Degrees and Programs
- MA in Bioethics
- MS in Chaplaincy
- MA in Clinical Ministry
- Denominational Studies for Chaplains – Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
- MA in Religion and the Sciences
- Dual Degree Programs
- Humanities
MA in Bioethics
The Ethics program has been created to prepare students to engage in education, research, and service related to current ethical issues in health care. Typically, this degree is an excellent pathway to graduate work at the doctoral level, or is a skill set to complement health care careers or other professions such as clinical ethics, theology, law, counseling, and education.
Throughout the program you will explore historic traditions of ethical thought, gain skill in a clinical setting, and develop critical thinking skills for applying theory and values to contemporary, moral, and social issues.
Your professors represent areas of expertise such as biblical scholarship, bioethics, sociology of religion, and ethical theory. In addition, clinical faculty from across all health care professions are involved in the program. This diversity of specialists provides you with a rich and balanced program of study.
Ethical issues in health care are explored from a Christian perspective at Loma Linda University. Students from over 65 religions and 80 countries study here. A mutual and shared respect for various cultures and beliefs is emphasized on the campus and in the classroom. Small class sizes allow for specified instruction and personal growth.
The Ethics Program draws upon resources from across the entire Loma Linda University campus. Additionally, two academic centers—the Center for Christian Bioethics and the Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness—along with the many health care clinics associated with the medical and dental schools, provide a rich context in which to study bioethics.
The Center for Christian Bioethics is dedicated to enhancing education, research, and service in Christian biomedical ethics and related fields at Loma Linda University; to contribute through scholarly activities to the discipline; and to serve as a resource for the community at large -- and the Seventh-day Adventist world church -- in the field of biomedical ethics. The Center sponsors a number of programs to provide additional exposure and experience in dealing with current issues in bioethics. Among them:
- Health and Faith Forum, a monthly lecture series where current issues affecting health care professionals and the industry are discussed.
- The Jack W. Provonsha Lecture Series, presented each year during winter quarter, where pertinent ethical issues for both patients and health care professionals are addressed such as physician-assisted suicide, the moral status of the human embryo, and most recently ethical issues in health care disparities.
- Case Conferences, held weekly to discuss the current ethics consultations that have been requested in the Loma Linda University Medical Center. These conferences allow the opportunity to review the difficult dilemmas and decisions that take place for patients, their families, physicians, staff and administration.
- “Claritas, Clarity in Ethics” essay contest, which is open to all university students who compete by writing on a pre-selected topic. Students with the best essays are invited to present them at the Center’s annual Contributors Convocation; students receiving first and second place receive scholarship money.
- Update, a journal/newsletter created to inform and educate students and staff about the activities and accomplishments of those associated with the Center.
The Thompson Library, housed within the Center for Christian Bioethics—endowed and constantly growing, with more than 4,500 volumes—is one of the most comprehensive libraries of materials in biomedical and clinical ethics in the United States. These materials, which are an especially valuable resource for graduate students, supplement the related holdings in the primary libraries of Loma Linda University and nearby institutions.
Combined-degree ProgramsThe Ethics program has been designed to accommodate LLU students enrolled in other programs who wish to gain additional skills. Students in the following programs are eligible to apply for admission to the Bioethics program concurrently or at any time while enrolled in their primary program: Dentistry (DDS), Medicine (MD), Psychology (PsyD or PhD), Social Policy and Social Research (PhD), Nursing (MS), and Marital and Family Therapy (MS).
ObjectivesGraduates of the Bioethics program will be able to demonstrate:
- A broad knowledge of the field of bioethics.
- Mastery of at least one area of bioethical enquiry.
- Research and writing skills of a caliber to contribute to bioethical literature.
- An understanding of the relationship between personal, professional, and social ethics.
The MA in Bioethics degree requires 48 units of coursework consisting of 11 courses of 4 units each, and culminates in two 2-unit capstone courses, Masters Seminar I & II. One of the Masters Seminars focuses on comprehensive knowledge and the other on a publishable paper. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.3 or above.
Program requirements
Five courses are required of all students:
- RELE 524 Bioethics and Society
- RELE 588 Philosophical Resources for Bioethics
- RELE 589 Bible,Theology, and Bioethics
- RELE 598 Masters Seminar – I
- RELE 599 Masters Seminar – II
Six courses (Selectives) should be selected from the following options:
- RELG 504 Research Methods
- RELE 525 Ethics for Scientists
- RELE 534 Ethical Issues in Public Health
- RELE 548 Christian Social Ethics
- RELE 554 Clinical Ethics Practicum I
- RELE 555 Clinical Ethics Practicum II
- RELE 564 Ethics and Health Disparities
- RELE 565 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Moral Aspects of Art and Illness
- RELE 566 Heroes of Healthcare
- RELE 567 World Religions and Bioethics
- RELE 568 Bioethics and the Law
- RELG 674 Reading Tutorial
- RELG 697 Independent Research
Two other courses are electives, and may be focused in an area of concentration or utilized for gaining more breadth. These courses should be decided in consultation with the student’s advisor, and may be other courses in Bioethics or another area of study within theSchool of Religion, courses in other LLU schools, or courses relevant to one’s interest and found in area universities.
Clinical Ethics
After completing all foundational courses, students in Bioethics Program will take two academic quarters of Clinical Ethics. This will consist of
- seminars focused on ethical issues encountered at the bedside
- ethics rounds on one or more patient units at Loma Linda University Medical Center
- writing clinical ethics consultation reports based on past cases
- attendance at and participation in a weekly Clinical Ethics Case Conference where the actual ethics consults being done at LLUMC are reviewed in detail.
Masters Seminar-I.
This capstone seminar reflects on previous class work and involves integration of conceptual presuppositions, ethical theories, and ethical principles. Mastery of a broad knowledge of the field through an examination will be assessed by the bioethics faculty. (All program faculty and students are invited to attend sessions of these two seminars as they choose.)
Masters Seminar-II.
Each student enters class with a research paper, likely prepared in an earlier course. With collegial critique, these papers are prepared for publication and submitted to at least one peer-review journal. Papers demonstrate the ability to identify an issue, analyze it, use relevant literature, and creatively conceptualize or even advance the discussion. Papers are usually 20-25 pages long. (All program faculty and students are invited to attend sessions of these two seminars as they choose.)
Transfer credits
Students may transfer up to 8 units of approved graduate-level courses from other accredited institution. Prior or current students in Loma Linda University's other post baccalaureate degree programs may petition to receive credit for a maximum of 12 units for courses completed in their professional studies that are directly related to biomedical and clinical ethics.
Bioethics – Certificate Program
A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Biomedical and Clinical Ethics is an option for students who prefer not to complete the full M.A. degree program. Students must complete 28 units of course work. However, there are no additional requirements.
ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3
- GRE scores with following minimums:
- 60th percentile on verbal and quantitative sections
- 4.0 out of 6.0 on the analytical writing section
- An 800-word essay on the applicant’s background and goals and how a Bioethics degree would further these goals
- A personal interview
- International: Internet-based TOEFL test score of 83 or higher (computer and paper-based tests vary)
Applications: Apply online at www.llu.edu/apply. The School of Religion has a rolling admission policy in which completed applications are reviewed and students are accepted on a continual basis. Your application must be complete by the deadlines listed for the quarter you wish to enroll:
- Fall quarter: August 1
- Winter quarter: November 1
- Spring quarter: February 1
- Summer quarter: May 1
Documents required beyond the online application include:
- All official transcripts of college/university work (mailed directly to LLU)
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (not more than 5 years old)
- International applicants must submit current TOEFL scores and evaluations of any international transcripts—please visit http://www.llu.edu/apply/ intltrans.html.
Note: The online application will prompt you with instructions and timelines to successfully complete the process.
MS in Chaplaincy
The Master of Science in Chaplaincy program is the newest enhancement to chaplaincy education at Loma Linda University. It has been developed using guidelines established by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), who oversees and rigorously maintains “best practice” standards for the chaplaincy profession. It is designed to meet a variety of students’ needs:
- To earn additional graduate religious education credits needed for chaplaincy/board certification
- A professional degree that blends academic study with clinical experience.
- Specialty training in spiritual care and/or chaplaincy
- To be ready for employment at the Associate Chaplain level
- To meet the educational requirements for SDA endorsement as a chaplain
The program will also prepare students to meet competencies in four areas of chaplaincy:
- Theory of Pastoral Care (integration of theological, psychological, and sociological perspectives)
- Identity and Conduct (Pastoral identify within a clinical context, including the integration of professional ethics in daily practice)
- Pastoral Competencies (Effective pastoral care using appropriate pastoral, spiritual, and theological resources)
- Professional Competencies (Integration of pastoral/spiritual care into the life and mission of the institution, as well as to establish and maintain professionalism within the interidsciplinary relationships a chaplain develops and nurtures)
Graduates of the program will receive excellent academic training enhanced by clinical experience. Our goal is to prepare chaplains who can model the “teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” and who are trained at the highest level of Christian professionalism, in preparation for eventual board certification by the APC.
Students are required to complete two units of Clinical Professional Education (CPE) credits prior to graduation. As a premier teaching and research medical complex, Loma Linda University Health System is an excellent setting for the clinical aspects of this program, and is an accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center. (Students are not required to complete their clinical internships at LLU, but are able to complete this requirement at any ACPE-approved site in North America. Separate application and acceptance procedures are required for this component of the program.)
Your professors represent areas of expertise such as biblical studies, theology, practical theology, marriage and family therapy, cultural psychology, American church history, health education, nursing, spiritual care, and ethics. In addition, clinical faculty from across many health care professions are involved in the program. This diversity of specialists provides you with a rich and balanced program of study.
All courses are taught from the Christian perspective at Loma Linda University. Students from over 65 religions and 80 countries study here. A mutual and shared respect for various cultures and beliefs is emphasized on the campus and in the classroom. Small class sizes allow for specified instruction and personal growth.
The Program draws upon resources from across the entire Loma Linda University campus. These include the Chaplaincy Services Department of the LLU Health System, and the Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness, both of which provide a rich context in which to study chaplaincy.
The Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness is dedicated to promoting and supporting wholeness in individuals, as well as providing tools for health care professionals across various disciplines to use in providing whole person care to their patients. The Center sponsors a number of programs, along with the Center for Christian Bioethics, to minister to the spiritual needs of students, staff, and patients. Among them:
- Health and Faith Forum, a monthly lecture series where current issues in whole person care are discussed
- Spiritual Care Workshops, featuring roundtable discussions, interactive activities, and the promotion of whole person care in healthcare and ministry
Program requirements
Students must complete 72 quarter credits from the list below, with an overall grade point average of B or better, with no grade lower than C, and no grade lower than a B- in a core course.
Core Course Work (46 – 52 units)
|
Theology of Human Suffering |
Suffering and evil in relation to the creative and redemptive purposes of God for this world. |
3 – 4 |
|
Crisis Care and Counseling |
Crisis phenomena, current crisis theory, a Christian model of crisis care, and the dynamics and practices of crisis care. |
3 – 4 |
|
Pastoral Theology and Methodology |
Studies the biblical, theological, and historical foundations for the practice of ministry. |
3 – 4 |
|
Pastoral Care and Counseling |
Provides an overview of theology, history, theory, and practice of pastoral counseling |
3 – 4 |
|
Care of the Dying and Bereaved |
Studies the biblical, theological, cultural, religious, relational, and psychological aspects of dying and death. |
3 – 4 |
|
Liturgy, Homiletics, and Healing |
An examination of the biblical and theological foundations for liturgy and preaching, with a special view to the healing context. Attention will be given to liturgical ministry in diverse settings and with diverse faith perspectives. |
3 – 4 |
|
Culture, Psychology, and Religion |
Introduces the major contours of Western culture as they relate to various schools of psychological thought and the influence of religious beliefs. |
3 – 4 |
|
Introduction to Contemporary Christian Theology |
Acquaints students with the principle issues, figures, and movements that have shaped the development of Christian thought the past one hundred years. The course objective is to reveal how the central elements of Christian faith still provide lasting continuity and stimulate reflection within the Christian world. |
3 - 4 |
|
Pastoral and Professional Formation |
An introduction to the professional requirements of working as a chaplain in a health care setting; how to function pastorally within boundaries and using pastoral authority. Group dynamics and organizational behavior, as well as organizational culture, systems, and relationships will also be explored. |
3 – 4 |
|
Church History |
Students will trace the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the first 300 years of Christianity. |
3 – 4 |
|
Healthcare Leadership |
Christian principles of leadership in the community and in the practice of health care. |
3 – 4 |
|
Research Methods for Religious Studies |
Studies presuppositions and procedures for scholarship in religion and ethics, with an introduction to research in the natural and behavioral sciences. Practical themes include writing, library and Internet resources, and forms of scholarly papers and articles. |
2 – 4 |
|
Clinical Training in |
Combines theoretical and clinical aspects of spiritual care in exploring a theological understanding of health and illness. |
|
|
Wholeness Portfolio |
Incorporates a mix of personal and professional activities using biblical concepts of wholeness in four areas: integrating mind/body/spirit, strengthening relationships, care for the environment, and healing of the nations. |
3 - 4 |
|
Project |
Students will articulate in writing all 29 competencies based on their theoretical understanding, reflection, and experiences; toward the end of the academic and clinical experiences. |
1 - 4 |
Additional Required Courses
Students will also select courses from each of the following categories:
Biblical Studies (9-12 units)
|
Biblical Hermeneutics |
How to understand and use the Bible in real life situations. |
3 – 4 |
|
Daniel and the Prophetic Tradition |
Examination of the message from the book of Daniel and the Old Testament prophetic tradition. |
3 – 4 |
|
Jesus the Revealer: The Message of the Gospel of John |
A study of Jesus as revealer and healer; the basis for the Loma Linda mission, “to make man whole.” |
3 – 4 |
|
Vision of Healing: The Message of the Book of Revelation |
A study of Revelation’s description of the end of suffering and God’s vision for healing a broken world. |
3 – 4 |
|
Old Testament Thought |
Introduces the literature and key theological themes of the Old Testament. |
3 – 4 |
|
New Testament Thought |
Introduces the literature and key theological themes of the New Testament. |
3 – 4 |
Ethics (4 – 8 units)
|
Ethics and Society |
Explores (from Christian and philosophical perspectives) issues confronting both society and patients. Uses case studies to illustrate such themes as health disparities, AIDS policy, end-of-life care, and organ transplantation. |
3 - 4 |
|
Theological Ethics |
Ethical implications of the primary theological legacies of Western culture. |
3 - 4 |
|
Ethics and Health Disparities |
Focuses on causes of -- and responses to -- key health disparities. Provides a context for analyzing and understanding disparities, and ethically evaluating inequalities in health status and responses to them. |
3 - 4 |
Ministry and Spiritual Formation (7 – 9 units)
|
The Adventist Experience |
Introduces the beliefs and values that shape the Seventh-day Adventist community. |
3 – 4 |
|
Spirituality and Mental Health |
Explores the interrelationship between spirituality and mental health. Seeks to enhance understanding of the term “spirituality” in the context of religious traditions; considers the therapeutic effects of both spirituality and religious traditions. |
3 – 4 |
|
Personal and Family Wholeness |
Studies personal spiritual development as the center for individual and family life and professional practice, with special attention to balancing healthy family relationships and professional obligations. |
3 – 4 |
|
Spirituality in Seventh-day Adventist Theology |
Clarifies the unique role Seventh-day Adventist theology plays in fostering spirituality. |
3 – 4 |
|
Religion and Social Sciences |
Introduces classic and contemporary dialogues between religion and the social sciences. |
3 – 4 |
|
Psychology of Moral and Faith Development |
Studies logical, moral, and faith reasoning from a cognitive-developmental perspective. How cultural and religious norms affect moral thinking. |
3 – 4 |
|
World Religions and Human Health |
Studies the history, beliefs, and practices of major religion of the world, with an emphasis on theological and ethical issues in the practice of health care ministry. |
3 – 4 |
Transfer credits
Students may transfer approved graduate-level courses from other accredited institutions, up to a maximum of 14 quarter units.
Clinical Internship
Students must also satisfactorily complete an approved, 800-hour clinical internship. The program recommends that this requirement be met by the satisfactory completion of two units of clinical pastoral education (CPE) at an accredited CPE Center. (Note: acceptance into a CPE program is at the discretion of the CPE supervisor and must be arranged individually and in advance.)
Critical Essays
At the end of the first year in the Program students will write a critical essay dealing with theories of pastoral care, clinical skills and self-awareness. At the end of the second year, students must write another critical essay dealing with the behavioral conduct and professional practices of chaplains.
Project
When students have completed the majority of their course work and at least some clinical work, they must also be able to articulate, in written form, all chaplaincy competencies, as defined by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). This will be based on their theoretical understanding, reflection, and personal experiences.
ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better overall and in the major field of study
- Personal Interview
Applications: Apply online at www.llu.edu/apply. The School of Religion has a rolling admission policy in which completed applications are reviewed and students are accepted on a continual basis. Your application must be submitted by the deadlines listed for the quarter you wish to enroll:
- Fall quarter: August 1
- Winter quarter: November 1
- Spring quarter: February 1
- Summer quarter: May 1
Documents required beyond the online application include:
- All official transcripts of college/university work (mailed directly to LLU)
- Three letters of recommendation (two academic and one from clergy)
- Personal Potential Index (PPI) Evaluation administered through Educational Testing Services (ETS); log on to www.ets.org for instructions
- International applicants must submit current TOEFL scores and evaluations of any international transcripts – please visit http://www.llu.edu/apply/intltrans.html.
Note: All documentation should be received within two weeks after the application deadline for the quarter of choice. The online application will prompt you with instructions and timelines to successfully complete the process.
MA in Clinical Ministry
The Master of Arts in Clinical Ministry prepares students to integrate spirituality and whole-person care within health care and other professions. It blends two major areas of concentration: academic presparation and clinical experience. The program is especially valuable as preparation for careers in chaplaincy and other fields of ministry, or new or existing careers in health care, counseling, or education. It can also be a pathway to pursuing graduate study at the doctorate level.
Clinical Professional Education (CPE) credits within this degree provide clinical experience to complement theoretical learning. As a premier teaching and research hospital, Loma Linda University Health System is an excellent setting for the clinical aspects of this program, and is an accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center.
Your professors represent areas of expertise such as biblical studies, theology, practical theology, marriage and family therapy, cultural psychology, American church history, health education, nursing, spiritual care, and ethics. In addition, clinical faculty from across all health care professions are involved in the program. This diversity of specialists provides you with a rich and balanced program of study.
All courses are taught from the Christian perspective at Loma Linda University. Students from over 65 religions and 80 countries study here. A mutual and shared respect for various cultures and beliefs is emphasized on the campus and in the classroom. Small class sizes allow for specified instruction and personal growth.
The Program draws upon resources from across the entire Loma Linda University campus. Additionally, two academic centers—the Center for Christian Bioethics and the Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness—along with the many health care clinics associated with the medical and dental schools, provide a rich context in which to study clinical ministry.
The Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness is dedicated to educating health care professionals of the various disciplines on how to provide more complete service to their patients. The Center sponsors a number of programs, along with the Center for Christian Bioethics, to minister to the spiritual needs of students, staff, and patients. Among them:
- Health and Faith Forum, a monthly lecture series where current issues in whole person care are discussed
- Spiritual Care Workshops, featuring roundtable discussions, interactive activities, and the promotion of whole person care in healthcare and ministry
Program requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 48 quarter units from the list below, with an overall grade point average of B or better, with no grade lower than C, and with no grade in a core course lower than a B-.
Christian Bioethics |
Christian perspectives on ethical issues in health care. |
3 – 4 |
|
Crisis Counseling |
Crisis phenomena, current crisis theory, a Christian model of crisis care, and the dynamics and practices of crisis care. |
3 – 4 |
|
Pastoral Theology and Methodology |
Studies the biblical, theological, and historical foundations for the practice of ministry. |
3 – 4 |
|
Pastoral Counseling |
Provides overview of theology, history, theory, and practice of pastoral counseling |
3 – 4 |
|
Care of the Dying and Bereaved |
Studies the biblical, theological, cultural, religious, relational, and psychological aspects of dying and death. |
3 – 4 |
|
Preaching |
Explores the why, what, where, and how of Christian proclamation, with emphasis on the development of basic skills for the preparation and delivery of biblical messages in a variety of settings. |
3 – 4 |
|
Culture, Psychology, and Religion |
Introduces the major contours of Western culture as they relate to various schools of psychological thought and the influence of religious beliefs. |
3 – 4 |
|
Religion and the Social Sciences |
Introduces classic and contemporary dialogues between religion and the social sciences. |
3 |
|
Seminar in Clinical Ministry |
Principles and practice of effective interaction with patients, parishioners, inmates, and other populations. |
3 – 4 |
|
Theology of Human Suffering |
Suffering and evil in relation to the creative and redemptive purposes of God for this world. |
3 – 4 |
|
Old Testament Thought |
Introduces the literature and key theological themes of the Old Testament. |
3 – 4 |
|
New Testament Thought |
Introduces the literature and key theological themes of the New Testament. |
3 – 4 |
|
Research Methods |
Studies presuppositions and procedures for scholarship in religion and ethics, with an introduction to research in the natural and behavioral sciences. Practical themes include writing, library and Internet resources, and forms of scholarly papers and articles. |
2 – 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL UNITS |
|
38 - 51 |
Transfer credits
Students may transfer approved graduate-level courses from other accredited institutions, up to a maximum of 20% of the required courses for a particular LLU degree. Prior or current students in Loma Linda University's other post baccalaureate degree programs may petition to receive credit for a maximum of 12 units for courses completed in their professional studies that are directly related to clinical ministry.
Clinical Internship
After completing all course work, students apply for and satisfactorily complete an approved, 400-hour clinical internship (one academic quarter) of clinical professional education (CPE) at an accredited CPE center.
Comprehensive Examination
Students must also pass a comprehensive examination, which will test the student's ability to integrate and apply knowledge from the overall program. This examination must be successfully completed before the student defends a thesis, project, or publishable papers.
Thesis, Project, or Publishable Papers
Students have the option of choosing to produce a thesis, a project, or two major papers of publishable quality. (The project option must be designed and implemented under the auspices and direction of the program coordinator.) An oral defense of the thesis, project, or two publishable papers is also required.
Clinical Ministry — Certificate
A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Ministry is an option for students who prefer not to complete the full M.A. degree program. Students must complete 27 units of course work. Three of the courses must be taken for 4 units each. There are no additional requirements.
Christian Bioethics |
3 – 4 |
|
Crisis Counseling |
3 – 4 |
|
Pastoral Theology and Methodology |
3 – 4 |
|
Pastoral Counseling |
3 – 4 |
|
Care of the Dying and Bereaved |
3 - 4 |
|
Culture, Psychology, and Religion |
3 – 4 |
|
Seminar in Clinical Ministry |
3 – 4 |
|
Theology of Human Suffering |
3 – 4 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL UNITS |
24 -32 |
ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GRE scores with following minimums:
- 1000 combined on verbal and quantitative sections
- 4.0 out of 6.0 on the analytical writing section
- International: Internet-based TOEFL test score of 83 or higher (computer and paper-based tests vary)
Applications: Apply online at www.llu.edu/apply. The School of Religion has a rolling admission policy in which completed applications are reviewed and students are accepted on a continual basis. Your application must be complete by the deadlines listed for the quarter you wish to enroll:
- Fall quarter: August 1
- Winter quarter: November 1
- Spring quarter: February 1
- Summer quarter: May 1
Documents required beyond the online application include:
- All official transcripts of college/university work (mailed directly to LLU)
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (not more than 5 years old)
- International applicants must submit current TOEFL scores and evaluations of any international transcripts—please visit http://www.llu.edu/apply/ intltrans.html.
Note: The online application will prompt you with instructions and timelines to successfully complete the process.
Denominational Studies for Chaplains
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
This online, cohort-based program has been designed for practicing chaplains who lack academic course work in Adventist beliefs and heritage and who desire endorsement from the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Completion of this Certificate program will satisfy the educational requirement for SDA Endorsement.
This program is a collaborative effort between Loma Linda University’s School of Religion, the Chaplaincy Services Department of Loma Linda University Health System, and in consultation with ACM. It offers education about our unique Adventist beliefs, heritage and mission in a consistent manner for all chaplains seeking endorsement from the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church. It was developed in response to the stated need for denominational education within four specific areas: SDA church history and heritage; SDA doctrines, beliefs and practices; SDA perspectives on Daniel and Revelation and how they inform the issues of pain and suffering; and SDA health, wellness and healthcare chaplaincy issues.
The program begins with an on-campus orientation session and intensive course, and concludes with an on-campus intensive session including individual reports, preparation and presentation of a portfolio, and an exit interview. Students are expected to begin and end the program together with their cohort group. The estimated length of time to complete this program is two years. A cohort is schedule to begin in September 2012. See specific information below regarding applications and admissions requirements.
Graduates of this Certificate program will be able to articulate the following learning outcomes:
- Explain Adventist theological uniqueness and the biblical foundations of its doctrines.
- Demonstrate knowledge and competent use of Scriptures.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Christian theology and history, with specific attention to Seventh-day Adventist life and thought.
- Integrate Adventist doctrines from a health care chaplain’s perspective, allowing them to minister as representatives of the SDA Church.
- Synthesize their individual SDA philosophy of ministry with a health care setting.
Your professors represent areas of expertise such as biblical studies, theology, practical theology, marriage and family therapy, cultural psychology, American church history, health education, nursing, spiritual care, chaplaincy theory and prctice as well as ethics. This diversity of specialists provides you with a rich and balanced program of study.
Program requirements
Students must complete 28 quarter units of coursework described below, with an overall grade point average of B or better, with no grade lower than C, and with no grade in a core course lower than a B-. All courses in the program are required; there are no electives offered.
History of SDA Chaplaincy and Healthcare Policy Making |
4.0 |
|
Biblical Hermeneutics |
3.0 |
|
Daniel and the Prophetic Tradition |
3 .0 |
|
SDA History |
3.0 |
|
SDA Beliefs |
4.0 |
|
The Saga of Adventists and Healthcare: Cornflakes, Baby Fae, and the Healing of the Nations |
3.0 |
|
Vision of Healing: the Message of the Book of Revelation |
3.0 |
|
Wholeness Portfolio |
4.0 |
|
Independent Study in Chaplaincy |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL UNITS |
28 |
Transfer credits
No transfer units are accepted for the Denominational Studies for Chaplains Program.
ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. (Provisional acceptance will be granted to those with at least a 2.5 undergraduate grade point average; regular acceptance status must be attained by earning a 3.0 GPA for the first 8 units of coursework)
- Be employed as a chaplain
Applications: Apply online at www.llu.edu/apply. The School of Religion has a rolling admission policy in which completed applications are reviewed and students are accepted on a continual basis. Please contact the School of Religion Enrollment Services Department for specific information and dates regarding the next available session. Contact us at religion@llu.edu; or by calling 909-651-5952.
Documents required beyond the online application include:
- All official transcripts of college/university work (mailed directly to LLU)
- Three letters of recommendation – one each from a professional/pastoral source and former professor or academic advisor, and a recommendation from ACM
Note: The online application will prompt you with instructions and timelines to successfully complete the process.
MA in Religion and the Sciences
As the academic study of religion has evolved over the past fifty years, the exploration of religion and science has emerged as a discipline of its own. Scholars in the natural sciences, the human sciences, and numerous applied sciences recognize the importance of examining religion from their particular perspectives. And religion scholars appreciate the importance of the questions that the methods and conclusions of the sciences raise for religious belief and practice.
As a Seventh-day Adventist health-sciences university, Loma Linda University rests on the conviction that there is a positive relation between religion and the sciences. Its commitment to a variety of health professional programs reflects the belief that the natural world is God's good creation and that human beings are inherently part of the physical order of things. Its commitment to higher education, including various avenues of graduate study, expresses the belief that all truth is God's truth, and that the acquisition of truth calls for the diligent application of all our powers. These convictions support the attempt to bring scientific knowledge within the overarching perspective of Christian faith.
The MA in Religion and the Sciences program is designed for several types of students: those who want a degree in religion and science before pursuing further graduate work in one or the other of these areas; graduate students in the natural and social sciences who would like to combine their other academic interests with a serious study of religion; students in LLU professional programs who also have an interest in the area of religion and science; and individuals who wish to explore the interface of religion and the sciences within the context of serious academic work.
This Program draws on resources from various sectors of the campus: the Department of Earth and Biological Sciences faculty and the Department of Psychology faculty, both within the School of Science and Technology (SST); members of other faculties in the University; and other scholars and professors with expertise in the area.
Upon completion of the Religion and the Sciences Program, students will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the research methods of religious studies and at least one branch of the natural and human sciences.
- An understanding of the contrasting and complementary aspects of scientific inquiry and religion experience.
- The ability to bring into critical conversation the theoretical foundations of science and philosophical perspectives on religion.
- Critical thinking in the areas of religious and scientific inquiry.
- The ability to contribute to the field of religion and the sciences in the areas of research and writing.
- An understanding of the relation of wholeness and values to one's scholarship in the area of religion and the sciences.
Course requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 48 units of coursework from an appropriate range of courses and seminars outlined below. Students must also pass a series of comprehensive exams, and publish one research paper suitable for publication, OR submit a thesis of significant length and original thought. Students must provide an oral defense of either of these two options.
The minimum required overall GPA in this program is 3.0 or above. No grade lower than a C is acceptable, with no grade lower than B- in a required course.
Cluster I: Religion
Graduate-level Ethics |
4 |
|
Graduate-level Relational |
4 |
|
Creation and Cosmology |
3 - 4 |
|
Christian Understanding of God and Humanity (3 or 4 units) |
3 - 4 |
|
Research Methods |
4 |
|
TOTAL Units |
20 |
Cluster II: Science
|
2 - 3 approved graduate courses, seminars, or research projects. Select from physical, life, behavioral, social, or health sciences. |
8 - 12 |
|
TOTAL Units |
8 - 12 |
Cluster III: Seminars
Seminar in the Philosophy of Science |
4 |
|
Seminar in Philosophy of Religion |
4 |
|
Seminar in Religion and the Sciences |
4 |
|
TOTAL Units |
12 |
Cluster IV: Electives
One or two approved graduate-level courses, seminars, or research projects offered at LLU or another educational institution. |
4 -8 |
|
TOTAL Units |
4-8 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL Units Required |
45 |
Transfer credits
Students may transfer up to 8 units of approved graduate-level courses from other accredited institutions. Prior or current students in Loma Linda University's other post baccalaureate degree programs may petition to receive credit for a maximum of 12 units for courses completed in their professional studies that are directly related to religion and the sciences.
Comprehensive examinations
A series of comprehensive examinations will cover essential aspects of religion and science.
Research
The student will prepare an acceptable thesis or material suitable for publication in relevant scholarly journals.
ADMISSIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Students applying for admission must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GRE scores with following minimums:
- 1000 combined on verbal and quantitative sections
- 4.0 out of 6.0 on the analytical writing section
- International: Internet-based TOEFL test score of 83 or higher (computer and paper-based tests vary)
Applications: Apply online at www.llu.edu/apply. The School of Religion has a rolling admission policy in which completed applications are reviewed and students are accepted on a continual basis. Your application must be complete by the deadlines listed for the quarter you wish to enroll:
- Fall quarter: August 1
- Winter quarter: November 1
- Spring quarter: February 1
- Summer quarter: May 1
Documents required beyond the online application include:
- All official transcripts of college/university work (mailed directly to LLU)
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (not more than 5 years old)
- International applicants must submit current TOEFL scores and evaluations of any international transcripts—please visit http://www.llu.edu/apply/ intltrans.html.
Dual -Degree Programs
Two of our Master’s Degree Programs – Bioethics and Clinical Ministry – have been designed to accommodate LLU students enrolled in other programs who wish to gain additional skills for whole-person care and/or bioethics. Students in the following programs are eligible to apply for dual admission to the MA in Bioethics program:
- Dentistry, DDS
- Medicine, MD
- Pharmacy, PharmD
- Psychology, PsyD or PhD
- Social Policy and Social Research, PhD
- Nursing, PhD
Students enrolled in the MA in Marital and Family Therapy program are eligible to apply for dual enrollment in the MA in Clinical Ministry program.
HUMANITIES
Loma Linda University’s mission and culture revolve around whole person care. In all our educational and clinical programs we aspire to teach the integration of treating the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients, as we “continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus.” We further believe that the humanities – literature, history, ethics, religion, philosophy, and the arts – help provide insight into the human condition. So it is fitting that we offer an interdisciplinary academic and professional curricula, as well as cultural activities that integrate the humanities and the health sciences.
Health care professionals who graduate from Loma Linda University will influence and be influenced by a complex society. Engagement of the humanities, in a dynamic health-care environment, will aid Loma Linda University graduates to be leaders in making humanity whole.
Currently, the following courses are taught as part of the Humanities program:
HUMN 311 Sacred Music I (2)
Regular participation in a church choir, with an approved history of sacred music component.
HUMN 312 Sacred Music II (2)
Regular participation in a church orchestra, with an approved history of sacred music component.
HUMN 451 Humanities Integration I (1)
Integration of core values and professional aspirations with specified learning events that are largely extra-classroom. Focuses on critical thinking and clear writing.
HUMN 452 Humanities Integration II (1)
Integration of core values and professional aspirations with specified learning events that are largely extra-classroom. Focuses on values clarification, writing style, and editing.
Prerequisite: HUMN 451.
HUMN 475 History and Health Care (3)
A survey of world history from ancient to modern times, with significant events in the evolution of health care placed into their larger context. Places a premium on analysis of historical events and how theories influence and are influenced by health care.
HUMN 487 Philosophy of Health Care (3)
Considers the development of medical theory, institutions, practice, and their interrelationships. Focuses on the nature of scientific thought, the status of medical knowledge, and the connection between theory and observation.