November 27, 2023
by Greg Henson, CEO Kairos University; President of Sioux Falls Seminary
Over the past several weeks, we have been talking about the process that Kairos University goes through to assess, review, and enhance its curriculum. Our last few posts have described the updates that have been made to our various degree programs. In this week’s article, we are sharing details on the release of Kairos 10.0!
The 10.0 curriculum versions are now live on Pathwright, and Kairos faculty mentors are receiving access to curriculum documents and resources! So, what’s next for students and mentors?
How to Get Started
Students in most* Kairos programs (BA, MA, MAL, MDiv, ThD, PhD, Blend) interested in learning more about the 10.0 version of their program, should take the following steps:
*Students in the Luther House of Study, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, MA in Counseling, Doctor of Professional Counseling, and Doctor of Ministry programs will remain in their current program paths and can simply take advantage of any applicable enhancements.
What Does a Switch Involve?
Curriculum enhancements are meant to improve the learning journey for students and mentors. Switching from an older version of the curriculum to a new version can often accelerate a student’s work and progress.
Once a new curriculum version is requested, students receive access to the new program path via Pathwright. They simply continue their work in the new 10.0 path and use their previous path as a reference. There’s no need to move or repopulate past assignments in the new path.
Students currently in Starting Well will automatically receive the 10.0 version of their program curriculum once they begin working with their mentor team.
Summary of 10.0 Curriculum Enhancements
General 10.0 Enhancements
In most cases, these general changes pertain to Kairos’ CBTE programs (MDiv, MA, MAL, & Blend) although some are also applicable to other programs.
–Combining the principles of the Development Path with the support of the Standard Path used in previous curriculum versions, 10.0 program curricula have a single “Outcome Path” for each program outcome. Each outcome path includes indicators of proficiency (observable behaviors, attitudes, skills, dispositions, and cognitive abilities that describe a person who is proficient in that particular outcome) as well as a set of starting projects to help assess prior learning and identify areas in which the student may need to focus and/or begin developing proficiency.
–Case studies, which are connected to Reflection in Community outcomes, will now be referred to as Reflection in Community Sessions.
–Expectations on Master Assessment scoring have been adjusted. In previous curriculum versions, students needed to receive a total score of at least 8 with no score of 1 on each Master Assessment. However, starting with 10.0, students must now receive a total score of at least 9 with no score of 2 or less on each Master Assessment. The purpose and process for Master Assessment has not changed.
–The requirement for Bachelor of Arts and Master’s students (MDiv & MA) in older curriculum versions like 5.0, 5.1, and 7.0 to participate in weeklong gatherings including both plenary sessions and Reflection in Community Sessions has been adjusted. It is now acceptable for any student with an Integration or Reflection in Community outcome to participate solely in Reflection in Community Sessions. Participation in regional or online gatherings with plenary sessions is now optional.
–We are currently exploring ways for faculty mentors to offer additional small-group Reflection in Community Sessions throughout the year. More details will be made available once a plan has been finalized and implemented. Kairos will continue to offer online Reflection in Community Sessions throughout the year in addition to those that are offered through in-person regional gatherings.
Bachelor of Arts Enhancements
Several enhancements and program adjustments were made in light of program assessment and feedback from students. These include:
–Adjustment of the requirement for full participation in weeklong gatherings that include both plenary sessions and Reflection in Community Sessions. It is now acceptable to participate in online Reflection in Community Sessions to meet Reflection in Community requirements. Participation in regional or online gatherings with plenary sessions is optional.
–The total number of Reflection in Community Sessions and presentations required for 10.0 Bachelor of Arts students has been reduced to two.
–A few courses have been removed and replaced with new courses that have greater alignment with program outcomes.
–Several other courses have received updated titles. New titles better correspond with program outcomes.
–Indicators of proficiency were created for each program outcome.
Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts in Leadership Pilot Enhancements
–The majority of the enhancements specific to the MA, MDiv, and MAL pilot relate directly to path design and the creation of unique indicators of proficiency and starting projects for each program outcome.
–It is now acceptable for students in older MA and MDiv curricula (like 5.0, 5.1, 7.0, or older) to participate in online Reflection in Community Sessions to meet Reflection in Community outcome requirements. Full participation at regional or online gatherings with plenary sessions is now optional.
–Please see the “General 10.0 Enhancements” section above for additional items that relate to the MA, MDiv, and MAL pilot.
Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy
–Some course titles were updated to better align with program outcomes.
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
–A few courses were updated and/or received new titles to address licensure requirement changes related to teletherapy and other various topics.
Master of Arts in Counseling and Doctor of Professional Counseling
–There were no program updates; however, we are developing Spanish versions of each program.
Doctor of Ministry
–There were no changes to the program for 10.0 other than the Master Assessment scoring adjustment noted in the general 10.0 section.
We are excited to make these enhancements available to the Kairos community. If you are a Kairos student and would like to take advantage of all the enhancements have to offer, we encourage you to be in conversation with your mentor team.