Master of Arts General Track
The general track is intended for those who seek a broad grounding in the theological disciplines. Students on the general track complete the core and distribution courses and take elective courses to further their knowledge.
Graduation from the School of Theology follows the successful completion of all requirements for the specified program of study and the approval of the degree by the Senate of the University upon nomination by the faculty of the School of Theology.
A master of arts (M.A.) student who has successfully completed all prescribed work, has completed all non-credit degree requirements, has submitted a complete portfolio if applicable, and who has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.33, is eligible to be awarded the master of arts degree. Work toward the M.A. degree is to be concluded within four consecutive years from the date of matriculation.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BIBL 501 | Old Testament: Foundations I | 3 |
| BIBL 502 | Old Testament: Foundations II | 3 |
| BIBL 511 | New Testament: Foundations I | 3 |
| BIBL 512 | New Testament: Foundations II | 3 |
| CHHT 511 | Church History I: From the Formation of the Church to the Reformation | 3 |
| CHHT 512 | Church History II: From the Reformation to the Present | 3 |
| CEMT 511 | Introduction to Moral Theology | 3 |
| THEO 511 | Systematic Theology I | 3 |
| THEO 521 | Systematic Theology II | 3 |
| THBR 531 | Bibliography, Research, and Writing | 1 |
| Select three hours of ethics | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select eighteen additional hours of approved electives | 18 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 49 | |
Non-credit Degree Requirements1
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Safeguarding God's People Workshop | ||
| Safeguarding God's Children Workshop | ||
| Cultural Diversity Workshop | ||
| Education for Ministry Experience | ||
| 1 | For details on these workshops, see the Non-credit Degree Requirements for Graduation section. |
Portfolio
A complete portfolio includes the following:1
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
A take-home exam from THEO 511 | ||
A take-home exam from THEO 521 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
The Prophets paper from BIBL 502 | ||
| One mid-term exam or paper from either CHHT 511 or CHHT 512 | ||
| M.A. portfolio integrative essay and conference 2 | ||
| 1 | Exams and papers are to be scanned and submitted electronically to preserve faculty grades and comments. |
| 2 | The integrative essay is a 4-5 page essay in which the student describes in specific and thematic terms the work completed in fulfillment of the master of arts degree. The essay is primarily retrospective, articulating insights gained in specific courses. At the same time the essay is to be integrative, showing how these insights contribute to a broadly coherent theological program and, if applicable, to future ministry. The essay will include: (1) introduction, (2) motivation for pursuing a master of arts in theology, (3) concepts and themes in portfolio documents, (4) insights gained in the course of M.A. curriculum, (5) synthesis or comparison of concepts/themes/insights, (6) conclusion (may include contribution to future ministry, broadly understood). This essay is to be submitted to the student’s advisor or other faculty member to serve as evaluator, along with the student’s portfolio, no later than April 15. The student should schedule a conference with the evaluator within two weeks of the submission. The conference is an opportunity to reflect with a faculty member on the portfolio and on the learning gained from the degree program. At the end of the conference, the faculty member evaluates the portfolio and the conference and submits the results to the office of academic affairs. |