New York Theological Seminary

Admissions

New York Theological Seminary is a professional graduate school whose primary mission is to prepare men and women for Christian ministries. Students are admitted without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender or orientation, and represent a broad range of denominations and traditions. All candidates for degrees or certificates are expected

• to be able to articulate an understanding of their own particular call to ministry, recognizing that this is interpreted differently across the range of traditions represented within the Seminary
• to belong to a particular community of faith which has in some manner recognized or affirmed that calling.

Demonstration of both of these requirements is incorporated into the admissions process through essay questions and a personal interview. Further requirements for each of its degrees and certificate are listed elsewhere in this catalogue in the relevant program description sections.

The Seminary has a rolling admissions policy for its master degree programs. Applications are reviewed and interviews with prospective students are scheduled on a regular basis throughout the year. Once they are admitted, students may register and begin attending classes in the next available semester. Interested candidates should know that the required courses in biblical studies and foundations of ministry are offered sequentially in fall and spring semesters, and are thus encouraged to complete their applications in time to begin the fall semester. Financial aid is awarded during the spring of each year in order to assist students with their financial planning for the year. Applications are available from the office of Vocational Discernment, the office of the Registrar, on online at the Seminary’s web page (www.nyts.edu).

Admission to the Doctor of Ministry program is generally in the fall, but may take place prior to the beginning of any particular track. For more information on deadlines for application to the Doctor of Ministry, contact the Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program.

Admission to the Certificate Program is generally during the week prior to the beginning of the fall or spring semester, as posted on the NYTS web site or in the office of the Registrar. Special registration periods are held at various sites throughout the New York metropolitan region and online for the Certificate Program. Candidates may apply and register for the Certificate at the same time, provided they complete all necessary application information.

Registration

Registration takes place several times a year before the beginning of each semester, as posted in the annual Seminary calendar. Students can expect in general to register the last week of April for summer courses; the last week of August and the first week of September for fall and winterim courses; and the second week of January for the spring semester. New students are encouraged to register early in any registration period. There are regularly scheduled add/drop days and students may change their registration at such time. Refunds are given for tuition only, according to the schedule published in the Student Handbook. Late fees are assessed after the first day of classes for any given semester or intensive period (winterim or summer months) in any academic program. It is possible to make arrangements to register early for any program if circumstances warrant. All new and continuously enrolled students can expect to receive further information by regular mail from the Registrar's office prior to each registration period.

The registration procedure includes: a) approval by the appropriate faculty advisor; and b) payment or arrangements. Payment may be made by check, cash, Visa, or MasterCard, or by arrangements with the Seminary’s tuition payment plan. Financial aid is available from the Seminary, and separate application required.

No student will be permitted to register for a new semester with an outstanding balance due.

All audit and unclassified students must pay in full at registration. Deferred payment plans are available only to students enrolled in an academic program for a degree or certificate.

Students are required to notify the Academic Dean of any courses taken at another institution, other than those with whom the Seminary has formal cross-registration agreements. Students taking courses at other institutions are responsible for having grades and evaluations sent to the NYTS Registrar at the end of each semester. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in no credit being given for such course(s).

Student classification

A matriculated student is one who is admitted to a designated degree or certificate program.

An unclassified student is one who is admitted to study for credit without having been admitted to a specific degree or certificate program. In some cases students who have not completed their application for a degree program will be admitted as an unclassified student and allowed to complete the application during the first semester of coursework. Unclassified students also include those enrolled in a degree program in another school with whom NYTS does not have a cross-registration agreement, and who wish to take courses from NYTS in order to transfer these to their other institution. An unclassified student may become a matriculating student by notifying the Dean in writing, or by successfully completing the application process.

An auditor is someone who is taking a class for no credit. An auditor pays a reduced course fee for a course and is expected to participate in the class. A professor may limit the number of auditors in a class.

Students from non-accredited schools or whose academic record is unsatisfactory may be admitted on a provisional basis. Continuation in the program shall depend upon satisfactory completion of work in the first year.

Matriculated students are expected to continue to register each semester until such time as they complete their degree or certificate program and graduate. Any student who fails to register for two successive semesters (fall and spring) will be considered on leave and must apply to the Academic Dean in writing before resuming his or her course of study in the program.

Graduation requirements

All academic requirements must be completed and all financial obligations must be met prior to candidates participating in graduation exercises in which they receive a certificate or diploma for their degree.

Those students completing requirements after a deadline set by the faculty may be granted their degrees at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees later in the year. Such candidates will be invited to march in the commencement service the following May.

Competency in English composition

All students at the Masters level are expected to be proficient in speaking and writing the English language. An English language assessment test may be administered to those whose first language is not English in order to determine the need for possible further work in this area for students in a Master degree program. An English language writing test is administered to all entering Master degree students during the orientation session in the fall semester of each year. Students who are determined to need further work in English composition will be notified and required to comply. Continuation in academic programs will depend upon meeting this requirement.

Retreats

NYTS is a non-residential school, which means times for community life are limited. In order to facilitate community life and its accompanying spiritual formation, all academic programs include regular opportunities for program-wide retreats during the course of the academic year. Students in each program are required to attend each of the scheduled retreats for their program, as published in the Academic Calendar.

Withdrawal from courses

Students who wish to withdraw from courses must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing of their intention to do so. Tuition will be refunded in full, for withdrawals during the first week of a regular semester, or before the second meeting of a class during an intensive period. Tuition will be refunded in half up to seven weeks into a regular semester, or up to the half-way point of an intensive period. No tuition will be refunded after the seventh week of a regular semester, or past the halfway point in an intensive class, as established by the Office of the Registrar. Fees are not refundable in any program.

Transfer of credits

NYTS will transfer in credits toward a master degree from another accredited graduate school of theological education. Requests for transfer must be made in writing to the Academic Dean, and will be administered only after a student has completed one full semester at NYTS. Only courses that have received a letter grade of B or above may be transferred.

Required courses for the NYTS degree may be met through transfer of work completed at another school of theological education, but in no case shall any required courses be omitted, even if that should eventuate in a total of more than 90 final credits including the transfers. The decision as to whether a transferred course meets an NYTS requirement is made by the Academic Dean. Any student graduating with an NYTS degree must complete a minimum of 45 credits in an NYTS program, even if that eventuates in more credits being earned than required for the particular degree.

Courses from non-ATS accredited theological schools within the United States and Canada are generally not accepted for transfer except on a case-by-case basis and determined by the Academic Dean. Transfer of credits from graduate programs in theological education from outside the United States and Canada will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic Dean as well, unless a prior agreement with a particular institution is in place.

NYTS will transfer up to 12 credits toward a master degree from a non-theological degree program, including courses in religious studies offered in a non-ATS accredited program provided that the course is comparable to an elective that is offered within the NYTS program. In no case may more than 12 credits from any one or a combination of such programs be accepted for transfer.

Students who have matriculated at NYTS may not take courses at other institutions and transfer them in to NYTS to meet degree requirements except with the written permission of the NYTS Academic Dean. Matriculated students at NYTS may take courses at other ATS-accredited theological schools and transfer the credits toward their NYTS master degree as electives.

Generally no courses are accepted for transfer for either the Certificate in Christian Ministry or the Doctor of Ministry at NYTS. Exceptions for the Certificate in Christian Ministry can be made by the Director of the program. In the case of the Doctor of Ministry, advanced standing is granted for those students who have completed the Blanton Peale residency program in either psychotherapy or marriage and family therapy. See the program description for the Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling elsewhere in this publication for more information.

Advanced standing for the NYTS Certificate

Students who have been awarded the NYTS Certificate in Christian Ministry and chose to continue on into the NYTS M. Div. program receive 9 credits in Advanced Standing toward their graduate degree.

Cross registration

NYTS maintains cross registration on a space-available basis for elective courses with Union Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, and Drew University Theological School. Cross registration is open to matriculated students in good standing (2.5 GPA or better). Students may register for such courses as if they were a regular NYTS course by including it on their NYTS registration form. Additional information is available from faculty advisors or the Registrar during registration.

Tuition and fees

NYTS seeks to maintain reasonable tuition and fees for all programs as a matter of policy and commitment. Tuition and fees at the Seminary remain among the lowest in the New York metropolitan area. Students who enter any degree or certificate program can expect to see a modest annual raise in the cost of their theological education as they progress through the program. A list of costs for all programs is published each spring on the NYTS web page under this section on “Admissions.”

Financial assistance through scholarship and work-study

Satisfactory Academic Performance and Professional Development

Assessment is integral to all aspects of learning at NYTS. Formal assessments are conducted several times a year and include academic performance as well as professional development. An adverse evaluation of a student in either of these areas may lead to dismissal from an academic program of the Seminary after due process, as described below.

As part of the overall process, the faculty reviews the academic performance of all students in degree programs at the conclusion of each semester. This review is based upon the grades received by the students with a particular view toward the student's cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

• Students in the M.P.S. program whose GPA falls below 2.0 are automatically placed on probation.
• Students in the M.Div. program whose GPA falls below 2.5 are automatically placed on probation.

Notification of probation shall be given by the Academic Dean by regular mail to each student placed on probation within two weeks of the assessment review. Remaining on probation for at least two consecutive semesters without indication of academic improvement will be considered grounds for dismissal by the Faculty.

NYTS employs “outcomes-based” learning methods throughout its various degree programs. Each degree is directed toward preparing men and women for ministry who are:

• informed Biblically
• steeped in Christian Thought and Tradition
• skilled in the practice of ministry for personal, ecclesial, and social transformation
• committed to the call of the Gospel for reconciliation, justice, evangelism and transformation .
• equipped for diverse and inclusive partnerships in congregations, the city, and the world
• centered in a spiritual tradition which is dynamic in formation and open to God's continuing revelation

Additional specific learning outcomes appropriate to the various academic disciplines and in accord with these overall outcomes are developed for each area of the curriculum in any degree program of the Seminary. Regular opportunities for self-assessment and assessment by the faculty throughout the course of each degree program are an integral part of the overall learning experience at the Seminary as well.

NYTS is a professional graduate school whose primary mission is the preparation of men and women for Christian ministries. Candidates for its certificates and degrees are expected not only to maintain good academic standing as defined in this catalogue and in the Student Handbook published annually for each program, but to demonstrate professional readiness for ministry. Professional readiness for ministry includes emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of a student’s preparation. Students are assessed regularly by the faculty of the Seminary in a variety of ways, including in confidential sessions that touch on these latter topics.

The faculty normally reviews the professional development of each student twice yearly in the student review process. However, a faculty member may request, at any time, an evaluation of a student's professional functioning if there are indications for concern. During these confidential assessment sessions faculty may discuss issues of professional development of any candidate for a certificate or degree. Matters to be considered may include, among others, psychological readiness for ministry, professional presentation, and personal conduct. Individual students may be requested by the faculty to undertake a further assessment or outside evaluation regarding the individual's readiness for ministry. Failure to undertake such an assessment or evaluation may constitute grounds for dismissal by vote of the full faculty. Formal notification of dismissal for either academic performance or professional development shall be given by the Academic Dean by regular mail to the student within two weeks of the date that the action is taken by the Faculty.

Plagiarism

One of the primary learning objectives of the Seminary is to help students acquire the gift of discernment in the form of the ability to think critically. Essential to this task is the requirement that students learn how to investigate the thoughts of others, to organize these thoughts in a fresh way, and, in combination with one’s own thoughts and experiences, to communicate one’s findings effectively.

It is with this conviction that the Seminary does not permit the presentation of someone else’s thoughts as one’s own. Books, articles and other materials used in the presentation of assignments must be credited properly in the footnotes/endnotes and the bibliography. It is the faculty’s view that failure to do so is not only personally dishonest, but a violation of the integrity of the ministry.

Any student turning in written work that is not her or his own, including copying from a published source, copying from the internet, or copying from another student, will be charged with plagiarism. In those instances where a faculty member suspects that plagiarism has occurred but where the original source cannot be located, the case will be assigned to three members of the faculty who will report their judgment to the faculty. Judgment of plagiarism in such a case is by majority vote of the faculty. Plagiarism will result in automatic course failure, and in the case of repeated action, possible dismissal from the Seminary.

Time Frame for Completion of Degrees

NYTS recognizes that the majority of its students are completing degrees while engaged in professional ministry, secular vocations, or in many cases both. Students are encouraged to consider carefully their academic work load each year in light of their responsibilities and commitments beyond the Seminary.

The minimum and maximum time in which a student can expect to complete his or her degree program is as follows:

Program Minimum and maximum time for completion

• M.P.S. 2 to 5 years
• M. Div. 3 to 7 years
• D. Min. 3 to 6 years
• M.A. 3 to 7 years

Matriculated students in degree programs are expected to enroll continuously during each semester of the academic year.

Students in a first professional degree program (M.P.S., M.Div., M.A.) who must withdraw from classes for two consecutive semesters (fall and spring) are asked to notify the Academic Dean in writing that they are taking an academic leave, and to notify the Academic Dean in writing again when they are ready to resume their studies. Any student who fails to register for one full academic year will be considered automatically to be upon academic leave and must contact the Academic Dean before registering to continue. Any student who has not registered for more than four years may be required by the Academic Dean to formally re-apply for admission. Students who go beyond the maximum time frame for completion of their degree must request from the Academic Dean in writing formal permission to continue. Approval for continuation beyond the maximum time for completion must be granted each successive year by the Academic Dean until the degree is completed.

Students receiving financial aid or loans who are in a first professional degree program (M.P.S., M.Div. and M.A.) are required to register for a minimum of 8 credits per semester to maintain eligibility for the aid or loan. For the sake of eligibility, credits taken during the August and January intensive period count toward the fall semester, while courses taken in the June and July intensive period count toward the spring semester.

Students receiving financial aid or loans who are in the Doctor of Ministry program are required to register each year to maintain eligibility for receiving aid or loans.  Students in the Doctor of Ministry program are not eligible for financial aid or loans beyond the third year in the program (formally known as continuation years).

Refund Policy

Refund of tuition is granted only on the basis of formal withdrawal from coursework. All withdrawals must be completed in writing, and are dated from the time of receipt in the office of the registrar. Notification of withdrawal can be made by email to the Seminary’s registrar and will be dated from the time when the email was sent, but must be followed up in with the completion of the proper form in the office of the registrar within two weeks of date of initial notification.

Refund of tuition for withdrawals in the first professional degree program (M.P.S., M.Div. and M.A.) is given on the following basis:

• 100% refund for withdrawals completed prior to the end of the second week of class (for semester-based courses) or the second class session identified on the syllabus (for intensive courses)
• 50% through the end of the midpoint of the course (determined by contact hours)
• 0% thereafter

Students in the Doctor of Ministry must register for the entire year prior to the beginning of the first class session. Refund of tuition for withdrawals in the Doctor of Ministry program is given on the following basis:

• 100% refund for withdrawals completed prior to the end of the first week of an intensive format program, or the sixth week of a semester-based program
• 50% refund for withdrawals completed prior to the beginning of the second intensive week in an intensive format program, or prior to the beginning of the second semester in a semester-based program
• 0% refund thereafter

Students in the Doctor of Ministry program must register in the third year as they complete their written thesis in order to be eligible to graduate in May. Any student who fails to register for the third year but seeks in subsequent years to complete their thesis and graduate will be charged the third year tuition plus any subsequent continuing year fees that apply at the rate that is in effect during the year that he or she returns to register.

Refund of tuition in the Certificate program is granted in full prior to the first meeting of any particular class, with no refund granted thereafter. Refund of audit fees in the first professional degree program is granted in full prior to the first meeting of the particular class, with no refund granted thereafter. All other fees are non-refundable.

Return of Title IV Funds policy

This policy applies to students who are awarded Title IV Funds Policy funds in the form of Unsubsidized and Subsidized Stafford loans and who seek to withdraw from a class. Students who withdraw from any class are required to notify the Registrar in writing (by letter or email). Date of received notification will be used in determining the appropriate amount to be refunded.

The Higher Education Act requires any recipient of federal loans or aid to be enrolled at least halftime in classes. The amount of Title IV aid that is granted is determined by multiplying the total Title IV aid for which the student is eligible by the percentage of time for each term that the student is enrolled. Thus a student at NYTS in the M. Div. program who was enrolling for 15 credits a semester would receive one-third of the amount for which he or she was eligible, while a student enrolling for 10 credits a semester would only receive twenty percent of the amount for which he or she was eligible. Title IV aid may be used to pay all institutional charges, i.e. tuition and fees, and additional costs directly related to a student’s academic program.
Students who withdraw from coursework will be required to return federal loans on a pro rated basis, following the same formula as that of the refund policy of the Seminary provided above. For first professional degree programs (M.P.S., M.Div. and M.A.), the amount of federal aid or loans to be returned will be:

• 100% for withdrawals completed prior to the end of the second week of class (for semester-based courses) or the second class session identified on the syllabus (for intensive courses)
• 50% through the end of the midpoint of the course (determined by contact hours)
• 0% thereafter

For the Doctor of Ministry program, returns will be:

• 100% for withdrawals completed prior to the end of the first week of an intensive format program, or the sixth week of a semester-based program
• 50% refund for withdrawals completed prior to the beginning of the second intensive week in an intensive format program, or prior to the beginning of the second semester in a semester-based program
• 0% refund thereafter

NYTS will return to the appropriate federal fund source a proportional share of institutional charges that were paid, following the same formula detailed above. If the amount returned by the school is not enough to repay the entire amount that is owed, the student will be required to repay the difference in Title IV aid to the lender. If a student is entitled to a refund from NYTS for tuition, any refund that is due will first be applied to the obligation to return the portion of the federal loan that is owed. Students remain responsible for repayment of any additional portion of any loan that is to be returned.

Any student who has not successfully completed his or her degree within the maximum time period listed above will not be considered eligible for Title IV aid beyond the period listed for maximum completion. For the purposes of determining eligibility for federal loans, years for which a student notified the Academic Dean and received formal academic leave will not be counted, while years for which no formal notification was received by the Academic Dean will be counted.

NYTS will provide each student applying for and receiving Federal loans with this information. Students are responsible to notify the loan-granting agent of withdrawal from any classes, and should include a copy of the Drop notice completed with the Registrar.

Title IV funds that are determined by the Director of Financial Aid to have been improperly disbursed to a student, or for which the Director of Financial Aid determines the student was ineligible to receive will be returned with notification to the appropriate Federal granting agent.

Students in the Certificate program and non-matriculated students in degree programs are not eligible for federal loan.

Immunization requirements

New York State law requires all undergraduate and graduate students to be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella. The law applies to all students born on or after January 1, 1957. Students must provide written proof of immunization within 30 days of the start of their classes. Immunization record forms may be obtained from the Registrar. Failure to comply will regretfully result in dismissal from the program.

NYTS non-discrimination policy

NYTS reaffirms its long-standing policy of non-discrimination. The Seminary is an academic institution that, in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, does not engage in illegal discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status or disability in its educational program and activities, including employment, or in admission to programs or activities. Additionally, it is the policy of NYTS that all actions within the Seminary toward students and employees will be based on performance-related criteria. Attitudes and preferences of individuals that are personal in nature, such as private expressions or sexual orientation, will provide no basis for judgment related to such individuals.

Sexual harassment policy

NYTS seeks to promote a cooperative work and academic environment that fosters mutual respect for all. As an institution that seeks to embody Christian principles, it is bound by the injunction to seek the well-being of all who work, study or pass through its programs. Harassment of anyone based upon sex or sexual orientation is inconsistent with these objectives and contrary to Seminary policy. Sexual harassment is also illegal under federal, state, and city law. It is the policy of New York Theological Seminary to prohibit sexual harassment of employees and students. It is a violation of this policy for any member of the Seminary community to engage in sexual harassment, or for any member of the Seminary community to take action against an individual for reporting sexual harassment. Prompt investigation of allegations will be made on a confidential basis to ascertain the veracity of complaints, and appropriate corrective action will be taken.

Sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Questions or complaints regarding these policies or initiation of a grievance may be directed to the President, or in a case where the President may be compromised, to the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Seminary.

Seminary drug-free statement

In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, New York Theological Seminary maintains a drug-free environment. The unlawful manufacture, possession, distribution, transfer, purchase, sale, use, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs while at work in the Seminary, or while attending or participating in Seminary-related activities is strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal. When appropriate, the Seminary may refer the employee or student to approved counseling or rehabilitation programs. Should an employee or student be convicted of a drug-related crime that occurred on Seminary property or while engaged in a Seminary activity, s/he must notify the Human Resource office. Appropriate action, including possible disciplinary action and/or the requiring of participation in a drug-abuse assistance or rehabilitation program, may result after notice of the conviction is received.

Student records

Consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, NYTS has enacted policies that protect the privacy of students. In brief, the statue provides that educational institutions and agencies must provide students access to certain official records directly related to students, and an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate, that institutions must obtain the written consent of the student before realizing personally identifiable data about students from records other than a specified list of exceptions, and that students must be notified of these rights.

The Seminary, at it discretion, may provide the following directory information: student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous education institution or agency attended by student, participation in officially recognized activities and other such similar information. A student who wishes the Seminary to withhold directory information from disclosure must notify in writing to the Registrar’s office within ten days after the first class of each semester.

Student handbook

Further information on academic policies and procedures, along with general information each year on the specific program, is published annually in a Student Handbook for each degree and certificate program. Students should consult this publication for any changes in the policies listed above, as well as for additional information.