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 Supervisor and Program Coordinator/Advisor)
Program Requirements
Master of Arts Core (39 hours)
Biblical Studies (18 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Interpreting the Old Testament 2 | 3 |
Interpreting the New Testament 2 | 3 |
Greek 1* | 3 |
Greek 2* | 3 |
Hebrew 1* | 3 |
Hebrew 2* | 3 |
Theological and Historical Studies (15 hours)
course | hours |
|---|---|
Systematic Theology 2 | 3 |
Baptist Heritage | 3 |
Philosophy of Religion | 3 |
History of Christianity: Early to Medieval | 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 (12 hours)
Theology Core (6 hours)
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
Select 6 hours from any THEO courses. | 6 |
Electives (6 hours)
course | hours | |
|---|---|---|
Select 6 hours from any THEO, APOL, ETHC, HIST, or PHIL 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.
*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.
***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
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 theology may be required to take Systematic Theology 1 prior to graduation from the program. Students lacking 3 hours of undergraduate coursework in Old Testament may be required to take Interpreting the Old Testament 1 prior to graduation. Students lacking 3 hours of undergraduate coursework in New Testament may be required to take Interpreting the New Testament 1 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.