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  Nov 16, 2024
 
2015-2016 Academic Catalog 
    
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2015-2016 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry


Purpose: The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (M.A.C.M.) degree is designed to equip students for leadership in some form of specialized ministry in churches or other settings such as missions, youth ministry or education ministry.

Emphasis: This degree emphasizes knowledge of theological foundations for ministry, growth in personal and spiritual maturity, and both instruction in and practical experience with specialized ministry areas.

Intended Educational Outcomes: M.A. in Christian Ministry graduates are expected to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic content of the English Bible.
  • Demonstrate basic skills in the interpretation of scripture.
  • Exhibit an understanding of the primary elements of Christian theology.
  • Exhibit a general understanding of doctrine and of the history of the Stone-Campbell Movement.
  • Become a leader in their ministry specialization within the broader range of ministry and the broader social context in which they minister.
  • Evidence a love of God and others.
  • Evidence a personal commitment to spiritual formation.
  • Gain an understanding and skills for leadership in their area of specialization.

Time Frame: The M.A.C.M. is a 54-hour degree that normally takes two years for a full-time student. Students admitted with advanced standing may complete the degree in as few as 45 hours.

Residency: At least 27 hours must be taken on the Harding School of Theology campus.

Admission

Undergraduate GPA: A 2.70 GPA is required for admission. Probationary admission may be allowed with a minimum 2.30 GPA. To remove probation, one must complete 18 semester hours of graduate courses with a GPA of 2.70.

Advanced Standing: The school may grant up to nine hours of advanced standing toward this degree if the student successfully passes an examination based on his/her undergraduate course work.

For the biblical languages track student, advanced standing courses may be chosen from the following areas: languages (up to six hours), one of three ministry courses (MFT 5730 , BMIN 5850  or BMIS 5901 ), two ministry electives, and three general electives.  The English track student may choose up to six hours of textual courses for advanced standing. The following courses, BOLD 5001 , BOLD 5110 , BNEW 5201 , BNEW 5230 , BNEW 5321  and BMIN 5990 , are not available for advanced standing consideration.

Transfer Credit: At least 30 semester hours must be taken from HST. As many as 24 hours of graduate credit from another acceptable institution may be applied toward course work requirements, subject to approval of the Admissions Committee. Any advanced standing hours awarded will count against the 24 hours allowed in transfer.

Testing: Psychological, career and other types of testing may be used for guidance purposes.

Program: 54 hours


I. Nondepartmental (3 hours)


Field Education - Choose one:


  • BMIN 5720 - Practicum I  Credit Hours:
  • Apprenticeship in Ministry, BMIN 5701 , BMIN 5702 , BMIN 5703 . Each course is 1 credit hour to be taken over three consecutive terms, totaling 3 credit hours. Apprenticeships must be approved by the director of field educaiton and completed in one calendar year.

Students with substantial ministry experience and permission of the director of field education may substitute BMIN 5873 , BMIN 5877 , BMIN 5883 , BMIS 5911  or HOML 5830 . Practicum substitution does not satisfy any other degree requirements or electives.

Note(s):


1 Students with substantial ministry experience and permission of director of field education may substitute BMIN 5873 , BMIN 5877 , BMIN 5883 , BMIS 5911  or HOML 5830 .

2 Students with substantial ministry experience or undergraduate equivalent coursework and permission of director of field education may substitute BMIN 5873 , BMIN 5877 , BMIN 5883 , BMIS 5911  or HOML 5830 .

III. Theological Foundations (6 hours)


Choose either the biblical languages or English text track:


Biblical languages track (12)


Note(s):


1 First-year Hebrew (BOLD 5090 , BOLD 5091 ) may be substituted for first-year Greek, and BOLD 5110  may be substituted for BNEW 5230 .

2 The Greek language track student is encouraged to take Readings in the Greek New Testament (BNEW 5320 ) as an elective and BNEW 5321  in lieu of Basic NewTestament Exegesis (BNEW 5230 ).

English language track (12)


Choose one:


V. Electives: (9 hours)


Additional Requirements


Level of Scholarship: An average GPA of 2.70 is required to graduate with the M.A.C.M. No grade below C is acceptable for graduate credit. Only 12 hours of C are permitted for the M.A.C.M. degree.

Degree Candidacy:The student should apply for candidacy to the degree during the first week of November of the academic year in which he/she hopes to graduate by filling out a Request for Degree form and returning it to the associate dean’s office. The student is responsible for notifying the associate dean if, after applying, he or she is unable to complete graduation requirements.

English Bible Exam: All students in all master’s degree plans, except the M.A. in Counseling program, must pass a comprehensive English Bible exam within their first nine hours. Students who fail must take the corresponding survey(s), BOLD 5000  and/or BNEW 5200 .

Statute of Limitation: All degree requirements must be completed within eight years of entering the program.

Probation: After completion of 12 semester hours and thereafter, students with grades below a 2.70 average will be placed on academic probation. To remove probation, a student must achieve a 2.70 overall average during the next 18 hours of study.