Master’s Degrees

Master of Arts in Biblical Studies

The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies program is under the leadership of Dr. Wayne Ballard, Head of the Department of Biblical Studies. It is a sixty-six (66) semester credit hour Master of Arts program. This program provides the student with an in-depth study involving course work, research, practicum, internship, and a thesis. The educational goal of the MABS program is professional church employment as a pastor or teacher or pursuing a terminal degree.

The learning outcomes of the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies Programs are:

1. To identify and understand intermediate and advanced terms and concepts in the biblical studies disciplines;
2. To analyze and evaluate methods, interpretations, and difficulties in the biblical studies disciplines;
3. To synthesize and integrate concepts and habits from the biblical studies disciplines into life and worship.

The educational goal of the MABS program is professional church employment as a pastor or teacher or pursuing a terminal degree.

Students enrolled must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher to continue in the program. Students are expected to strictly follow the required course of study for the degree concentration. Students can choose from the following three (3) concentrations:

Master of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries

The Master of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries program is under the leadership of Dr. James Logan. It is a sixty-four (64) semester credit hour Master of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries program. This program provides the student in-depth study involving course work, research, practicum, internship, and a thesis. The educational goal of the MAUCM program is professional church employment, church planter, or pursuing further education, either for a Master of Divinity or other advanced seminary degree.

Students enrolled must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher to continue in the program. Students falling below a 2.5 will automatically go on academic probation. Students are expected to strictly follow the required course of study for the degree concentration.

Each of the four (4) concentrations of study includes thirty-two (32) hours of field experience which are designed to provide the student with a better understanding of urban life and urban/metropolitan life issues.

All students enrolled in the Master of Arts Program need to have some proficiency in the Biblical Languages.

The learning outcomes of the Master of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries Programs are…

1. To identify and understand basic and intermediate terms and concepts in Urban Christian Studies;
2. To analyze and evaluate systemic issues that plague and prevent the empowerment of urban communities;
3. To Synthesize and integrate concepts and structures from Urban Christian Studies into empowering and sustaining community.

The educational goal of the MAUCM program is professional church employment, church planter, or pursuing further education, either for a Master of Divinity or other advanced seminary degree.

The academic Master of Arts Degrees are intended for students desiring knowledge in a particular field. The Master of Arts in Urban Christian Ministries student can choose from among the following two (2) concentrations:

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity program is under the leadership of Dr. Gary Baldwin, Head of the Department of Pastoral Studies. It is a ninety-six (96) semester credit hour Master of Divinity program. This degree provides the student in-depth study involving course work, research, practicum, internship, and a thesis. Students enrolled must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher to continue in the program. Students are expected to strictly follow the required course of study for the degree concentration.

The Master of Divinity degree is the standard degree required of pastors and church staff, and is nearly always required for persons entering into chaplaincy programs. Each of the three (3) concentrations of study are intense and focus specifically on the area the student chooses for a very specific career path in pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, or pastoral studies.

All students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program must obtain a level of proficiency in the Biblical Languages.

The learning outcomes of the Master of Divinity Programs are…

1. Maturing in faith through the development of spiritual disciplines and a life conformed to the image of Christ. (Spiritual formation);
2. Knowing and utilizing the Scriptures (Biblical)
3. Knowing and utilizing theology and history of the church.(historical-theological);
4. To Demonstrate practical skills of ministry (Practical),
5. To apply historical resources and practical insights in the contemporary urban world through prophetic reflection and real world experience.” (Applicational).

The educational goal of the M. Div. program is to prepare students for vocational chaplaincy, pastoral counseling or pastoral
ministry.

The Master of Divinity student can choose from among the following three (3) concentrations: