The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is a two-year program focused on preparing students for further theological study and church-related vocations. It consists of 36 semester hours in which four hours may be earned by completing a thesis or advanced ministry project. All courses are offered online, adding to the convenience of the program.
This curriculum provides opportunities for intensive study in Christian scriptures, theology, and ministry at the graduate level. Students are equipped with the biblical/theological knowledge necessary to fulfill their calling in the Kingdom of God.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarship information can be found here.
B.H CARROLL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
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Courses
In addition to the general admission requirements indicated above, the following prerequisites and requirements are necessary for admission into the Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS):
- Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in Religion or its equivalent from a regionally-accredited college or university.
- Applicants must have maintained a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the undergrad major.
- Applicants must request a transcript evaluation.
Prerequirements for the Master of Arts in Theological Studies (Scripture/Witness and Faith/Heritage):
Proficiency in Greek and Hebrew:
- 2 years of undergraduate Greek (12 hours) or a satisfactory score on the Seminary’s proficiency exam
- 1 year of undergraduate Hebrew (6 hours) or a satisfactory score on the Seminary’s proficiency exam
2 courses (6 hours) in undergraduate Christian theology
4 courses (12 hours) in undergraduate Bible
Prerequirements for the Master of Arts in Theological studies (Ministry/Formation):
2 courses (6 hours) in Pastoral Care and/or Religious Education
2 courses (6 hours) in undergraduate Christian theology
4 courses (12 hours) in undergraduate Bible
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.
CURRICULUM FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is a 36 hour, two-year program that provides a greater degree of mastery of one cluster (Ministry and Formation (MACM); Scripture and Witness (SCPT); or Faith and Heritage (FHER)) of theological study than is normally provided at the MDiv level. The program may serve a variety of aims: further graduate study, preparation for the doctoral level, preparation for some forms of teaching, the scholarly enhancement of ministerial practice, or disciplined reflection on a specialized function in ministry.
Core Studies: Nine (9) semester hours, all from the same cluster:
SCPT/FHER/CHRM 5327 Research Methods
SCPT/FHER/CHRM 5397 Thesis I
SCPT/FHER/CHRM 5396 Thesis II
Academic Specialization:
Fifteen (15) 5000-level hours in specialization cluster (CHRM, SCPT, or FHER)
Interdisciplinary Electives: Twelve (12) hours
Six (6) hours in each of the other two clusters
To see course descriptions, visit the Academic Catalog.
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is a two-year program focused on preparing students for further theological study and church-related vocations; it consists of 36-37 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.
Bible and Theology Foundations – 21 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
Ministry Studies – 9 hours from the following:
CHRM 5101 Leadership of Christian Ministry
CHRM 5102 Characteristics of Preschoolers & Children
CHRM 5103 Teaching Strategies in Childhood Ministries
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children’s Ministry
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
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
Christian Traditions - 6 hours
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5360 World Christianity
Thesis Option (4 hours) – Students may elect to complete a thesis (requiring completion of both of the following courses). Completion of CHRM 6101 and CHRM 6301 will substitute for one Bible and Theology Foundations course or for one Ministry Foundations course.
CHRM 6101 Thesis/Ministry Project 1
CHRM 6301 Thesis/Ministry Project 2*
* CHRM 6301 requires the successful completion of a thesis or ministry project report.
- A thesis or ministry project report must be determined to be “Acceptable” on all criteria identified in the grading rubric (available online in the Manual for Research Theses and Ministry Project Reports) in order for the student to receive credit (grade of CR) in CHRM 6301 Thesis/Ministry Project 2.
- If the student submits a thesis/report determined to be anything other than “Acceptable” on any of the criteria in the grading rubric (or does not submit a thesis/report at all), the student will have the following options:
(a) The student may request that the professor give the student an Incomplete for the course. The student must complete the thesis/report by the due date determined by the professor to receive credit (CR) for the course. The student who fails to satisfy this requirement will be given the opportunity to choose one of the two options below.
(b) The student will receive a grade of NC (no credit) for the course and reregister for CHRM 6301 Thesis/Ministry Project 2 for the next semester.
(c) The student will receive a grade of NC (no credit) for the course and register for an elective course to complete graduation requirements for the MAR degree.
MISSION STATEMENT
Through advanced biblical, theological, and practical study, B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary 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.
ADVANCED TRACK OPTIONS
B. H. Carroll Seminary at ETBU offers Advanced Track options for the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, and Master of Arts in Counseling degree programs. These options are available to qualified students who have significant preparation in biblical, theological, or applied Christian studies at the bachelor’s level. Such students may want to customize their academic program in a way that allows them to avoid redundancy and build upon previous learning.
A student may receive up to eighteen (18) hours toward the Master of Divinity Advanced Track; up to six (6)hours, similar to core courses, toward the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry Advanced Track; up to twelve (12) hours toward the Master of Arts in Counseling, Ministry Specialization, and up to eighteen(18)hours toward the Master of Arts in Counseling, Licensure Specialization. There will be no advanced track for the MATS.
The student must meet the standard B. H. Carroll at ETBU admission requirements and have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in the undergraduate courses presented to satisfy the Advanced Standing requirements. The application and approval processes requires the student’s submission of a portfolio of course syllabi and assignments representative of the student’s work in previous religion, Bible, and theology courses. If the Seminary has an agreement with a college, submission of course syllabi by the institution will allow students who qualify to move into the advanced track without portfolio submission, as long as they meet the qualifications above.
DISMISSAL FROM CARROLL'S MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS:
Dismissal is the termination of a student’s enrollment in Carroll Seminary at ETBU, imposed by action of the Graduate Programs Council. Bases for dismissal include deficiencies in academic performance, compromise of the principles of academic integrity, serious breach of the regulations established for the health and well-being of the Carroll Seminary at ETBU community, and persistence in a manner of life incompatible with Carroll Seminary at ETBU standards for professional leadership in ministry.
Returning graduate students who did not maintain the academic requirements to stay enrolled in their initial attempt at graduate work will apply to the Graduate Restart Admissions Program for a fresh start to earn a degree in the original program or a different program. A Graduate Restart Application must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and must be approved by the Program Director, Dean of the school to which the student is applying, and the Director of Graduate Admissions.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
For the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Christian Ministry, and Counseling, students will complete all required courses in the program 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.
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.
Fall 2024
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children's Ministry
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
CHRM 5306 Theology of Missions
CHRM 5308 Youth Cultural Issues
CHRM 5309 New Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5319 Old Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5360 World Christianity
Spring 2025
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5304 History of Missions
CHRM 5307 Youth Evangelism and Discipleship
CHRM 5320 Old Testament Theology
CHRM 5330 New Testament Theology
CHRM 5350 The Educational Ministry of the Church
Summer I 2025
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
Summer II 2025
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
Fall 2025
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children's Ministry
CHRM 5305 Strategies for Missions
CHRM 5308 Youth Cultural Issues
CHRM 5311 Christianity and Contemporary Culture
CHRM 5319 Old Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5331 New Testament Ecclesiology
CHRM 5360 World Christianity
Spring 2026
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5303 Family Ministry
CHRM 5306 Theology of Missions
CHRM 5307 Youth Evangelism and Discipleship
CHRM 5309 New Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5312 Understanding the Contemporary Mind and Religion
CHRM 330 New Testament Theology
Summer I 2026
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
Summer II 2026
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership
Fall 2026
CHRM 5302 Elementary Children's Ministry
CHRM 5304 History of Missions
CHRM 5308 Youth Cultural Issues
CHRM 5310 The Christian Life in the Letters of Paul
CHRM 5319 Old Testament Exegesis
CHRM 5320 Old Testament Theology
CHRM 5350 The Educational Ministry of the Church
CHRM 5360 World Christianity
Spring 2027
CHRM 5300 The Baptists
CHRM 5301 Early Childhood Ministry
CHRM 5305 Strategies for Missions
CHRM 5307 Youth Evangelism and Discipleship
CHRM 5311 Christianity and Contemporary Culture
CHRM 5330 New Testament Theology
CHRM 5331 New Testament Ecclesiology
Summer I 2027
CHRM 5342 Selected Topics in Theology
CHRM 5352 Selected Topics in Ministry
Summer II 2027
HIED 5303 Christian Servant Leadership