Students develop a theological framework with which to engage those who experience pain and hardship. The course addresses the importance of holistic mission through caring for the pastoral, spiritual, medical, and health-related needs of those experiencing illnesses, disabilities, cancer, etc. Assessment items include reading, lectures, case-study projects, discussion forums, and service projects pointed to a global area of interest.

This course will focus on the integration of personal and professional reflective practices including respecting and valuing patient and family interaction, developing wholistic knowledge in practice; mental, physical, spiritual, social, perceptions of reality, values and ethics and lifelong learning.

How does one apply the calling of spiritual caregiving to the unique world of healthcare? This course equips spiritual caregivers to apply their spiritual gifts towards the specific context of healthcare. Under examination are the challenges of ministering in a multi-faith context, developing one’s personal identity as a caregiver, and functioning in an interdisciplinary context with other healthcare professionals. Students will have opportunity to apply their learning to the specific area of healthcare to which they are called.

Promotion of healthly lifestyles is essential to ensuring the medical care of communities. The course will consider how to conduct advocacy research, provide education and encouragement, conduct action campaigns and how to use the church to effect change. This will be explored by considering local cultural and societal influences and determining how best to conduct outreach.

What is capacity building? The course will look at how health improvement can be accomplished by working across communities, organisatins and systems to increase involvement, decision making and ownership at a local level.

Designed to provide the graduate student with competencies in program planning and evaluation. Principles of grantsmanship skills will be utilized to develop a proposal on a health-related program topic. Students will master research skills, identification of funding sources, and working with a community organization. There should be a follow up graduate level course whereby the student works with the identified group/groups to implement the program planned (with input). Participants will implement and assess the program that they plan. Written documentation of execution as planned / designed as well as challenges faced and changes/adjustments made will become the assessment document. Interim outcomes will be assessed. Students will video and submit an example of the program underway.

In a time of greater need of resources, shrinking pool of resources, and a greater need for accountability to serve the health of community, building partnerships is necessary to eliminate duplication, ensure that the same goals are being espoused by multiple healthcare agencies and services. The health of a community will only improve with key resources working together and buy in by constituencies.