The Graduate Certificate in Faith and Science (GCFS) is an academic program designed to enhance the professional development of science educators. It may be ladderized towards a master’s or a doctorate degree, where appropriate, and an unlimited number of directed studies may be allowed.
To complete the program and be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Faith and Science, the candidate must satisfactorily meet the following requirements:
The following three Religion courses (9 Credits):
A critical comparison of secular systems of Western philosophy and Christian and educational thought, with
special reference to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the writings of Ellen White. This course is based on
an extensive survey of secular philosophical documents and consideration of theological, educational, and
practical issues arising from the readings. Position/reaction papers and extensive discussion allow students to
explore the Adventist perspective.
A study of evidences of the existence of God, the attributes and character of God, and His relationship to the
world, which includes consideration of divine foreknowledge and human freedom, predestination, providence,
and the Trinity.
The course explores mission opportunities and strategies for reaching the contemporary world characterized
by scientific and secular worldviews. This study aims to equip scientists and other professionals with the
necessary missiological instrumentality to share the biblical worldview of God’s creation and salvation with
fellow scientists.
The following three Science teaching courses (9 Credits):
A study that focuses on the question What is life and where did it come from? Various theories about how the
origin and history of life correlate with the current understanding of Earth’s history as well as the biblical record
of history will be examined. These theories will be compared with the data available, and areas of both
agreement and tension will be noted.
An overview of the type of physical evidence used in reconstructions of earth’s history. It aims at familiarizing
students with fundamental geological concepts (e.g., types of rocks, plate tectonics, time, and stratigraphy). The
course highlights areas of tension and convergence between the biblical account of origins and various
cosmological and earth history models. Its objective is to enable understanding and communication of basic
examples of physical evidence and processes and their epistemological relevance in the context of a biblical
worldview.
Interdisciplinary consideration of Christ-centered, Bible-based, faith-nurturing educational theory and practice. This class assists students in developing a personal, experiential faith and a balanced lifestyle in which the spiritual aspects of life blend naturally with day-to-day activities, as beliefs, values, experiences, and attitudes of their Christian worldview are integrated into the total school environment.
The following three Religion courses: | Credits |
|---|---|
CHPH 672 Philosophy: An Adventist Perspective | 3 |
THST 512 Doctrine of God | 3 |
MSSN 589 [Elective Course in] Science and Mission | 3 |
The following three Science teaching courses: | |
EDCI 628 Life, Earth History, and the Bible | 3 |
EDUC 626 Cosmology, Geology, and the Bible | 3 |
CHPH 624 Faith & Learning in Christian Education | 3 |
TOTAL | 18 |
Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm;
Friday 8 am to 12 nn
