Jun 03, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

Definition of Credit Hour

A credit hour (one) is defined as student/teacher interaction of not less than one hour and a minimum of two hours out of class work for 15 weeks. Application: Since several courses and some programs are delivered in a variety of formats, including distance learning, the driving force for delivering a credit hour commences with identifying learning objectives that can be delivered in the one hour/2/15 formula as noted in the definition. Using the definition and formula as noted above, granting more than one hour of credit for a course requires using the formula and increasing the student/teacher interaction, etc., via the learning objectives for the equivalent amount of credit hours desired for the course.
 
  

  • GB 5423 - Systematic and Historical Theology I (3)

    This course examines theological themes that have defined the Christian movement. It does so by attending to a selection of classical and contemporary texts and their systematic implications, giving special attention to the historical and material contexts of those writings. The course takes up this exploration with the intent to equip students to engage defining features of the Christian tradition with coherence and creativity; and, by extension, to formulate constructive proposals for today’s church.
  

  • GB 5443 - Systematic and Historical Theology II (3)

    This course builds upon “Systematic-Historical Theology I” by continuing to examine theological themes that have defined the Christian movement. It does so by attending to a selection of classical and contemporary texts and their systematic implications, giving special attention to the historical and material contexts of those writings. We will take up this exploration with the intent of identifying and engaging defining features of the Christian tradition with coherence and creativity; and, by extension, for the sake of formulating constructive theological proposals for today’s church.
  

  • GB 5473 - Christian Ethics (3)

    This course examines a number of basic questions: What is the Christian church called to be and do? How does our life together relate to the surrounding, unbelieving culture? To what authority or authorities should the church yield allegiance? How does scripture mediate authority in ethical decision making and character formation? How does “Christian ethics” relate to other philosophical “ethical theories”? In the context of these and similar questions, the course will also examine, with necessarily brief attention, a number of specific issues: money and economics; sex and reproduction; violence and war-making; politics and social justice.
  

  • GB 5483 - Introduction to Theology (3)

    This course introduces students to the theological task, resources, and narrative of the Christian faith in the context of its historic theological trajectories for the practice of theological reflection within a ministry context.

     
  

  • GB 5493 - Global Christianity (3)

    Christianity was a global faith, with its center of gravity in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, before it became a predominantly Western religion. Now, five centuries removed from that shift, it has again re-emerged as a major non-Western phenomenon. This course surveys Christianity’s two thousand year history, with a primary focus on the rise of Christianity in the Global South.
  

  • GB 5503 - Systematic Theology (3)

    An examination of Christian teaching on God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church, salvation and eschatology.
  

  • GB 5543 - Ministry, Personhood, and Discipleship (3)

    This course is designed to integrate the three primary stories in which the minister lives: one’s own story, the story of the community, and the story of the Bible.  The purpose of such integration is the development of mind and heart in the pastoral skills of ministry.
  

  • GB 5553 - Spiritual Formation and Guidance (3)

    Focusing on the indispensable personal spiritual formation of the ministry student, this course also trains one to lead and direct others in deepening their devotion to God and more fully participating in his work in the world. This course considers both personal and congregational settings.
  

  • GB 5563 - World Religions (3)

    This course is designed to provide students with an understanding and appreciation for the phenomenon of religion in general and of world religions in particular. The course will begin with an examination of the origin and practice of religion. The bulk of this course will focus on a survey of major religious systems-Tribal religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is intended to introduce the study to the history, myths, beliefs, rituals and moral codes of the world’s major faiths. This course will also examine a few new religious movements with particular emphasis given to the growing influence of Eastern religious thought on the Western World and the language of Spirituality in contemporary culture.
  

  • GB 5573 - Multi-Cultural Ministry (3)

    An examination of ministry issues in multi-cultural contexts, with attention given to the growing ethnic diversity of urban life and the theological foundations for Christian unity in the midst of cultural diversity.
  

  • GB 5583 - Gospel and Culture (3)

    This course analyzes the long held belief that while the cultural circumstances and methods may change, the gospel itself somehow is changeless. Culture and Gospel are always inextricably tied together. Working with both historical and contemporary examples, this course will examine the changing and changeless claims of the Christian faith.
  

  • GB 5603 - Introduction to Ministry (3)

    A broad-based course covering a theology of ministry and the practical aspects of the minister’s work, including family relationships, personal spirituality, care for the sick and dying, spiritual care and leadership in worship.
  

  • GB 5613 - Introduction to Preaching (3)

    An introduction to preaching, focusing on preparation and delivery of the sermon. Attention is given to the form, content and style of the sermon; the location of the preacher within the congregation and the contemporary world; and the person of the preacher.

    Prerequisite: GB 6083  or GB 6093  or equivalent.
  

  • GB 5633 - Christian Leadership (3)

    The student will be introduced to biblical principles of leadership, using the leadership of Jesus as a model. Service leadership will be emphasized.
  

  • GB 5643 - Leading with Missional Imagination (3)

    A practical and theological analysis of contemporary efforts to be and become missional churches-in both domestic and international settings. The study includes biblical foundations, historical implications and contemporary applications. Emphasis is given to the mission of the church in postmodern and cross-cultural contexts.
  

  • GB 5653 - Pastoral Care and Counseling (3)

    Areas of study will include basic counseling skills, marriage and family, developing coping skills and crisis counseling.

    A $75 materials fee applies to this course.
  

  • GB 5673 - Youth and Family Ministry (3)

    The class will examine various models of youth and family ministry, examining current issues and trends in youth and family studies, contemporary contexts and theological foundations. Development and evaluation of effective ministry curricula and programs will be emphasized.
  

  • GB 5683 - Campus Ministry (3)

    The class will examine various models of youth and family ministry, examining current issues and trends in youth and family studies, contemporary contexts and theological foundations. Development and evaluation of effective ministry curricula and programs will be emphasized.
  

  • GB 5693 - Gender in Ministry (3)

    This course will examine the biblical, theological and social-cultural issues related to race, gender and female roles in ministry, missions and the local church.
  

  • GB 5703 - NT Greek Readings I (3)

  

  • GB 5713 - NT Greek Readings II (3)

  

  • GB 5723 - NT Greek Readings III (3)

  

  • GB 5733 - Advanced Greek Readings I (3)

  

  • GB 5743 - Advanced Greek Readings II (3)

  

  • GB 5753 - Advanced Greek Readings III (3)

  

  • GB 5763 - OT Hebrew Readings I (3)

  

  • GB 5773 - OT Hebrew Readings II (3)

  

  • GB 5783 - Spiritual Formation I (3)

    This class focuses on the student’s personal participation in the formative work of the Holy Spirit for the mission of God. Spiritual Formation I focuses on our participation in the life of the Triune God, emphasizing the God-self/church relation and the human formation that occurs in union with God.

     
  

  • GB 5793 - Spiritual Formation II (3)

    This class continues the discussion on a student’s personal participation in the formative work of the Holy Spirit for the mission of God. Spiritual Formation II focuses on our participation in the mission of the Triune God, and emphasizes the God-self/church-world relation and the missional formation that occurs as we co-labor with God in the world.
  

  • GB 5833 - Preaching and the Rhetorical Arts (3)

    This course will systematically explore the canons of rhetoric with special focus on invention, arrangement, style and delivery, challenging students to think critically about how their preaching should follow the biblical model, embedding their “theological smarts” with “rhetorical skills.”

    Prerequisite: GB 5613 .
  

  • GB 5843 - History and Theology of Preaching (3)

    This course will develop from the theological premise that, for our time, the best preaching happens when we live in the world imagined in Scripture, not interpreting the stories to meet our perceived needs but allowing the stories to interpret us; a preaching that allows the Bible to create a reality through imagining a world into which it invites us to enter.

    Prerequisite: GB 5613 .
  

  • GB 5853 - The Mission of God I (3)

    This course integrates biblical, systematic, and historical theology. The course narrates the story of God as given in Scripture in order to equip the contemporary church for missional engagement with post-Christian culture. Mission of God I begins with the Triune God and concludes with the missional purpose of Israel.
  

  • GB 5863 - The Mission of God II (3)

    This course integrates biblical, systematic, and historical theology. The course narrates the story of God as given in Scripture in order to equip the contemporary church for missional engagement with post-Christian culture. Mission of God II begins with Christology and concludes with Eschatology.
  

  • GB 5873 - Theological Engagements I (3)

    All theological convictions inherently carry with them concrete life practices and cultural particularities. Theological Engagements I focuses both upon the contemporary theological context, as well as the cultural context of contemporary United States. The course includes modules on theological hermeneutics, models of the church, American Christianity, philosophy of religion and the new atheism, and faith and science.
  

  • GB 5883 - Theological Engagements II (3)

    All theological convictions inherently carry with them concrete life practices and cultural particularities. Theological Engagements II focuses upon broader and more perennial concerns of global and cultural significance. The course includes modules on global Christianity, Pauline ethics, liturgy and ethics, gender and ministry, faith and the arts, and contemporary social justice issues.
  

  • GB 5900-01 - Thesis Continuation

    Upon completion of course work and payment of thesis fees, students must register for thesis continuation to keep their student status current.
  

  • GB 5913 - Competencies for Missional Ministry I: Ministry in Community (3)

    This course focuses on work within a congregation for the purpose of congregational health and preparing for missional outreach. The class includes modules on congregational leadership, pastoral care, teaching/preaching and conflict management.
  

  • GB 5923 - Competencies for Missional Ministry II: Engaging the World (3)

    This course focuses on the missional engagement of the community and the world. The class includes modules on missional strategies, team-building for mission, sharing faith and forming disciples and church planting.

     
  

  • GB 6003 - Current Issues in Youth Ministry (3)

    Current Issues: This course investigates the current trends in the psychosocial development of adolescents and how it affects the praxis of youth ministry in the local church. It will also spend significant time in the discipline of practical theology and equipping the student to apply these skills towards issues that arise in their own ministry context.
  

  • GB 6013 - Conflict and Family Systems (3)

    This course is designed to provide an in-depth study of conflict in religious settings and the application of general systems theory to the conflict. Topics will include theology, principles of intervention, systems theory, generational issues and systems design.
  

  • GB 6023 - Spiritual Formation of Adolescence (3)

    This course will explore the biblical, theological and psychosocial issues related to helping adolescent students develop personal spiritual formation skills. This course will also look at spiritual disciplines and train one to lead and direct both early and middle adolescents in deepening their devotion to God.
  

  • GB 6033 - Facilitating Care Groups (3)

  

  • GB 6043 - Religious and Cross-Cultural Engagement (3)

  

  • GB 6083 - Old Testament Interpretation and Theology (3)

    This course will introduce students to the hermeneutical issues and methods necessary for competent interpretation of the Old Testament. Special attentions will be given to the characteristics of the different genres of this literature. In addition to exegetical skills, students will gain the ability to trace and analyze the theological streams within the Old Testament.
  

  • GB 6133 - Tools for Biblical Greek (3)

    An introduction to the tools for using Koine Greek to understand the Bible, particularly the New Testament.  Students will learn how to use software for Bible study, how to find meaning of the Greek words that lie behind English translations, grammatical terms that apply to exegesis, and how to understand scholarly commentaries based on the Greek text.  This class differs from a traditional introduction to Greek course by requiring much less rote memorization.  Students will not be required to memorize vocabulary or paradigm forms, but rather be expected to use tools to look up the necessary information.
  

  • GB 6143 - Tools for Biblical Hebrew (3)

    An introduction to the resources and tools using a basic understanding of Biblical Hebrew in ministry.  The course will bring the student to a basic level of competence in reading and understanding the Hebrew language, and focus mostly on how to use advanced tools to become a better reader of the Hebrew Bible as a means for spiritual growth, ministry, teaching, and preaching.  The course will have a slower pace than usual in beginning Hebrew classes in the component of Hebrew language due to the focus on aspects of using Hebrew in ministry.  The main component of the class will be devoted to using these tools to analyze the Hebrew language, rather than learning Hebrew itself or memorizing paradigms or vocabulary.
  

  • GB 6900 - Comprehensive Exam (0)

    Students register for this class in the final semester of their programs.
  

  • GBCB 5001 - Professional Life (1)

    Develop helpful skills for time management, personal finances, and seasons of change in your career.
  

  • GBCB 5012 - Personal Care (2)

    Create and implement numerous practices that support a flourishing Christian life in ministry.
  

  • GBCB 5022 - Care for Others (2)

    Learn the skills needed for leading others in care group ministries.
  

  • GBCB 5031 - Family Care (1)

    Study the practices of boundary setting in relationships and develop ways of nurturing your family’s health.
  

  • GBCB 5042 - Family Systems (2)

    Analyze your own family dynamics and develop related skills to understand congregational systems.
  

  • GBCB 5051 - Chaplaincy (1)

    Grow in your abilities to lead important life events that are guided by a developed pastoral theology.
  

  • GBCB 5101 - Understanding the Story (1)

    Narrate the story of Scripture as Gospel and learn how to locate yourself in it.
  

  • GBCB 5113 - Gospel in Context (3)

    Develop a biblical theology of contextualization and enhance your skills to navigate difference in community.
  

  • GBCB 5122 - Missional Leadership (2)

    Critically assess leadership practices around you and create opportunities for Spirit-led ministry in your setting.
  

  • GBCB 5132 - One-on-one Discipleship (2)

    Create a discipleship strategy and practice skills for sharing the Gospel with others.
  

  • GBCB 5141 - Group Discipleship (1)

    Form people towards greater mission using the resources of Scripture and community.
  

  • GBCB 5202 - Caring for Students (2)

    Develop various pastoral skills necessary for an effective ministry with college-aged students.
  

  • GBCB 5212 - Evangelism and Discipleship (2)

    Enhance your skills for sharing the Gospel with others in a college campus setting.
  

  • GBCB 5222 - Organizational Administration (2)

    Learn the critical skills behind the effective management of a college ministry and enhance your abilities for public teaching events.
  

  • GBCB 5231 - Introduction to Campus Ministry (1)

    Study the history and practices of campus ministry as you understand the theological foundations for the work.
  

  • GBCB 5242 - Understanding Campus Ministry Cultures (2)

    Learn to analyze the various contexts of a college campus community.
  

  • GBCB 5402 - Working Together (2)

    Develop skills for team building and grow in your abilities to listen and respond well to those you lead.
  

  • GBCB 5412 - Developing Leaders (2)

    Develop skills to recruit others into meaningful service in the life of the church.
  

  • GBCB 5422 - Conflict Management (2)

    Learn to appreciate conflict in the church context and develop skills to help manage it.
  

  • GBCB 5432 - Confessional Leadership (2)

    Grow in your theological development and self-awareness as a leader.
  

  • GBCB 5441 - Understanding Ministry Contexts (1)

    Learn to think of ministry environments as systems and develop skills for collaboration.
  

  • GBCB 5502 - Introduction to Church Planting (2)

    Analyze models of church planting and articulate your own theology for the work.
  

  • GBCB 5512 - Identity, Self-Leadership, and Self-Care (2)

    Evaluate your church planting competencies and implement a plan for spiritual growth.
  

  • GBCB 5521 - Sharing Faith (1)

    Craft a personal theology of faith and implement a related plan.
  

  • GBCB 5532 - Communal Practices (2)

    Articulate a definition of church and implement a set of missional practices for it.
  

  • GBCB 5542 - Designing a Disciple Making System (2)

    Develop criteria for church programming and then implement a discipling methodology.
  

  • GBCB 5601 - Worship (1)

    Enhance your abilities to facilitate worship events as you develop a theology of worship.
  

  • GBCB 5612 - Communal Life (2)

    Learn to analyze a congregation’s story as you develop theologically informed practices for community formation.
  

  • GBCB 5622 - Teaching in the Church (2)

    Learn how to manage classroom environments within the church and develop techniques that help your students gain the most from their studies.
  

  • GBCB 5631 - Small Groups (1)

    Enhance your skills to better manage small group ministry at your church.
  

  • GBCB 5643 - Life with Scripture (3)

    Develop a practical theology of Scripture and enhance your skills for interpreting and sharing the teachings of the Bible.
  

  • GBCB 5803 - The Disciple Making Process (3)

    Identify the characters tics of a healthy small group and improve your skills in leading one.
  

  • GBCB 5813 - Apprenticing (3)

    Develop skills to nurture an apprenticing relationship in the disciple making process.
  

  • GBCB 5823 - The Disciple Making Gospel (3)

    Learn to articulate the gospel in new ways and identify the practices of disciple making.
  

  • HA 6113 - Health Policy (3)

    A comprehensive model of health policy and analysis to include its major objectives and methods and its relationship to the field of health services research. An organizing framework is provided that integrates concepts and methods from the fields of economics, ethics, political science and related disciplines. Emphasis is on integrating policymaking with the major system performance objectives of effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. This course includes the impact of health policies on the health of individuals and diverse populations, the political trade-offs and social dimensions of policy making and how future health care policy is likely to be affected by the political marketplace and the global economy.
  

  • HA 6123 - Health Care Analytics and Analysis (3)

    This course covers concepts, techniques, and technologies used in applied clinical, administrative, and managerial research and practice.  The focus of the course is problem-solving and decision-making in a health care organization using modern tools and technologies with some theory. At the conclusion of the course, students are expected to understand, conduct, and evaluate managerial analytics, analysis, and research appropriate in health care administration. Topics for investigation include current statistical and analytical methods along with current business intelligence and predictive analytics applications.
  

  • HA 6133 - Strategic Use of Health Care Information Systems (3)

    An overview of the management perspective of information technology (IT) and how health care administrators can use IT to maximize organizational performance. Fundamental principles of IT, data management, and their implications for health care administrators are reviewed along with how innovative technological solutions are changing the business of health care. Topics also include strategic information systems planning, systems analysis, system design, evaluation, and selection. Current applications, such as patient care, administrative and strategic decision support, managed health, health information networks, population health management, and the Internet are examined to determine how they may be used to meet the global challenges facing health care administrators today and in the future. Discussion of case studies in health care leads to an understanding of appropriate and cost-effective applications of technology. Analytical study of health care systems and the design of current medical information support systems synthesize the content of the course. Focus is on the legal and ethical issues related to IT and their practical implications for the health care administrator.
  

  • HA 6143 - Health Care Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3)

    Health care innovation and technology applies computer, information, and cognitive sciences to promote the effective and efficient use and analysis of information, ultimately improving the health, well-being, and economic functioning of a global, diverse society. Students will explore areas of innovation including health information systems, telehealth, bioinformatics, user interface innovations, advances in clinical decision-making, and evaluation of health technology.
  

  • HA 6153 - Leadership and Ethics in Health Care (3)

    Leadership and Ethics in Health Care emphasizes the fundamentals of leadership and ethics as they apply to leading allied health professionals in global, diverse health care organizations.  A heavy emphasis is placed on understanding the seminal concepts of leadership as it applies to organizational behavior and theory in practice. The students will be required to learn the theories of leadership, critique the different theories, and also apply them to case studies.
  

  • HA 6163 - Information Systems in Health Care (3)

    The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the principles of computer technology related to health care with emphasis on computerized medical billing, health care data collection, storage, retrieval, security arrangement, presentation, and verification. This course will also introduce the components and requirements of the electronic health record.
  

  • HA 6173 - Process Improvement in Health Care (3)

    Evaluating and improving operating processes is essential for the growth and health of any organization This course introduces a variety of frameworks for assessing performance as well as identifying and prioritizing improvement opportunities. It draws on the most frequently used tools from Six Sigma and Lean as well as project management techniques. The course also emphasizes organizational considerations in implementation.
  

  • HA 6183 - Professional Development in Health Care (3)

    This course is designed to improve the ability of students to create a personal brand, sell their ideas and succeed in their chosen profession. Students will learn about professional networking, contributing to company initiatives, responding to proposals and interviewing for new opportunities. Both written and verbal presentation skills will be honed as well.
  

  • HA 6193 - Strategic Finance in Health Care (3)

    This course will cover corporate finance theories and concepts.  These theories and concepts will be integrated with the managerial accounting principles learned in the previous course and applied to the overall financial management of health care organizations.  Student will learn about the cost of capital and technique to ensure the appropriate application of capital across the enterprise.
  

  • HA 6213 - Creating Value in Health Care (3)

    Creating Value in Health Care is a capstone management course focusing on teaching how to strategically create and capture value by way of innovating in the evolving industry of health care. The course will define the model of value creation, focus on how to systematically analyze business opportunities and learn to strategically create and capture value within an evolving market.
  

  • HA 6223 - Strategic Marketing in Health Care (3)

    This course will apply the principles of marketing to health care entities. Course will begin with an introduction to marketing and its overall role and function. The four P’s of marketing (product, price, place, and promotion) will be explored.  In addition, marketing plans will be covered including internal and external environment, segmenting the market, positioning, differentiating, branding, and formulating a marketing plan with goals, strategies, and financial considerations.
  

  • HA 6233 - Law and Ethics in Health Care (3)

    This course presents an overview of legal and ethical issues facing managers and providers in health care.  It provides students with a foundation of health law and ethics, and reviews a wide variety of health care legal/ethical situations and dilemmas. The goals are to provide students with practical knowledge of health laws and ethics, and their application in the real world of health care. By the end of the course, students will have been exposed to many management ideas, theories, and applications of health care law and ethics. Students will have a working knowledge of pertinent law and ethical procedures and how to apply them in the health care arena.
  

  • HA 6243 - Population Health and Global Perspectives (3)

    This course focuses on preparing health professionals with the foundational skills needed to work in teams to effectively collaborate and coordinate care in population health management. Special emphasis will be on identification and stratification of populations at risk; evidence-based care, care coordination, patient and community engagement, and data analytics and reporting of outcomes. Key themes of inter-professional communication, collaboration, leadership, and professionalism will be ingrained throughout content. In addition, students will explore how other countries address the health needs of their populations through a global travel experience.
  

  • HA 6253 - Health Care Quality and Outcomes (3)

    This course will present a study of continuous quality improvement, utilization management, and risk management in health care settings. Also includes study of credentialing, accreditation standards, quality improvement organizations, and medical staff services. Students will be exposed to both current processes and technologies along with exploring future innovations in this space.
  

  • HA 6263 - Health Care Strategy (3)

    This course provides students with the knowledge to develop a holistic approach to strategic decision-making in health settings by integrating concepts and experiences from all business areas or disciplines. The ability to work in a cross-disciplinary setting will be enhanced through group assignments. Topics covered include vision, external and internal analysis and strategic growth alternatives. The course is multidisciplinary and highly integrative. The overall objective is to sharpen your abilities to ‘think strategically” and to diagnose situations from a faith-based and strategic perspective.
  

  • HA 6501 - Health Care Integration I (1)

    Students will complete a project through the use of fieldwork, project work, and lectures attended, which solidify the learning from previous courses. This work is designed to encourage students to utilize the three courses completed in their course work that semester. The final, written project will consist of research, reviews, and analysis targeted towards a specified audience.
  

  • HA 6601 - Health Care Integration II (1)

    Students will complete a project through the use of fieldwork, project work, and lectures attended, which solidify the learning from previous courses. This work is designed to encourage students to utilize the three courses completed in their course work that semester. The final, written project will consist of research, reviews, and analysis targeted towards a specified audience.
  

  • HA 6701 - Health Care Integration III (1)

    Students will complete a project through the use of fieldwork, project work, and lectures attended, which solidify the learning from previous courses. This work is designed to encourage students to utilize the three courses completed in their course work that semester. The final, written project will consist of research, reviews, and analysis targeted towards a specified audience.
  

  • HA 6801 - Health Care Integration IV (1)

    Students will complete a project through the use of fieldwork, project work, and lectures attended, which solidify the learning from previous courses. This work is designed to encourage students to utilize the three courses completed in their course work that semester. The final, written project will consist of research, reviews, and analysis targeted towards a specified audience.
 

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