2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Courts Redford Division of Christian Ministry
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Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
Mission of the Program
The mission of the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry program is to provide essential ministry training that is Biblical, contextual, and relational in order to prepare men and women who are called to local church ministry.
Vision of the Program
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is a two year, 36-hour program of distance-friendly advanced ministry training with competitive tuition for the sake of the local church. Coursework includes three key elements: core courses, concentration courses, and a practicum. Six core courses emphasize the comprehension and communication of Biblical and theological truths, adaptability in light of the variety of potential ministry contexts, and the relational and personal skills needed to minister to broken people. Concentrations allow students to gain advanced experience in a sub-field of ministry, whether Biblical languages, Biblical and theological studies, business administration, missions, pastoral ministry, family ministry, or general studies. Finally, the practicum requires students to put their classroom learning into practice in local church ministry.
Admission Requirements and Academic Regulations
Students may be admitted to the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry program according to the following classification categories:
- Fully Admitted - The student meets all admission standards, has completed all prerequisites, and has been admitted to the program of study.
- Conditionally Admitted
- Conditional Admission - Students who have not completed the academic program prerequisites are conditionally admitted to graduate study. All students admitted to the 4+1 track will be conditionally admitted. Students conditionally admitted to the program will have their status changed to “Fully Admitted” if/when their prerequisites are completed. Students may take no more than twelve hours of graduate courses without satisfying program prerequisites.
- Academic Probationary Admission - Students whose grade point average is less than 2.75 overall or 3.00 in their undergraduate majors, or whose bachelor’s degrees are from institutions lacking regional accreditation are conditionally admitted to the program. At the end of their first semester, or the completion of nine credits of graduate work (whichever comes later), students probationally admitted to the program will have their status changed to “Fully Admitted” if the grade point average for their graduate coursework is 3.00 or higher. Students who fail to meet this benchmark may be dismissed from the program. The final decision either to dismiss a student from the program or to extend the student’s probational period will be made by the Graduate Director, in consultation with both the Dean and the student’s advisor.
- Auditor - The student desires to take courses in the program without receiving university credit and does not intend to pursue the degree. Auditors are not required to meet admissions requirements. This status will permit the student to attend class but does not allow the student to take tests or have assignments graded by the instructor. Regular class attendance is expected. Auditors should consult with the instructor regarding restrictions and expectations. Tuition for auditing a class is one-half the rate charged for regular enrollment. Students admitted to auditor status may at a later time petition the Graduate Director, in writing, to have their admissions status changed to a degree-seeking status (either Fully Admitted or Conditionally Admitted). Such petitions are not automatically granted, but will be decided by the Graduate Director. Since audited courses do not count for credit, the student will need to take all required courses for credit including those previously audited.
Application Process
The following is required of students seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry program as a traditional or 4+1 student:
- Completed “Application for Graduate Admission” to the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry Program;
- Transcripts
- Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, or seminaries attended;
- At least 60 credits of undergraduate coursework completed;
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 overall (on a 4.00 scale).
- One letter of recommendation from a college professor or local church pastor that speaks to the character and academic ability of the applicant.
4+1 Early Acceptance Program (EAP)
Up to fifteen students each year may apply to the 4+1 EAP (Early Acceptance Program). Eligible students will have completed no more than 59 credits of undergraduate credit. If accepted, the EAP student will guarantee a place in the MACM upon graduation (contingent upon standard 2. above) and will have access to unique preparation and interactions with Redford faculty while an undergraduate student at SBU.
Applicants to the Early Acceptance Program must submit the following materials:
- Completed “Application for Graduate Admission” to the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry Program;
- Transcripts
- Official transcripts from all high schools, colleges, universities, or seminaries attended;
- Evidence of completing at least the sophomore year of high school;
- A minimum high school grade point average of 2.75 overall (on a 4.00 scale).
- One letter of recommendation from a college professor (or high school teacher) or local church pastor that speaks to the character and academic ability of the applicant.
International Students
International students must meet the admission requirements for the M.A. program.
As part of the admissions process, an international credential evaluation is required, which reports prior university study. SBU accepts evaluations from World Education Services (WES), found at www.wes.org or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) found at www.ece.org. An official international credential evaluation should come directly to Southwest Baptist University electronically or through the mail in a sealed envelope. Transfer credit will be applied according to information reported on the official evaluation. International students who transfer work to SBU from foreign institutions are responsible for any evaluation fees associated with the transfer of credits. A letter of acceptance will be issued only when an applicant is found eligible for admission.
Prerequisites
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry program requires that students have prior knowledge in Biblical studies and spiritual formation. The purpose of these prerequisites is twofold: (1) to provide a Biblical and spiritual foundation for practical ministry courses; (2) to aid instructors of graduate courses in designing course content (establishing reasonable expectations concerning the background knowledge of students enrolling in the courses). To satisfy each prerequisite, students must have completed the course or an approved equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, having earned a grade of C or better.
- BIB 1013 - OT History
- BIB 1023 - NT History
- BIB 2093 - Methods of Bible Interpretation
Traditional graduate students (i.e., non-4+1) with a status of “conditionally admitted” due to deficiencies in their prerequisite coursework may complete these courses at SBU at the current graduate tuition and fee rate. Students may complete these courses as corequisites throughout their program of study.
Transfer Credit
Nine graduate semester hours completed at another regionally accredited institution may be transferred and applied to the degree. These credits must be comparable to “concentration” courses offered in the M.A. program in Christian Ministry at SBU and must be approved by the Graduate Director.
Academic Probation
Graduate students must earn a grade of C or higher to receive credit for a graduate course towards the completion of the degree. Graduate students whose overall GPA falls below 3.00 will be placed on a status of academic probation. Students placed on academic probation must raise their overall GPA to a minimum of 3.00 by the end of the following semester-or, in the case of a student who is taking less than nine credits per semester, at the completion of nine additional credit hours-in order to be returned to non-probational status. Students who fail to meet this benchmark may be dismissed from the program. The final decision either to dismiss a student from the program or to extend the student’s probational period will be made by the Division Head, in consultation with both the Dean and the student’s advisor.
Degree Requirements
Students are eligible to graduate after fulfilling the requirements described below. Students who enroll in another college or university without prior permission of the Graduate Director are considered to have withdrawn from Southwest Baptist University. Students wishing to transfer work from another institution and not withdraw from Southwest Baptist University must obtain prior approval from the Graduate Director as well as the Dean of the Geneva Casebolt College of Arts and Sciences.
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
To receive the M.A. degree, a student must:
- Meet all graduate admission standards, including completion of a baccalaureate degree, and completion of admission application and file.
- Complete a plan of graduate study consisting of at least 36 semester hours.
- Maintain a graduate level GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale with no grade below a C (2.00). Students receiving two grades of “F” are automatically dismissed from the graduate program. Students may reapply for admission after a mandatory one-year suspension.
- Complete all degree requirements within four years of being fully admitted to the program (or within five years with special permission from the graduate director).
- Participate in commencement exercises unless absence is approved by the Provost.
Distance-Learning
In order to accommodate working students, adult learners, and geographically distant students, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is designed as a distance-learning friendly degree.
Students may take all courses in a hybrid seated format on the Bolivar campus or via live distance learning through Zoom. In consultation with professors, students may attend any hybrid class period in-person or via Zoom. This gives students the flexibility to choose between convenience and connection for each class period.
Program of Study
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry is a non-thesis, 36-hour degree, culminating in an Advanced Ministry Practicum. The program is designed for students who desire advanced study in ministry training in order to serve the Church more purposefully.
There are two tracks for pursuing the M.A. degree in Christian Ministry: a “4+1” track and a “traditional” track.
The traditional track is for students who have already graduated with a bachelor’s degree. On this track, the degree is designed to be completed in less than 18 months. The following is a typical program of study for those on the traditional track:
- First year graduate
- Second year graduate
The 4+1 track is for incoming or current SBU undergraduate students who anticipate getting both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at SBU in a span of five years total. Students may concurrently enroll in up to twelve hours of specially designated upper-level “concentration” courses that will count for both their undergraduate and graduate requirements (see Concurrent Enrollment Courses, below). The following is a typical program of study for those on the 4+1 track:
- Junior undergraduate (at least 60 credits completed)
- Fall - 3 credits: “concentration” course
- Spring - 3 credits: “concentration” course
- Senior undergraduate
- Fall - 3 credits: “concentration” course
- Spring - 3 credits: “concentration” course
- First year graduate
Advanced Ministry Practicum
After completing at least 12 credit hours, fully enrolled students may take the following courses to complete the requirements for their Advanced Ministry Practicum:
The purpose of the practicum is to engage in one local church or parachurch ministry for at least 100 hours in which the student can apply a particular insight, theory, or practice. Student grades will be based on a 3,000-4,000 word assessment paper.
Program Summary - M.A. in Christian Ministry (36 credits)
- Christian Ministry Core Requirements (18 credits)
- Concentration (12 credits)
- Advanced Ministry Practicum (6 credits)
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