Master of Arts (M.A.)
The Master of Arts degree provides a general academic context in which students acquire personal enrichment through the channels of theological and biblical study. The M.A. program reflects an integrated commitment to classical theology of the orthodox Christian world as understood by Wesleyan theology. In many respects the goals and objectives of the M.A. parallel those of the M.Div., though it is not primarily oriented toward the preparation of pastoral ministry. The M.A. is best suited for individuals interested in research, teaching or for personal and/or ministry enrichment.
The Master of Arts Degree is offered in the following four concentrations, all of which are 50 hours:
The Apologetics concentration equips students to engage the world as confident and passionate witnesses filled with the love of the Triune God and to defend the Christian faith against challenges posed by other worldviews. Core courses are offered in philosophy, ethics, world religions and cults, theology, biblical studies, historical theology, missions and spiritual formation. In addition, a broad range of electives in world religions, cults and philosophy are available.
Interpretation: Scripture/Theology/History (25 hrs) |
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| BT 500 | The Bible's Authority & Interpretation | 2 | ||
| NT 531 | The Gospels | 3 | ||
| AP 500 | Greek for Apologetics | 3 | ||
| ST 504 | Christ, Revelation, God, Humanity | 3 | ||
| ST 505 | Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things | 3 | ||
| ST 607 | Contemporary Theological Trends | 3 | ||
| ST 716 | Knowing Christ in the Challenge of Heresies | 2 | ||
| PH 504 | Philosophy of Christian Religion | 2 | ||
| PH 721 | Christian Faith in Dialog with Philosophy | 2 | ||
Spiritual Formation (3 hrs) |
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| DS 505 | Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | 3 | ||
Context and Mission (14 hrs) |
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| PH 701 | Apologetics in Cultural Change | 3 | ||
| EV 605 | Evangelism & Compassionate Ministry | 3 | ||
| MS 517 | Christianity's Encounter with World Religions | 2 | ||
| PH 610 | Moral Theology and the Gospel | 3 | ||
| HT 609 | Modern Cults and Occult | 3 | ||
Comparative Theology and Philosophy Electives (8 hrs) |
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This degree can be taken either on campus or online. Online students must complete four residency sessions of two weeks each.
| Residency One: | October Year 1 |
| Residency Two: | October Year 2 |
| Residency Three: | October Year 3 |
| Residency Four (intensive courses on campus): | Summer Year 2 or 3 |
The Biblical Literature concentration in the M.A. program gives the student opportunity to study both the Old and New Testaments from the English translations as well as the original languages--Hebrew and Greek. At least 6 hours of beginning Greek will be required for this concentration.*
Interpretation: Scripture/Theology/History (35 hrs) |
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| BT 500 | The Bible's Authority & Interpretation | 2 | ||
| BT 710 | Fundamentals of Biblical Theology | 3 | ||
| OT 501 | Elementary Hebrew I | 3 | ||
| OT 502 | Elementary Hebrew II | 3 | ||
| OT 516 | OT History & Interpretation | 3 | ||
| OT Exegesis | Either OT 620, 621, 622, or 623 | 3 | ||
| NT 512 | NT History & Interpretation | 3 | ||
| NT 521 | Greek Reading & Syntax | 3 | ||
| ST 504 | Christ, Revelation, God, Humanity | 3 | ||
| ST 505 | Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things | 3 | ||
| Biblical Studies Electives (including at least one OT or NT exegesis course and one inductive Bible study course) | 6 | |||
Spiritual Formation (3 hrs) |
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| DS 505 | Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | 3 | ||
| Disc. Groups | Six semesters w/o credit hrs | 0 | ||
Context & Mission (6 hrs) |
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| MS/PH 701 | Apologetics in Cultural Change...or | 3 | ||
| MS/HT 609 Modern Cults and the Occult | ||||
| EV 605 | Evangelism & Compassionate Ministry | 3 | ||
Leadership and Ministry (3 hrs) |
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| PM 700 | Theology and Practice of Pastoral Leadership | 3 | ||
General Electives (3 hrs)* |
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*If the student does not have at least 6 hours of beginning Greek prior to beginning the Biblical Literature concentration, they will need to be completed at the seminary. This will use up the three general elective hours and add an additional three hours to the program, making it a 53 hour program.
This degree is available on campus only.
The Christian Studies concentration provides general theological education for personal enrichment, a foundation for effective service as a layperson within the Christian community, and further academic training for those already in ministry. The intent of this experience is to provide an opportunity to integrate the learning gained in the program.
Interpretation: Scripture/Theology/History (32 hrs) |
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| BT 500 | The Bible's Authority & Interpretation | 2 | ||
| OT 516 | OT History & Interpretation | 3 | ||
| NT 512 | NT History & Interpretation | 3 | ||
| NT 531 | The Gospels | 3 | ||
| Biblical Studies Electives | 6 | |||
| HT 504 | History of Christianity...or | 3 | ||
| HT 604 History of Christian Thought | ||||
| ST 504 | Christ, Revelation, God, Humanity | 3 | ||
| ST 505 | Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things | 3 | ||
| Theological Studies Electives | 6 | |||
Spiritual Formation (3 hrs) |
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| DS 505 | Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | 3 | ||
| Disc. Groups | Six semesters w/o credit hrs | 0 | ||
Context & Mission (6 hrs) |
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| MS/PH 701 | Apologetics in Cultural Change...or | 3 | ||
| MS/HT 609 Modern Cults and the Occult | ||||
| EV 605 | Evangelism & Compassionate Ministry | 3 | ||
Leadership and Ministry (3 hrs) |
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| PM 700 | Theology and Practice of Pastoral Leadership | 3 | ||
General Electives (6 hrs) |
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This degree can be taken either on campus or online. Online students must complete four residency sessions of two weeks each.
| Residency One: | October Year 1 |
| Residency Two: | October Year 2 |
| Residency Three: | October Year 3 |
| Residency Four (intensive courses on campus): | Summer Year 2 or 3 |
The Theology concentration builds on a solid biblical and theological foundation and investigates the depths and nuances of orthodox Christian theology from the perspective of the Wesleyan tradition.
Interpretation: Scripture/Theology/History (35 hrs) |
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| BT 500 | The Bible's Authority & Interpretation | 2 | ||
| OT 516 | OT History & Interpretation | 3 | ||
| NT 512 | NT History & Interpretation | 3 | ||
| NT 521 | Greek Reading & Syntax | 3 | ||
| NT 531 | The Gospels | 3 | ||
| NT 642 | The Epistles with Greek | 3 | ||
| HT 604 | History of Christian Thought | 3 | ||
| ST 504 | Christ, Revelation, God, Humanity | 3 | ||
| ST 505 | Salvation, Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things | 3 | ||
| ST 519 | Theology of John Wesley | 3 | ||
| Theology and Philosophy Electives | 6 | |||
Spiritual Formation (3 hrs) |
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| DS 505 | Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | 3 | ||
| Disc. Groups | Six semesters w/o credit hrs | 0 | ||
Context & Mission (6 hrs) |
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| MS/PH 701 | Apologetics in Cultural Change...or | 3 | ||
| MS/HT 609 Modern Cults and the Occult | ||||
| EV 605 | Evangelism & Compassionate Ministry | 3 | ||
Leadership and Ministry (3 hrs) |
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| PM 700 | Theology and Practice of Pastoral Leadership | 3 | ||
General Electives (3 hrs) |
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This degree can be taken either on campus or online. Online students must complete four residency sessions of two weeks each.
| Residency One: | October Year 1 |
| Residency Two: | October Year 2 |
| Residency Three: | October Year 3 |
| Residency Four (intensive courses on campus): | Summer Year 2 or 3 |