Master of Divinity Field Education

Field education is that area of theological education in which the classroom experience is tested and applied in the life and ministry of the church. The purposes are:

1) to help Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students to test, exercise, and improve their gifts and skills;

2) to equip them with diversified backgrounds of firsthand experiences in the service to which God has called them;

3) to encourage their theological reflection on the tasks of the ministry.

All M.Div. students at RTS are required to complete 400 Field Education hours during their time in seminary. Many students have had very valuable ministry experience before beginning their studies; nevertheless, the seminary expects students to have ministry internships under the oversight of both faculty and trained mentos as a part of the seminary curriculum. This experiential education in the ministry context is an essential component of the seminarian’s personal growth and preparation for ministry. The requirements may be met through a part-time internship, a summer intensive, or other possible arrangements negotiated with the Director of Field Education.

 

See FIELD EDUCATION OVERVIEW for further details about requirements.

 

Prior to starting the field education experience, the student must enroll in Field Education Internship on Canvas, and the following forms must be submitted there and approved by the Director of Field Education prior to logging any hours.

  • REGISTRATION FORM
  • LEARNING CONTRACT
During the Field Education experience, students are encouraged to have at minimum a mid-way check-in with the Director of Field Education.  Once the student is roughly at the halfway point, the Field Ed Director would like to have a check-in and see how things are going.  Students are encouraged to set up a time for a brief conversation when they have completed about 200 hours (and about 6 hours of meeting with their mentor).  Meetings can happen in person, on the phone, or over Zoom—whatever works best for the student.

 

After completing the required 400 hours of Field Education, and 12 hours of meetings with their mentor, the student must submit the following items on Canvas
  • MENTORING MEETINGS RECORD
  • STUDENT EVALUATION FORM

 

The mentor will email the MENTOR EVALUATION FORM directly to the Director of Field Education.

 

 Contact: Mike Osborne – Director of Field Education at mosborne@rts.edu