Academic Catalog
for the school year 2010-2011
Undergraduate and Graduate Programs of MINTS-Miami
13805 SW 70 Avenue
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
www.mintsmiami.wordpress.com
Phone 443-995-3944 • Fax 305-238-2045
I. Mission
Introduction
| Miami International Seminary (MINTS-Miami) exists to serve and glorify the Lord God. Our mission is to support and strengthen Christians and churches in South Florida by providing undergraduate and graduate theological and ministry education that is biblical, affordable and accessible. |
Biblical
We teach that the Bible, inerrant and inspired, is a love story from God for His people. Its focus is not on a set of rules that we should obey or life lessons we should follow. In fact, the Bible is less concerned with what we have to do, and more concerned with what God has done. It tells us about God’s all-sufficient work on the cross with Jesus.
The Bible is a book about God’s incredible grace. Even when we were not looking for Him, God revealing Jesus to us. And now, even when we are either not willing or able, God keeps us faithful.
It is a story about Jesus, from first to last. We believe that from Genesis through Revelation, Jesus is the main character. All the events in the Bible and all the characters in the Bible point to Jesus.
Included in that story is our response to God’s grace. We actively give ourselves to God. We strive to be obedient but, not because we must but because we can, not to gain God’s approval but because He could not be happier with us than He is.
All of this means we can laugh, the laughter of those who know that because of their relationship with Jesus everything really is okay. It means we have time to focus on relationships. It encourages us to wrangle with the messiness of life. And it means that we are okay when life seems uncertain.
Affordable
Classes at MINTS-Miami cost only a fraction of other seminaries. Our desire is that any person who wants to study can, regardless of their economic situation. We are able to offer such affordable prices because of our affiliation with the educational philosophy of Miami International Seminary. Not only do professors raise their own support but MINTS-Miami owns no offices, classrooms or buildings.
Accessible
Because we know that many of our students juggle responsibilities at home and work, MINTS-Miami offers classes at several convenient locations around town. Presently we have classes in Homestead, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Kendall, Doral and North Miami. Our goal is to continue to expand throughout the city through the development of new study centers.
Professors take a personal interest in each of their students and are readily available to interact by phone, text, email or face to face.
II. Educational Goals
A. Head
●For students to have a thorough knowledge of both the Old and New Testaments
●For students to understand the main contours and themes of the biblical story of God’s redemptive grace
●For students to gain proficiency in the various areas of a well-rounded Christian education (theology, history, languages, counseling, church ministry, missions)
●For students to be able to interact critically with oral and written sources being able to summarize and respond to them
●For students to become acquainted with important resources in their studies
B. Heart
●For students to understand how biblical doctrines apply to them
●For students to drink deeply from the well of God’s grace
●For students to begin to learn how to live within community
C. Hands
●For students to appreciate our present cultural situation and their role within it
●For students to have numerous opportunities to hone their ability to teach
●For students to discover their role within the Body of Christ
●For students to become involved in compassionate outreach to Miami
III. What We Believe*
A. The triune God, for whom all things exist, is the Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer of the universe.
B. Jesus, fully God and fully human, died for our sins to appease the just wrath of God, rose from the dead to give us new life and is coming back again to reign as the King of Kings.
C. Though created in the image of God, humanity has rebelled against God and is in need of the salvation He alone can provide.
D. God graciously offers salvation to anyone who trusts in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
F. The Bible is the very word of God and is authoritative over every matter it teaches.
*The general outline for the doctrinal statement was suggested by Mike Erre in his book, The Jesus of Suburbia, pages 171-172.
IV. Degree Programs
A. Certificate of Theological Studies
Designed for non-degree-seeking students who desire sound, biblical teaching, this program consists of seven courses in the area of Bible, theology, church history, and missions. Classes taken in the Certificate program can be transferred toward the completion of a degree.
1. Biblical-Theological Overview
2. English Bible Exegesis
3. Apologetics
4. Church History Turning Points
5. Christ, Culture and the Communication of the Gospel
6. God the Father, God the Spirit
7. Sin, Salvation and Redemption
B. Associate of Arts in Theological Studies
The Associate of Arts degree is equivalent to the first two years of college. Students must fulfill 60 academic hours in the following areas:
1. Bible 6 courses (18 hours)
2. Theology 3 courses (9 hours)
3. Ministerial Studies 3 courses (9 hours)
4. History 2 courses (6 hours)
5. Electives 6 courses (18 hours)
C. Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies
Students must fulfill 120 academic hours in the following areas:
1. Bible 12 courses (36 hours)
2. Theology 6 courses (18 hours)
3. Ministerial Studies 6 courses (18 hours)
4. History 2 courses (6 hours)
5. Electives 14 courses (42 hours)
D. The Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Students must fulfill 60 academic hours in the following areas:
1. Bible 6 courses (18 hours)
2. Theology 3 courses (9 hours)
3. Ministerial Studies 3 courses (9 hours)
4. History 2 courses (6 hours)
5. Electives 6 courses (18 hours)
E. The Master of Arts in Christian Education
Students must fulfill 60 academic hours by completing the following:
1. Bible 2 courses (4 hours)
2. Theology 2 courses (4 hours)
3. Ministerial Studies 2 courses (4 hours)
4. History 2 courses (4 hours)
5. Christian Education 10 courses (30 hours)
6. Electives 2 courses (4 hours)
F. The Master of Divinity
Students must fulfill 105 academic hours by completing the following:
1. Bible 15 courses (45 hours)
2. Theology 7 courses (21 hours)
3. History 4 courses (12 hours)
4. Church Ministry 9 courses (36 hours)
V. Core Courses
The classes listed below are the Core classes at MINTS-Miami for all of the various degrees. Professors will require different amounts of work from students based on their degree program. Besides these courses, students may either take classes from the cassette catalog of the Institute of Theological Studies or independent studies that are designed for them under the direction of one of the school’s professors.
A. Bible
- BI 001 Old Testament Introduction
- BI 002 New Testament Introduction
- BL 101 An Introduction to Hebrew
- BL 102 Hebrew Exegesis
- BL 201 An Introduction to Greek
- BL 202 Greek Exegesis
- BI 005 Hermeneutics
- BI 004 English Bible Exegesis
- BI 003 A Biblical Theological Introduction to the Bible
- BI 006 The Pentateuch*
- BI 007 The History Books of the Old Testament*
- BI 008 The Poetry Books/The Prophets*
- BI 009 The Gospels*
- BI 010 Paul’s Letters*
- BI 011 The General Epistles/Revelation*
B. Theology
- TH 100 God the Father*
- TH 200 God the Son*
- TH 300 God the Spirit,
- TH 400 Man*
- TH 500 Sin and Salvation*
- TH 600 The Church*
- TH 700 The Last Days*
- TH 800 Apologetics*
C. History
- CH 100 Early Church History
- CH 400 16th Century Church History
- CH 600 Modern Church History
- CH 001 Turning Points in History
D. Church Ministry
- CM 001 Introduction to Missions*
- CO 001 Counseling 1*
- CO 002 Counseling 2*
- CM 002 Preaching*
- CM 003 Preaching Christ
- CM 004 Spiritual Disciplines*
- CM 005 Church Ministry*
- CM 006 Culture 1*
- CM 007 Culture 2*
*Items that have asterisks indicate not a particular class but the general heading of a class. The specific classes offered at any particular time might differ.
VI. Academic Issues
A. Authorization of Courses
Miami International Seminary is registered with the Florida Department of Education. This is not the same as accreditation. The State of Florida does not accredit private schools. Only regional and national accrediting bodies offer accreditation to private institutions. Registration with the State of Florida shows that the Miami International Seminary is qualified and registered to grant religious vocational degrees in the State of Florida and that it meets the regulations of the State. Miami International Seminary is listed on the State of Florida’s educational site www.facts.org under “College/Vo-Tech Planning”.
B. Transfer of Credits
The Academic Dean will consider academic credits from other educational institutions and will apply credits that are accepted to that student’s particular degree program.
C. Transfer/Equivalency
Students should submit academic transcripts and documentation of professional training and/or ministerial service. Based on this documentation, the Academic Dean will approve appropriate transfer/equivalencies for courses and practicum.
D. Class Structure
1. Class Overview
Classroom experience will be combined with programmed homework, discussion groups, assigned readings and reports, writing assignments related to ministry and a final exam
2. Class Objectives
a. Students will interact and dialogue with course materials, the professor and fellow students
b. Basic concepts will be studied and reflected upon
c. Students will share their insights from their extra readings
d. Students will express in writing a theme related to the course
e. Students will show comprehension of the course’s basic concepts
3. Class Structure
a. Classes generally meet for 10 weeks in 3 hour sessions.
b. Classes meeting for less than 3 hours per session may require additional independent study hours by the students
c. Class meeting times may be changed by the professor to accommodate either the professor’s schedule or one or more of the students
E. Transcript Requests
1. Transcripts will be provided at student’s request
2. Normally, the request will be made through the coordinator of the local study center, who then will request the transcript from the Miami International Seminary office.
F. Student Documentation
1. MINTS-Miami will have an up to date student record that includes copies of the following for each student:
a. Application form
b. Academic transcripts
c. Convalidation credits
d. Student transcript
e. Level of study
2. Copies of these records will be kept by the Director of MINTS-Miami.
G. Academic Ethics
Students should submit original academic work for their assignments, essays and exams. All ideas and communications from sources other than the students must be documented. (See: MLA Style Citations.) Failure of a student to heed faculty warnings may result in the expulsion of the student from the course and/of the program.
Students, staff, professors, board members and supporters of Miami International Seminary program may appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Board concerning academic and moral ethical responsibilities.
H. Class Conduct
All classes will begin with prayer.
Students may miss only one class without penalty (unless given prior permission by the professor). Students’ final grades will be reduced by 2% for the second absence. Students who miss three classes automatically will be removed from the class.
The professor, after consulting with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, has the authority to cancel and/or reschedule class.
I. Assignments
Students’ course progress will be evaluated through graded assignments. All final exams must state clearly at the top of the examination what tools or materials may be used in the exam. Re-examination may be permitted at the discretion of the course instructor.
Students may complete assignments and take exams in appropriate languages. The professor will announce the language choices at the beginning of the course and the student will indicate his or her preference. The Vice President of Academic Affairs will assign an appropriate exam proctor.
J. Grading
| Grading Scale | ||
| A+ | 4.0 | 97-100 |
| A | 4.0 | 93-96 |
| A- | 3.7 | 90-92 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87-89 |
| B | 3.0 | 83-86 |
| B- | 2.7 | 80-82 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77-79 |
| C | 2.0 | 73-76 |
| C- | 1.7 | 70-72 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 67-69 |
| D | 1.0 | 63-66 |
| D- | 0.7 | 60-62 |
| F | 59 and under | |
Required courses in which a student receives an “F” must be retaken in order to fulfill graduation requirements. Course grades for a class that has been retaken will replace the previous grade.
The final due date for all course assignments is the last examination day of each quarter unless otherwise stated. Work turned in after the deadline may be penalized one percentage point per week up to 20% at the discretion of the professor. Course assignments more than three months late will not be accepted.
The deadline for grades is established by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and normally will be submitted to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within two weeks of the last day of the trimester.
Only a professor, in consultation with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, can change a student’s grade.
K. Withdrawing from Class
Students who withdraw from class before the third week are exempt from receiving a “W” on their transcript. Students who withdraw from class between the third and sixth week will receive a “W” on their transcript. Students who withdraw from class after the sixth week will receive an “F”.
L. Student Concerns
Students may appeal to the professor concerning the grade given for the course. If the student’s concern persists after discussion, both the student and the professor will meet with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Following the consultation, the professor will issue the final grade.
The following process will be used to deal with unresolved grievances involving students, faculty and staff:
1. Should a grievance arise, first approach the other individual(s) involved to attempt to resolve the situation in accordance with Matthew 18:15.
2. If no resolution is reached, discuss the situation with the Vice-President of Academic Affairs. The Vice-President of Academic Affairs will assist the student in formulating a plan to resolve the problem. The Vice-President of Academic Affairs will submit a written report of the plan to the President once the matter has been adopted by the Vice-President of Academic Affairs and reported to the President.
3. If no resolution is reached, or if the student is not satisfied with the mediation of the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, the student is encouraged to speak with the President and then the Board.
VII. Finances
A. Registration Fee
A $25.00 one-time, non-refundable fee must accompany registration forms. (Those auditing class do not need to pay this fee.)
B. Course Fees
1. Audit $100.00 per course
2. Certificate Studies $100.00 per course
3. Bachelor Degree $200.00 per course
4. Master Degree $200.00 per course
C. Payment Schedule
Half of the cost of the course is due at the time of registration. Final payment is due before the last day of class.
All checks are to be made payable to “MINTS-Miami”. Payments may also be made via PayPal through the MINTS-Miami website at www.mintsmiami.wordpress.com.
D. Refund Policy
Course refunds are available upon request and determined according to the date of the request. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of registered withdrawal. Application fees and registration fees are non-refundable. Cancellation of all obligations will be made within three (3) working days.
Refunds will be issued as follows:
1. Course withdrawal prior to start of the third class: 100 % refund
2. Course withdrawal prior to midway point of trimester: 50% refund
3. Course withdrawal after mid-term and before final: 25% refund
VIII. Faculty and Staff
Staff
President Dr. Greg Hauenstein
Vice-President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cornelius Hegeman
Director of MINTS-Miami Mr. Jared Reed
Faculty
Dr. Ken Boodhoo, Ph.D., University of the West Indies; M.A., Carelton University; M.A., Knox Theological Seminary; B.A,. Waterloo Lutheran University
Rev. Gus Grana, MDiv., MINTS-Miami; B.S., Florida International University
Rev. Greg Hauenstein, Ph.D. Studies candidate, Miami International Seminary; M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; B.A., Florida Bible College
Dr. Cornelius Hegeman, D.Min. Missiology, Westminster Theological Seminary; Th.D. candidate, State University of Utrecht; Th.D., National Evangelical University, Dom. Rep.; M.Div., Calvin Theological Seminary; B.R.E., Reformed Bible College; B.A., Wilfrid Laurel University
Dr. Richard B. Ramsay, D.Min. Urban Missions, Westminster Theological Seminary; Th.M. Apologetics, Covenant Theological Seminary; M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary; B.A., University of Kansas
Mr. Jared Reed, Ph.D. candidate, Westminster Theological Seminary; Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary; M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; B.S., Miami Christian College
Mr. Barry Smith, M.A. Religion, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; B.A., Somerset University
IX. 2010-2011 Calendar
FALL 2010
| Registration Begins | Monday | August 2 |
| New Student Orientation and Open House (J. Reed Home) | Saturday | August 14 |
| Labor Day | Monday | September 6 |
| Classes Begin (First fall term tuition payment due) | Tuesday | September 7 |
| Last Day of Classes (Final fall term tuition payment due) | Monday | November 15 |
WINTER 2011
| Registration Begins | Monday | November 30 |
| New Student Orientation and Open House (Location TBA) | Saturday | December 11 |
| Classes Begin (First winter term tuition payment due) | Monday | January 3 |
| Martin Luther King Holiday (no classes) | Monday | January 17 |
| Presidents’ Day (no classes) | Monday | February 21 |
| Last Day of Classes (Final winter term tuition payment due) | Monday | March 7 |
SPRING 2011
| Registration Begins | Monday | February 14 |
| New Student Orientation and Open House (J. Reed Home) | Saturday | March 12 |
| Classes Begin | Monday | March 21 |
| Easter | Sunday | April 24 |
| Last Day of Classes (Final spring term tuition payment due) | Thursday | May 26 |
| Memorial Day | Monday | May 30 |
| Graduation | Sunday | June 12 |
SUMMER 2011
| Registration Begins for Summer Independent Study Courses (Director’s approval required) | Monday | May 9 |
| Independent Study Course Period Begins (First summer term tuition payment due) | Monday | June 13 |
| Last Day to Complete Independent Study Courses (Final summer term tuition payment due) | Friday | August 5 |
*Changes may be made to the academic calendar at the discretion of the Director
