINAL THESIS DEADLINES
The deadlines for submitting the final thesis are as follows:
- The panel members forward their corrected and annotated copies of the thesis to the student and, within two days of the defense, the panel secretary will forward to the student the official notes of thesis defense, listing the required changes.
- The Advisor must approve the final thesis.
- Students must have at least six copies of the fully corrected thesis with signatures to the academic dean five (5) days before the commencement ceremony in order to graduate during the annual commencement.
- For the processing of the Special Order number, at least four final copies, bound in red, must be submitted to the Registrar.
- If the thesis has received a CONDITIONAL PASS and the student does not submit the corrected copies within five (5) days before the commencement, the student has one year from the date of the defense to submit the thesis in final corrected form, which then must be approved by the adviser, the panel members and the Academic Dean.
- f the student’s thesis is deemed NOT PASSING AT THIS TIME, or NOT WORKABLE, the student has one year to present the thesis in final form and face the panel once again.
- If the student in any category does not submit the corrected thesis within one year of the original defense he or she is ineligible for graduation. To reactivate eligibility the student must re-enroll in nine units of graduate-level work at APNTS in addition to the completion and defense of the new or revised thesis.
- PRACTICES WITHIN CLASS
CLASS ATTENDANCE
The matter of student attendance is under the jurisdiction of each professor, who will state at the beginning of each semester the attendance requirements for the subject and the penalties for any failure to comply with the stated policy. All students are expected to attend class regularly, and the reasons for any exceptions to this must be made in writing to the Academic Dean. Excused absences include illnesses (for which the student should secure a note from a doctor or the school nurse), or a death in the immediate family.
Professors may recommend to the Academic Dean that a student be withdrawn from a course if it is considered that the student has been absent excessively. Excessive absences are considered twice the number of hours for which the course gives credit. (E.g., for a three hour course, absence from six or more hours of class is excessive.) Professors have the right to request additional work for any of the sessions missed by students. No children or other persons who are not officially enrolled are permitted to attend classes.
FORM FOR TERM PAPERS
Course papers shall conform to the standards of The Chicago Manual of Style as outlined by Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Thesis, and Dissertations. Instructors have the prerogative of keeping all class papers and tests as their personal property.
UNETHICAL ACADEMIC PRACTICES
Academic honesty is expected of all students at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. It is an integral part of the educational process, where learning takes place in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Each student is responsible to maintain high standards of academic ethics, personal honesty, and moral integrity. Infractions of honest academic behavior will be dealt with fairly and firmly.
EXAMPLES OF INFRACTIONS
- Plagiarism, using another’s statements or thoughts without giving the source;
- appropriate credit;
- Cheating on an exam;
- Unauthorized multiple submissions of papers;
- Submitting for credit a borrowed or purchased paper;
- Defacing, or unauthorized removal of course materials either from the classroom or library;
- Dishonesty in reporting reading;
- Signing the roll or submitting an in-class assignment for someone who is not present in class;
- Excessive copying of class notes from another student, unless there is an excused absence and permission from the instructor.
PENALTIES
- For the first offense, teacher/administrative options, depending on type of infraction and severity: (a) a warning given to the student, and note of the same to the Academic Dean; (b) re-write the paper; (c) failing grade on paper or exam.
- Second offense – same teacher/administrative options apply, with the addition that a failing grade for the course(s) may be given.
- Third offense – failing grade for the course and/or immediate dismissal from the Seminary at the recommendation of the Academic Dean to the Administrative Council.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
All degree requirements, including the thesis, must be completed by the end of three years from the time of the last full-time registration. A penalty of three semester hours will be added after two years of failure to fulfill requirements. After the statute of limitations is passed (third year) the student must reapply for admission to a degree program, and acceptance will require special action of the faculty as well as further requirements to be designated by the program director.
STUDENT CLASSIFICATIONS
Student classification is determined by the number of graduate credits the student has accumulated. The following may be used as a guideline for such classification:
For M.Div. students
Junior – Fewer than 30 degree credits
Middler – 30 – 59 credits
Senior – 60 credits and aboveFor M.A. and M.S.T. students
Junior – Fewer than 24 degree credits
Senior – 24 credits and above
- GENERAL
- ACADEMIC RECORDS, GRADES, AND EXAMINATIONS
- GENERAL
CHANGES IN REGISTRATION
Courses cannot be dropped except by special permission from the Academic Dean. Change of registration may be secured from the Registrar’s office. Mere absence from class sessions will not constitute withdrawal. Unauthorized withdrawal from any course will result in the recording of failure on the student’s record.
TRANSFERRING BETWEEN DEGREE PROGRAM
A transfer between degree programs must be done through both the Academic Dean’s and the Registrar’s Offices. No action on the transfer can be taken until an application is properly completed, submitted and approved.
TRANSCRIPTS AND RECORDS
Personal information about a student is not released without the written consent of the student. Transcripts are released only upon the written authorization of the student. All accounts with the Seminary must be paid before such a release can be made.
TRANSFER OF CREDITS FROM OTHER SEMINARIES AND GRADUATE SCHOOLS
Courses that have been taken previously at a recognized and accredited theological seminary or graduate school may be transferred to APNTS. Those courses that meet the specific requirements of the student’s study program may be applied toward the degree. However, no more than one-half of the hours required for a degree may be transferred.
CROSS REGISTRATION AT OTHER SEMINARIES
Full-time students at the Seminary may, by cross-registration, take up to nine semester hours during any academic year at any of the seminaries affiliated with the Asia Graduate School of Theology and recognized by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SEMINARY
Withdrawal from the seminary during the school year must be made in writing to the Registrar’s office. Neglecting to do this may result in failing grades in the student’s present courses and affect re-entry to study. To receive an honourable dismissal from APNTS, the student must have satisfied all financial obligations to the Seminary and have a record of satisfactory conduct. In the event of justifiable withdrawal from APNTS, a refund of tuition will be granted as follows:
Before classes begin 90%
Before the end of the 2nd week 70%
Before the end of the 4th week 50%
No refund will be made thereafter - GRADING POLICIES
These letter grades are used for final course marks and for the permanent record:
A:
Indicates diligence and originality, an effective grasp of material beyond memorization, and a high degree of freedom from error. (This is equivalent to 94-100%). A is 96-100%; A- is 94-95%.
B:
Indicates an above-average quality of work, an industrious attitude and thoroughness in what is undertaken, with considerable insight into the course material (85-93%). B+ is 92-93%; B is 87-91% ; B- is 85-86%.
C:
Indicates work that tends to be mechanically correct, that has satisfied the completion of assignments, but that lacks consistency, originality, insight and depth (75-84%). C+ is 83-84%; C is 77-82%; C- is 75-76%.
D:
Passing. Indicates work that is below average, lacks initiative, lacks responsible completion of assignments, and reflects the inability of the student to grasp the significance of the material (70-74%).
F:
Failure. Indicates failure to do satisfactory work or the failure to submit assignments, and also means loss of credit in the course.
I:
Incomplete. Indicates that students possessed valid justification for not completing subject requirements within the appropriate time limits established by the teacher. Incomplete grades will be given only in cases of emergencies (e.g., death in family, hospitalization). Requests for Incomplete should be made in writing to the Academic Dean three-quarters of the way through a subject (the exact date to be determined by the Registrar and posted on the APNTS web-site). The Academic Dean, in consultation with the professor(s), will approve or disapprove the request with a copy of the response forwarded to the professor(s) involved. No grade may be issued otherwise. If the “I” is not removed by the end of the next semester, or by the end of the summer session (if the second semester), the course grade becomes “F.” In the case of Thesis Seminar, the “I” will be removed after the successful completion of the proposal defense, and, in the case of Thesis Writing, the “I” will be removed when the thesis is successfully defended before the panel and the final thesis copy is submitted to the Registrar.
W:
Withdrawal. Means official withdrawal from a course while making a passing grade in that course.
WF:
Withdrawal failing. Means that the grade was not passing at the time of official withdrawal.
P:
Satisfactory. Passing grade used occasionally where there is little documentary basis for evaluation of the quality of work. Credit is given but the grade point average is unaffected.
AU:
Audit. Enrollment and participation in the course. Students are expected to attend classes, but are not required to submit assignments or take tests. No credit granted.
Quality points assigned to the various grades for the purpose of determining grade-point average (GPA) are as follows:
A : 4.0
A- : 3.7
B+ : 3.3
B : 3.0
B- : 2.7
C+ : 2.3
C : 2.0
C- : 1.7
D : 1.0
W : (no rating)
WF : (no rating)
P : (no rating)
AU : (no rating)
F : 0REPEATING CLASSES
If a course in which failure has occurred is repeated and successfully passed, only the new grade will be used in calculating the grade point average, though the original grade remains on the transcript. Courses prescribed for graduation must be repeated if failed. Required courses in which “D” has been earned may also be repeated. Again, the original grade remains on the transcript, but will not be used in the computation of the GPA. Otherwise, courses may not be repeated for credit.
All graduate level courses, even those taken to fulfil pre-seminary deficiencies, will count toward the graduate GPA. Undergraduate courses (such as English) do not count toward a student’s graduate GPA.
STUDENT RETENTION
ACADEMIC WARNING
An Academic Warning is issued to students who receive less than a 2.0 GPA in any given semester.
ACADEMIC PROBATION
A student must establish an average of “C” (2.0) or higher in the first semester and maintain this average through the course of study. At the close of each semester the Academic Dean reviews the quality of each student’s work in order to take special note of the students with academic problems, and places on academic probation: (a) students with pre-seminary deficiencies; (b) students with an overall graduate GPA below 2.0; (c) those who have not yet passed the seminary English test; and, (d) those who have received below 2.0 in two successive semesters. The Academic Dean advises such students to show marked improvement in the next semester’s work, and if improvement is not then considered satisfactory, the student is not permitted to continue as a student at APNTS.
- EXAMINATION POLICIES
CLASS EXAMINATIONS
Class examinations must be taken on time unless there are medical or authentic emergency situations, such as a death in the immediate family.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS AND CULMINATING EVENTS
Final examinations or participation in other subject culminating events are to be taken at the time announced by the Academic Dean’s Office. (If professors choose not to give a final examination they are required to meet with the class for another type of evaluative or culminating activity during the examination week.) For many classes the culminating events are group activities that are impossible to replicate. Unless previous arrangements have been made and permission granted through both the professor of the course and the Academic Dean, students may not reschedule the final exams or culminating events. Only exceptional cases will be considered by the professor and must be petitioned to the Academic Dean.
For graduating master’s students who have maintained at least a “B” average in a course, professors have the option as to whether or not to require students to take the final examination of the class.
All fees must be paid in full before final examinations may be taken. Students must present an Examination Permit to each professor before taking the final exam.
WRITTEN QUALIFYING COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
All M.A.R.E., M.A.C.C., and M.S.T. students are required to pass a three-to-four-hour examination focusing on their area of specialization. The program directors of these degrees will prepare and schedule the written examinations.
The examinations will help to assess the student’s mastery of subject matter and preparation for leadership in these areas. The faculty may recommend additional courses if deficiencies are indicated. The examinations must be taken before the beginning of the student’s final semester and/or before enrolment in Thesis Seminar, whichever comes first. The examinations must be passed before graduation.
EXIT INTERVIEWS (MASTER OF DIVINITY)
Master of Divinity students are required to undergo an exit interview with faculty members at the beginning of their last semester of study. Faculty members will ascertain whether institutional goals and objectives have been met, i.e., whether the graduating student has been prepared well at APNTS and is ready for ministry on intellectual, spiritual and personal levels.
- HONORS
HONOR SCHOLARSHIPS
A President’s Scholarship is awarded to fulltime students who earn a grade point average of 3.9 to 4.0 in graduate-level courses in one semester. The scholarship will be applied to the student’s account in the semester following (excluding the summer session), in which the student is enrolled.
An Honor Scholarship is given to a full-time student who has a semestral grade point of 3.5 to 3.89 in graduate-level courses. The scholarship will be applied to the student’s account in the semester following (excluding the summer session), in which the student is enrolled.GRADUATION HONORS
Graduation Honors are computed on the basis of the grade-point average for all graduate-level courses in which the student is enrolled at APNTS, or for which transfer credit from other schools has been granted. Note that the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines does not permit graduation honors to be given to students who have failed any subject. Three levels of honors have been established:
» Summa cum Laude
3.90 – 4.00
» Magna cum Laude
3.75 – 3.89
» Cum Laude
3.50 – 3.74
GRADUATION
The Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the faculty reserves the right to deny a degree, if in their estimation the student does not show character and personality traits that indicate readiness for Christian ministry. An application for graduation must be filed with the Registrar at the beginning of the semester in which students expect to complete their course of study. Graduation exercises are held annually after the second semester. Participation is expected. Any candidate for graduation who because of sufficient hardship is not able to attend shall present to the Academic Dean in writing a request for permission to graduate in absentia.
A student must have an average of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher in order to qualify for graduation. Only those students who have an average of “B” (3.0) or higher will be recommended for advanced study beyond the M.Div., M.A., or M.S.T.
For graduating students, all course work (except final exams), including remedial requirements and work from Incomplete grades must be submitted by the semester’s Due Date. In the event this deadline is not met, students forfeit their chance to graduate that year. All bills to the seminary must be paid in full before a diploma is issued. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all requirements for graduation have been met by the Monday prior to commencement exercises.
Only students who have completed all the degree requirements will be permitted to graduate. Students completing their requirements prior to the close of the Seminary year will receive a letter of completion and will be asked to return for commencement exercises. A student may be permitted to participate in graduation exercises as a “Summer Graduate” if there are nine or fewer credit hours remaining, and if these can be completed during the summer. All M.A. and M.S.T. students must have successfully defended their theses and must have submitted their final thesis in order to participate in graduate exercises.
- GENERAL