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, Christian Apologetics, Christian Ethics, Church History and Philosophy.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Adam Harwood
Program Requirements
Master of Arts Core (33 hours)
Biblical Studies (12 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Greek 1* | 3 |
Greek 2* | 3 |
Hebrew 1* | 3 |
Hebrew 2* | 3 |
Theological and Historical Studies (15 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Baptist Heritage | 3 |
Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
History of Christianity: Early to Medieval | 3 |
History of Christianity: Reformation-Modern | 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 (12 hours)
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
Systematic Theology 1 | 3 | |
Systematic Theology 2 | 3 | |
Any THEO 6XXX courses. | 6 |
Free Elective (3 hours)
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
This elective may be taken in any discipline. | 3 |
Summative Evaluation (3 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Research and Writing | 3 |
Total Required: 51 hours
(M) Indicates course is available in a mentoring format, as well as other formats.
*Students with sufficient hours of undergraduate credit in Hebrew or Greek may be eligible to receive credit for Greek or Hebrew through the Accelerated Program.
**One course from the Applied Ministry Studies section must be taken in a mentoring format.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have completed a total of at least 15 transcripted credit hours with a grade of "B" or above in biblical studies, apologetics, theology, historical studies, philosophy, and/or ethics at the undergraduate level. Comparable work at the graduate level may be considered in the admissions process. Students lacking 6 hours of undergraduate coursework in Old Testament may be required to take Interpreting the Old Testament 1 and 2 prior to graduation. Students lacking 6 hours of undergraduate coursework in New Testament may be required to take Interpreting the New Testament 1 and 2 prior to graduation.
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.
Program Coordinator: Dr. Adam Harwood