Graduate Certificate in Anglican Studies (GCAS)

Graduate Certificate in Anglican Studies (GCAS, 23 to 41 semester hours)

Introduction: The Graduate Certificate in Anglican Studies is a graduate level award designed to provide students who already hold an accredited graduate degree in a theological or related discipline (or who are currently enrolled in such a program) with the additional necessary theological education, spiritual formation, and practical training needed to assume ordained leadership roles within the Anglican Church (though other traditions are welcome).

Program Goal: The goal of the GCAS program is to provide fully-equipped ordained Anglican leaders for effective Great Commission ministry in the Anglican Church through high quality theological education, spiritual formation, and ministry training to students in their local congregations.

Program Objectives: GCAS program graduates will be able to ...

• Understand the Anglican conception of Gospel proclamation. Curricular elements: THE 601, THE 603, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Faithfully perform the sacramental and pastoral duties of an ordained Anglican minister. Curricular elements: THE 606, MIN 101, MIN 502, MIN 601, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Lead the Church in the worship of the worship of God the Holy Trinity in spirit, in truth, and in the beauty of holiness as established in the Book of Common Prayer tradition. Curricular elements: THE 606, MIN 101, MIN 601, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Disciple and form Christians to continually grow in the grace of God and Christ-like character within the context of Anglican spirituality. Curricular elements: MIN 502, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Within the scope of Anglicanism, provide missional leadership for the Church's outreach to the lost, the un-churched, and the under-churched. Curricular elements: MIN 502, THE 601, THE 603, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Practice prophetic leadership for the Anglican Church's witness to society. Curricular elements: THE 601, THE 603, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Competently preach and teach the Word of God from an Anglican hermeneutical framework.

• Curricular elements: THE 601, THE 603, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Know, understand, communicate, and apply the disciplines of Biblical, Theological, and Ministry Studies from an Anglican perspective. Curricular elements: THE 601, THE 603, THE 606, MIN 101, MIN 502, MIN 601, mentoring program, INT 601.

• Exercise personal spiritual disciplines to be faithful to God's call to ministers to be holy, faithful, and loving. Curricular elements: mentoring program, INT 601.

Length of Program: Provided no bridging courses are required, the GCAS is normally completed over a timeframe of 1 year. In order to accomplish this, the student must take an average of 6 semester hours of academic courses each semester. Students without bridging requirements have a maximum of 2 years to complete this program.

Admission Requirements:

• An accredited graduate degree of at least 45 semester hours in a theological discipline or currently enrolled in such a program; students who have not yet completed their graduate degree will not be awarded the GCAS until they receive their degree; or

• An accredited graduate degree in a theological discipline with less than 45 semester hours or currently enrolled in such a program; these students will need to take additional hours bring their total to the requisite 45 semester hours; students who have not yet completed their graduate degree will not be awarded the GCAS until they receive their degree; or

• A completed accredited graduate degree in a field with ministry applicability; examples of such fields include education, counseling, psychology, or social work (ministry applicability is determined by the Dean); these students will be required to complete the bridging courses listed below; and

• A completed application package together with the appropriate fees; and

• Approval of the relevant ecclesiastical authority and membership in an orthodox Christian church.

Transfer of Credit, Credit for Life Experience, and Advanced Standing:

• For students who do not require bridging courses, up to 3 semester hours at the graduate level may be transferred into this program. For students who are required to take the bridging courses, up to 6 semester hours may be transferred into this program. 2 semester hours may be awarded toward INT 601 for each year of non-Anglican ordained or licensed full-time ministry experience, up to a maximum of 4 semester hours. 3 semester hours may be awarded toward INT 601 for each year of Anglican ordained or licensed fulltime ministry experience, up to a maximum of 6 semester hours. Credit for part-time ministry may be awarded on a prorated basis.

• Students required to take the bridging courses who have taken courses equivalent thereto at the undergraduate or graduate level may, at the discretion of the President, substitute other ASM courses in lieu thereof.

Graduation Requirements:

• Complete all required course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7;

• If not completed upon admission to ASM, complete the graduate degree program in which the student was enrolled;

• All student financial obligations are paid in full;

• Maintain a consistent Christian witness and ecclesiastical endorsement; and

• Receive the approval of the Dean and faculty.

Course Requirements: (23 semester hours)
THE 601 Theology of the Articles of Religion
THE 603 History of Anglicanism
THE 606 Sacramental Theology
MIN 101 Liturgics Workshop
MIN 103 Introduction to Mentoring for Ministry Formation
MIN 502 History and Practice of Anglican Polity
MIN 601 Anglican Worship
INT 601 Internship

Bridging Courses: (18 semester hours)
BIB 501 Old Testament Survey
BIB 502 New Testament Survey
BIB 505 Using Exegetical Tools
BIB 604 Theology of Scripture
THE 501 Introduction to Systematic Theology
THE 503 Introduction to Church History