Theology

Credential: Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Level: Master's Degree

Credits: 60 total, with up to 45 transfer credits accepted

School: School of Divinity

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Theology is a graduate degree for Christians who already know the faith and now want to handle it with precision. Students work through theological method, the doctrine of God, Christology, salvation, the church, and Christian hope at graduate depth, reading primary sources rather than summaries and learning to weigh arguments on their merits. The program suits pastors who want their preaching to carry doctrinal weight, teachers preparing to lead others, writers who take the church's confession seriously, and leaders who have discovered that ministry questions are usually theological questions. Every course asks two things of a student: read the tradition honestly, and serve the church with what you learn. Students trace how doctrine developed under pressure, test contemporary proposals against Scripture and the creeds, and practice the discipline of writing theology that an educated congregation can follow. The degree concludes with a capstone thesis on a question of the student's choosing, supervised from proposal to defense. Graduates are prepared to teach at the congregational or institute level, to write for the church, and to enter doctoral study with a portfolio of serious work behind them.

Core Courses

  • THE 501 — Theological Method and Prolegomena (4 credits)
  • THE 510 — God, Trinity, and Creation (4 credits)
  • THE 520 — Christology and the Work of Christ (4 credits)
  • THE 530 — Salvation, Church, and Eschatology (4 credits)
  • THE 540 — Historical Theology and Doctrinal Development (4 credits)
  • THE 560 — Graduate Research and Theological Writing (4 credits)
  • THE 590 — Capstone Thesis in Theology (6 credits)

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent preparation from a recognized institution
  • Personal testimony of Christian faith and active church involvement
  • Statement of purpose describing calling, academic goals, and intended service
  • Current resume or ministry profile
  • Official transcripts from prior institutions when available
  • Short writing sample, teaching sample, or sermon manuscript when requested

Degree Levels in Theology