BMA Seminary

DEGREE PROGRAMS

MASTER OF ARTS (THEOLOGICAL STUDIES)

(M.A.T.S.)

The Master of Arts (Theological Studies) is a one to one-and-one-half-year (36 or 39 semester hours)* program of studies distributed among the following fields: Biblical Studies and Theological-Historical Studies. The curriculum requires 18 hours of study in each field. The program is predicated upon advanced theological study or prior extensive undergraduate studies in religion and/or other appropriate foundational areas. Students lacking such background will be required to take up to 24 hours to make up any deficiency (6 hours in Church Ministries, 6 hours in Religious Education, 6 hours in Theological-Historical, and 6 hours in Biblical Studies).**
 

PERSONAL OBJECTIVES
Upon satisfactory completion of the Master of Arts (Theological Studies) program the graduate should be able to accomplish the following objectives:
1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of theological disciplines for further graduate study or for general educational purposes.***
2. Understand and communicate biblical and theological truths in the context of Christian ministry.
 

VOCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The Master of Arts (Theological Studies) program allows the student to prepare for several ministerial opportunities. The program is recommended for those who are planning to function in any of the following ministries: Bible Expositor; Professional Educator; Theologian; Church Historian.
The candidate for the Master of Arts (Theological Studies) must complete a minimum of eighteen semester hours of classroom work in residence at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary.
 

* In lieu of a 6-hour thesis, the student may choose to take 9 hours of Theological-Historical electives and a comprehensive program exam.
** Courses to make up deficiencies may include: OT 511/512; BI 514; NT 511/512; Th 611/612; CH 511/512; PM 511; Pr 611; RE 512/535/536; Grk 411/412; Ev 311.

*** Most doctoral programs require more than a 36 hour master's degree as a prerequisite.

M.A.T.S. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

BIBLICAL STUDIES FIELD (18 hours); Elective courses in Old Testament include:

OT 511/512/621/631/632 and Heb 511/512/515/621/622. Elective courses in New Testament include:

NT 511/512/621/631/632 and Grk 621/622. BI 514 may be taken.

LANGUAGE (Greek or Hebrew)

THEOLOGICAL-HISTORICAL STUDIES FIELD (18 or 21 hours); At least three hours must be taken in the study of evangelism (*Ev 521 or Th 621). Elective courses in theology include: OT 631; NT 631;

Th 515/611/612/621; CE 611; PhR 511; CH 511/512/621/631; PM 521; or Th 632 (6 hours).

THESIS and/or ELECTIVES**

TOTAL (36 or 39 hours) 

*Ev 311 is a prerequisite to these studies in evangelism.
**In lieu of a six-hour thesis (Th 632), the student may choose to take nine hours of elective courses and a comprehensive program exam (i.e., 39 hours for the program).