Degrees and Requirements

The Master of Arts in Ministry (M.A. Min.) is designed for students who wish to have advanced study in the work of a pulpit minister. Others who would benefit would be Bible school teachers, youth ministers, writers of Bible school literature, counselors, and people in the helping fields. The student who earns the Master of Arts in Ministry degree will complete 42 hours of course work and six hours of internship for a total of 48 semester hours. For more information call 731-989-6769.

COURSE OF STUDY FOR M.A. IN MINISTRY DEGREE

Required Courses

See the director for a pattern of course offerings for the year.

*Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in Bible may request advanced standing up to 12 hours.

**If the student is granted 12 hours of advanced standing due to completion of a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies, this requirement will be reduced to two courses.

The Master of Arts in Old Testament program provides the linguistic, historical, exegetical, and hermeneutical tools necessary to understand the Old Testament in its original context. The program balances rigorous academic research and writing with practical application to Christian faith. Those who would benefit from this program would include preachers, associate ministers, educational directors, and Bible school teachers. The student who earns the Master of Arts in Old Testament degree will complete 42 hours of coursework and a 6-hour thesis for a total of 48 hours. For more information, call 731-989-6769.

*Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in Bible may request advanced

standing up to 12 hours.

**If the student is granted 12 hours of advanced standing, due to completion of a

bachelor's degree in Biblical studies, this requirement will be reduced to two (2) courses.

NOTE: Contingent upon Board approval.

The Master of Arts in New Testament (M.A. NT) is designed for students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the New Testament. These would include pulpit preachers, assistant preachers, educational directors, Bible school teachers, counselors and people in the helping fields. The student who earns the Master of Arts in New Testament degree will complete 42 hours of course work and a six-hour thesis for a total of 48 hours. For more information, call 731-989-6769.

COURSE OF STUDY FOR M.A. IN NEW TESTAMENT DEGREE

See the director for a pattern of course offerings for the year.

*Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in Bible may request advanced standing up to 12 hours.

**If the student is granted 12 hours of advanced standing due to completion of a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies, this requirement will be reduced to two courses.

The Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling program provide the necessary spiritual and practical tools to assist ministers as they provide care and counseling in a ministry context. The program balances grounded theoretical research with practical applications to real situations. The target audience for the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling will be preachers, associate ministers, youth ministers, Bible school teachers, elders or anyone who wishes to provide support and counsel to those who are facing emotional/ psychological challenges. The student who earns the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling degree will complete 42 hours of coursework and a 6-hour internship for a total of 48 hours. For more information, call 731-989-6769.

Spiritual Leadership

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is designed for students who desire advanced study in the Bible and religion. These would include pulpit preachers, assistant preachers, educational directors, Bible school teachers, counselors, and those who wish to eventually teach in Christian education. The student who earns the Master of Divinity degree will complete 81 hours of course work, plus a 6-hour internship, for a total of 87 hours. For more information, call 731-989-6769.

COURSE OF STUDY FOR M.DIV. DEGREE

Note: No single course can be used to satisfy more than one of the following requirements.

Required Courses

*The student who wishes may take three courses in Hebrew rather than Greek. Likewise, a student who wishes to do so may substitute a readings-level course in a modern language like Spanish or French, or similar for either Hebrew or Greek readings. However, the student who opts for an emphasis in either Old Testament or New Testament is encouraged to take not just the three required, but at least four courses in the relative language.

** A student must have a 3.00 GPA on the first 24 hours is required to qualify for thesis writing (see Academic Catalog, p.140).

AREAS OF EMPHASIS IN THE MASTER OF DIVINITY

An emphasis is optional, but if a student selects one, it requires 15 hours, as follows:

A. Old Testament

Advanced Introduction to Old Testament, the first three Hebrew Language courses, and one Old Testament text course.

B. New Testament

Advanced Introduction to New Testament, the first three Greek language courses, and one New Testament text course.

C. Biblical Languages

Three language courses in one of the Biblical languages, and two in the other. The third course in one's preferred Biblical language may be substituted by a readings course of a modern language (graduate or undergraduate level B or above) which is approved by the director. 

D. Apologetics

Advanced Apologetics; Critical Thinking; Biblical Text, Canon and Inspiration; Philosophy of Religion; and one other courses listed under Apologetics.

E. Ministry

Any five of the courses listed under Ministry.

F. Missions

Any five of the courses listed under Missions.

G. Church History

History of the Reformation Movement, History of the Restoration Movement, one of the Systematic Doctrine courses, plus at least two others in this section.

H. Chaplaincy

Family Ministry; Pastoral Counseling; Religious Diversity in America; Contemporary Ethics; and Suffering & the Human Condition

The Graduate School of Theology and the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program offers a Graduate Certificate in Counseling for Church Leaders. Ministers, associate ministers, youth ministers, family-life ministers and/or elders who have interest or duties in counseling are encouraged to enroll in this Certificate Program. The interdisciplinary design of the certificate is reflected in a combination of graduate theology and counseling courses. Students will gain an understanding of basic counseling skills, using scripture in counseling and specific areas of counseling that church leaders are often called upon to perform. The Certificate Program will give students an opportunity to strengthen and refine their skills whether for members inside the congregation or as an outreach for those in need. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Counseling for Church Leaders will be better prepared to meet individual and family needs of those seeking help and support within a church context. This certificate can be taken for audit or graduate credit. Those students completing the Graduate Certificate (for credit) will be presented an official certificate when the program of study is completed. If you are interested in obtaining this certificate, contact the graduate counseling office at 731-989-6638.