Master of Arts with Concentration in Church History

The concentration is designed for those students who intend to pursue further graduate education in theology or its cognate disciplines or those who seek additional depth of knowledge in a particular field of study. It may be appropriate in some cases for those who do not plan to pursue doctoral study but who expect to teach in a specific discipline in institutions overseas.

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 student who has successfully completed all prescribed work, has completed all non-credit degree requirements, has submitted a complete portfolio if applicable, and 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 degree is to be concluded within four consecutive years from the date of matriculation.

Additionally, a student must satisfy all financial obligations to the University. The University will neither confer a degree nor provide transcripts to any student or former student who has unsatisfied financial obligations to the University.

Requirements

Students pursuing a concentration in Church History complete a core curriculum, do additional coursework in the area of concentration, and complete a research paper in the area of concentration. They must also complete certain non-credit degree requirements. Courses taken in the core curriculum may be counted towards the hours required for a concentration.

Core Courses
BIBL 501Old Testament I: From Prehistory to the Promised Land3
BIBL 502Old Testament II: Prophets, Exile, and Aftermath3
BIBL 511New Testament I: The Gospels in Context3
BIBL 512New Testament II: The Bible after Jesus3
CHHT 511Church Histories I: Asia and Africa3
CHHT 512Church Histories II: Europe and North America3
CEMT 511Introduction to Moral Theology3
THEO 511Systematic Theology I3
Concentration
Select twelve additional semester hours in Church History (CHHT)12
Select nine additional semester hours of electives (to include three hours in ethics)9
CHHT 598Research Project3
Total Semester Hours48
1

A research paper is required of those Master of Arts students pursuing a concentration. The student must obtain the approval of a faculty member in the area of concentration, who will serve as supervisor of the paper. The student then registers for three credit hours of research (CHHT 598). The student meets regularly with the supervisor for guidance in research and writing. The research paper is to be a contribution to scholarly discussion. It is to be 5,500 to 7,500 words in length, and is to be submitted to the supervisor once it is completed. Once the supervisor approves the paper, they submit a grade for the paper to the coordinator of academic affairs.

Non-credit Degree Requirements1

Bibliography, Research, and Writing Workshop
Cultural Diversity Workshop
Education for Ministry (EfM) Workshop
Safeguarding God's Children Workshop
Safeguarding God's People Workshop
1

For details on these workshops, see the Non-credit Degree Requirements for Graduation section.