Ph.D. in Holistic Child Development

Ph.D. in Holistic Child Development

AGST-Philippines is a consortium of seminaries that has been working together since 1984, equipping leaders for the church in Asia and the Pacific at the post-M.Div. degree level.

RATIONALE

The Ph.D. in HCD is a multi-year, inter-disciplinary, research-oriented degree that builds on an earned master’s degree. Graduates of the Ph.D. in HCD will be prepared to teach, to lead specialized ministries for children, and to engage in intensive and original research. It is intended for those who are or will be high-level practitioners and for those who are leaders or administrators of ministries with children.

PROGRAM MISSION

This program exists to equip leaders, teachers, child advocates, practitioners, and pastors who have the gifts, skill, and capacity to care holistically for children inside and outside the church.

PROGRAM VISION

The program envisions equipping leaders and churches with the ethos and mindset for holistic ministry with children.

PROGRAM VALUES

The program will function on the following values:

Christ-centered education. Program participants are always led to the realization that in

ministering to children, Jesus Christ reigns supreme and that every child will be led to a personal relationship of Jesus

Holistic approach to ministering to “the least of these” (Mark 9:37). A holistic approach treats

the physical, emotional, and social needs of children as well as the spiritual. The Bible

says, “So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all

who knew him,” (Luke 2:52, NLT). The curriculum will take into consideration various

aspects of child development for holistic ministry.

Intentional and strategic intervention for children in crisis and at risk. Program participants will

be challenged to engage Bible-based, professional and relevant interventions that would

enable children to grow up in the fear and knowledge of the Lord so they, too, could

minister to others including their families, friends, and others around them.

Learning for life contexts. Classroom interactions are always culture sensitive and instruction,

scholarly research, and major projects will always be geared towards various of

areas of ministries with children.

Developmental orientation. Attention will be given to development theories and processes within

a biblical framework and their implications to ministry. This is intrinsically related to

the concept of the individual worth of each child and the value of giving every child

respect and consideration.

PROGRAM EMPHASES

The Ph.D. in HCD is designed to meet the need of the church and society for competent child advocates, practitioners, and educators. Upon completion of the program the students will have developed the following competencies:

• Leadership Competence – as well-informed, passionate and skilled leaders of graduate level and/or grass-roots ministry with children inside and outside the church.

• Children in Crisis Ministry Competence – as creative resource persons for ministering with children in crisis in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

• Competence as Educators—as effective teachers or mentors in issues related to children in crisis and at risk.

• Research Competence – as scholarly, competent, and strategic researchers on issues relating to children and towards transformation of society in general

ADMISSION

PREREQUISITES

1. Master’s degree from an accredited institution

2. Six (6) graduate units in Research Methods

3. Twelve (12) graduate units of study in Biblical and theological subjects

4. Portfolio that includes: (a) thesis or other evidence of substantial research; (b) evidence of English abilities. A test of English is required. The student should have the equivalent of 550 (paper-based TOEFL test); and (c) prospective research topic for the Ph.D. – a 3-4 paged essay;

5. Evidence of or interest in working with children, or at least 5 years of experience in any scope of Christian ministry

All decisions on admission will be made by the program committee. If the admission requirements noted above are not met, provisional acceptance may nevertheless be offered to an exceptional applicant who may then be required to complete supplementary assignments in addition to his or her regular coursework. He or she will gain full acceptance after having successfully completed 18 credit hours.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

1. E-mail or write for application packet:

Dr. Nativity A. Petallar (npetallar@apnts.org)

Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary

Ortigas Ave. Ext., Kaytikling, Taytay, 1920 Rizal Philippines, Tel. 63-2-284-3741

Or

Dr. Theresa R. Lua (agstphil@yahoo.com)

AGST Dean

Applications can be downloaded from www.apnts.edu.org

2. Ask an administrator and a member of the faculty of an institution you have attended, as well as your current pastor to provide letters of reference in sealed envelopes and send these to the above address.

3. Ask all undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended to send official transcripts of your academic record to the above address. Prepare a statement describing your vocational objectives and explaining how a Ph.D. degree is related to these.

a. Prepare a statement indicating how your studies will be financed, including specific commitments from any institutions or individuals that may be sponsoring you.

b. Prepare a health certificate indicating your physical fitness to pursue graduate studies.

c. Send your completed application for admission, prospective research topic (a 3 to 4-paged essay), the description of your vocational objectives, the financial statement, and the health certificate, along with the nonrefundable application fee of $50 (US) or the peso equivalent, to the above address.

d. Wait until you have received your letter of acceptance before coming to Manila.

ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:

- Dr. Floyd T. Cunningham, Program Director, APNTS

- Dr. Nativity A. Petallar, Associate Program Director, APNTS

- Mrs. Carmen Menchit Wong, Compassion International/APNTS

- Prof. Anne Ardina, Alliance Graduate School (AGS)

- Dr. Robert Donahue, APNTS

- Prof. Rovina Hatcher, APNTS

- Dr. Sierry Tindero, Asian Theological Seminary (ATS)

- Dr. Theresa Lua, Dean, Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST) -Philippines

Advisers:

- Dr. Dan Brewster, Compassion International/Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary

- Dr. Sunny Tan, Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary

- Dr. Rosalind Lim-Tan, Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary

- Dr. Jeyaraj Jesudason, Director of Jubilee Institute, a unit of Jubilee Educational and Social Service of India

Ph.D. in HCD PROGRAM DESIGN

Core Units (21 units)

Choose seven (7) of the following:

Biblical Theology of Children and Childhood

Children in Socio-Cultural and Historical Context

Mission with Children at Risk

Transformational Leadership for Holistic Child Development

Advanced Christian Nurture and Development of Children

Transformation Theology

Theology of Compassion

Intervention Strategies for Children in Crisis

Action Research for Social Change

Concentration Units (15 units)

Choose five (5) of the following:

Child, Church, and Mission**

Approaches to Holistic Ministry**

Child in Changing Contexts and Cultures**

Holistic Nurture of Children**

Physical Development and Public Health

Learners with Special Needs

Children’s Spirituality

Electives and Practicum (9 units)

Any relevant course from other AGST seminaries or from their home country – (6 units)

Practicum (3 units)

Advanced Research Methodology (6 units)

Research Design

Research Analysis and Integration

Project/Dissertation (9 units)

Dissertation Seminar (3 units)

Dissertation Writing (6 units)

Total = 60 units

CLASSES will start November 2009 (2 weeks per course)

Research Design – Nov. 9-20, 2009

Holistic Nurture of Children – Nov. 23 to December 4, 2009

Each course will meet for two weeks with pre-class and post-class work in reading, writing, and application to ministry. Next schedule of classes will be April to June 2010.

Faculty (Mentors and Supervisors):

Dr. Desiree Segura (Fuller Theological Seminary)

Dr. Glenn Miles, Love146

Dr. Marsha Bunge (Christ College, Valparaiso University)

Dr. Daniel Brewster (Compassion International and Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary)

Dr. Sunny Tan (Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary)

Dr. Nativity Petallar (Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary)

Dr. Robert Donahue (Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary)

Dr. Catherine Stonehouse (Asbury Theological Seminary)

Dr. Gustavo Crocker (Eurasia Regional Director for the Church of the Nazarene)

Dr. Phyllis Kilbourne (Crisis Care International)

Dr. Charles Ringma (Professor at large)

Dr. Linda Caringal (Physician)

Dr. Romy Caringal (Asia Regional Director for the Wesleyan Church)

Dr. Peter Malvicini (Asia Graduate School of Theology)

Dr. Fletcher Tink (Director of Bresee Foundation, Adjunct Faculty, Nazarene Theological Seminary)

Dr. Jeyaraj Jesudason (Director of Jubilee Institute, a unit of Jubilee Educational and Social Service of India

Dr. Theresa Lua (Dean, Asia Graduate School of Theology-Philippines)

Dr. Lee Wanak (Asian Theological Seminary)

Dr. Rosalind Lim-Tan (Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary)

Dr. Floyd T. Cunningham, (Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS)

Dr. Mel Luna (Asia Graduate School of Theology)

And other resource teachers from the AGST consortium

Deadline of Submission of Application: October 31, 2009

Email: npetallar@apnts.org for application form

Financial Information:

A. For Two-thirds world students:

Application fee (non-refundable): $50 (or peso equivalent)

Library Fee: $40/semester

Tuition fee: $50/credit hour

Comprehensive exam fee: $100

Graduation fee: $35

Dissertation Fee: ($50×9 units) plus $50/semester (residency fee)

TOEFL fee (for those who might want to take this test at APNTS): $50

Lodging and Food: (A limited number of accommodations are available on campus. Dormitory rooms are $65 per month. Cost for eating lunch at the dining hall is about $2.00/meal.

Note: books and IT expenses are additional.

B. For Students from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, US, and countries outside the Asia-Pacific Region and South Asia Field:

Application fee (non-refundable): $85 (or peso equivalent)

Library Fee: $75/semester

Tuition fee: $85/credit hour

Comprehensive exam fee: $135

Graduation fee: $70

Dissertation Fee: ($85×9 units) plus $85/semester (residency fee)

TOEFL fee (for those who might want to take this test at APNTS): $85

Lodging and Food: (A limited number of accommodations are available on campus. Dormitory rooms are $100 per month. Cost for eating lunch at the dining hall is about $2.00 (combo meal).

Note: books and IT expenses are additional.

AGST:

AGST is the educational arm of the Asia Theological Association which offers postgraduate programs. In the Philippines, AGST is a consortium of the following seminaries:

Alliance Graduate School (AGS)

Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS)

Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS)

Asian Theological Seminary (ATS)

Asian Seminary for Christian Ministries (ASCM)

Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP)

International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL)

Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS)