Articulation Agreement

Memorandum of Understanding
Between
St. Stephen’s University
and
Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism

 

Preamble:
St. Stephen’s University, New Brunswick, Canada and Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism hereby agree to seek opportunities to facilitate cooperation in study, teaching, research, and articulation opportunities for students between their respective institutions.

St Stephen’s University (SSU) in St Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada was open for classes in 1975. The University is incorporated by the Province of New Brunswick as a private Christian university entitled to grant Bachelors and Masters Degrees. SSU currently offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in History, Literature, Philosophy, Ministry, Interdisciplinary Studies, and International Studies. The University offers an applied degree, a Bachelor of International Studies, in cooperation with colleges and a Bachelor of Christian Studies through Vineyard Biblical Institute, a partner school of ministry.
SSU offers Ministry (Masters, Diplomas and Certificates) both residentially to on-site students and by modules (involving two week intensives) to distance students.

Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism (Taylor College) in Saint John, New Brunswick, a ministry of The Threshold Ministries in Canada and affiliated with Threshold Ministries International, is a Christian college which prepares students for service in evangelism and missions and provides qualifications for students wishing to be commissioned as evangelists in the Threshold Ministries. Students may take programs of one to three years. The ‘Xchange’ is a one year highly practical program leading to a ‘Certificate in Evangelism” ‘Xchange provides the first year of the three year diploma program offering diplomas in Mission and Evangelism. These diplomas may be in: “General Studies”, “Fresh Expressions and Evangelism” “Disciple Formation” or “Generational Studies” .

Potential areas of cooperation include the following:

Articulation Possibilities for Students:
Students of Taylor College who are deemed academically suitable for further studies may apply for entrance to St Stephen’s University and will normally receive academic credit for prior work at Taylor College. These arrangements include the following possibilities for Taylor students:

Master of Ministry (M.Min)
At the discretion of the Faculty of SSU, a graduate of Taylor College’s 3 year program may receive “Bachlelor’s equivalency” entrance into SSU’s Ministry Studies program leading to a Masters of Ministry (M.Min.) degree. Normally, this will require 2 years of studies for completion of the requirements of the M.Min plus the equivalent of one more year of undergraduate arts studies, as recommended by the Faculty of SSU when evaluating the student’s transcript and experience (normal entrance into graduate programs require 4 years of undergraduate study). Students with full time ministry experience may receive consideration for their work as part of course equivalency at the Faculty’s discretion. (SSU’s residential program is currently not being offered in 2009 and onward except as a directed study program in conjunction with the module program which is described below.)

Master of Ministry by Module (M.Min)
A graduate of Taylor College’s 3 year program who has the equivalent of 5 years of full time work experience in ministry, may be accepted into SSU’s Master of Ministry by Module program with a “Bachelor’s equivalency.” Module programs require that the student complete all the work associated with attending 3 two week intensives at SSU, one two week intensive in the Bible Lands, plus complete a thesis or ministry project. On acceptance, the Faculty of SSU will evaluate the work experience of the Taylor graduate, assessing experiential credit and determine what additional course work will be required for graduation with a Masters degree.

Generally, students not possessing an undergraduate degree are accepted first into a graduate ministry program on a diploma track and will be allowed to proceed toward degree completion based on demonstrated academic performance. This is normal procedure in most Christian graduate schools and seminaries.

Taylor College students that wish to proceed toward completion of an undergraduate degree may have the following options open to them:

Bachelor of International Studies (BIS)
Students of Taylor College may be eligible for up to one year of transfer credit toward SSU’s residential BIS. This program, leading to an applied degree, normally allows for one year of college studies to help equip the student for overseas service in missionary operations, NGO’s, and other cross cultural service opportunities. It will be complemented with 2 years at SSU, and Asia study abroad term, and an international internship term. This program may be ideal for students completing the one year program of missions and evangelism.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Students of Taylor College may be eligible for up to one year of transfer credits, however, BA program requirements may limit the amount of credit which may be allowed.

Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS)
Students and graduates of Taylor College are eligible for transfer credit toward SSU’s BCS degree to a maximum of 30 credit hours (1 year’s credit) for work completed at Taylor College. The BCS is a St Stephen’s University-Vineyard Biblical Institute partnership in on line education. The degree normally includes 3 years of biblical and theological studies (of which two years or 60 credit hours are taken through cohort mentored study) and one year of other course work, preferably Arts, to help give the student breadth of studies. This degree is offered in partnership with Vineyard Biblical Studies (www.vineyardbi.org ). VBI does not offer Arts or other non-biblical / theological studies, but will provide credit for same. It is a degree completion program for students wishing to complete a degree in ministry studies “on line.”

Experiential credit for relevant work is not normally awarded for undergraduate degrees. Undergraduate credits must be earned through courses of study at Taylor College and elsewhere. It is SSU’s intention always to be reasonable and fair in awarding course credits for prior work.

Other Opportunities for Cooperation:
SSU and Taylor College will seek opportunities to collaborate for the cause of Christ, for the mutual benefit of our institutions, and for that of our students. This may include:

• Opportunities for the exchange of ideas to enhance the respective institutions;
• Opportunities to jointly develop and share curricula.
• Opportunities for faculty to participate in professional development activities at the respective institutions;
• Opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to access extra-curricula at the respective institutions;
• Opportunities for faculty in similar disciplines to collaborate on common courses and associated activities.
• Opportunities to address other areas of mutual interest.

This MOU may serve as a platform for additional partnership projects.

Taylor College and SSU representatives agree to meet at least once annually to discuss the progress and mutual benefits of this agreement.

This MOU is for a three year period and will automatically renew unless either party serves notice one year prior to the expiration.

Signed this day 4th of May, 2009

For St Stephen’s University
Robert Cheatley
President

For Taylor College of Mission and Evangelism
Reed Fleming
Director of Formation