Academic Catalog: Student Life
General Information
Information for New Students
An information booklet is available at http://www.denverseminary.edu/media/student-resources.pdf for students who move into the Denver area. It provides both helpful campus and community information such as shopping areas, acquiring car registration, doctors, hospitals, banks, child-care facilities, post offices, schools, points of interest, and recreational areas.
Arrangement to Accommodate Students with Disabilities
Any student with a disability must bring current documentation and include a written evaluation from a physician, psychologist or other qualified specialist that establishes the nature and extent of the disability and includes the basis for the diagnosis and dates of testing. Further, the documentation must establish the current need for an accommodation and contain suggestions for offsetting the effects of the disability. The type of documentation will vary according to the disability (e.g., a psycho-educational or neuron-psychological assessment for learning or other cognitive disabilities and attention deficit disorder, a psychiatrist’s report for psychological disabilities, a letter from a doctor or other specialist for physical and most other disabilities). Students with a disability must contact the dean of students before the beginning of each semester to determine what accommodations are needed for that semester. Documentation must also be given to the dean before the beginning of the semester for which accommodations are requested.
Employment
A few employment opportunities are available for students on the Seminary campus. Most students, however, find employment in the surrounding area. The Seminary has established itself in the community as a source of reliable help for many kinds of jobs. Jobs posted by area employers may be accessed at http://www.denverseminary.edu/job-board/. Students contact employers directly when they find jobs in which they might be interested. Denver Seminary also participates in the Federal Work Study Program.
Career Counseling
Career Counseling is available to serve students as a primary resource for the integration of career development into their educational experience. By providing career information and a variety of related services, Career Counseling fosters the planning and realization of God-directed career goals and builds relationships between the Seminary community and employers for the benefit of students.
Career Counseling provides opportunities for part- and full-time ministry, as well as nonministry positions. Career Counseling does not function as an employment or placement agency and does not assume liability for information provided by an employer, nor can it guarantee employment.
Expanded services include résumé writing and interviewing workshops, job postings, web page resources, job expos, and career exploration resources on reserve in the library.
Visit Denver Seminary's website for ministry jobs at http://www.denverseminary.edu/job-board/. For more information, visit the Student Life and Enrollment Management area or call 303-357-5838.
Off-Campus Housing
Refer to the Seminary website at http://www.denverseminary.edu/current-students/student-housing/off-campus-housing/ for information regarding off-campus housing.
Counseling with Professional Christian Counselors
There can be occasions when the stress of seminary life becomes great and it is either wise or becomes necessary to seek help from a qualified professional counselor. The dean of students office has made arrangements with several Christian counselors to provide four to six counseling sessions for seminary students and/or their families at a very low cost. The cost of further sessions is negotiated between the student and the counselor.
Health and Accident Insurance*
Denver Seminary is invested in the health and welfare of our students. Therefore, we provide resources for cost-effective health insurance options. Included are options to enroll in a group health insurance plan sponsored by Denver Seminary in addition to individual plan options. Refer to the Student Handbook for student health insurance policies. For information, go to http://www.denverseminary.edu/student-health-insurance.
*Health insurance is required for all international students and dependents for the duration of their studies at Denver Seminary.
Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990
Statistics concerning the Denver Seminary campus are available by contacting the director of auxiliary services at 303-762-6923.
Orientation
Denver Seminary’s interactive orientation program is designed to introduce students to faculty, staff, and to each other, as well as provide information that will be useful in the semesters ahead. All new degree-seeking students (or those intending on becoming degree-seeking students) are required to attend orientation, held each fall and spring semester.
Spiritual Development
Church Attendance and Participation
All students are expected to regularly attend a local church congregation and participate in the life and worship of that church during their studies at Denver Seminary.
Common Ground: The Community Gatherings of Denver Seminary
Assemblies are held on Monday and Tuesday each week. These community gatherings focus on worship, but they also include lectures and information concerning the Seminary. Speakers are invited from the Denver Seminary community, the
Special Lectureships and Conferences
The various conferences that the Seminary sponsors expose students to aspects of Christianity which otherwise might not be brought to their attention. They present evangelical leaders who by knowledge and experience are able to contribute inspirational stimulation and theological insight.
Spiritual Life Conference
At the beginning of each academic year, the Spiritual Life Conference brings the Denver Seminary community together to learn and grow spiritually. A noted speaker teaches this series.
The Conference for World Christians
Two days of Common Ground are devoted to the worldwide work of missions each spring semester. Representatives from selected mission agencies are on campus to make opportunities known to students and to contribute to increased knowledge of what is being done in evangelism and discipleship throughout the world. There are special events scheduled during the days of the conference.
The David Kraft Memorial Lectureship in World Christianity
In conjunction with the Conference for World Christians, this annual series of lectures on the theme of world missions perpetuates the memory of David Kraft (MDiv, 1967), a young pastor who had a strong burden for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Kent Mathews Endowed Lectureship in Christian Social Ethics
This lectureship will cultivate a full orbed, biblical, social ethic by addressing aspects of the obligations, virtues, values, and vision essential to a thoroughly Christ-like social ethic. Specifically, the annual lectureship explores aspects of these four themes by addressing the biblical, theological, and philosophical nature of our obligations, the personal character dimensions of social ethics, the values reflected in social justice, and the concrete responses to which we are called.
Judge and Mrs. Dale E. Shannon Visiting Preaching Fund
The homiletics department annually chooses a distinguished preacher to model expository preaching and thus encourage students to grow in their own preaching ability.
Student Organizations
Student Association
All degree-seeking students are members of the Student Body Association, which is directed by the Student Council.
Student Council
The Student Council regularly presents student interests to the faculty and administration as well as sponsors student activities. The governing structure of the student body association includes the executive committee, who are elected members of the Student Council (student body president, vice president, secretary/treasurer), and the appointed members, including two activities coordinators, an international students’ representative, Partners in Ministry 3 (PiM3) representative, missions representative, residents committee representative, and a spiritual life coordinator. Certain members of the Student Council will be appointed to serve as student representatives to the following faculty committees: Admissions, faculty concerns, educational policies, and student concerns.
Partners in Ministry 3 (PiM3)
PiM3 exists to equip the spouses of students to be godly leaders and effective partners in ministry. The organization’s vision is to graduate couples who are better prepared to serve as a team in ministry. Opportunities are created for spiritual growth, meaningful fellowship, and leadership training for the husbands and wives of Denver Seminary students.
Globalization at Denver Seminary
Globalization is a vital part of life at Denver Seminary. Student participation in mission-related activities is encouraged by administration and faculty. Some programs are student-sponsored while others are instituted by the faculty or administration. Students are also encouraged to participate in the missions activities of their local churches.
International Students
Graduate students from other countries of the world study at Denver Seminary. They provide a broadening influence for their student peers, raising awareness of the work of Christ around the world and contributing to the Denver religious community through their participation and speaking engagements in local churches. An international student adviser (located in the Student Life and Enrollment Management area) assists international students pre- and post-arrival to help them assimilate into the life of the Seminary and American culture.
Graduation Requirement for All International Students
All international students with an F-1 visa status are required to enroll in GS 597 and GS 697 International Student Orientation and Reentry. These courses are noncredit and there is no tuition charged, but both are required for graduation. The first section of the class will meet five weeks of the fall semester. During the first section, students will learn about American culture and being a student at Denver Seminary. The requirement is completed by attending the second section of the class during five weeks of the semester of their graduation. In this section, students will deal with issues surrounding the return to their home countries.
