Advisement
Advisement begins with the admissions process as prospective students are given materials and counseled on the degree options, contents, and requirements. During the student’s first semester a faculty advisor is assigned to each student. Additionally, the coordinator of academic planning is available to meet with students as needed to assist them in creating semester-by-semester completion plans; this is especially recommended as students near the end of the Core and are preparing to begin the post-Core semesters. At various times during the Core, students will receive special group advisement on registration procedures or on field education preparation procedures and placements. Registration information is communicated to all enrolled students well in advance of each new semester via the NEwSPOINT newsletter which is sent to the student’s campus email account.
Faculty advisors assist students in clarifying vocational goals and developing a program of study. This program of study includes electives (M.A.) and focused elective competencies (M.Div.). It is the responsibility of graduate students to contact their faculty advisors to arrange meetings concerning program planning.
In addition to academic program planning, the faculty advisor provides support to students concerning other issues such as personal problems, difficulties with other faculty members, grievance issues, etc. The faculty advisor can also assist a student in developing ideas for her or his research project (M.A. Theological Studies).
It is important to note that advising appointments may be conducted in a variety of formats such as tele-conferencing and Skype for online and distance-learning students.