Related Information
Master of Arts
- Evangelism & Missions
- Educational Ministries
- Worship
- Pastoral Care
- Youth & Family Ministries
- Bible & Theology
Calvin Theological Seminary recognizes the growing need for trained staff in specialized ministry. The five specializations in the Master of Arts (M.A.) program provide training for leadership in a congregation or other ministry setting.
Admission Requirements
To apply to the M.A. program you need to have a B.A. degree or its equivalent from an accredited college with a grade-point average of 2.67 (B-) or higher. Your pre-seminary education should include one course each in English, literature, philosophy and speech and two each in history, natural science, and social science. In addition, for those in the MA Missions and Evangelism program, a course is required in Cultural Anthropology. For those in the Worship program, two courses are required in Music or Arts.
In some cases, you may also meet other admission requirements through courses offered at CTS. You should be aware that your M.A. program will be enhanced by more elective choices if all admission requirements are completed in college.
M.A. Program Curriculum
The M.A. program has two elements: an M.A. core program that provides solid training in biblical and theological foundations for ministry; and specialization courses that provide grounding in an area of ministry and enhance ministry skills. The specialization electives can be tailored to individual interest. The courses link to the course descriptions on our full course listing.
M.A. Core Program
- Two weeks before the fall semester:
Gateway to Seminary: An Introduction to Interpreting and Communicating the Bible (2) - Mentored Ministry Groups (4)
- Theological Education as Formation for Ministry (2)
- Bible Survey (3)*
- Reformed Confessions and Worldview (3)*
- Jeremiah and the Church (3) or Old Testament Bible Course (3)
- Ephesians (3) or Shalom (3)
- Systematic Theology I (3) or Systematic Theology II (3)
- Foundations in Ministry: Fostering Intergenerational Communities of Disciples (3)
- Gospel Communication (2)
- Church in Historical Context Survey (3)
- Internship (2)
- Capstone (M.A.) Integrative Project (2)
- *courses with possibility for advanced standing
Choose one of the following specializations
M.A. in Evangelism & Missions (show | hide)
The M.A. in Evangelism and Missions prepares people to give evangelistic, church planting and cross-cultural leadership in a church, denominational, or para-church setting in North America or abroad.
Requirements
- Ministering Cross-Culturally (2)
- Christian Engagement with World Religions (3)
- Discipleship & Teaching: Evangelism and Cross-cultural Ministry (2)
Electives (Choose 3 of the 7)
M.A. in Educational Ministries (show | hide)
The M.A. in Educational Ministries prepares people to provide educational leadership in a church, denominational or para-church setting.
Requirements
- Curriculum Design and the Teaching-Learning Process (2)
- Foundations in Educational Ministry (3)
- Discipleship & Teaching in North American Culture (2)
Electives (6 credits needed)
M.A. in Worship (show | hide)
The M.A. in Worship prepares people to provide leadership in worship and equip others to lead and participate in worship in a church, denominational or para-church setting.
Requirements
Electives (8 credits needed)
- The Doctrine of Christ and the Services of the Christian Year (2)
- Applied Musical Skills for Worship Leadership (1)
- Advanced Skills in Worship Leadership (2)
- Music and the Arts in Worship (2)
- Baptisms, Professions of Faith, Weddings, Funerals and Other Occasional Services (2)
- History of Christian Worship (2)
- Theology of Worship and the Sacraments (2)
Skill Courses (4 credits needed)
M.A. in Pastoral Care (show | hide)
The M.A. in Pastoral Care program prepares people to provide leadership in a church, denominational or para-church setting through pastoral care and equipping others in facilitating small group and discipleship ministries.
Requirements
- Pastoral Care as Dying and Rising with Christ (2)
- Pastoral Identity Retreat (2)
- Pastoral Disciplines for Counseling Ministry (3)
Electives (6 credits needed)
M.A. in Youth & Family Ministries (show | hide)
The M.A. in Youth and Family Ministries program prepares people to provide leadership in a church, denominational or para-church setting in working with young people and their families as well as equipping others to minister effectively to them.
Requirements
- Faith Formation for All Ages (2)
- Contemporary Youth Culture & Intergenerational Ministry (2)
- Discipleship & Teaching in North American Culture (2)
- Youth & Family Ministry (2)
Electives (6 credits needed)
- Curriculum Design and the Teaching-Learning Process (2)
- Apologetics (2)
- Youth and Family Ministry (2)
- Educational Leadership & Administration (2)
- Small Group Ministry (2)
- Practicum in Teaching (2)
- Baptisms, Professions of Faith, Weddings, Funerals and Other Occasional Services (2)
- Pastoral Care as Dying and Rising with Christ (2)
Advanced Standing
You may be able to gain advanced standing for prior study, knowledge or experience in Bible and Theology. Advanced standing means that you have gained competence equivalent to one or more of the courses listed below.
To view competency requirements, click the course below (coming soon).
- Biblical Survey
- Reformed Confessions and Worldview
Student competence is demonstrated by way of a written exam and evaluated by faculty. If granted, advanced standing reduces the number of CTS credit hours needed to complete one’s degree and can open doors to additional internships and specialized coursework.
Additionally, a student may choose to demonstrate competence in a specialized ministry course through the submission of a portfolio that demonstrates graduate level learning. A maximum of two credits can be earned through portfolio assessment.