Courses of Study in the Master of Arts Program
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies offers four areas of specialization (concentrations):
- Master of Arts in Cross-cultural Ministries (formerly Missiology)
- Master of Arts in Biblical Studies/Exegesis
- Master of Arts in Christian Education
- Master of Arts in Counseling*
*Not yet implemented
Each concentration requires the student to complete six common core courses, six courses in the chosen area, a practicum, and a thesis. In the Biblical Studies/Exegesis concentration, a seventh course is given in place of the practicum.
First Phase (1st year): Six Core Courses (3 credit hours each, 18 credit hours)
GEN 501 Research Methodology
BIB 501 Old Testament Genres and Issues
BIB 502 New Testament Genres and Issues
LDS 501 Christian Leadership in the Socio-political Context of the Church
REL 501 Contemporary African Theology
GEN 602 Writing for the 21st Century
Second Phase (2nd year): Comprehensive Examination
Third Phase (2nd year): Six specialized courses (3 credit hours each) + Practicum (3 credit hours); Seven specialized courses (3 credit hours each) for the Biblical Studies/Exegesis concentration
Cross-cultural Ministries Concentration (6 courses + practicum, 21 credit hours)
MIS 601 Biblical Theology of Missions
MIS 602 Worldwide Expansion of Christianity
MIS 603 Cultural Patterns of Communication
MIS 604 Lucan Pneumatology
MIS 605 Specialized Studies in Islam
MIS 606 Beyond the Local Church
MIS 607 Practicum: Cross-cultural Ministries
Biblical Studies/Exegesis Concentration (7 courses, 21 credit hours)
BIB 601 Greek 1A
BIB 602 Greek 1B
BIB 603 Narrative Analysis
BIB 604 Bible Contextualization
BIB 605 Hebrew
BIB 606 Advanced Exegesis
BIB 607 Exegesis of Luke/Acts
Christian Education Concentration (6 courses + practicum, 21 credit hours)
EDU 601 Contemporary Christian Education: Foundations & Practices
EDU 602 Educational Psychology
EDU 603 Curriculum Development & Instructional Design
EDU 604 Principles of Teaching: Facilitating Adult Education
EDU 605 Educational Measurements
EDU 606 Childhood Education in the Church
EDU 607 Practicum: Christian Education
Counseling Concentration (6 courses + practicum, 21 credit hours)*
COU 601 Foundations of Care and Counseling: Principles and Practices
COU 602 Introduction to Psychology & Human Behavior
COU 603 Marriage & Family Counseling
COU 604 Conflict Management
COU 605 Care of Youth: Contemporary Issues & Challenges
COU 606 Care in Times of Crisis
COU 607 Practicum: Counseling
Fourth Phase (3rd year): Thesis Project (6 credit hours)
Time Limit: The time limit for completing the MA program is 6 years. An extension beyond this period requires the approval of the Academic Affairs Committee. A thesis which is not accepted because it does not meet one or two requirements must be revised, corrected, and resubmitted. In the case where a student has not satisfied the requirements after three submissions, he or she is dismissed from the program.