Maranatha’s expanded roles in professional training, communications, and global ministry highlight the college’s additions to the 2009-10 academic offerings.
The incorporation of a Pre-Medical track to the Biology major gives another option to students who desire to pursue medical careers after graduating from college. The existing option, a Humanities major with an Applied Science track, will also remain in place.
The Pre-Medical track, by its name alone, may help clear the misconception that aspiring professionals must look elsewhere to pursue undergraduate degrees. Maranatha has graduated future doctors, lawyers, and scientists for years, but still finds parents and students who are surprised to discover that a Bible college offers many courses of study outside of vocational ministry.
“You don’t need to go through a ‘pre-med’ program to get into med school,” science program coordinator Dr. Paul Molitor said. “You need to get the core courses they require, pass the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and fill out applications. Both this new track and Humanities/Applied Science are good paths to take if you want to get into med school, dental school, or veterinary school.
“Medical schools are looking for a more holistic approach. They believe well-rounded people make better doctors.”
Environmental Science and Molecular Biology tracks have also been added. They can serve effectively as pre-professional degrees for those aspiring to enter marine biology, genetics and bioengineering.
“There are a lot of jobs opening in those fields right now,” Molitor said.
A Biological Science Education major has also been added to the Education Department. There are now nine majors offered within Education.
Responding to a Changing Market
The Business Department will add a New Media Marketing major this fall. The course sequence will combine business management and marketing classes with basic skills in communications, web design, and video production.
“We recognized the synergy there,” Business Department Chair Dr. Corey Pfaffe said. “This is a great opportunity for business majors to get sound marketing theory and also gain the technology and communication skills for application of those concepts.”
The New Media Marketing major follows by one year the addition of the New Media Communications minor to Maranatha’s academic program.
“We are in a changing market, one where people are looking for immediate information,” Pfaffe said. “We need the ability to be able to deliver that information.”
A Global View of Ministry
The Bible and Church Ministries Department will expand with the addition of a Cross Cultural Studies minor in 2009-10.
“We recognize that the scope of ministry in this world has become much broader,” Bible Department Chair Brian Trainer said. “We want to give our students an opportunity to be involved across the globe through both vocational and non-vocational ministry.”
Trainer noted that Christians working in fields such as linguistics, cultural anthropology and cross-cultural communication can often gain entry to “creative access” countries where missionaries are turned away.
“This just gives the students more tools in their toolbelt,” Trainer said.
Getting the Big Picture
The closing of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College allowed Maranatha to add former Pillsbury photography professor Tim Mielke to the faculty in January. Mielke’s presence has allowed Maranatha to offer a photography minor this fall.
“We will deal with the practical skills, but we’ll also deal with the big picture as well—copyright laws, photojournalism ethics, etc.,” Mielke said. “Our students will learn how to properly prepare a portfolio, and there will be a significant capstone project.”
The 22-hour minor includes courses in design, event photography, lighting and portraits, and video production.
Reaching the Hispanic Community
Minors in Spanish and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) have been added for 2009-10. There is also a 15-hour Spanish concentration.
Spanish professor Dr. Manuel Morales prepared his students by starting an ESL program during the 2008-09 school year. Read here to learn more about that program.