For MDiv and MACM Programs
Formation and Ministry Skills (SM 305 through SM 322)
Mentored Learning in Context
Northern believes the best way to learn ministry leadership is in a ministry context. In the new MDiv program, students’ study and practice the skills of effective ministry leadership under the supervision of a faculty mentor and a ministry mentor. Utilizing the best of competency-based education, students’ competencies in ministry will be demonstrated in context. The program allows each student’s learning journey to be personalized to address the particular needs of the student and their ministry context.
For the ministry portion of the MDiv and MACM programs, students must have a ministry internship placement.
Northern Seminary uses an online platform called Pathwright for most of the Supervised Ministry courses. To learn more, see our page on Pathwright — Supervised Ministry Online.
The Supervised Ministry Office can also assist students with finding placements. Check out the current ministry opportunities page for current job postings and contact information for posting an opportunity at SupervisedMinistry@seminary.edu.
In the MDiv program, twelve mentored ministry modules are required, in which an internship under a ministry mentor is combined with self-study learning with a faculty mentor. Eight of these are required for the MACM programs. The twelve areas are:
| SM | 305 | Formation for Ministry 1: Spiritual Disciplines |
| SM | 306 | Formation for Ministry 2: Character |
| SM | 307 | Christian/Pastoral Leadership 1: People |
| SM | 308 | Christian/Pastoral Leadership 2: Projects |
| SM | 310 | Church/Ministry Administration |
| SM | 311 | Preaching/Communication |
| SM | 314 | Mission/Evangelism |
| SM | 315 | Mission/Community Engagement |
| SM | 316 | Discipleship |
| SM | 320 | Generational Ministry |
| SM | 321 | Pastoral Care and Counseling |
| SM | 322 | Worship |
For more information for you and your ministry mentor, read the following:
- Formation and Ministry Skills Modules: Before you Begin
- Mentoring Guidelines
- Creating a Learning Covenant
In Populi, you will find links for the required forms, syllabus, and rubrics for each of the mentored ministry modules (SM courses 305-322).
For the MA-UL Program, Supervised Ministry consists of the following parts:
- SM 301-UL Formation for Christian Ministry
- SM 401-UL Internship I
- SM 501-UL Integrative Seminar
See Populi for the required forms and syllabus for each course.