Master of Arts (Theology)
Degree Overview
Vocational Calling
To prepare students to serve as a teacher, researcher, and/or writer in various fields of theological studies, such as Theology, Church History, Christian Ethics, and Islamic Studies.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Adam Harwood (Program Supervisor and Program Coordinator/Advisor)
Program Requirements
Master of Arts Core (36 hours)
Biblical Studies (18 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Interpreting the Old Testament 1 | 3 |
Interpreting the Old Testament 2 | 3 |
Interpreting the New Testament 1 | 3 |
Interpreting the New Testament 2 | 3 |
Advanced Greek Exegesis course | 3 |
Advanced Hebrew Exegesis course | 3 |
Students with elementary and intermediate Greek and Hebrew credits at the collegiate level are able to go directly into advanced Greek and Hebrew exegesis courses. Applicants who cannot earn credit in Greek 1 & 2 and Hebrew 1 & 2 through the Accelerated Program must earn these credits as a condition of graduation.
Theological and Historical Studies (12 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Systematic Theology 1 Systematic Theology 2 | 3 |
Baptist Heritage | 3 |
Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
Christian Ethics OR Biblical Ethics | 3 |
Applied Ministry Studies (6 hours)
*One course from the Applied Ministry Studies section must be taken in a mentoring format.
course | hours |
|---|---|
Evangelism (M) OR | 3 |
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (M) | 3 |
Theology Core & Electives (15 hours)
Theology Core (9 hours)
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
Select 9 hours from any THEO courses. | 9 |
Electives (6 hours)
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
Select 6 hours from any ETHC, HIST, or THEO courses | 6 |
Summative Evaluation (3-4 hours)
Choose ONE option from the following:
course | hours |
|---|---|
Complete the THSE6300 Theological Research and Writing Seminar** | 3 |
Complete a THEO, HIST, or ETHC PhD Seminar*** | 4 |
Complete a Thesis**** | 4 |
Total Required: 54-55 hours
(M) Indicates course is available in a mentoring format, as well as other formats.
*One course from the Applied Ministry Studies section must be taken in a mentoring format.
**The Theological Research and Writing Seminar is the standard requirement for the summative evaluation component of the degree program. Students who demonstrate in Theological & Historical Studies electives the necessary skills to excel in a PhD seminar or to complete the thesis component may see approval to replace THSE6300 with the PhD seminar or Thesis options.
***Per ReDOC policy, admittance to a PhD seminar is contingent upon approval from the professor teaching the seminar, the Theological & Historical Studies Division, the ReDOC Committee, and availability of space in the seminar. Students should seek approval during the semester before the seminar is offered, concurrent with ReDOC registration.
****After completing 30 hours in the degree program, a student may work with the Program Coordinator/Advisor to secure a faculty member who agrees to serve as the Thesis Advisor. The Theological & Historical Studies Division must approve any request for the Thesis component. For more information about the MA Thesis, see the Master of Arts Thesis Guide.
Admission Requirements
This is an advanced degree in theology and students are expected either to have a baccalaureate degree in religion or theology or significant coursework in religious or theological studies before entering the program.
Before being admitted into the program, students are expected to have completed a total of at least 15 transcript credit hours with a grade of "B" or above in apologetics, theology, historical studies, philosophy, and/or ethics. Of the 15 hours, students should have at least the following: 6 hours of undergraduate theology and 6 hours of undergraduate church history. In consultation with the Program Coordinator, students lacking equivalent coursework may be required to take one or more master's-level course in the Theological and Historical Studies Division that are outside of the degree program.
Admission Process
Admission to the Master of Arts (Theology) requires the following:
Applicants must fulfill all the normal admission requirements for NOBTS, including the admission form, transcript, church endorsement, statement of call, medical clearance, TOEFL for international students, etc.
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree, normally with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, from an institution accredited by a regional accreditation agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or holding membership in the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada, or the educational equivalent.
Admission to the MA (Theology) program requires additional approval by the Theological and Historical Studies Division. The following criteria will be used in reviewing applications for the MA (Theology) program:
Applicants must submit a research paper to the Associate Dean of the Division on a topic in some area of theological studies for consideration by the Theological and Historical Studies Division. In some cases the division may require a personal interview with the applicant.
Students should evidence the interests, aptitudes, and personal qualities necessary for the particular application of this degree.
The Theological and Historical Studies Division, in consultation with Admissions, shall determine the applicant’s suitability for admission and admit qualified candidates into the MA (Theology) program. Students with weak undergraduate preparation in a discipline may be required to take introductory courses or, in some cases, remedial work to insure minimum competency in that discipline.
PhD Eligibility
Students who complete all the degree requirements of the MA (Theology) are eligible to apply to the PhD at NOBTS. Students should, however, refer to all current admission requirements for Research Doctoral Programs to ensure the MA (Theology) meets the criteria for specific majors.