Academic Catalog: Master of Arts (MA) Degrees

The Master of Arts degrees are intended for students who plan to engage in some specific form of Christian service requiring training different from the Master of Divinity degree. By studying intensively in an area of specialization, the student will be equipped to serve in a specific capacity needed by the Christian community. The programs are designed for:

  • Specialized personnel in the areas of church ministry, administration and counseling

  • Teachers in Christian or public schools who desire advanced biblical and theological training

  • Those who plan to serve in nonclergy roles in parachurch or missions support agencies (for example, specialized apologetics ministries to challenge non-Christian world views)

  • Missionaries who want biblical and theological training while on home assignment

  • College-trained lay people who desire biblical and theological studies to enhance their Christian witness within their chosen professions and/or their leadership in the local church

  • Students planning to take doctoral-level study in a related field where the MA degree is an acceptable intermediate step

The MA degrees are not designed as alternatives or substitutes for the MDiv program. The MDiv degree provides the maximum flexibility in ministerial preparation and is the standard degree for those Christian vocations that usually require ordination, which include the pastorate, chaplaincy, and cross-cultural evangelism/church planting.

Students pursuing the MA degree should select a degree or major that is appropriate to their vocational goals and must be accepted for studies in that degree program or major prior to enrollment at the Seminary.

Master of Arts Core

Each Master of Arts degree program requires the following core classes:

 Field of Study

 Course #

Sem. Hrs.

 Biblical Interpretation (2 hrs)

 BI 501 - Effective Biblical Interpretation

21

 Old Testament (6 hrs)

 OT 511 - Understanding Early Israel and Its Wisdom Literature             

3

 OT 512 - Understanding Kingdom of Israel and Its Prophets 3

 New Testament (6 hrs)

 NT 511 - Understanding the Gospels and Acts

3

 NT 512 - Understanding the Epistles and Revelation 3

 Church history (3 hrs)

 CH 501 - Survey of Church History

31,2

 Theology (6 hrs)

 TH 501 - Survey of Christian Doctrine I

3

 TH 502 - Survey of Christian Doctrine II 3

 Spiritual formation (4 hrs)

 T/M 500 - Introduction to Christian Formation and Training and Mentoring

 13

 T/M 501/601/611 - Mentored Spiritual Formation I, II, III 3

 Mentored ministry (3 hrs)

 T/M 502/602/612 - Mentored Ministry Experience I, II, III

33,4

 Teaching practicum or public communication (2-3 hrs)

 Select from: EM 501 (3); EM 601 (2); HOM 501 (2); HOM 612 [requires prerequisite] (3); HOM 701 [requires prerequisite] (3); or YFM 602 (3)5

2 (or 3)

Total Credits in Core:

32 (or 33)

1 Students in the MA in Counseling program do not take CH 501 or BI 501.

2 Students in the MA (Theology) program complete CH 502 and CH 503 in place of CH 501.

3 Students in the MA in Counseling (licensure) degree program complete spiritual formation and mentored ministry as part of the counseling internship and practicum hours.

4 Students in the MA academic degree (Biblical Studies, Christian Studies, Philosophy of Religion or Theology) complete one hour in a mentored project, reducing the core to 30 hours.

5 Students in the MA in Youth and Family Ministries program should complete YFM 602 to fulfill the teaching practicum/public communication requirement (the course is open to students in other programs as well). Those in the MA in Counseling (licensure) and Counseling Ministries programs meet this requirement through required counseling courses in these programs.

Degree Requirements

  1. The completion of a minimum of sixty-two hours is required for all MA degrees (66 hours for the MA in Counseling degree).
  2. The successful completion of a summative experience specific to the major.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of sixty-two semester hours (66 hours for the MA in Counseling degree) and completion of all degree requirements. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required for graduation [2.75 for the MA (Biblical Studies) and the MA (Philosophy of Religion) and the MA (Theology)].
  2. Satisfactory completion of the summative experience required by the major department. This may require the passing of a comprehensive examination administered by the major department. In some programs, students must satisfactorily complete a thesis or project.
  3. Approval of the application for graduation. Application must be made in writing, on the appropriate form secured online or from the Registrar's Office, by the posted deadline for the intended semester of graduation.
  4. The fulfillment of all financial obligations to Denver Seminary.
  5. Completion of all course work that is applying to the degree within ten years from the date of first enrollment in courses. Withdrawal from the seminary for any period of time during the degree program does not affect this time limit.
  6. Faculty determination that the student is theologically, psychologically, spiritually, morally, and academically fit as a candidate for some phase of evangelical ministry. This evaluation is based on the student's total seminary experience. Note that the term "evangelical" is used to designate the theological position set forth in the National Association of Evangelicals' statement of faith with an interpretation that is in keeping with the historic confession of the Christian church.
  7. Submission of a signed statement of agreement with the National Association of Evangelicals' statement of faith.

Master of Arts Degrees

Professional Master of Arts Degrees

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