I 103 M.A. RESEARCH SEMINAR

This course is for M.A. students who are developing their thesis proposals. The course is focused on teaching bibliographic research and research methodology for academic thesis writing. It follows a research structure with each student working on building his/her own focus questions, methodology, and bibliography. Class time is spent discussing and evaluating peer work.
3 semester hours.

I 203 TRAVEL SEMINAR: FAITH EXPLORATIONS IN CROSS-CULTURAL SETTINGS (200 LEVEL)

Each year one or more travel seminars will be sponsored enabling participants to experience the life and culture of another people. Previous travel seminars have included Nigeria, Brazil, Latin America, France, Ireland, Italy, and the Mideast.
3 semester hours.

I 205 AMERC CROSS-CULTURAL SEMINAR

Funded by Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC) in Berea, Kentucky, and conducted by member schools of the consortium. Courses focus on the religious history and social issues of Appalachia, with attention given to models and strategies for small church ministry in the rural setting.
3 semester hours.

I 290 OR I 390 ELECTIVE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Various courses may either be offered as a regular part of the curriculum or developed as a group reading course which fulfill one of the three interdisciplinary curriculum requirements. Previous offerings have included The Foreign Language of Caring, Readings in Women's Faith and Theology, and Ethics for Ministry and Congregational Life. 300-level courses will have a 100-level prerequisite.
3 semester hours.

I 350 M.A. THESIS SEMINAR

This course is for M.A. students who are writing their theses. It is built primarily to help the student stay accountable to the research and writing task. As the semester progresses, the student will be asked to share a chapter of his/her work in progress with M.A. peers. Class time is spent interacting with each other's research and arguments and building the skills of critical engagement and scholarly conversation.
3 semester hours.
Prerequisite: I-103 and Educational Policies and Assessment Committee thesis proposal approval is required.

I 450 M.A. INDEPENDENT STUDY

This course is open only to M.A. students, who can register for the course any time after the acceptance of their thesis proposal and before the submission of their thesis. The goal of this independent study is to dedicate structured time specifically to thesis research. To register for the Independent Study, the student must submit an M.A. Independent Study form to the Educational Policies and Assessment Committee.
3 semester hours.

I 500 THESIS COMPLETION

This course grants 3 credit hours to the M.A. student for the successful completion of the thesis. Credit is granted when the thesis is approved by the thesis advisor and the secondary reader and three bindable copies are submitted to the Office of Academic Services in proper academic style according to the scheduled deadlines.
3 semester hours.