Academic Programs at Our Saviors University (OSU)
Degrees
Degrees are bestowed upon trainees and students after completing a series of required credits. Credits come in two forms ‘required’ and ‘elective’. Required credits are just that, required to take. Elective credits are those credits where the student has a choice in consultation with a faculty member. Credits can take the following forms:
- One class or course that is worth 5 credits,
- A capstone thesis paper that is worth 10 credits,
- An internship that is worth 5 credits, or a unit of CPE that is worth 10 credits.
Our Saviors University of America offers 3 levels of degrees that are awarded: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate.
Bachelor’s Degree
The bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree. It is considered to be awarded after completion of a course of study. It is highly focused and concentrated yet may have electives into other fields of study. It is considered to be at a greater level than a high school diploma or an associate degree yet below a master’s degree. Each bachelor’s degree has its own unique requirements, however 75 credits are required to complete it.
- 75 credits total
- 10 courses or classes each equaling 5 credits per course = 50 credits
- 3 required internships equaling 5 credits = 15 credits
- 1 required capstone thesis paper equaling 10 credits = 10 credits
Prerequisites: High School Diploma or a GED or an Associate Degree
Our bachelor’s degree:
Bachelor of Theology Degree
Bachelor of Theology in Progressive Christian Studies – B.Th.
Master’s Degrees
The master’s degree is a second-cycle graduate academic degree. It is considered to be awarded after one has reached master of a subject matter or area of practice or field of study. It is highly focused and concentrated yet may have electives into other fields of study. It is considered to be a greater level than a bachelor’s degree yet below a doctoral degree. Each master’s degree has its own unique requirements; however, 75 credits are required to complete it.
- 75 credits total
- 10 courses or classes each equaling 5 credits per course = 50 credits
- 3 required internship equaling 5 credits = 15 credits
- 1 required capstone paper equaling 10 credits = 10 credits
Prerequisites: bachelor’s degree
Our master’s degree:
Master of Theology Degree
Master of Theology in Progressive Christian Studies – M.Th.
Doctorate Degree
The Doctorate Degree is a terminal graduate academic degree. It is considered to be awarded after one has reached a level of knowledge in a field where they might be able to teach the subject matter or where one may work at the master’s and expert level in one’s profession. Our Doctorate degrees are considered ‘terminal degree’, they are the highest level of academic achievement in the given subject matter or area of practice or field of study. It is considered to be a greater level than a master’s degree and as a terminal degree there is no greater degree in that particular field. Each doctorate degree has its own unique requirements; however, 75 credits are required to complete it.
- 75 credits total
- 10 courses or classes each equaling 5 credits per course = 50 credits
- 3 required internships equaling 5 credits = 15 credits
- 1 required capstone paper equaling 10 credits = 10 credits
Prerequisites: master’s degree
Our doctorate degrees:
Doctor of Theology Degree
Doctor of Theology in Progressive Christian Studies – D.Th.
Internship Requirements
Undergraduate Standard Internship
The Standard Internship is a 200-hour program. It can take several forms. It can be service work in one’s church or parish. It is experiential in nature. It can be service work at a local social service agency with ministry as the focus. All Internships are pre-negotiated in consultation with the OSUA faculty. The Standard Internship is awarded 5 credits.
Graduate Internships
The Graduate Internship is a 200-hour program. It can take several forms. It can be service work in one’s church or parish. It is experiential in nature. It can be service work at a local social service agency with ministry as the focus. All Internships are pre-negotiated in consultation with the OSUA faculty. The Graduate Internship is awarded 5 credits.
The Graduate Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Internship
Clinical Pastoral Education is a 400-hour internship course. It is a prescribed course of study whereby 300 hours are spent in the course of ministry in the field, and 100 hours are met in the classroom setting. It is experiential education, group education, individual education, and classroom environment education. 1 unit of CPE is granted at the completion of each unit from the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy Center for Spiritual Care & Pastoral Formation (CSCPF). For information please contact the OSUA office. The CPE Internship is awarded 10 credits.
A Unit of CPE
After the student has completed their 400-hour internship course they receive credit for a Unit of CPE. The OSU CPE Learning Center confirms the completion of this 1 Unit of CPE and gives the student a certificate of completion for each unit completed. The OSU CPE Learning Center then registers this 1 unit with CSCPF. This 1 Unit of credit is granted by the Center for Spiritual Care & Pastoral Formation and registered there with them.
Further Information on CPE
For additional information please contact the OSU office.</br><br>
Degree Program Concentrations
Our Saviors University offers the following degree programs:
Progressive Christian Studies
Bachelor of Theology Degree in Progressive Christian Studies – B.Th.
Master of Theology Degree in Progressive Christian Studies – M.Th.
Doctor of Theology Degree in Progressive Christian Studies – D.Th.
DEGREES IN PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN STUDIES
Progressive Christianity is a form of Christian faith that is in favor of re-evaluating traditional dogma and doctrine, while promoting social reform and human diversity based on the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. The heart of the Progressive Christian perspective is based on Jesus’s instruction to love one another and to develop a personal relationship with God.
Bachelor of Theology Degree in Progressive Christian Studies
Intended Students: The bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree. Bachelor’s degrees begin to give a student basic knowledge focused on the art of ministry within that field. It is designed for students with a minimum of two-years of previous experience as lay leaders or parachurch staff, or previous OSU Students who have received an Associate Degree in Progressive Christian Studies, who want to build a foundational knowledge base and skill set required to serve the needs of progressive Christian congregations.
Program Focus: The B.Th. program is focused on introductory progressive Christian theological disciplines of Scripture, Christian history, culture, theology, psychology and ethics through a progressive and liberal lens. Students will develop knowledge, skills and multicultural understanding of the emerging progressive Christian community, as well as finding meaning in worship, fellowship, and personal spiritual enrichment through study and partnership with fellow students.
Course Content: The B.Th. program content is driven by self-discovery, finding one’s own path, and a deeper understanding of progressive theology. The content may include: an Introduction to Progressive Christianity, Bible as Literature, Introduction to the Old Testament, Introduction to the New Testament, Progressive Christian Ethics, Introduction to Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. It may also include: The Old Testament, The New Testament, Progressive Christian Ethics, Progressive Christian World Views, History of Progressive Christianity, The Historical Jesus, Christian Spiritual Formation – Prayer, and Christian Spiritual Formation – Meditation. I will also include: 3 Standard Internships and a Capstone Thesis Paper.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: After completing the B.Th. program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an introductory understanding of Progressive Christianity.
- Discuss introductory knowledge of Old Testament and New Testament Progressive Theology.
- Discuss Progressive Christian Theology at work in their ministry field.
- Articulate experiential knowledge of working in ministry from within a Progressive Christian vantage point.
- Discuss basic Progressive Christian authors and theologians.
- Be prepared fully to enter Our Saviors University master’s degree programs without any additional academic preparation.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
75 credits total
- 7 required courses or classes each equalling 5 credits per course = 35 credits
- 3 elective courses or classes each equaling 5 credits per course = 15 credits
- 3 required internships equaling 5 credits = 15 credits
- 1 required capstone thesis paper equaling 10 credits = 10 credits Prerequisites: High School Diploma or a GED or an Associate Degree.
Required Credits = 60 credits
- PC 101: Intro to Progressive Christianity (5 credits)
- PC 102: The Bible as Literature (5 credits)
- PC 103: Intro to the Old Testament (5 credits)
- PC 104: Intro to the New Testament (5 credits)
- PC 105: Progressive Christian Ethics (5 credits)
- PC 201: Progressive Christian Worldviews (5 credits)
- PC 202: History of Progressive Christianity (5 credits)
- PC 114: Standard Internship I (5 credits)
- PC 214: Standard Internship II (5 credits)
- PC 314: Standard Internship III (5 credits)
- PC 215: Capstone Thesis Paper (10 credit)
Elective Credits from the following list= 15 credits
- PC 106: Intro to Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (5 credits)
- PC 203: The Historical Jesus (5 credits)
- PC 204: Intro to Spiritual Direction (5 credits)
- PC 205: Christian Spiritual Formation – Prayer (5 credits)
- PC 206: Christian Spiritual Formation – Contemplative Practices (5 credits)
- Credits taken from pre-approved 200 and above courses
- Credits taken from pre-approved internships or CPE
Master of Theology Degree in Progressive Christian Studies
Intended Student: The master’s degree is a second-cycle graduate academic degree. Master’s degrees are advanced level courses. They imply a sense of ‘master’ of a given subject. The Master of Theology (M.Th.) in Progressive Christian Studies is a graduate level degree program, for students with bachelor’s degrees and previous church experience.
Program Focus: The M.Th. program is focused on advanced progressive Christian theological disciplines of Scripture, Christian history, culture, theology, psychology and ethics through a progressive and liberal lens.
Course Content: The M.Th. program is driven by the development of knowledge, skills and a multicultural understanding of what it means to be a leader within the emerging progressive Christian community, as well as finding meaning in worship, fellowship, and personal spiritual enrichment through study and partnership with fellow students. The content may include: Biblical Literacy, Biblical Studies & Criticism, Old Testament, New Testament, Homiletics, Pauline Studies, History of Progressive Christianity, Pastoral Counseling, Future of Christianity, Integral Christianity, Christian Contemplative Practices, Progressive Christian Formation. It will include 3 Graduate Internships, and 1 Capstone Thesis Paper.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: After completing the M.Th. program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of Progressive Christianity.
- Discuss significant knowledge of Old Testament and New Testament Progressive Theology.
- Identify Progressive Christian Theology & Ethics at work in their ministry field.
- Articulate experiential knowledge of working in ministry from within a Progressive Christian vantage point.
- Communicate an extensive knowledge base of Progressive Christian authors and theologians.
- Be prepared fully to enter Our Saviors University Doctorate degree program without any additional academic preparation.
