Program Registration will be open until 12/31/2021. Semester Registration will close on 01/04/2022
The Family Ministry Program (FMP) is a two-year distance-learning-program in which students have 22 courses. Each year consists of three semesters. Each semester is made of onsite session held at St. Stephen Christian Retreat & Conference Center, in Titusville, Florida followed by 12 weeks of distance learning. Onsite session is for a long week end (Thursday to Monday). Meetings start on Friday at 7:00 AM and ends on Sunday at 9:30 PM. The three semesters are held as follows:
Spring semester: Usually on Martin Luther King Weekend (unless it conflicts with the Epiphany Feast, then it will be the weekend after the Epiphany),
Summer semester: Memorial weekend, and
Fall semester: Labor Day weekend.
Program Application Due Dates:
Spring Semester: January 1st
Summer Semester: May 1st
Fall Semester: August 19th
Program Application Requirements:
College Degree.
History of church service.
No criminal history.
No active or recent psychological problems.
Time commitment, availability, and dedication.
Familiarity with use of computer (email etc.) since most of the course work will be done long distance.
Legal resident of USA or Canada.
Attendance of onsite meetings at St. Stephen Retreat Center, in Titusville, Florida.
Program Application Process for New Students:
New students who would like to join the FMP are required to follow these steps:
Submit the new student application form using the link Here.
Submit the 3 recommendation letters, one letter from the father of confession and two letters from another priest, professor, friend, acquaintance etc. All recommendation letters should be e-mailed to the FMP Committee at fmp.studentaffairs@suscopts.org.
Recommendation form by the father of confession can be filled out online on the link here. Other than the father of confession can fill out the recommendation letter online on the link here.
Recommendation letters sent by the applicant will not be accepted, they have to come directly from the persons who are writing the recommendation letters.
The above submittals will then be reviewed for completeness by the FMP Committee.
When the above steps have been fulfilled, the FMP Committee will schedule a formal phone interview for the student with one of the FMP counselors. The student will be notified of the time of the phone interview.
Once the interview is successfully completed, a “Acceptance Letter” will be e-mailed to the student allowing her/him to register for the following semester and payment twill be online.
Registration Process for New Students and Current Students:
To register for current semester, please click HERE
Registration fee per semester includes tuition, room and meals. Cancellation fees will apply.
The student may book the airline ticket and arrange for his/her transportation from and to the Orlando International Airport (MCO), if needed.
If you have any question, please send it directly to fmp.studentaffairs@suscopts.org.
Attendance Requirements:
Every student is required to attend the entire on-site meeting.
With instructor’s approval, a student can miss onsite attendance of a maximum of one course (4 lectures) for the duration of the entire 2-year program. The student will be required to complete the distance assignment of the course. Missing more than one course needs approval of the FMP committee.
If student cannot attend the entire on-site meeting, the student should:
+ Get instructor’s approval
+ Attend part of the weekend to ensure that no more than 4 lectures are missed for the duration of the entire 2-year program.
It is up to the instructor to determine if a student has to retake a course
General Information:
The student will need to review the syllabi of the courses to be taught during the registered semester and purchase the recommended text books.
Students are responsible for their own transportation.
If you are traveling by airplane, the nearest airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO) which is about 45 minutes away from St. Stephen Christian Retreat & Conference Center.
The address for St. Stephen Coptic Church and Retreat Center is: 4951 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, Florida 32780
Fees:
Double occupancy – Poolside (Must have a roommate): $380
Double occupancy – Waterfront (Must have a roommate): $420
Single occupancy – Parking lot: $430
Single occupancy – Poolside: $480
Single occupancy – Waterfront: $515
Cancellation fee:
Cancellation fee is $50.00.
Graduation Certificate:
Graduates of the FMP will take one of the following three certificates:
1. Level 1: Graduates with outstanding performance – Students who get A for all the required courses.
2. Level 2: Graduates of FMP – Students who get grades B or higher.
3. Level 3: Attendants – Students who get less than B or just attend the onsite classes (auditing only).