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2025 - 2026 Academic Catalog

Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Thesis Option

The Master of Arts in Christian Studies is a research degree designed to equip pastors, church staff members, educators, missionaries, and other Christian workers who desire to develop advanced skills in academic research and understanding, knowledge of the literature of the discipline, interpreting and delivering the Christian message, leading churches, and conducting various Christian ministries. The MA in Christian Studies will require the student to complete thirty semester hours of study organized in the following structure:

Requirements

Core Requirements

GR 501Introduction to Graduate Research

3
GR 681Thesis Preparation

0
GR 690Graduate Thesis

6
GR 691Thesis Continuation

0
GR 692Thesis Continuation

0
GR 693Thesis Continuation

0
GR 694Thesis Continuation

0
Total Credit Hours:9

Area of Concentration

Complete 15 Sem/Hours in one of these fields:

Biblical Studies (BS) Concentration
Christian Ministry (CM) Concentration
Total Credit Hours:15

Electives

Choose four elective courses
Total Credit Hours:12

Total Credit Hours: 30

*In some cases, with the approval of both program coordinators, MACS students may take MACO courses as electives in the MACS degree.

  1. Thesis-option MACS students are encouraged to maintain continuous enrollment after completing the 24th hour by enrolling directly in GR 681. If necessary, the student may have one semester between the completion of the 24th hour and the GR 681 semester.
  2. During the GR 681 semester, students are required to complete a satisfactory thesis prospectus in order to remain in the thesis-writing track. Students who cannot complete an approved prospectus during this semester may complete the degree by taking an additional six hours of coursework and the comprehensive exam.
  3. Continuous enrollment following the GR 690 semester is achieved by registration in GR 691, 692, 693 and 694 as needed.
  4. Thesis-option MACS students must complete and defend their thesis within four semesters following registration for GR 690. Students who cannot complete the thesis during this timeframe may complete the degree by taking an additional six hours of coursework.