Master of Arts in Christian Ministries

Master of Arts in Christian Ministries

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministries provides the same academic foundation offered in the Master of Arts in Religion program. The curriculum then devotes considerably more attention to courses needed to develop practical ministerial skills in areas such as pastoral care, worship leadership, and preaching.

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministries uniquely features specialization tracks in peace and justice, spirituality, church leadership, and mission. After completing two core course of their choice, students undertake one supervised practicum designed to offer significant experience in the practice of ministry. Students benefit from the guidance of skilled mentors with considerable ministerial experience.

Program Admission and Participation Requirements

1. For admission: Bachelors Degree or Equivalent. Students with GPA below 3.00 will need to demonstrate ability to work at the graduate level.
2. A student must maintain at least a 3.00 GPA and cannot submit more than twelve hours of C for graduation. Students will be required to repeat courses in which C grades were earned above the maximum and must repeat any course in which a D or F has been received.
3. Students must complete the requirements for the degree within five years.
4. Students must be complete the following curriculum of 66 semester hours:

Area I. Core Courses in Religious Heritage - 21 s.h.

RELG5011 Christian Theology

RELG5020 Hebrew Scriptures I

RELG5030 Hebrew Scriptures II

RELG5040 New Testament I

RELG5050 New Testament II

RELG5060 History of Christian Thought I

RELG5070 History of Christian Thought II

Area II. Core Courses in Cultural Context - 9 s.h.

RELG5260 Ethics

RELG5400 World Religions

RELG6240 Contemporary Culture

Area III. Core Courses in Personal and Spiritual Formation - 6 s.h.

RELG5010 Professional Ministerial Issues

RELG6140 Learning to Teach - Teaching to Learn

Area IV. Core Courses in General Ministry - 12 s.h.

RELG5080 Mission

RELG6200 Pastoral Care

RELG6210 Worship

RELG6220 Preaching

Area V. Community of Christ Denominational Requirements* - 9 s.h.

RELG5301 Community of Christ History

RELG5310 Community of Christ Scriptures

RELG5320 Community of Christ Theology

Area VI. Specialized Topics for Church Leadership and Ministry** - 9 s.h.

RELG6111 Specialized Ministry: Church Leadership

RELG6112 Specialized Ministry: Mission and Evangelism

RELG6113 Specialized Ministry: Peace and Justice

RELG6114 Specialized Ministry: Spirituality

RELG6115 Specialized Ministry Practicum

* Students of faith traditions other than Community of Christ will complete comparable coursework approved by the dean.

**Students must complete two courses chosen from RELG6111-6114 plus the practicum.