Master of Arts in Ministry Program Purpose
The Master of Arts in Ministry program is a two-year professional master’s degree for students preparing for leadership in congregations, non-profit agencies, or other organizations. It may also be used by those who are preparing for ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist church. It is not designed either for those seeking ordination in most denominations (see the M. Div. program) or for those intending to pursue doctoral work (see the Master of Arts program). Within the program students may choose to focus on a specific area of specialization including but not limited to social justice ministries, church music, ecological ministries, camp and retreat ministries, Christian education, and pastoral care.
MA in Ministry Program Objectives
The MA in Ministry program seeks to develop the following abilities in students:
- The ability to read and interpret scripture and other sacred texts with cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness, and a critical understanding of their histories, interpretations, and applications in church and society
- The ability to think critically and constructively regarding the area of ministry specialization
- The ability to work effectively in ministry as evidenced by the successful completion of a field education component
- The development of communal and personal practices that nourish spiritual and moral well-being
MA in Ministry Program Admision Requirements
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or from an equivalent international institution. Academic work should have been rich in the liberal arts, offering general knowledge of human culture through studies in the humanities, including religion, languages, and the natural and social sciences. Applicants must be able to write clearly and effectively.
- Applicants should have demonstrated the capacity to do above average academic work, typically with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) in a previous degree program. This capacity may also be indicated by “b” work in a selected group of courses pertinent to theological study. Those whose previous academic performance falls below this level, but who demonstrated compensating strengths, may be admitted on academic probation and limited to 9 credit hours per semester until the probation is removed.
- The applicant must present transcripts for all academic study beyond secondary school.
- The completed application form must be accompanied by a statement of purpose by the applicant explaining the reasons and goals for pursuing the MA in Ministry degree and by three letters of reference from persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s intellectual competence and promise as well as personal character and potential for ministry.
MA in Ministry Program Curriculum
Each student in the MA in Ministry program must complete 45 credits of course work including the following:
Required courses: (15 credits)
There are 4 broad areas from which course requirements must be selected
1) Religious heritage (9 credits from the following courses):
- Bibst 101 Biblical Literature 1,
- Bibst 111 Biblical Literature 2,
- Chist 202 Church History 1,
- Chist 203 Church History 2,
- Theph 301 Systematic Theology.
2) Cultural Context (3 credits from the following courses):
- Chsoc 401 Religion and the Social Process
- Chsoc 400 Christian Ethics
- Or any of the world religion or cross-cultural courses
3) Personal and spiritual formation (3 credits from the following courses)
- Pasth 501a/b Pastoral Formation
- Pasth 503 Introduction to Educational Ministries
- Pasth 504 Intro to Pastoral Care
4) Practicum (6 credits)
Each student will complete six credits in field education in an appropriate ministry field. This requirement may be fulfilled through internships or through the supervised ministry class.
Optional Area of specialization (12 credits)
Each student, in consultation with an academic advisor, may elect to choose a particular specialization, with 12 credits of course work designated as applying specifically to the area of specialization.
Elective credits (12 credits)
The remaining 12 credits will be electives.
MA in Ministry – United Methodist Deacon Track
Students who wish to pursue ordination in the United Methodist Church through the MA in Ministry degree can do so with the following courses:
27 credits of “Basic Graduate Theological Education”:
Old Testament (3 credits) Bibst 101: Biblical Literature 1
New Testament (3 credits) Bibst 111: Biblical Literature 2
Church History (3 credits) Chist 202 or 203: Church History 1 or 2
Systematic Theology (3 credits) Theph 301: Systematic Theology
Worship (3 credits) Pasth 505, 506, Logon 735 or course on UM Worship
Mission of the Church (3 credits) Chsoc 401: Religion and the Social Process or another course on mission
Evangelism (3 credits) Chist 244: Evangelism in the Methodist Tradition or another evangelism course
UM History, Doctrine, Polity (6 credits) Chist 260/261 or Logon 260/261
3 credits in personal and spiritual formation (see above)
6 credits in field education/internships
Each UM Deacon candidate will designate an area of specialty as a deacon and take at least six credits of additional course work as well as completing the field education requirement in that area.
Program Duration and Location
The program is designed to be completed in two years or four semesters of full time study. All requirements must be completed within five years from the date of initial matriculation. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits at Drew Theological School. Students with credits earned elsewhere at the graduate professional level and not applied toward another earned degree may apply for a maximum of 15 credits of advanced standing. Transfer credit is not granted for credits earned earlier than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation.
