Field Education Guidelines

Mission

Field education is a form of experiential learning. By directly participating in ministry at a church or organization, students can practice and experience what they have learned in the classroom. This integration of theological knowledge with practical experience helps in the balanced development of their service life, making their contributions to God’s kingdom more effective. It aids in the spread of the gospel, the flourishing of the church, and the glorification of God while benefiting people.

Goals

  1. Experience the role of a pastor or ministry leader during the practicum process.
  2. Discover the needs in ministry through the practicum process, fostering deeper theological research and pursuit.
  3. Provide opportunities for interns to identify their gifts and weaknesses, thereby boosting their confidence and commitment to serving the Lord.
  4. Assist interns in exploring and establishing the direction of their future ministry.
  5. Grasp the principles of effective ministry and learn to be a faithful and dedicated servant.

Rules

  1. Field education is an integral component of the graduate programs at our seminary, including MACS, MAFM, MAICS, MDiv, and DMin.
    • a. Master’s students with six years of full-time pastoral experience may apply to the Academic Affairs Office for a waiver, replacing the required Field Education and/or Summer Pastoral Internship credits with other courses upon approval. Similarly, master’s students with three years of full-time missionary experience may apply for a waiver from the Cross-Cultural Short-Term Mission course.
    • b. Master’s students may not count more than two practicum elective credits towards graduation.
    • c. Doctor of Ministry students may enroll in a Practicum Guided Study course (1 credit) each semester after the second academic year to become familiar with the North American pastoral environment with internship credits not exceeding 3 credits towards graduation.
    • d. All students are encouraged to participate in seminary-arranged observations of various church and ministry models.
  2. All students are not permitted to independently engage in practicum at a church or organization during their first academic year.
  3. Field Education Courses for the Master of Arts in Christian Studies (MACS), Master of Arts in Family Ministry (MAFM), and Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAICS):
    • a.【FES521 Cross-Cultural Short-Term Mission】Must be completed during the first-year summer.
    • b. Elective Courses
      • 【FES535 Field Education Guided Study I】和【FES536 Field Education Guided Study II】1 unit each course.
  4. Field Education Courses for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.):
    • a. Required Courses
      • 【FES501 Field Education I】和【FES502 Field Education II】1 unit each course.
      • 【FES521 Cross-Cultural Short-Term Mission】Must be completed during the first-year summer.
      • 【FES529 Pastoral Internship】Lasting for 2 months, it must be enrolled and completed during the
      • summer of the second year (except for special applications that have been approved by FE Director).
    • b. Elective Courses
      • 【FES531 Practicum Guided Study I】和【FES532 Field Education Guided Study II】These elective courses requires the completion of FES501 & FES502 Courses beforehand.
  5. Field Education Courses for the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.):
    • a. Elective Courses
    • 【FES80x Practicum Guided Study】It is an elective course for D.Min. students.
  6. Students who wish to participate in Field Education can apply to the Field Education Director starting in their second year. Students are responsible for contacting and negotiating with the practicum church or organization to confirm the supervisor for the practicum site. If a recommendation letter is needed, the Field Education Director can write one for the relevant church or organization. Once the student receives the practicum confirmation letter from the church or organization (international students must also complete CPT procedures at the International Student Services Office to legally work off-campus), and after approval from the Field Education Director, they can proceed to the Academic Affairs Office for enrollment, officially entering the Field Education phase.
  7. Church practicums are generally conducted on weekends, while organization practicums may vary depending on the situation. However, the total practicum hours per week must not exceed sixteen hours (unless special approval is obtained from the Field Education Director) to avoid impacting academic performance.
  8. In line with the principle of assisting and nurturing future pastors, it is recommended that churches/organizations providing practicum opportunities to our seminary students also offer reasonable practicum stipends to support their learning and living expenses. Churches/organizations should consult with their accountant regarding the payment methods for the practicum stipend.

Eligibility

All students must complete one full year of full-time study at the seminary before applying for and registering for the two-semester practicum course. However, transfer students who have completed more than one year of full-time study in the United States or graduates from other institutions may apply for and register for the two-semester practicum course in their first semester at the seminary.

Procedure

  1. Fill out the practicum application form FE04 or FE05 and submit it to the Field Education Office.
    • FE04 (Field Education Application Form)
    • FE05 (Cross-culture Short-term Mission Application Form)
  2. Submit the signed MOU from the practicum church/organization to the Academic Affairs Office (Refer to the forms FE09A/FE09B below). If a student needs a recommendation letter for the church, they can apply to the Field Education Director.
    • FE09A (Internship during school term) FE09B (Internship in the summer) + FE11 (Plan)
  3. After obtaining approval from the Field Education Director, proceed to the Academic Affairs Office to enrol for the Field Education course for 0 or 1 credit. (International students must also complete CPT procedures)
  4. Course Withdrawal. Students who cancel or terminate their short-term mission/practicum/summer internship must withdraw from the course before the end of the semester (by 7/31 for summer term). Failure to withdraw will result in a permanent NP (No Pass) record on their academic transcript.