Prospective Students

Fall 2008 Registration Information

It is your responsibility to read the information on this page carefully. If you skip this page and go right to registration, you will miss important information about fees and about specific courses.

The Fall 2008 course schedule is now available. Online registration for the Fall quarter will open on Monday, April 21, at 7:00 a.m. Registration will close on Monday, May 5, at 11:59 p.m. If you fail to register by the May 5 deadline, you will incur a $50 late registration fee.

If you are beginning your studies in the Fall of 2008, we will take care of registration for you. You will receive information in late May or early June with more information.

After May 5, you may change, add, or drop courses online without penalty until two weeks into the Fall quarter - Friday, September 15 at noon.

All papers and independent studies must be registered by May 5 at 5:00 p.m. See instructions below.

If you need technical assistance in accessing the schedule, contact Seminary IT. If you have questions regarding course eligibility or other non-technical matters, please contact The Registrar's Office.

General Information

Many of you may be wondering how the curriculum changes in 2009/2010 will affect your program in the year 2008/2009. Please register for courses according to the current curriculum. If we foresee some advantages to making changes in curriculum in the 2008/2009 school year, you will be contacted over the summer with that information.

All students may want to review the Electives Schedule (pdf) for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Those students completing their first year in the MDiv program will want to consult the suggested three year course schedules. Please note that there is one schedule (pdf) for those who needed to take Greek and one schedule (pdf) for those who had completed their Greek. If you did not complete your Hebrew in the Fall of 2007, your schedule will need to be adapted. These schedules will not be as helpful for those students entering their second year or beyond.

Those students completing their first year in the MTS program will want to review the two year course schedule (pdf) (this schedule assumes you've had Greek). If you did not complete your Hebrew in the Fall of 2007, your schedule will need to be adapted. This schedule may not be as helpful for returning students.

Students who are in the MA Missions/New Church Development program can find the online course offerings by going to the Course Schedule page and using the filter for your program at the top of the page.

Academic Advising

Ph.D. students should consult with Dr. Feenstra, Director of Doctoral Studies.
Th.M. students should communicate with their faculty advisors to discuss course selections, independent studies, and major research papers.
MDiv, MTS, and MA students should communicate with Joan Beelen, Registrar and Academic Program Adviser. To serve you best, appointments are preferred. Stop by her office or send an e-mail to set up an appointment.

Registration of Papers, Independent Studies, and Thesis

ThM students who need to register an independent study (_98) can download a copy of the appropriate form. There are two different forms available on the Registrar's Office webpage. One is for a basic independent study (pdf). The other is for taking an MDiv level course (pdf) for your ThM program, which indicates that you will have extra work to do for that course. You should not register for the course, but instead, submit one of these forms. Please choose the right form by title, because the numbers are the same.

Because Dr. Leder is on sabbatical, you will need to bring the necessary paper work, complete with the signature of your study/paper supervisor, to the Registrar's office. These forms must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 5 in order to avoid a $50 late fee. (Note: If you are planning to do a thesis, you should register your thesis in the Spring quarter of your last year of studies; if you are writing a major paper, you should register that in the Winter quarter of your last year of studies).

First degree program students (MDiv, MTS, MA) can click on the appropriate link to download the form needed to register an Independent Study (_98) (pdf) or a Major Research Paper (_99) (pdf). Studies and papers cannot be registered online. You will need to bring the necessary paper work, complete with signatures of your supervisor and Dr. Henry De Moor, to the Registrar's office. These forms must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on May 5 in order to avoid a $50 late fee.

Specific Courses

  • The Gospels for Christian Life and Ministry (NT220) and Foundations in Ministry (PRTH600)

    These courses are for students in the MA programs.

  • Heidelberg Catechism (SYTH491)

    Because this course is limited to 20 students, and because there will be students from the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidacy (EPMC) who need to take the course this fall quarter, enrollment will be quite limited. The course will be offered again in the Spring quarter. Also, the alternative to Heidelberg Catechism is Ecumenical Creeds and Reformed Confessions (SYTH477), which will be offered in the Winter quarter.

  • Advanced Preaching (PRTH657)

    Please note that there is one plenary session that all students need to take. It is offered on Tuesdays from 11:10 to noon. In addition, you need to register for a breakout section. When you register, you will register for section A, B, C, or D (Section E is for EPMC students). When you register for this section, you will be directed to register for the plenary session as well.

  • Theological Education as Formation for Ministry (IDIS902)

    MDiv students who intend to graduate in the Spring of 2009 must take this one hour course this fall. If you are in your third year, but will not graduate in the Spring of 09, you are advised to take the course the year that you intend to graduate.

    MA students will take their 902 course in the Winter of 2009.

  • Isaiah: From Text to Sermon (OT180), Seminar in OT Exegesis: Ezra-Nehemiah (OT196) and The Letter to the Ephesians (NT249)

    Are all exegetical electives.

  • Readings in Social Ethics (PHMO574)

    Is a departmental elective in Philosophical and Moral Theology. This course is recommended for those who intend to go on for further studies.

  • Gospel Communication (PRTH659)

    Will meet an admission requirement in Speech and will serve as a Ministry Division Elective or a General Elective in your program.

Seminar Descriptions

  • Seminar in Historical Theology (HSTH387): The Seven Deadly Sins- A Survival Guide taught by Dr. Rebecca Konydyk De Young (Associate Professor of Philosophy- Calvin College)

    Description: This course will look at the seven deadly sins as keys to confession and moral formation in the Christian tradition. Using the work of Thomas Aquinas, we will compare traditional accounts of the sins to contemporary discussions. Which aspects of the tradition have enduring wisdom for our lives today? Why are contemporary accounts of the vices often at odds with ancient and medieval sources which first articulated the sins? How can understanding these vices help us examine ourselves and our culture with fresh insight? How can various spiritual disciplines help us overcome them in our own lives?

    Students will be held accountable for the material through readings (excerpts from Aquinas's Summa Theologiae and the Disputed Questions of Evil, as well as selections from Evagrius of Pontus and John Cassian and contemporary readings on the vices), journaled reflections (for self-examination and reporting insights from spiritual exercises) and class presentations.

  • Seminar in Missions (MISS848): The structures of Christian mission and diaconal organizations and their impact on church and society taught by Rev. Bill Van Tol.

    Rev. Van Tol is a retired pastor who served as a missionary with Christian Reformed World Missions in Nigeria and Mexico. He also served as the Executive Director of World Missions for 10 years.

    Description: A study of how organizations involved in evangelistic and diaconal missions are organized so as to both reflrect the nature of the church and have a positive impact on society as a whole. What biblical principles and norms guide us who develop, shape, and lead such organizations? What are the impacts of the exportation and importation, from group to group, of organizational designs, styles of leadership, educational methodology, worship forms, and ministry vehicles?

  • Theological Reflection on the Youth Specialties Conference (Independent Study- 1 credit) guided by Professor Darwin Glassford

    Participants will attend the National Youthworkers Convention sponsored by Youth Specialties to be held October 31 through November 3, 2008 in Pittsburgh PA. Prior to the conference, the class will meet once to evaluate promotional material and identify questions to guide reflections on the conference. After the conference, the class will meet twice to debrief the conference, as well as use the Wiki feature in ANGEL. Students will submit a five to six page theological reflection paper that explores implications for pastoral and youth ministry.

    To register for this independent study, please fill out the First Degree Independent Study form (_98) (pdf). The link to this form is on the Registrar's Office page.