Hope College, Western Theological Seminary partner for accelerated degree program
HOLLAND — A new partnership between Hope College and Western Theological Seminary will allow students to earn degrees from both institutions in just five years.
The new Vita Scholars Program is a “3-2” — or accelerated degree — pastor preparation program that will provide specialized training for ministering to underserved communities. It will allow students to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hope and a Master of Divinity from WTS in five years instead of seven.
Students in the program will complete a degree at Hope in three years instead of the normal four and a degree at WTS in two years instead of three. This is the first time either Hope or Western have offered an accelerated degree program.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Western Theological Seminary on this innovative program, which will prepare students to serve the communities that have a need and hunger for pastoral care,” said Stephen Maiullo, professor and interim dean for the arts and humanities at Hope.
“The curriculum provides opportunities for students to understand the circumstances of people who are different from them — people working in the fields and factories, on construction sites and in offices — so that the Vita Scholars can serve them more effectively, all while easing the financial burden associated with earning a bachelor’s and a master’s.”
“I am delighted that Hope and WTS have the opportunity to work together on this new initiative,” said Kristen Deede Johnson, dean and vice president of academic affairs at WTS. “These students will carry into their ministries a deep sense of the importance of the working lives of their parishioners in ways that draw on the best of the liberal arts and the Reformed tradition.”
Kieth Starkenburg, associate professor of theology at WTS, will direct the program. He has offices at the seminary and Hope College to provide access to students at both locations.
Through the Vita Scholars Program, students will begin taking courses through WTS that simultaneously meet requirements for their Hope College degree. They will remain at Hope for four years and graduate with their Hope classmates, but will take courses at the seminary during their senior year.
After graduating from Hope, they'll have just one year of courses remaining at the seminary for their master’s degree.
Students will also engage in a variety of “cohort-based experiences” outside the classroom. This will include programming designed by Starkenburg, worship experiences, co-curricular campus organizations and summer employment and church-based internships.
Vita Scholars began this fall as a pilot initiative with two students. The institutions hope to welcome five more students in the fall of 2023, seven more in the fall of 2024 and an additional 12 in the fall of 2025.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hope, Western Seminary partner for accelerated degree program
