Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Another step along the way

Our Master of Ministry degree moved one step closer to reality when, earlier this week, the APPC committee of the University faculty approved the proposal and moved its recommendation to the full faculty, which meets October 6.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Step 1: Complete

This morning, the faculty of the College of Arts Sciences approved the Master of Ministry degree proposal, sending it on to the university-wide committee that reviews new courses and degrees. They'll act on it next week -- if it's a positive action, it will go to the full faculty for action in their October meeting.

Although there are several "hoops" to jump through, they serve an important purpose -- to be sure that any new courses and degree programs will be of high quality and that they will accomplish the objectives they target. At each point in the process, a new set of eyes evaluates the proposal to make sure it is sound and that it is in accordance with the university's overall mission and long-range plan.

To pick up on some Olympics imagery: we've just left the starting block, but we're moving toward the finish line!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Moving the M.Min. forward

This is an exciting time in the development of the Master of Ministry degree at Anderson. Next week, it will go before the faculty of the college of Arts & Sciences for their approval and recommendation to the next stage. (The M.Min. will be in the Graduate School of Christian Ministry, not the College of Arts & Sciences, but any degree has to be recommended to the full faculty from within an existing college.) Assuming that goes well, then the full roster of M.Min. courses will go to the appropriate AU faculty committee for approval. So it's going to be a busy fall.

Yesterday I had a chance to briefly visit with pastors of the Saluda Baptist Association here in Anderson, and tell them about the program being developed. There was a lot of interest, and two pastors expressed serious interest in enrolling themselves. The interest grows!