Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry

Degree Overview

Vocational Calling

To serve in a full or part-time position as pastor or ministerial staff member of a local church.

Program Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate their ability to engage in critical and constructive theological reflection regarding the content and practice of pastoral ministry.

  2. Students will demonstrate improved skills in evangelism, preaching, worship, leadership, and pastoral care.

  3. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of pastoral ministry.

  4. Students will grow spiritually through their studies and relational experiences in the program.

For further information, please contact:

  • Dr. Preston L. Nix (Curriculum Coordinator)

  • Dr. W. Mark Tolbert (Concentration Advisor)

Program Requirements

Basic Ministerial Competency Component (18 hours)

Biblical Exposition Competency (9 hours)

course

hours

Exploring the Old Testament 

3

Exploring the New Testament 

3

Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics 

3

Christian Theological Heritage Competency (6 hours)

course

hours

Systematic Theology 1 

3

Systematic Theology 2 

3

NOBTS, SBC, and Cooperative Program

*

Disciple Making Competency (3 hours)

course

hours

Supervised Ministry 1: Personal Evangelism Practicum** (M)

2

Introduction to Spiritual Formation (M)

1

Pastoral Ministry Component (18-19 hours)

Pastoral Ministry Core (13 hours)

course

hours

Church Evangelism (M)

2

Pastoral Ministry 

3

Proclaiming the Bible 

3

Preaching Practicum (M)

2

Worship Leadership 

3

Elective Courses† (5-6 hours)
The student may choose from the following:

course

hours

Free Electives† 

up to 6

Baptist Heritage

2

Biblical Ethics
OR
Christian Ethics 

3

Christian Missions (M)

3

Church Leadership and Administration (M)

3

Church Revitalization (M)

2

Contemporary Bible Exposition

2/3

Counseling in Ministry

2

Discipleship Strategies (M)

2

Evangelistic Preaching

2/3

History of Christianity: Early-Medieval 

3

History of Christianity: Reformation-Modern

2

Interpersonal Relationship Skills

2

Pastoral Leadership 

3

Pastoral Preaching

2/3

Personal Witnessing Practicum†† 

1

Preaching Bible Doctrine

2/3

Preaching through the [Old Testament/New Testament]

2/3

Pulpit Apologetics

2/3

Personal Disciple Making (M)

1

Stress and Conflict Management

2/3

Supervised Ministry 2: Ministry Practicum (M)

2

Technological Application for Bible Study and
Preaching: Logos Bible Software

2/3

Total Required: 36-37 hours

(M) Indicates course is also available in a mentoring format.

*All graduate students must take this course during orientation in their first semester; however, students will not receive a credit hour or be charged for the course.

**Students should take Supervised Ministry 1 in their first semester When students in the Caskey Center program take Supervised Ministry 1, they will not take the one-hour Personal Witnessing Practicum in that semester.

†This list is not all-inclusive. Other courses may be suitable as elective courses. Students should check with the Curriculum Coordinator or the Concentration Advisor and the Registrar’s Office for more information on other courses which may be suitable.

††Students in the Caskey Center program who are required to take the one-hour Personal Witnessing Practicum each semester may take the practicum multiple times for credit as free elective courses