Courses

Through critical reflection based on sound biblical interpretation, investigates the historical and philosophical underpinnings of educational theory and practice. Participants will explore historic and contemporary philosophical streams from major western and non-western resources. Topics include key philosophers and educational theorists; primary issues of educational philosophy; and implications for contextualized teaching, learning, and educational practice.

Examines the basic elements of academic administration: faculty resources, student affairs, finance and budget, board and presidential roles, library services, development and public relations. Particular application is made to Christian higher education institutions and to administrative relationships with parent organizations.

Through critical reflection based on sound biblical interpretation, examines the core elements of transformative learning theory and practice. Topics include critical reflection and the mind of Christ; personal and social change dynamics; whole person domain teaching and learning; and cultivating gospel healthy learning climates.

Provides doctoral students with the opportunity to design, conduct, and evaluate a supervised professional development activity that integrates academic expertise, vocational calling, and ministry practice. Activities may include teaching, consulting, curriculum development, coaching, pastoral ministry, grant writing, or other approved engagements. Students may propose Trinity-related or external opportunities, and must initiate planning conversations with their program director prior to the practicum semester. Each unit represents approximately 35–40 hours of invested work and may be repeated for credit up to a total of 2 units. Credit/No Credit.

Explores how to conduct systematic literature reviews of the social science research literature that serve as a theoretical framework for research design. Linkages will be made primarily from sociology, anthropology, psychology, business management, and education to the participants' present research interests.

Prepares participants to design and conduct fieldwork research in both Christian education and mission communities. Observation techniques and in-depth interviewing are the primary inquiry skills learned in order to discover the individual's perspective. Particular attention is given to the processes of gathering, recording, coding, and analyzing data in order to report rich descriptive findings and conclusions supported by the data. How qualitative research methodology is used to generate "grounded theory" is also examined.

Facilitates student preparation for the comprehensive examination in their discipline. Students review and synthesize core disciplinary literature, theories and methods, while preparing to demonstrate their readiness for dissertation research.

An independent study for students to research a topic of study and prepare a proposal for their dissertation project. PhD/EMS students may repeat this course twice for 3 sem. hrs. total.

Students write a dissertation which embodies the results of their original research and makes a genuine contribution to knowledge in the field of concentration.