DEGREE and COURSE OFFERINGS

In the American educational system, a credit hour indicates that a student has spent approximately 12½ to 13 hours in classroom instruction and examination, in addition to the reading and writing assignments.  All courses in the Institute curriculum are for 3 credit hours, indicating that each class meets 37½ to 40 hours. Using a typical European measurement of work, each course is designated as 125 hours.

All courses require pre-class preparation including reading, devotional assignments, and writing papers.  Additional study time is required during the course to prepare papers and for the final examination. 

The classroom time is divided between lecture and seminar time with the professor.  Courses are offered at Haus Edelweiss at two-week intervals from April through mid-May; June through mid-August; and mid-September through early November.   In general terms, the 600 level courses build on relevant courses at 500 level.  Material covered in the 600 level courses is more concentrated on a particular area of study and requires the student to apply principles and ideas in greater depth than is required at the 500 level.  Course descriptions explain the details of such study.

Courses that are taken that do not apply to the completion of a specific degree as listed in this Catalog under Degree and Course Offerings can be taken by any admitted student.  However, these courses will not be counted in the completion of the degree if they are not listed as a requirement of the degree.  For example:  ST 515 Apologetics and Culture is not listed as fulfilling any requirement of the M.A. or Certificate requirements.  It is, however, a course listed as fulfilling a requirement of the M.Div. degree.  M.A. or Certificate level students can take the course for credit, but it will not be part of fulfilling an M.A. degree or Certificate program requirement.  This specific course would count toward completion of the M.Div. degree program requirement in the future, however, if the student were admitted to the M.Div. degree program. 

Courses can be taken in any sequence.  Enrolled students who wish to come to Haus Edelweiss to study for an extended period of time must reserve accommodations at least a month in advance by contacting the Institute office.  Presently, TCMII’s facilities can accommodate only 65 students per session.  It is recommended that all students take 3 or 4 courses per year, and not less than 2 courses per year.  All students who apply should have access to email.

Students can apply to the M.Div. degree program prior to the completion of their M.A. requirements, but they will be limited to 6 courses and 18 months in their M.Div. degree program without completion of their M.A. degree program.

Because it may be difficult for some students to travel frequently to Haus Edelweiss, courses are offered in ten countries in Central and Eastern Europe.  Courses offered vary from year to year depending upon the availability of professors and the needs of the students in the various countries.  Courses offered for credit at locations other than Haus Edelweiss usually meet in one-week intensive sessions.

Audit

This study option is designed for those who can attend only a few courses or who do not qualify for admission to a degree program.   

Courses provide the opportunity to obtain specialized help in a specific area of study and for renewal in ministry.

Certificate Program

The purpose of this program is to provide opportunity for study in Christian leadership for pastors and other Christian leaders who do not qualify for admittance into the master’s level programs or who would otherwise be unable to complete an entire degree program.

Outcomes

After having completed this program, the student will:

1.  Understand the core concepts of the Bible and theology

2.  Understand the core concepts of Christian leadership

The curriculum requirements are:

Four courses chosen from BS 500, BS 515, BS 516, BS 535, BS 536, HT 500, HT 501, or HT 503 (12 credit hours total).

Four practical theology courses.  One must be PT 500, PT 501, or PT 502; three elective courses from any PT offerings (12 credit hours total).

Students in this program are expected to do the same assignments, attend course sessions, and take the same examinations as M.A. students.

Master of Arts in Practical Theology Degree

The purpose of this degree is to enhance the leadership of pastors and other Christian leaders by providing a broad based interdisciplinary educational program for general Christian leadership.  The degree is designed for those holding a university diploma in any discipline.

Degree Outcomes

After having completed this degree, the student will be able to:

1.  Use the tools of hermeneutics to interpret Scripture accurately for preaching and teaching.

2.  Understand the background, history, and major teachings of the books of the Bible.

3.  Understand the core doctrines of the Christian faith.

4.  Effectively communicate the message of Christ through such means as worship, preaching, teaching, counseling, leadership, and evangelism.

5.  Understand the principles of administration, management, and leadership.

6.  Understand the spiritual formation process.

7.  Develop a plan for and make a commitment to lifelong spiritual development.

Curriculum

The number of credit hours required for the completion of the Master of Arts in Practical Theology degree is 36 – 48.

If students enter with prior baccalaureate theological study, the program requires 36 credit hours as listed below. For students who enter the program without prior baccalaureate theological study (which includes two courses in Old Testament and two courses in New Testament), the program requires up to 12 additional hours from the following courses: BS 515, BS 516, BS 535, BS 536.

If a student enters with prior baccalaureate theological study, the program is as follows:

                Bible:  BS 500 (3 credit hours)

Historical Theology:  2 courses chosen from HT 500, HT 501, and HT 503 (6 credit hours)

Systematic Theology:  1 course chosen from ST 500 or ST 510 (3 credit hours)

Spiritual Formation Courses:  2 courses chosen from PT 500, PT 501, and PT 502 (6 credit hours)

Practical Theology Courses:  5 courses chosen from courses listed in the Practical Theology area (15 credit hours)

PT 600 M.A. Thesis with required Research Methods course component (3 credit hours)

It is possible for a student to complete a concentration in preaching, leadership, Christian formation, Christian counseling, evangelism and church health, or ministry to Muslims.  Courses counting for the concentration are:

Preaching:  PT 520, PT 621, PT 622, PT 641, and 1 course from any in the Practical Theology area

Leadership:  PT 510, PT 511, PT 612, PT 515, and 1 course from any in the Practical Theology area

Christian Formation:  PT 550, PT 551, PT 552, 1 course from PT 523, PT 560, PT 561, PT 562, and PT 663 and 1 course from any in the Practical Theology area

Christian Counseling:  PT 560, PT 561, PT 562, PT 663, and 1 course from any in the Practical Theology area

Evangelism and Church Health:  PT 530,  PT 531, PT 532, and 2 courses from any in the Practical Theology area

Ministry to Muslims:  PT 532, PT 533, PT 634,PT 535, and PT 690

Master of Divinity in Practical Theology Degree

The purpose of this degree program is to further enhance the ministry skills of pastors and other Christian leaders. This builds upon the M.A. degree.

Degree Outcomes

After having completed this program of study, the student will be able to:

1.       Use the tools of hermeneutics to interpret Scripture accurately for preaching and teaching.

2.       Understand the background, history, and major teachings of the books of the Bible.

3.       Understand the core doctrines of the Christian faith.

4.       Effectively communicate the message of Christ through such means as worship, preaching, teaching, counseling, leadership, and evangelism.

5.       Understand principles of Christian administration, leadership, and management.

6.       Understand the spiritual formation process.

7.       Develop a plan for and make a commitment to lifelong spiritual development.

8.       Use biblical languages for exegesis of Scripture for preaching and teaching.

9.       Understand the significant events, ideas, and forces that have shaped the history of the church.

Curriculum

The number of credit hours required for the completion of the Master of Divinity in Practical Theology degree is 39 – 45, in addition to the 36 – 48 hours from the Master of Arts in Practical Theology degree program.

If students enter with prior baccalaureate theological study which includes one year of Greek and one year of Hebrew and have completed the M.A. in Practical Theology degree, the program requires 39 credit hours as listed below. For students who enter the program without prior baccalaureate theological studies which include one year of Greek and one year of Hebrew, the program requires up to 6 additional hours from the following courses: BS 610 and BS 630.

Bible:  BS 622 and BS 643 (6 credit hours)

Historical Theology: 1 course from HT 500, HT 501, or HT 503 (the course not taken in the M.A. program) (3 credit hours)

Systematic Theology:  ST 500 or ST 510 (the course not taken in the M.A. program), and 1 course chosen from any listed in Systematic Theology (6 credit hours)

Spiritual Formation:  1 course from PT 500, PT 501, or PT 502 (the course not taken in the M.A. program) (3 credit hours)

Practical Theology:  PT 621 and PT 641, and 4 courses from any in the Practical Theology area (and not taken in the M.A. program) (18 credit hours)

PT 701 M.Div. Thesis with required Research Methods course component (3 credit hours)

A concentration may be completed, using the courses designated above in the concentrations for the M.A.  A student could add a second concentration for the M.Div.