Master of Arts in Theological Studies

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Are you a pastor who wants to teach God's Word with an awesome depth? Or, can you see yourself as a professor of religion—training the next generation of pastors, teachers, and church workers?

Gaining a substantive foundation in theological studies is important for every believer, but crucial for those called to pastor or teach. Southeastern's Master of Arts in Theological Studies is a rigorous, 48-credit hour academic degree in which you'll study God and his relationship to the world from a Pentecostal perspective. This degree equips pastors, laypersons, and future theological and ministerial doctoral students with a broad theological base that will enrich their ministries in the church and the academy.

Broad-based Theological Foundation
The M.A. in Theological Studies consists of 42 credit hours of coursework in five vital subjects: historical theology, systematic theology, Biblical theology, ethical theology, and practical theology.

In your courses on historical theology, you'll study how theology itself has evolved since the birth of the church until now. You'll read Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther and comprehend how our Pentecostal tradition has been influenced by Classical Christianity, the Reformation, Wesleyan theology, and more contemporary developments.

In systematic theology, you'll master the foundational beliefs of our faith from a Pentecostal perspective. You'll study Christology, the doctrines of sin, salvation, and sanctification, Bibliology, pneumatology, eschatology, and other fundamental Christian disciplines.

In Biblical theology you'll study God and his relationship to the world through the Old and New Testaments. You'll learn how to interpret the texts in light of their historical and social contexts. You'll also analyze Biblical passages and principles in relation to contemporary issues the church faces.

In our courses on ethical theology you'll learn what the church's responsibilities are to people's needs. You'll study how theologians in the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries have articulated ethical positions in the light of Christian faith.

In your practical theology courses you'll develop your skills in preaching from the Bible, managing change and conflict, and ministering in multi-cultural and cross-cultural settings. Your six credits in practical ministry and six research and thesis-related credits also satisfy Southeastern's 36-credit-hour Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership. Thus, you can transfer these credits into the M.A. in Ministerial Leadership if God leads you to complete a shorter degree focused on practical ministry versus this 48-credit-hour program in theological studies.

A Community of Scholars
When you enroll in Southeastern's Master of Arts in Theological Studies, you will begin to learn from world-class Pentecostal scholars who see you as future colleagues. As a graduate student in our College of Christian Ministries and Religion, you can expect detailed feedback on your ideas and writing—feedback that's indispensible for your academic growth and—if your desire—pursuit of a PhD or DMin. Our faculty members are constantly publishing books and journal articles, as well as critically reviewing and editing the work of other scholars. Their office doors—and e-mail inboxes—are always open, so you can get a critical ear for your own developing scholarship.

As a M.A. in Theological Studies student, you'll take your coursework on Southeastern's beautiful, Mediterranean-styled campus that's surrounded by two lakes and perfect for theological study, reflection, and discussion. Classes generally meet for three-hour periods during a weekday night or Saturday. Coursework can be completed in four semesters of study, so depending on whether you write a master's thesis—and how long you spend developing it—you can complete your degree in two to three years.

Research
As an MA in Theological Studies student you can contribute original scholarship to the field of theology by developing a master's thesis. You'll find our program's broad-based, multi-disciplinary coursework helpful in your selection of a thesis topic. You'll be able to focus on one of the five prongs of Southeastern's program: historical theology, systematic theology, Biblical theology, ethical theology, and practical theology. Your studies will enable you to research and write a thesis on topics that range from “Jesus' Theology of the Kingdom of God” to “A Pentecostal Approach to Liberation Theology.” If you decide not to write a master's thesis, you may take six credits of additional courses or complete independent study in theology, Biblical studies, or ministry.

Destinations
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is an academically rigorous program that will equip students with a broad-based theological foundation for ministry. If you're a pastor, you'll be able to preach and answer questions with a new depth that will better feed your flock and equip you to reach more people with God's plan of salvation. If you are called to research and contribute to the fields of historical, systematic, Biblical, ethical, or practical theology, this program will prepare you to excel in a Master of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry program or complete a PhD in theology or Biblical studies. If you are a layperson, this degree will deepen your knowledge of God and His work in the world, so you can serve as a greater resource to the church and greater Christian community.

For more information about Southeastern's Master of Arts in Theological Studies, please contact Anthony Roberts, the Coordinator of Graduate Student Services, at arroberts@seu.edu.

Catalog Description And Course Requirements