Student Development Major

Helping College Students Grow in Christ

Is the program for me?

Did you enjoy your college experience and do you want to stay in the field of higher education?  Are you currently a Resident Director and want to remain in the field of student development?  Do you enjoy helping students grow emotionally and spiritually while they are in college?  Do you want to become a Dean of Students?  Then the Student Development major is for you. While trained professionals in this field are in great demand, both in Canada and the United States, few opportunities for training exist in a Christian context. Providence Seminary is the only theological seminary in Canada accredited by ATS offering this program. If God is calling you to work with students in a Christian higher education context, we invite you to consider the Student Development major at Providence Theological Seminary.

What can I do when I graduate with this program?

This program will prepare you to work in higher education in various student service areas such as residential life, program development, career guidance/placement, enrollment management, student ministries, international student assistance, and other counseling and teaching-related fields. Nintey-five percent of our graduates have found employment in their chosen vocation. Graduates from the M.A. Educational Studies (Student Development Major) have found Student Affairs related employment in the following public and private educational institutions across Canada and the United States:

What kind of program is this?

The program requires the student to take 24 hours of Bible and Theology, and 36 hours of Christian Ministry courses. Five specialized classes including the supervised practicum are part of the Christian Ministry courses. Six hours of electives offered in either counselling or educational ministries add to the diversity of the program. Other courses are designed to help the student understand the theological, psychological, spiritual, and ethical contexts in which they will serve.

The courses are available in modular and online formats. The entire program can be taken through online and modular classes. Students take more than half of their courses online and come to campus for three summers for two and three-week intensive modules. In this way the program can be completed in three years (six semesters of online courses part-time and three summers part-time).

 Click here for more information on the Master of Arts in Educational Studies.

 Click here to view the complete Seminary Academic Catalogue. 

What will it cost me?

Click here for current fees.

How do I apply?

Click here for application materials.

Who can I talk to for further information?

Dr Stan Hamm or the Admissions Office.