Audit

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Audit

Applicants wishing to audit a class must complete the audit application and be officially registered as audit students. Audit students do not take exams or submit work and they do not receive grades or academic credit. Limited classes are available for auditing and only as space allows.

The audit fee for courses at McAfee is $150 per course.  There is also a facility/technology fee per semester charged as follows:  1-8 credit hours = $17 per credit hour; 9 or more credit hours = $150

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Requirements

Spring 2026 Auditing Options

The Teachings of Jesus

This course is a study of the theological and ethical implications of the teachings of Jesus.

Ethics

This course is an exploration of the moral dimensions of the Christian faith, including moral convictions, character, and practices. The course is grounded in an ethical methodology shaped by historic Christian theological commitments, and explores aspects of personal discipleship, the church’s internal moral life, and the Christian moral witness in society.

Prophetic Preaching

This course is structured to address one specific challenge: Restoring prophetic preaching to a place of urgency in the life of the church and public square. Prophetic preaching dares to render a relevant word to the world; it is the proclamation of the Gospel (Good News) of God’s love and justice, that hold systems and individuals to account for actions that diminish human agency and thriving. Prophetic preaching dares to speak about tragic human activity, without falling into despair. It requires the practitioner and hearer to work toward building an alternative consciousness and worldview that is Christ’s desire for humanity. To preach prophetically, one must preach the gospel in such a way that those who follow Christ will work toward a just community in spite of human frailty. This course is therefore designed to provide individuals with the theoretical framework, and social insight, to preach the prophetic Gospel of Jesus Christ with prophetic imagination.

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark has been at the center of modern scholarship on Jesus and the study of the synoptic Gospels. This course examines the composition of Mark, its leading themes, and its theological distinctives. It also acquaints the student with Markan scholarship and the power of the gospel story in worship and preaching.

Foundations in New Testament

This course is an introduction to modern biblical studies. The course will focus on the study of Jesus and the gospels and Paul and the early church, as well as pursuing leading themes in the New Testament.

Apocalyptic Literature

This course is a study of the rise and development of apocalypticism from the second temple period to the mid-second century CE in Judaism and early Christianity. While several books will be read, the course will focus upon Daniel and Revelation

  • Taught by Dr. David Garber, on campus or online, on Tuesdays, 9:30-12:15pm EST

Pastoral Care with Women

This course explores the specific needs of women from the perspectives of the social sciences, the theological disciplines, and the literature of pastoral care. An integrated understanding of the needs and experiences of women will undergird specific guidance offered for pastoral care with women.

Emotional Intelligence in Ministry & Leadership

This course introduces students to the literature and practices of emotional intelligence as a resource for pastoral ministry. Students will assess this material from pastoral theological perspectives and integrate these resources into their practice of ministry. Students will develop a beginning level of competence in the core areas of emotional intelligence: emotional self-awareness, management of one’s own emotions, awareness of the emotions of others, and appropriate responses to other people’s emotions. Students will explore the use of these skills in pastoral ministry.

Trauma Stewardship

This course prepares students to provide pastoral care and counseling to individuals, families, and communities impacted by trauma. It provides a general introduction to the nature of trauma, its impact on mental, physical, and pastoral intervention models for working with traumatized persons. Students will learn to identify the signs of trauma exposure response and to identify self-care and coping strategies that will sustain pastoral caregivers’ work with trauma survivors.

Theology After the Holocaust (and Modern Genocide)

This course is a critical consideration of the moral, religious, and theological implications of Nazi Germany’s “war against the Jews” –the intentional and calculated destruction of some 6 million European Jews (accompanied by the enormous suffering and losses experienced by other “undesirable” groups), which is referred to as the Shoah, or Holocaust. The course considers the psychological and social worldviews of those “victimized,” “the executioners,” and the “bystanders.” Contemporary Jewish and Christian theologies are analyzed to understand the challenges of this tragic history on both religious communities.

Foundations in Theology

This course surveys briefly the history of Western theological thought and notes developing world movements in the modern period and then focuses upon the nature, sources, and scope of systematic theology identifying the major theologians, issues, and terminology associated with the central Christian doctrines that have shaped the community of faith. The course will survey the basic components of Christian doctrine and the task of Christian theology.

Death & Dying

Death is an inevitable part of life.  We all must confront the issue of our mortality and how we will face death when it comes.  As ministers and people of faith, we will not only deal with our own attitudes about death; we will be called upon to help others face dying, death, and end of life issues.  This course will explore what is meant by death and dying, and will examine various customs, rituals, and ethics surrounding death.  Theological reflection and appropriate ministerial responses will be discussed throughout.

Sacraments, Ceremonies, & Celebrations–the Arts of Ministry

One of the greatest joys of being a minister is the privilege of being present with people during occasions of celebration, transition, and grief.  Part of the role of the minister is to mark those occasions with a theologian’s wisdom, a pastor’s sensitivity, and an artist’s creativity.  This course will identify those occasions, such as the seasons of the Christian year, baptisms, weddings, funerals, graduations, new homes, or the blessing of animals, and will discuss theologically and practically how to make them meaningful, celebratory, and hope-filled for all who seek God’s presence throughout life’s transitions.

Non-Degree, for Credit

Applicants who wish to enroll in one or more Masters level courses at McAfee School of Theology and receive Master’s level academic credit, without pursuing a degree or graduate certificate program, should apply as a non-degree, for credit student. Non-degree, for credit students complete the same required course work and hours as degree or certificate seeking students for a required course.

Applicants must have met the individual course prerequisite requirement(s). If the applicant wishes to apply to a Theology degree or certificate program in the future, courses taken as a non-degree student will be evaluated according to the requirements of the curriculum current at the time of application.

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