Educational Ministries

Youth Ministry

Developing Asian Christian Educators Is God calling you to teach? Then AGS is the place for you to be equipped with knowledge, attitudes, and skills to make you an effective Christian teacher and educational leader in the Asian setting. Are you involved in the educational ministry of the church? Our program prepares you not only to teach but also to lead the church in nurturing believers for spiritual maturity. Are you a school teacher and administrator? Our program provides Christian teachers and administrators a biblical perspective in their philosophy and approach to teaching and educational leadership.

The goal of this program is to develop highly competent Christian teachers and administrators who will provide educational leadership in a church or school setting. There are three degrees offered – Diploma, Master of Arts (M. A.), and Master of Divinity (M. Div.). The Diploma will have two tracks: Educational Ministry (Church) and Education (School). The M. A. will have four tracks: Educational Ministry, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, and Guidance and Counseling. The M. Div. will have two tracks: Educational Ministry and Education Academic Research (for the latter see the Academic Ministries & Research Program).

Program Strengths:

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Assessment of Young Learners

This is a study of the theory and practice of assessing readiness, abilities, characteristics, and achievements of young children. Students develop skills in the preparation, selection, administration, and interpretation of a variety of tests designed to assess young learners’ holistic growth and development.

Career Counseling

This course is a survey of the major career developmental theories and their applications to both secular and Christian-service careers. An in-depth look into the theology of work, and the different views of divine guidance are also explored. Students are introduced to different career assessment devices and the process and techniques used in career counseling.

Christian Education in the Local Church

This course emphasizes the vital role of education in the life of the church. It focuses on the various educational ministries of the church and how they relate to the mission of the church. Students develop competencies in planning, organizing, leading, supervising, administering, and evaluating effective church educational programs.

Counseling Common Problems

See Marriage and Family Ministry for course description.

Counseling Youth

See Youth Ministry for course description.

Curriculum Design

This course deals with the definition and ­application of the essential principles, theory and design of sound curriculum. Students do an analysis and evaluation of different curriculum issues and various approaches to curriculum design. Students design an actual curriculum relevant to the context of their target group.

Educational Administration and Supervision

Students study the theory and practice of educational administration and supervision. They examine the accountability, roles, responsibilities, and interrelationships among administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community groups, as well as the legal issues in education.

Educational Ministries LIFE

LIFE for Educational Ministry involves supervised observation, participation, and reflection in the areas of specialization – church ministry, early childhood education, educational leadership, or guidance and counseling. Placement is made in consultation with the faculty advisor in accordance with the student’s career goals and experience. Please consult the program director for more details.

Effective Teaching (Educational Methods)

This course is an analysis and practice of basic principles, concepts, values, and skills associated with effective Christian teaching. The course is an opportunity to hone one’s existing teaching style and to develop new teaching skills. Emphasis is given to the development of teaching methodologies relevant to the Asian context.

Foundations of Christian Education (Philosophy of Education)

Effective Teaching (Educational Methods)

This course is an analysis and practice of basic principles, concepts, values, and skills associated with effective Christian teaching. The course is an opportunity to hone one’s existing teaching style and to develop new teaching skills. Emphasis is given to the development of teaching methodologies relevant to the Asian context.

Financial Stewardship

This course deals with the acquisition and allocation of funds in educational institutions. It includes analysis of complex issues and problems related to enrollment and tuition stabilization, pricing and affordability, funding sources, asset management, endowment management, financial planning, and government compliance.

Guidance and Counseling

This course focuses on the philosophy of guidance and counseling, the tools and techniques of guidance, organization and administration of guidance services, and the current issues and trends confronting guidance counselors.

Introduction to Counseling

See Marriage and Family Ministry for course description.

Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education

This is an examination of trends and critical issues and their implications in improving early childhood education and influencing public policy. Issues are explored across change areas such as environment, children and families, context, services, and agencies.

Leading the Learning School

This course examines the theoretical bases, best practices, and challenges for leading a learning school. Students acquire the skills of systems thinking, enabling them to facilitate the transformation of the school into a learning-planning community that continually scans the horizon for new opportunities, interacts creatively and proactively with its environment, and continuously assesses its life and work in order to implement quality improvements throughout the school.

Life Span Development (Developmental Psychology)

Students consider, compare, and integrate various theories and research findings in physical, cognitive, moral, psychosocial, faith and spiritual development with biblical and theological data. Implications for the teaching and learning process and the church’s discipleship ministry for each age group are analyzed.

Personnel Development

This course focuses on the management of human resources with particular attention given to administrative, instructional, and support personnel in educational institutions. It includes strategic personnel planning, personnel screening and selection, personnel appraisal and compensation, and strategies for promoting job satisfaction and optimal performance.

Psychological Testing in Guidance

This course discusses the historical and ­theoretical foundations of psychological tests. It is an analysis of standardized tests of mental ability, interest, and personality used in educational, industrial, and clinical settings. Training is given in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of these tests. It also includes the development of a testing program.

Small Groups in Christian Ministry

This is an examination of both the theory and practice of small groups as they relate to Christian ministry in the Asian setting. The course develops a biblical and sociological rationale for working with people in small groups.

Teaching and Learning Process (Educational Psychology)

This course explores major theories and principles that govern the teaching and learning process - from a comparative and Christian perspective. The purpose of this course is to facilitate the development of teaching philosophy and practice that integrate the concepts, values, and skills associated with excellent teaching in the context of Christian education.

Teaching Young Children

This course focuses on the critical analysis of current research, theory, and instructional methods in the education of pre-school children. Students identify, select, demonstrate, and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities and teaching strategies for young children.

Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs

This course focuses on the establishment, operation, and administration of early childhood programs. Attention is given to management techniques, program implementation and evaluation, budget procedures, personnel practices, public relations, governmental regulations, and accreditation standards.

Organizational Development

This course focuses on organizational transformation and development. It stimulates the participant’s thinking and awareness about himself and others. Students compare and evaluate critically various models and methods of strategic planning and acquire the basic skills for facilitating strategic planning

Educational Ministries

Youth Ministry