Diploma Program in Christian Education
DIPLOMA PROGRAM IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM
Beginning May 24-28, 2010 Seminary of the Southwest will introduce the Diploma Program in Christian Education. The program builds on the legacy of the Certificate Program in Youth Ministry; at the same time, it represents a program in its own right. The diploma program follows a new curriculum and a distinctive set of learning objectives that support the vision and mission of the Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation.
THEOLOGICAL VISION
Theological vision for Christian education is for it to create formative spaces and practices that invite, mediate, and reflect upon the transformative work of God in Christ. The diploma program invites the students from all denominational backgrounds to enrich their experience of the field in ways that are focused, coherent, and solidly grounded in Bible, church history, systematic theology, ethics, and practical theology. The vision for the Diploma Program in Christian Education is to wed a rich and challenging experience of family, children, and youth ministry practitioners and the needs of the church with a focused theological reflection that our faculty can proudly offer.
CURRICULUM
Theological vision informs the learning objectives of the diploma program and its curriculum. First, the diploma program builds an informed faith; second, it builds a conversational faith that engages personal, ecclesial, spiritual, and public life of a student; and third, it builds a practicing faith that equips a student for Christian practices of witnessing, modeling, and teaching divine way of love, faithfulness, etc. to families, children, and youth.
The Diploma Program in Christian Education will take two years to complete. In order to graduate from the program, students take one course in each of the following areas:
- Bible
- Systematic Theology and Church History (These areas might share a week.)
- Ethics
- Practical Theology
The courses will be offered in a week-long format. The courses will also require some preparation ahead of time, and students will receive a clear guidance for this. Students will conclude each course with a paper (around 1500 words) that they will e-mail to their instructor within three weeks from the day the instruction is over.
For more information about the program or the degrees contact the Admission's office at 512.472.4133, ext. 357 or brobertson@ssw.edu
Facts about the Diploma Program
Classes -- Each course balances instruction, discussion, theological reflection, practical ministry skills, worship and spiritual formation. Regular worship is an important part of each session. The interplay of study and prayer is integral to the intent of the program.
Faculty -- Professors from Seminary of the Southwest and other comparable educational institutions make up the faculty of the Diploma Program.
Location -- Program sessions are held on the campus of Southwest. Located in the center of Austin, the seminary is a welcoming community featuring an innovative library, the Episcopal Church's Archives, a chapel open to a variety of worship and a neighborhood that includes the University of Texas and two other seminaries. Meals at the seminary are first-rate, the accommodations comfortable, and Austin's legendary music scene awaits you.
Enrollment Prerequisites -- Lay and ordained persons are welcome. A college degree or GRE scores are not necessary for enrollment.
Cost -- $1200 which includes room, board and tuition for each week long session. Please note payment is due at the time of registration.
Session Dates -- May 24-28, 2010
How to Apply -- Online Registration for the May session is now open. For more information, contact the Admission's office at 512.472.4133, ext. 357 or by email: brobertson@ssw.edu
About the Director of the Diploma Program in Christian Education
Jana Strukova
Assistant Professor of the Chair in Christian Education & Formation
Director of the Diploma Program in Christian Education
A native of Slovakia, Dr. Struková came to this country in the mid-1990s to study Christian education. Her cross-cultural experiences give her a global lens and a spirit of tolerance while empowering her with a voice for witnessing to the struggle of the oppressed faith and to the sustaining gift of God's grace in Christ. Dr. Struková, who enjoys exploring the relationship between faith and a person's socio-cultural situation, is committed to nurturing young people in values and habits that assist in building a just and socially-minded society. Dr. Struková graduated with her Ph.D. in Practical Theology in 2007. She was a postdoctoral Fellow in Religious Practices at Emory University in 2007-2008 where she researched faith-based transformative practices that nurture and sustain youth in their life of faith. Her ministerial experience includes pastoring a Lutheran church, directing Christian education and Family and Children's Ministry in various protestant churches. Dr. Struková joined the faculty of SSW in June 2008.
M.Ed., The School of Humanities at Šafárik University in Slovakia; M.A.R. and S.T.M., Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary.
