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Master of Arts in Ministry (MA in Min)

FAQs

MA in Min Program Purpose

The Master of Arts in Ministry (MA in Min) purposes to equip persons not seeking ordination for competent leadership in an area of specialized church-related ministry. Areas of ministry specialization are specific to the participant’s ministry context in a local church, parachurch, or another church-related ministry. The MA in Ministry is not designed for those anticipating future doctoral work.

Ministry specializations of present students include: spiritual formation in the local church; ministry to young adults; church administration; women's ministry; and worship ministry.

MA in Min Program Objectives

The MA in Min will enable participants to

Understand the biblical and theological constructs that undergird the ministry specialization
Think critically and constructively regarding the content and processes of the area of ministry specialization
Engage competently ministry situations in their context and culture
Develop skills in the design, implementation, and assessment in the area of specialization
Grow in personal and spiritual maturity

MA in Min Program Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

The admission requirements for the MA in Ministry are those described under the Admissions section of the catalog and the following further requirements specific to the MA in Ministry program:

Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree, or the educational equivalent, from a recognized accredited institution. In some cases, admission with deficiencies is possible with fulfillment of those deficiencies at Trinity. If an applicant has completed at least 60 hours of undergraduate work and possesses significant intensive and extensive life experience (multiple years of full-time experience) that has prepared him or her for graduate theological study in their area of ministry specialization, admission may be granted.
The applicant’s undergraduate grade point average must be a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; however, since GPA is not always an accurate indication of an applicant’s abilities for graduate work, those with a lower GPA are encouraged to consult with an admissions counselor.
Scores from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) (preferred) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA is less than 2.5 and for others upon request from the Admissions Office.
A minimum of one semester-length undergraduate or graduate course each in Old Testament, New Testament, and theology (generally totaling at least 9 or 10 semester hours). Applicants may be admitted without this course work but need to take it early in the program.
Applicants must include with their application a statement relative to their ministry intent and anticipated area of ministry specialization. The statement should be approximately 1,000 words in length and include a description of present and future ministry intent, as well as involvement and recognition by the church in the area of ministry specialization. This statement should be refined by the participant during the first half of the program in anticipation of the midprogram assessment.
A letter of endorsement on letterhead from the applicant’s local church, parachurch, or church-related ministry that demonstrates the applicant’s church-connectedness and affirms the following: (a) the applicant’s interest and giftedness for church-related ministry; (b) the applicant’s evident Christian life and character; and (c) the support and prayers of the ministry organization for the applicant’s course of study. As a church-related ministry degree program, this requirement is not optional.
A personal interview may also be required.

MA in Min Program Curricula and Ministry Specialization

The area of ministry specialization is individually contextualized to the participant’s ministry and reflected in the program course work. Whether participants are completing course work on the Deerfield, urban Chicago, or Davie campus, or at one of TEDS’s extension sites, they are expected to integrate learning experiences in classroom studies, ministry application courses, and the capstone integrative experience around an area of ministry specialization. In consultation with the program advisor, particular courses are selected for the program of study and filed in the Records Office accordingly.

Participants may choose an area of ministry specialization by selecting courses across the curriculum, including relevant cross-listed Graduate School and College courses where relevant to church ministry and including course work available through the ACTS consortium. Specializations may include a selection of courses from within a department, an area of specialized interest that bridges departments, or a combination of relevant course work and experiences linked to the participant’s ministry base. Specializations must contribute to the program objectives and equip participants for competent leadership in an area of specialization for church ministry.

Participants are encouraged to design elective assignments in their Biblical, Theological, and Historical Studies area with their ministry specialization. Two courses (6 hours) minimally in the Ministry Practice and Context area must be in the selected area of ministry specialization. The capstone integrative project, which varies from 3 to 6 hours, culminates and integrates the program’s insights into the participant’s area of ministry specialization. Thus, a student minimally must complete 9 hours in the ministry specialization, though depending on courses completed and the particular area of interest, most of the program may focus explicitly on the area of ministry specialization.

MA in Min Midprogram Assessment

At the time participants register for their 15th semester hour, the participants must meet with their program advisor to complete a projected plan for program completion. At this time, the participants should (a) select their area of specialization and (b) initiate planning relative to completion of the capstone integrative experience. The projected plan of program completion must be filed with the Records Office before the participants register for the next semester.

MA in Min Residency Requirement and Program Duration

The residency requirement for the MA in Ministry degree is that a minimum of 24 hours must be completed through Trinity course work, with the final 8 hours taken through Trinity. The 24 hours may be completed in Deerfield, at an extension site, or through Trinity independent study courses as arranged with the program advisor. At least 16 semester hours must be completed in the program after admission to the program.

The MA in Ministry degree normally necessitates two years of full-time study (three semesters of course work, followed by one semester of the capstone integrative experience). This period may be shortened if prerequisites are met and lengthened in the case of part-time study or a longer capstone integrative experience.

Note: It is not the design or the intent of the MA in Min program to be completed solely in an independent or distance mode. Participants should anticipate spending a minimum of 50 percent of their course work in the classroom at a TEDS site. Numerous delivery options are available including summer, modular, weekend, evening and other class formats.

MA in Min Statute of Limitation

All MA in Ministry program requirements must be completed within eight years of matriculation into the program. Extension of the statute of limitation for up to two years may be granted by petition when a student has demonstrated consistent program progress toward the degree.

MA in Min Graduation Requirements

Complete the General Graduation Requirements for all master’s programs.
Complete a minimum of 32 semester hours with a cumulative GPA for program course work of at least 2.0, with no course work graded below a “C-“ applicable to the degree.
3. Complete ID 7465 MA in Ministry Capstone Experience.

MA in Min Curriculum

Prerequisites If Needed (9-10 hours minimum)

Biblical Studies

OT 5000 and NT 5000 recommended

Theological Studies

ST 5000, ST 5101, or ST 5102 recommended

Program Curricula

Biblical, Theological, and Historical Studies 12-15 hours

A minimum of one course (2 hours) each in Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, and History

Ministry Practice and Context 12-15 hours

A minimum of four courses in ministry application, two of which (6 hours total) must be in a particular area of ministry specialization that provides a foundation for the capstone integrative experience.

Required: PT 5000 Personal Assessment and Ministry Orientation

Capstone Integrative Experience 3-6 hours

A ministry-based experience that integrates the biblical/theological/historical with the ministry practice and context components of the program and provides the capacity for further specialized service in the church (ID 7465). This intensive experience may be a practicum or a project and (for 3 semester hours) will reflect a minimum of 168 hours (12 hr/wk for 14 wks) of experiential learning and be accompanied by a 7,500-to-10,000-word (25-30 page) critical analysis paper demonstrating integration of program components with the area of ministry specialization.