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Master of Arts
Concentration in Christian Studies (MA/CS)
MA/CS Program Purpose
The MA/CS purposes to provide a basic understanding of Christianity for general educational purposes. Trinity’s MA/CS program draws from the breadth of the curriculum requiring substantive study in biblical, theological, and historical and global areas, combined with a significant number of hours in the student’s area of interest. The program is particularly suited for Christians desiring to better understand God’s revelation to humanity in the biblical and theological context of orthodox historic Christianity and who are engaged in nonchurch-related vocations or for those seeking a general theological degree to accompany a specialized master’s degree. As a seminary degree, its particular concern is to relate Christian studies to the work of the church. Program participants may also elect to focus their elective course work, capstone project, and field education course work on a particular subject area available in the curriculum or at their particular site.
MA/CS course work is available at TEDS extension sites and may be completed in total at the Chicago Regional Center, the Florida Regional Center, and in Columbus, Ohio. Some course work may also be completed through distance education.
MA/CS Program Objectives
The MA/CS will enable participants to- Understand the biblical and theological constructs that form the foundation for the Christian faith
- Think critically and constructively about the historic and global contexts of Christianity
- Examine closely an area of Christian studies of personal interest
- Articulate their Christian faith in light of their present vocational engagement
- Grow in personal and spiritual maturity
MA/CS Program Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
The admission requirements for the MA/CS are those described under the Admissions section of the catalog, and the following further requirements specific to the MA/CS 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.
- 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.
MA/CS Residency Requirement and Program Duration
The residency requirement for the MA/CS 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 Distance Education or independent study courses as arranged with the program advisor.MA/CS Statute of Limitation
All MA/CS 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/CS Candidacy Requirements
Admission to the MA/CS program must be followed by achievement of candidacy for the degree. Program candidacy occurs when- A minimum of 16 hours in the program are completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 for program course work after admission to the program
- All entrance deficiencies and conditions are removed
- Formal action has been taken by the faculty to grant candidacy for the degree
MA/CS Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General Graduation Requirements for all master’s programs.
- Complete a minimum of 42 semester hours with a cumulative GPA for program course work of at least 2.5, with no course work graded below a “C-” applicable to the degree.
- Complete two semesters of Field Education; or one semester of Field Education and two semesters of Formation Group.
- Complete the MA/CS capstone project in the form of an integrative paper or ministry project for two hours.
MA/CS Curriculum
Biblical Studies (include both OT and NT studies) | 8-12 hours |
Recommend: OT 5000 and NT 5000 | |
Theological Studies (select from ST, PR, CC, BE studies) | 9-12 hours |
Recommend: ST 5101, ST 5102, ST 5103 | |
Historical and Global Studies (select from CH and ME studies) | 5-9 hours |
Recommend: CH 5010, CH 5060, ME 7700, ME 7450, ME 7570 | |
Electives (select from across the curriculum) | 12-15 hours |
PT 5000 | 1 hour |
PT 5090 Field Ed (two semesters) -or- | 0 hours |
PT 5090 Field Ed (one semester) and PT 5080 Formation Group (two semesters) | 0 hours |
Capstone: ID 7468 | 2 hours |
TOTAL hours required | 42 hours |