Academy Admission Procedures

Licensed Ministry candidates and Lay Speakers seeking admission to the certificate program will contact the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center following an interview with the District Ministry Commission during the licensing process.

After approval of the District Ministry Commission and the congregation, an admission form will be sent to each student. Students need to complete this form, and return it to the SVMC in order to be admitted to the class. In addition, each student entering the program with the intention of exploring ministry training will be required to write an essay of approximately 300 words describing their calling. This essay will be submitted to the SVMC.

Interest in the TRIM Program through the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership can be explored through your district. Marilyn Lerch is the Coordinator for TRIM, and each partnering district of SVMC has a TRIM coordinator.

Lay persons wishing to enroll in certificate courses will contact the SVMC.

Ministers seeking units for Continuing Education will contact the SVMC to register for the course and specify that Continuing Education units are being sought.

To receive credit for graduate courses, a person must be enrolled as a Bethany Theological Seminary student. Application forms may be secured through Bethany Theological Seminary’s website (www.bethanyseminary.edu). There is a $50.00 application fee.

Enrollment for graduate courses is processed through Bethany Theological Seminary.

Each graduate course taught at SVMC carries three semester hours credit. The tuition is $1100for each three credit-hour course. In addition, there is a per session registration fee of $115 and a per session technology fee of $50. The fee for auditing a course is $350. For the refund policy and other information related to graduate courses, see the Student Handbook of the Bethany Theological Seminary website (www.bethanyseminary.edu). The handbook link is found at the bottom of the Student Service page.

There are a limited “sit-in” spaces offered through the Brethren Academy at $300 per course. These spaces allow students to participate in a graduate level course without meeting some of the graduate admission requirements. Sit-in spaces are assigned according to the following priority: TRIM students, persons enrolled in district training programs, alumni/ae, Brethren pastors taking courses for continuing education, other members of the church of the Brethren, all others.

Tuition for TRIM courses is $250.00. Each district has its own financial assistance plan. Please be in touch with your District Executive.

Each graduate course taught at SVMC carries three semester hours credit. The tuition is $1100 for each three credit-hour course. In addition, there is a per session registration fee of $115 and a per session technology fee of $50. The fee for auditing a course is $350. For the refund policy and other information related to graduate courses, see the Student Handbook of the Bethany Theological Seminary website (www.bethanyseminary.edu). The handbook link is found at the bottom of the Student Service page.

Seminary courses—Funding for licensed minister enrolled in the M.Div. and Occasional Students graduate program will receive $300.00 per course with a maximum of $1200.00 per year. Students wishing to receive district financial assistance for graduate level courses should contact the District Office in writing. A copy of registration information and an invoice from the billing institution should accompany the request. Additional information should include whether payment is to be made directly to the student’s account or reimbursed to the student directly.

TRIM courses—The district will cover $100 of the student enrollment fee. Students will be charged a yearly $50 District Administrative Fee. Additional assistance is available for course tuition. Fr more information on this, please contact the district office and request a copy of the Financial Aid Plan for Licensed Ministers.

ACTS courses—Course work through SVMC is underwritten as follows: $50.00 per course will be paid for by the district for all licensed ministers in good standing. The home congregation is encouraged to pay $50.00 per course. The Licensed Minister is expected to contribute $50.00 per course ($100.00 per course, if the home congregation’s support is not forthcoming). Any questions concerning ANE’s Financial Aid Plan for Licensed Ministers should be directed to the District Executive.

Seminary courses—financial assistance is given to students based on need and available funds. Students should be in contact with the Ministers’ Education and Support Team to share educational plans and financial needs.

ACTS courses—Grants of 1/3 the cost of tuition for ACTS students is paid through the Middle PA District budget. Grants are given to TRIM students based on need and available funds.

Seminary courses—A loan/grant for up to $500.00 per semester for students attending an accredited seminary can be obtained by applying to the District Ministry Commission. SVMC students should contact the SPD office to apply.

ACTS courses—Course work through SVMC is underwritten as follows: $60.00 per course will be paid for by the district for all licensed ministers in good standing.

Seminary courses—A loan/grant for licensed ministers enrolled in Bethany Theological Seminary courses can be obtained by applying to the District Ministry Commission. Grants are given based on need and available funds.

ACTS courses—A loan/grant for licensed ministers enrolled in SVMC course work is available by application to the District Ministry Commission. The goal is to cover tuition costs for licensed minister in certificate work.

Financial assistance for licensed ministers enrolled n the M.Div., TRIM, ACTS, and EFSM programs will be based on the guidelines of the Don Rowe Student Endowment Fund administered by the Calling and Credentialing Ministry Team. Exceptions to this policy will be approved by the District’s Calling and Credentialing Ministry Team.