The Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.) program of the School of Theology is designed as a general academic degree for people who wish to begin advanced study of theological disciplines in a church-related setting. It is a research degree and involves a two-year course of study. A thesis is required. Advanced standing may be granted to those who come with previous work in the theological disciplines. It also may be the appropriate degree for some ordained American and international students with previous theological study. On its own, this degree does not satisfy the canonical requirements for ordination.
The course of study emphasizes the major areas of Bible, theology, church history, and ethics. The program requires a total of 48 semester credit hours: 9 in Bible; 9 in theology; 9 in church history; 9 in ethics; 6 in electives; and 6 in research to be accomplished by the successful completion of the thesis. Six of these hours, excepting research, may be taken during the advanced degrees program in the summer. The associate dean for academic affairs and the curriculum and program committee of the School of Theology will design a specific curriculum for each applicant admitted to the program based on the candidate’s previous course of study.
A second approach to the Master of Arts in Theology is to have an area of concentration. The program requires a total of 48 semester credit hours: 6 in Bible, 6 in theology, 6 in church history, 6 in ethics, 18 in electives, and 6 in research, to be accomplished by the successful completion of the thesis in the area of concentration. Twelve of the 18 hours in electives must be taken in the area of concentration (Bible, theology, church history, or ethics).
Before graduation, the M.A. candidate is required to submit a thesis in one or more academic theological disciplines chosen in consultation with the candidate’s adviser, a member of the faculty assigned to the student upon entry into the program. The topic should be chosen within the first six weeks of the second semester in residence and its supervision entrusted to the member of the faculty best qualified to direct the research involved. A complete draft must be submitted no later than April 1 of the year of expected graduation and must be in a final form by May 1.
Each applicant for admission to the M.A. program must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent. For information about admission standards and procedures, contact the School of Theology.
Application fees, tuition charges, and other expenses are the same as for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program. Tuition and fees for a summer session and the thesis are the same as for the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) and Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) programs.
