MATM Experiential Learning

The MATM degrees require one (1) semester of contextual education called Experiential Learning (TM 600).  Experiential Learning is an opportunity for students to interact with and experience a learning context or explore a practice that will be the focus of their degree program. The personal and spiritual formation, vocational discernment, professional training, and leadership development for the MATM Experiential Learning are designed to be open and exploratory, even as students are already drawn to a particular specialization/degree concentration. 

Students may engage in experiential learning through a variety of contextual education models including, but not limited to:

• Participant-observation in which the student participates in the activities or practices of a setting of learning and/or ministry, makes disciplined observation and analysis using skills gained in the Experiential Learning assignment, contributes to collaborative research or ministry activities, and reflects theologically on learnings gained;

• Apprenticeship ministry practice in a context in which one engages in supervised ministry practice to learn and deepen skills, disciplined observation and analysis using skills gained in the Experiential Learning assignment, contribution to the mission of the context, and theological reflection on learnings gained;
  

• Practice centered learning in which one engages a practice (i.e. writing, liturgy, liberative spirituality, teaching) through both receiving training and engaging in the practice, making disciplined observation and analysis using skills gained in the Experiential Learning assignment, contributing to collective understanding of the practice and theological reflection on learnings gained. 

All three of these approaches are grounded within the context of the student’s MATM track and concentration, and orienting public concern for their MATM Capstone Portfolio Project.