Affiliated and Cooperative Programs

Graduate/Post-graduate Cooperatives

Asbury University

Advanced Standing–Asbury University graduates are eligible to apply for up to 18 units of advanced standing credits toward a Master of Divinity degree, 12 units toward a 60-unit Master of Arts degree, or 9 units toward a 48-unit Master of Arts degree.

The University of Kentucky

Ph.D. Asbury Theological Seminary’s E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism maintains a cooperative arrangement with the University of Kentucky, making possible strong Ph.D. programs in three of the university’s most distinguished departments—communication, education and sociology. Asbury Theological Seminary’s Th.M., depending on the program, may constitute the minor or cognate discipline in a University of Kentucky Ph.D.; and a member of Asbury Theological Seminary’s faculty may serve on the Ph.D. student’s dissertation committee. The degree is conferred by the University of Kentucky, and is not a joint Ph.D. Applicants complete the university’s normal application and scholarship processes.


Study Programs

The American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR)

Asbury Theological Seminary is a member of the Corporation of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), an internationally recognized institution dedicated to the research of the history and archaeology of the Near East. Asbury’s faculty, staff, and students are eligible to apply for ASOR fellowships, grants, and scholarships, as well as discounts on registration for ASOR’s annual meetings. Through its relationship with ASOR, the Seminary has the opportunity to conduct original research through excavation in collaboration with nearly 100 other universities, colleges, and seminaries.

The Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC)

Asbury Theological Seminary, with 42 other seminaries, is a charter member of the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC), located at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. AMERC was established for training both seminarians and experienced pastors for rural ministry in general and for ministry in Appalachia in particular. AMERC is the largest consortium of denominations and seminaries in the history of theological education in America. Through its member schools, AMERC provides learning experiences with faculty members selected for their expertise in rural and Appalachian ministry. Courses are intensive experiences with on-site learning in Appalachia. See the related course description for MS660 Appalachian/Rural Ministry for classes taught by faculty outside of Asbury Theological Seminary faculty members. Sometimes Asbury Theological Seminary professors teach courses in our catalog that are funded by AMERC. Students register such courses with professor approval using the catalog course number.

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education

Asbury Theological Seminary is a member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). This enables students to take clinical training for credit both at Asbury Theological Seminary and with the association. This education is available in psychiatric and general medical settings and other types of institutions. (See the pastoral counseling course description section of this catalog.)

Hispanic Summer Program

Asbury Theological Seminary is one of over thirty sponsoring institutions of the Hispanic Summer Program, a graduate level program in theology and religion which takes place over a two week period each summer in locations around the United States and Puerto Rico. Bilingual students interested in Hispanic ministries may attend this academic program and complete one course for three credits. The credit may be applied to the elective courses area of an Asbury Theological Seminary degree, to be transferred upon receipt of the official transcript.

Israel Studies program

The Old Testament department offers two classes on a regular and rotating basis that are designed to bring our students to Israel for the academic study of historical geography and archaeology. Supported in part by the Summer Archaeology Scholarship fund, these classes offer a phenomenal opportunity for the student to see and touch the history of Israel, and to better prepare for a life in ministry or academics. See the related class descriptions under OT540 The Geographical and Historical Settings of the Bible and OT753 Summer Archaeology Program.

Jerusalem University College

Asbury Theological Seminary is a member of the Associated Schools of the Institute of Holy Land Studies, a division of Jerusalem University College (JUC). The Graduate School of JUC offers specialized training in historical geography, archaeology, and history of the Holy Land. Credits earned in the Graduate School are accepted at Asbury Theological Seminary upon review of transcripts and syllabi by the Office of the Registrar, with the grade submitted by the Graduate School entered onto the student’s transcript at Asbury Theological Seminary. A maximum of 12 hours can be completed in this fashion. Several courses may be taken at JUC. The Campus Representative for JUC, Dr. Lawson Stone, in consultation with the Deans of the relevant schools, maintains a current list of eligible courses. Students interested in a semester of study at JUC or an intensive 3 week course should consult Dr. Stone. Students may register at Asbury Theological Seminary for other biblical studies courses at JUC (e.g., Geographical and Historical Settings of the Bible, Jesus and His Times, Paul and the Hellenistic World, and Qumran: Discoveries in the Dead Sea Scrolls) through the appropriate tutorial number (e.g., OT650), upon the recommendation of Dr. Lawson Stone, JUC campus representative, and approval of Dr. David Bauer, dean of the School of Biblical Interpretation. For further information, contact Dr. Lawson Stone, campus representative.

Military Chaplaincy courses (Air Force, Army, or Navy)

A registered Asbury Theological Seminary student may receive three general elective credit hours toward the M.Div. degree for completing a Chaplain training course required by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army, or the U.S. Air Force. A copy of the completed training certificate is required before the credit may be applied to a student’s academic record. Asbury Theological Seminary is listed as a recommended seminary by the Civilian Institutions Programs, Naval Postgraduate School (CIVINS). Recommended degree programs: Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, Master of Arts in Christian Education, Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, and Master of Theology in World Mission and Evangelism.

National Capital Semester for Seminarians

This program, sponsored by Wesley Theological Seminary, offers Asbury Theological Seminary students an opportunity to spend a spring semester in Washington, D.C., for full Asbury Theological Seminary credit. Public policy issues are studied from a theological perspective, and students interact regularly with persons involved in the political process. Credits earned in the National Capital Semester for Seminarians program are accepted into a degree upon review of the transcript, with the grade entered on the student’s transcript at Asbury Theological Seminary. For more information, contact Dr. Christine Pohl, Professor of Christian Social Ethics. (See MS665 course description in this catalog.)

Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE)

The Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE) partners with churches, schools, denominations, and community agencies to provide theological and practical training for urban ministry. Courses are offered as intensives in Chicago and students can choose among courses offered during fall or spring semester, January or summer. For more information, contact Dr. Christine Pohl, Professor of Christian Social Ethics.

Seminary Track Eligibility Programs (STEP)

In order to make Asbury Theological Seminary’s Master of Divinity program more pertinent and immediately beneficial, Seminary Track Eligibility Programs (STEP) have been established with the following institutions: Asbury University, Houghton College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Kingswood University, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Students graduating from these institutions with a major in Bible and Theology, who are admitted to the Master of Divinity degree program, will be able to select the M.Div. STEP track. Certain courses in which the student has earned a grade of “B” or higher will be considered for up to 18 hours of credit, resulting in a 78 hour Master of Divinity. Thirty-two hours of those remaining 78 hours must be completed “on campus” to meet the residency requirement for the degree program. Residency hours may be completed on either the Kentucky or Florida Dunnam Campus.

Servants in Faith and Technology (SIFAT)

SIFAT (located in Lineville, Alabama) offers an intensive 10-week practicum each fall during which participants study numerous dimensions of community development from a Christian perspective. Oriented toward preparing students planning to minister in the Third World, the nine intensive courses of the program lead to a SIFAT certificate in Christian Community Development and Appropriate Technologies. Courses include: Christian leadership formation, community development, appropriate technology, international health, introduction to micro enterprise, and sustainable agriculture, among others.

The Theological Education Association of Mid-America (TEAM-A)

Asbury Theological Seminary has joined four other accredited seminaries located in the Ohio Valley in a cooperative effort called the Theological Education Association of Mid-America (TEAM-A). Each seminary in the association retains its own autonomy, confessional loyalties and unique style of life while at the same time cooperating with the others in certain matters of mutual concern. The five participating TEAM-A institutions are:

  • Asbury Theological Seminary
  • Lexington Theological Seminary (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ)
  • Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Presbyterian)
  • Saint Meinrad School of Theology (Roman Catholic)
  • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Southern Baptist)

Regularly enrolled students at Asbury may take a course at one of the other four TEAM-A schools as part of a full load during a semester. If a student would like to take a course on one of the campuses listed above, other than Asbury, registration is easily accomplished with early planning. The individual student must see the staff in the Registrar’s Office on their home campus to register for the course offered at one of the other seminaries. Tuition is paid to the home seminary. The Registrar’s staff confirms the registration and shares any special considerations or requirements with the student. At the conclusion of the term, course grades are provided to the home seminary’s Registrar’s Office. The home seminary’s Registrar’s Office will then distribute the grades to the student through their regular procedures. Contact the Office of the Registrar for more details.

The United Methodist Church Certification Studies

For those United Methodist students seeking certification for specialized ministries through The United Methodist Church, Asbury Theological Seminary is approved to offer the following United Methodist certifications. For more information, visit gbhem.org.

Children’s Ministry
CD660 Teaching the Bible to Youth and Adults
Teaching Theology CD620 Moral Development
Teaching/Learning CD560 The Ministry of Teaching
Children’s Ministries in the Church CD655 Ministry with Children through the Church
United Methodist Studies CL553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline
Christian Education
Teaching Biblical Faith CD660 Teaching the Bible to Youth and Adults
Teaching Theology CD620 Moral Development
Teaching/Learning CD560 The Ministry of Teaching
Administration/Leadership CD692 Multiple Staff Ministry
United Methodist Studies CL553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline
Evangelism
Teaching Biblical Faith CD510 Foundations in Christian Discipleship
Teaching Theology MS714 Evangelism and Theology
Evangelism as Congregational Outreach and Growth MS615 Church Growth Practices
Evangelism as Congregational Care and Nurture PC510 Care of Persons
United Methodist Studies CL553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline
Older Adult Ministry
Theology for the Practice of Ministry CD620 Moral Development
Biblical Foundations for Ministry CD510 Foundations in Christian Discipleship
Planning Comprehensive Ministry with Older Adults AS/CD663 Aging, Spirituality, and Ministry
Seminar CD552 Seminar: Ministry with Adults (2 hours)
United Methodist Studies CL553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline
Youth Ministry
Teaching Biblical Faith YM610 Communicating the Gospel to Youth
Teaching Theology CD620 Moral Development
Ministry with Youth YM510 Foundations of Youth Ministry
Adolescent World YM665 Youth Culture and Trends
United Methodist Studies CL553 United Methodist Polity and Discipline