Christian Theology (BA) to (MA)
Program Description
Doug Koskela, PhD, Faculty Advisor
A combined Christian Theology (BA) and Theology: Christian Ministry (MA) is ideal for students who feel called by God to serve in pastoral leadership and desire educational and formational training to support this vocation.
Through dual-function courses that count for both degree programs, you will be able to complete this combined degree in an accelerated timeline, graduating with both degrees within five years instead of six.
Entering and Completing the Majors
Christian Theology (BA)
- Undergraduate students should apply to the Christian Theology major no later than the fall of their junior year by following these instructions.
- When applying to the accelerated major, students must submit a completed Christian Theology (BA) to Christian Ministry (MA) online application.
- Successful applicants to this accelerated major must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Upon your acceptance into the Christian Theology undergraduate major, the program contact will serve as your faculty advisor. You will work with your advisor to complete the undergraduate portion of your coursework by December of your fourth/senior year.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Theology: Christian Ministry (MA)
- Students must apply to the Master of Arts in Theology and select the Christian Ministry concentration via the standard application process for that degree program (application form, resume, personal essay, official transcripts attesting a minimum 3.0 GPA; two recommendation letters) no later than March 31 of their third/junior year.
- Once accepted into the graduate program, students will take master’s courses beginning in January of their senior year.
- Those master’s courses will transfer back to fulfill the remaining elective requirements in their major for their BA, while certain designated courses taken during their BA will fulfill specific course requirements of the MA.
- During the time that they are pursuing the Theology: Christian Ministry (MA) degree, students will participate fully in the academy, abbey, and apostolate components of the seminary curriculum, preparing them to serve in pastoral leadership positions upon graduation.
- You must complete the degree requirements that are in effect in the SPU Graduate Catalog for the year you enter the program.
Christian Theology (BA)
50 Credits Minimum, Including 30 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Foundations Courses - 10 Credits | ||
| Christian Scripture | ||
or UFDN 3001 | Christian Scripture for Transfer Students | |
| Christian Theology | ||
| Section credits required | 10 | |
| Christian Scripture Courses - 10 Credits | ||
| Community Bible Study 1 | ||
| Torah/Pentateuch: The Old Testament Gospel | ||
| Four Gospels and One Jesus | ||
| Biblical Texts: Old Testament | ||
| Biblical Texts: New Testament | ||
| Biblical Topics | ||
| Biblical Exegesis 2 | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Christian Life and Ministry Courses - 10 Credits | ||
| Global and Urban Ministry | ||
| Christian Spirituality and Discipleship | ||
| Biblical and Theological Introduction to Christian Reconciliation | ||
| Intercultural Ministry | ||
| Human Development and Christian Faith | ||
| Youth Cultures and Christian Faith | ||
| Christian Disciplines | ||
| Foundations of Youth Ministry | ||
| Youth Ministry as Mission and Evangelism | ||
| Wesleyan Small Group: New Leader Training | ||
| Leadership in Society | ||
| Advanced Topics in Reconciliation Studies | ||
| Leading a Wesleyan Small Group 3 | ||
| Worship Arts Leadership Seminar | ||
| Worship Arts Leadership Practicum | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Theological Studies Courses - 10 Credits | ||
| Christianity in America | ||
| Christian Heritage | ||
| Women in Christianity | ||
| Exploring Christian Theology | ||
| History and Theology of Christian Worship | ||
| Christ and Culture | ||
| Christian Ethics | ||
| Theology, Culture, and Society | ||
| World Christianity | ||
| Creation Care | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Theology Electives (any other THEO Course, or any of the following) - 5 credits | ||
| Hebrew I | ||
| Hebrew II | ||
| Hebrew III | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Practicum | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Section Credits Required | 5 | |
| Final Coursework - 5 Credits | ||
| THEO 4899 | Christian Theology Capstone | 2 |
| THEO 4940 | Internship | 3 |
| or THEO 4995 | Thesis | |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
- 1
May be repeated for up to four credits.
- 2
Requires 3110 or 3210 as a pre-requisite.
- 3
May be repeated up to 4 credits.
Theology: Christian Ministry Concentration (MA)
60 Credits Minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core THEO Courses | ||
| THEO 6001 | Christian Formation in Discipleship:Acts of Piety | 2 |
| THEO 6002 | Christian Formation in Mission: Acts of Mercy and Justice | 2 |
| THEO 6003 | Integrating Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate | 2 |
| THEO 6010 | Bible I: Interpreting and Teaching Christian Scripture | 3 |
| THEO 6020 | Global Christian Heritage I: AD 100-1453 | 3 |
| THEO 6030 | Theology/Ethics I: Doctrine of God and Environmental Stewardship | 3 |
| THEO 6040 | Bible II: Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| THEO 6050 | Global Christian Heritage II: AD 1454-1900 | 3 |
| THEO 6060 | Theology/Ethics II: Doctrine of Christ and Holistic Discipleship | 3 |
| THEO 6070 | Bible III: Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| THEO 6080 | Global Christian Heritage III: AD 1900-Present | 3 |
| THEO 6090 | Theology/Ethics III: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the Global Church | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 33 | |
| Concentration Courses | 21 | |
| Scripture in Context | ||
| Theology of Christian Worship | ||
| Theology Praxis in Geographical/Historical Context | ||
| Leading and Designing Congregational Worship | ||
| Theology, Disability, and the Church | ||
| Theology, Race, and Culture | ||
| Gender and Christianity | ||
| Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Foundations for Leadership | ||
| Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Embodiment and Praxis | ||
| Preaching II: Prophetic Proclamation 1 | ||
| Encounter of Christian Faith with Other Faiths | ||
| Introduction to Practical Theology | ||
| Vocational Discernment and Discipleship | ||
| Foundations of Student and Family Ministry | ||
| The Teaching Ministry of the Church | ||
| Preaching I: From Scripture to Sermon | ||
| Evangelism and Mission | ||
| Church Administration | ||
| Pastoral Care and Counseling | ||
| Ministerial Leadership | ||
| Christian Social Entrepreneurship and Church Planting | ||
| Worship and the Arts: Special Topics | ||
| Burning Issues | ||
| Master's Project | ||
| Section Credits Required | 21 | |
| Contextual Education | ||
| THEO 6940 | Contextual Education Internship 2 | 6 |
| or THEO 6941 | Contextual Education Intensive Internship | |
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Note that THEO 6740 is a pre-requisite for this course.
- 2
THEO 6940 must be repeated to reach credit requirement (or taken as THEO 6941)