The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is a two-year program focused on the application of the principles of ministry. It consists of 36 semester hours in which four hours may be earned by completing a thesis or advanced ministry project. This curriculum provides opportunities for intensive study in Christian scriptures, theology, and ministry at the graduate level.
All courses are offered online, adding to the convenience of the program. Areas of specialization include Business Leadership, Children’s Ministry, Sports and Recreation Ministry, Spiritual Guidance, Youth Ministry, Theology, and Missions. Students are equipped with the ministry skills necessary to fulfill their calling in the Kingdom of God.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarship information can be found here.
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
Cost | Admission Requirements | Transfer of Credit
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Courses
- 9 course hours in the field of religion
- MACM - at least 3 hours must be upper-level
- MATS - at least 6 hours must be upper-level
Leveling Coursework
Any deficiency in hours must be satisfied by taking appropriate undergraduate courses. Substitution and/or equivalency decisions for prerequisite courses or transfer of any graduate hours must receive the approval of the program director and the Dean.
To see course descriptions, visit the Academic Catalog.
CURRICULUM FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is a two-year program focused on the application of the principles of ministry; it consists of 36 semester hours in which four hours may be earned by completing a thesis or advanced ministry project. This curriculum provides opportunities for intensive study in Christian scriptures, theology, and ministry at the graduate level. Students may enter the program during any fall or spring term.
Ministry Studies - 6 hours from the following:
CHRM 5101 Leadership of Childhood Ministries
CHRM 5102 Characteristics of Preschoolers and Children
CHRM 5103 Teaching Strategies in Childhood Ministries
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children’s Ministry
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
CHRM 5304 History of Missions
CHRM 5305 Strategies for Missions
CHRM 5306 Theology of Missions
CHRM 5307 Youth Evangelism and Discipleship
CHRM 5308 Youth Cultural Issues
CHRM 5312 Understanding the Contemporary Mind and Religion
CHRM 5350 The Educational Ministry of the Church
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
CHRM 5355 Spiritual Formation: Scripture, Tradition, and Practice
Biblical and Theological Studies - 6 hours from the following:
CHRM 5309 New Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5310 The Christian Life in the Letters of Paul
CHRM 5311 Christianity and Contemporary Culture
CHRM 5319 Old Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5320 Old Testament Theology
CHRM 5330 New Testament Theology
CHRM 5331 New Testament Ecclesiology
CHRM 5340 Peoples, Theology, and Literature of the Ancient Near East and Israel
CHRM 5341 The Land and Cities of Ancient Israel
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
Christian Traditions - 6 hours:
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5360 World Christianity
Specialization(12-15 hours)
Business Leadership – 12 hours from the following:
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership or MBAE 5301 Entrepreneurial Leadership
Any 9 hours from the Master of Business Administration curriculum other than MBAE 5301
Children’s Ministry - 15 hours from the following:
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children’s Ministry
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
CHRM 5350 The Educational Ministry of the Church
Sports and Recreation Ministry – 12 hours from the following:
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
KINE 5301 Current Trends and Issues in Sports and Exercise Settings
KINE 5304 Sport and Exercise Psychology
KINE 5305 Principles of Advanced Human Performance
Spiritual Guidance – 12 hours from the following:
CHRM 5355 Spiritual Formation: Scripture, Tradition, and Practice
Nine (9) hours from the following:
COUN 5303 Counseling Children and Adolescents
COUN 5304 Professional Orientation in Counseling
COUN 5312 Lifespan Development
COUN 5327 Sociocultural Issues in Counseling
COUN 6301 Marriage and Family Therapy
COUN 6322 Crisis and Trauma Intervention
COUN 6326 Addictions Counseling
COUN 6351 Faith Integration in Counseling
Youth Ministry - 15 hours from the following:
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
CHRM 5350 The Educational Ministry of the Church
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
CHRM 5307 Youth Evangelism and Discipleship
CHRM 5308 Youth Cultural Issues
Theology - 15 hours from the following:
CHRM 5309 New Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5310 The Christian Life in the Letters of Paul
CHRM 5311 Christianity and Contemporary Culture
CHRM 5319 Old Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5320 Old Testament Theology
CHRM 5330 New Testament Theology
CHRM 5331 New Testament Ecclesiology
CHRM 5340 Peoples, Theology, and Literature of the Ancient Near East and Israel
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
Missions - 15 hours from the following:
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
CHRM 5355 Spiritual Formation: Scripture, Tradition, and Practice
CHRM 5304 History of Missions
CHRM 5305 Strategies for Missions
CHRM 5306 Theology of Missions
Electives – 3-6 hours from the following (to reach a total of 36 hours depending on the Specialization):
Any Bible and Theology Foundations courses
Any Ministry Foundations courses
MISSION STATEMENT
Through advanced biblical, theological, and practical study, the School of Christian Studies graduate programs seek to equip men and women to become Christian servant leaders who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their calling in the Kingdom of God.
STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
The nature of graduate education is to foster an environment with the student as an active participant in the learning process as leader, researcher, and practitioner. Significant time is spent on the review of the literature of the discipline. The activities of the course are writing intensive, engage the biblical text more closely and thoroughly than is typical in an undergraduate course, require careful, detailed analysis of diverse and conflicting interpretations, incorporate reflective thought on the part of the student, include an increased expectation of independent research, and necessitate a search for additional resources to bring to class to inform discussion. At their discretion students may work in collaborative groups to complete the course goals and objectives, but each student must be prepared to participate personally in seminar discussions and presentations.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
For the Master of Arts in Religion and the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, students will complete a total of 36-37 graduate credit hours with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average. Students must complete all requirements for the degree within five years of being granted full admission. Read more about the requirements on the Graduation Requirements page.
DISMISSAL FROM PROGRAM
1. Students who fail to achieve full admission after the completion of nine graduate hours will be dismissed from the program.
2. Students who fail to maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average will be placed on probation and will have one semester to raise the grade point average. Following that semester, failure to regain at least a 2.75 grade point average will result in dismissal from the program.
3. Students who earn a grade of “D” or “F” in any one course may be dismissed from the program based on a recommendation from the Program Director and Dean.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Students will (a) construct a biblical approach to ministry and (b) design a personal philosophy of ministry grounded in Scripture and tailored to his or her calling, personality, and gifting.
2. Students will demonstrate skills in Christian ministry such as (a) leading devotions on biblical concepts and passages and (b) planning worship services.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to prepare Bible studies or sermons
4. Students will (a) demonstrate knowledge of the seven pillars of leadership, and/or (b) evaluate models of Christian leadership, and/or (c) demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of Christian servant leadership to ministry situations.
5. Students will apply key principles and strategies used in contemporary global missions.
6. Students will demonstrate skills in using the various methodologies of biblical interpretation in analysis of selected biblical texts.
7. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the significance of major doctrinal themes of the Christian faith, their biblical foundations, and their historical and contemporary expressions.
8. Students will identify and explain the basic contributions to moral philosophy and Christian ethics of key figures of the Western tradition.
9. Students will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of evangelistic methods used worldwide.
10. Students will defend the biblical and theological basis for evangelism and display proficiency in sharing the gospel in a variety of contexts.
Summer 2020
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
Fall 2020
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5306 Theology of Missions
CHRM 5319 Old Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5331 New Testament Ecclesiology
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
Spring 2021
CHRM 5304 History of Missions
CHRM 5307 Youth Evangelism and Discipleship
CHRM 5311 Christianity and Contemporary Culture
CHRM 5330 New Testament Theology
CHRM 5350 The Educational Ministry of the Church
Summer 2021
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
Fall 2021
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children's Ministry
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
CHRM 5308 Youth Cultural Issues
CHRM 5310 The Christian Life in the Letters of Paul
CHRM 5340 Peoples, Theology, and Literature of the Ancient Near East and Israel
CHRM 5360 World Christianity
Spring 2022
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5305 Strategies for Missions
CHRM 5309 New Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5312 Understanding the Contemporary Mind and Religion
CHRM 5320 Old Testament Theology
CHRM 5355 Spiritual Formation: Scripture, Tradition, and Practice
Summer 2022
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
Additionally the Thesis/Ministry Project courses [CHRM 6101 and CHRM 6301] will be offered as needed.