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 MA 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.
The following chart will clarify the requirements necessary for each specialization of the MA program.
Requirements chart (show | hide)
| Requirement for MA | Educational Ministries | Worship | Evangelism & Missions | Pastoral Care | Youth & Family Ministries | Bible & Theology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Literature | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| History I | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| History II | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Philosophy I | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Philosophy II | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Social Science I | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Social Science II | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Natural Science I | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Natural Science II | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Speech I | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Speech II | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Cultural Anthropology | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Music/Art I | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Psychology | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Psychology/Education | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Greek I - 2 semesters | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Greek II - 2 semesters | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hebrew | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Final Transcript | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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. Although each specialization includes a list of electives, occasionally other electives may be offered that would satisfy a requirement. 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)*
- Christian Theology in Reformed Confessions (3)*
- Interpretation of OT Narrative Literature (3) or Theology of OT Literature (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)
- Oral Comprehensive Exam
- *courses with possibility for Advanced Placement
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)
- The Doctrine of Christ and the Services of the Christian Year (2)
- Educational Leadership & Administration (2)
- Faith Formation for All ages (2)
- Contemporary Youth Culture & Intergenerational Ministry (2)
- Apologetics (2)
- Practicum in Teaching (2)
- Ministering to and with Latin Americans (2)
- Youth and Family Ministry (2)
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 or 2)
- 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)
- Worship Planning (2) - must participate in Chapel Planning for 2 academic years.
- Choral Music (2) - must participate in Choir for 2 academic years.
Skill Courses (4 credits needed)
- Choosing Music for Worship (1)
- Proclaiming Texts Using the Arts (1)
- Practicum in Teaching with Technology (1)
- Public Reading of Scripture (1)
- Leading Congregations in Prayer (1)
- Planning Intergenerational Worship (1)
- Using Media Wisely (1)
- Worship Planning (1) - must participate in Chapel Planning for 1 academic year.
- Choral Music (1) - must participate in Choir for 1 academic year.
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)
- Educational Leadership & Administration (2)
- Ministering to and with Latin Americans (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 Placement
You may be able to gain advanced placement for prior study, knowledge or experience in Bible and Theology. Advanced placement means that you have gained competence equivalent to one or more of the courses listed below.
The following courses are available for Advanced Placement. Study Guides for the Advanced Placement test may be obtained from the Admissions Office.
- Bible Survey
- Christian Theology in Reformed Confessions
Student competence is demonstrated by way of a written exam and evaluated by faculty. If granted, advanced placement reduces the number of CTS credit hours needed to complete one's degree and can open doors to an additional internship or more courses in your specialization.
In order to achieve advanced placement, you must demonstrate competence on a written qualifying exam. This exam must be taken at least 1 week but not more than 3 months prior to the first semester of your program. If an exam is not taken on campus, you must find a pastor or a college professor who can serve as a proctor.
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.