Associate in Ministry Courses for Credit
Candidates for Associate in Ministry (AiM) may use SELECT courses to fulfill their requirement of 20 credit hours of foundational course work in theological education. These selected courses are authorized and produced under the direction of the Vocation and Education unit, ELCA, and fulfill the requirements for certification. These courses do not provide academic credit. The required areas of study and the courses available are listed below:
Biblical Studies - Old Testament
Introduction to the Old Testament |
|
3 credits |
Biblical Studies - New Testament
Introduction to the New Testament |
|
3 credits |
Lutheran Theology & Confessional Writings
Getting Down to Basics: The Augsburg Confession and Small Catechism |
|
3 credits |
Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology: Fundamentals of Christian Theology |
|
3 credits |
Guidelines for Reflection Paper (for AiM certification)
This paper should reflect on the student's own understanding of the course material, rather than a presentation of objective research. The student should address the following topics:
- Summarize (and critique if you wish) the whole course in your own words, rather than pursue some small issue. That is, what were some of the key ideas in the course? What was most meaningful, provocative or challenging for you? Refer to both the video and the assigned readings. This should be the major part of your paper.
- Briefly, tell the impact of the course. How might the course have relevance for your life or work? How might it affect your ministry?
The paper should be 10 pages or so in length and double-spaced.
For information regarding the process for receiving a certificate of course completion, please refer to the current Select Catalog.
All questions regarding AiM program & certification should be directed to your Synod Candidacy Committee.
How do you receive AiM credit for SELECT courses?
- At the conclusion of the course, write a reflection paper (see above). When taking a course with two separate parts both parts I and II of the course should be included in a single paper.
- Submit the reflection paper for approval by:
- Having your Synod Candidacy Committee designate someone to read and approve the paper and to notify SELECT in writing of the approval, or
- E-mail the paper to jodi@selectlearning.org and submit a check for $15.00 to Select Multimedia Resources, 1175 Winston St., St. Paul, MN 55108. Please see the Final Paper Guidelines
for details.
A certificate of completion will be issued by SELECT after the paper has been approved.
Synodically Authorized Ministries
The ELCA "Guidelines Related to Synodically Authorized or Licensed Ministries" designates SELECT as a source of appropriate courses. These courses are basically those taken by "Associate in Ministry" candidates.
The same procedures used by Associate in Ministry for receiving a course certificate would also apply to the Synodically Authorized Ministers.
Since the synod both authorizes the ministers and proposes courses to be taken, it may wish to designate other courses in the SELECT catalog for use with specific candidates.
The SELECT office seeks to work with bishops and synodical offices in expediting the use of all appropriate courses.