Elective Options

Seminar Courses

Truett Seminary’s in-person Seminar Courses are an additional way to enhance students' studies. They are an opportunity to learn in great depth from the Truett faculty, who are regarded as leading experts in their fields. These intensive weekends are not only a great opportunity to learn from professors, but they are also a way to learn in community with other laypeople, ministers, pastors, and students of all levels.

Certificate students who complete one of these Seminar Courses (including all assigned work) will earn a credit toward a Primary and/or an Advanced-level certificate.

Learn more and view upcoming opportunities here.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

Truett's partnership with Perspectives allows Certificate students to participate in an in-person, missions-oriented discipleship course offered at over 200 locations each year.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for the Perspectives course; however, students may enhance their experience if the Certificate of Christian Foundation is completed first.

Certificate Credit Received

A Perspectives class taken at the “Certificate level” will count as one credit toward a Primary-level certificate AND one credit toward an Advanced-level certificate (2 credits total). Once a student has finished the Perspectives course, he or she will email a photo of the certificate of completion to truett_certificate@baylor.edu in order to receive credit.

Independent Study Projects

There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” education. In recognition of this reality, Truett’s Certificate Program allows for Independent Study Projects to serve as electives in order to better meet the specific needs of our students’ varied passions and callings. Each student may complete a maximum of two Independent Study Projects for credit.

Each Independent Study Project is designed by the student and instructor (typically the Certificate Program Director) around three distinct areas—reading, writing, and a project activity. Through conversations and reflections, the student and instructor will select a topic of interest and arrange a number of requirements within these three general areas. Once the project is completed, the student's work will be turned in to the instructor for review, and the project will conclude with a 60 to 90 minute interview, reflection, and further-steps conversation.

Reading

At least one book will be assigned. The student will be required to read either one substantial book that is considered an exemplary work on the selected subject or a combination of two less-intensive books.

Writing

At least one short paper of reflection, engagement, and planning for each book (4-8 pages in total) will be required. An exact length is not required, but the paper should be of adequate length to cover the main points of the book and the student’s engagement with the topic. Writing should also include a short final section regarding plans toward implementation of what was learned.

Project Activity

The third portion of each Independent Study Project is to engage in an activity that generally follows one of the following formats:

• Conversational: Interview multiple practitioners (pastors, chaplains, educators, etc), document, and then reflect in writing on their ministerial approaches.
• Observational: Observe and/or participate in an activity or event alongside others and document their approaches and/or solicit feedback on your approach. Reflect in writing on the experience.
• Constructive: Plan and begin a new implementation of your learning in specific and detailed ways (e.g. a detailed sermon series over a book of the Bible, a new Sunday school curriculum, outreach event, etc.). Solicit honest feedback and reflect on the process.