MDiv Plus FAQ

**What is MDiv Plus?**

MDiv Plus is designed to provide Garrett-Evangelical graduates with additional skill-building resources and support during their years in ministry or employment, whether that be in congregations or other vocational settings.

Who may participate?

All graduates of Garrett-Evangelical: Beginning in 2011, MDiv Plus is available to all Garrett-Evangelical graduates within three years of graduation, regardless of degree program, denominational affiliation or ministry setting.

Delayed participation: Due to its design, the program will be most effective for graduates working in a ministry setting. Persons pursuing additional education full-time may wish to consider delaying participation in MDiv Plus until employment.

**What are the components of MDiv Plus?**

The Plus Executive Education Program:

In collaboration with the Center for Non-Profit Management at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Garrett-Evangelical has designed a curriculum to help graduates become more effective leaders in their vocational settings. Faculty members from both schools will lead six seminars over three years, one each fall and each spring, on topics focused on developing increased leadership capacity and knowledge of management principles. The themes include:

§ October, Year 1 - Developing Personal Leadership
§ April/May, Year 1 - Exploring Leadership in my Mission
§ October, Year 2 - Financial and General Management
§ April/May, Year 2 - Building External Relationships
§ October, Year 3 - Managing People & Resources
§ April/May - Capstone Program: The Leadership Challenge

Participants who complete the six seminars will earn a Certificate issued jointly by Garrett-Evangelical and the Kellogg School of Management.

Executive Coaching:

In his book, The Psychology of Executive Coaching, Bruce Peltier describes a coach as: A person from outside an organization who uses psychological skills to help a person develop into a more effective leader. These skills are applied to specific present-moment work problems in a way that enables this person to incorporate them into his or her permanent management or leadership repertoire.”

Coaching is:

§ a holistic approach to realizing potential.
§ a proven and viable method of increasing and enhancing professional and personal performance.
§ action driven, results oriented, solution focused.
§ client directed collaboration, linking personal resources and strengths to real-life challenges and decisions.

M Div Plus participants may choose to receive personal coaching during the three years of the program. Up to thirty hours will be free of cost (other than telephone and/or internet usage). The coaching will be provided by experienced clergy or counselors who have successfully completed a Clergy Coach Training program developed jointly by Garrett-Evangelical and Samaritan Consulting Services, a a division of Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center in Naperville, Illinois.

Must I participate in both components?

No, participants may choose any combination that best fits their future plans.

How much will it cost for 2011 graduates?

The annual fee for the Plus Executive Education seminars is $1,500 per year (includes tuition, course materials and meals – participants are responsible for travel and lodging – second and third year fees will be adjusted for changes in meal costs.).

A non-refundable deposit of $100 per year is due by June 1 proceeding each program year. The balance of each year’s fee is due before enrollment in the next year.

Up to thirty hours of coaching during the three years of participation will be provided at no cost to graduates except for telephone and internet fees incurred in the coaching process. Fees for additional coaching may be negotiated.

When will MDiv Plus begin in 2011?

You must register for the components you choose by May 1, 2011. Registration forms will be sent on-line by April 15 to those who opt-in. After that they will be available upon email request or from David Ahn in room 306.

Coaching assignments will be made after August 1. Your coach’s name and contact information will be sent to you using an email address you will be asked to provide on the registration form. Coaching may begin after September 1. Even if you do not request coaching right away, please contact your coach by August 1, to verify the assignment.

A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due from those who sign up for the Executive Education Leadership seminars by June 1 prior to the first seminar. The balance of each year’s fee is due before enrollment in the next year. Fees may be paid by check or credit card in person at the Business Office or by mail. The first year’s seminars will both be held on a Tuesday and Wednesday, October 18-19, 2011 and April 17-18, 2012 in the Wieboldt Building on Kellogg’s downtown Chicago campus. They will begin at 8 a.m. on the first day and conclude at 6 p.m. on the second. Plan travel accordingly. All meals are included in the annual fee. Additional information will be sent to participants this summer.