Master of Arts in Educational Ministries

Online | Deerfield, IL

The Master of Arts in Educational Ministries (MA/EM) provides you with a rigorous theological background in Christian education ministry with intentional application to the ministry context. This program will further your understanding of educational theory and its application – helping people to grow in their Christian faith in the church, global education ministries, and other Christian contexts. This program will provide you a footing for leading educational ministries or anticipating a Doctor of Educational Ministry.

A foundational curricular core in Bible, theology, and educational ministries provides a structure for integrative academic thinking. Course selections are developed in consultation with an educational faculty advisor in areas of your interest leading the program capstone. The capstone will demonstrate in-depth analysis and critique of educational practices for the local church or other educational settings such as camps, private schools or para-church organizations.

SEE REQUIRED COURSES

REQUIRED FOUNDATION CORE: 18–19 HOURS
Bible and Theology Core (12–13 Hours) Select from:
Course	Title	Credits
ID 5000	Biblical Theology and Interpretation	3 hours
ST 5201	Theology I: The God of the Gospel	3 hours
ST 5202	Theology II: The Gospel of God	3 hours
OT 5000	Old Testament Introduction	4 hours
NT 5000	New Testament Introduction	3 hours
Educational Ministries Core (6 Hours)
Course	Title	Credits
EM 5200	Educational Ministries (or EM 5100)	2 hours
EM 5125	Teaching and Learning	2 hours
EM 5210	Christian Leadership	2 hours

CONCENTRATION: 14–18 HOURS Participants consult with the EM faculty advisor to focus concentration courses around an educational area of contextual and personal interest.
Congregational Life Focus
Course	Title	Credits
EM 5541	Youth in the Congregation	1-3 hours
EM 5560	Adults in the Congregation	1-3 hours
EM 5576	Marriage and Family Enrichment	1-3 hours
EM 6100	Intergenerational Ministry in the Church	1-3 hours
EM 6270	Building Community in the Church	1-3 hours
ES 7524	Children in the Congregation	1-3 hours
ES 7535	Nurturing Families in the Church	1-3 hours
ES 7550	Local Church as System	1-3 hours
ES 8211	Teaching Others to Teach	1-3 hours
ES 8235	Ministry with Aging Adults	1-3 hours
Collaborative Ministry Engagement Focus
Course	Title	Credits
EM 6100	Intergenerational Ministry in the Church	1-3 hours
EM 6270	Building Community in the Church	1-3 hours
EM 6275	Developing Healthy Spiritual Leaders	1-3 hours
ES 7550	Local Church as System	1-3 hours
ES 7815	Change, Power, and Conflict	1-3 hours
ES 7830	Developing Collaborative Teams	1-3 hours
ES 8258	Online Teaching and Learning	1-3 hours
ES 8425	Theological Education	1-3 hours
ES 8605	Great Religious Educators	1-3 hours
Formational Learning Focus
Course	Title	Credits
EM 5510	Children Formation and Journey	1-3 hours
EM 6260	Small Group Process in Ministry	1-3 hours
EM 6265	Building Ministry Teams	1-3 hours
EM 6500	Curriculum Development	1-3 hours
EM 7550	Local Church as System	1-3 hours
ES 7560	Program Planning Dynamics in the Local Church	1-3 hours
EM 8240	Intergenerational Education	1-3 hours
ES 8255	Models of Non Traditional Education	1-3 hours
ES 8710	Social Intelligence and Leadership	1-3 hours
ES 8715	Appreciative Inquiry	1-3 hours

Suggested Interdepartmental Courses You are encouraged to consider the following courses in other departments that may be applicable to the EM concentration depending on your area of interest. Work with your advisor to determine which courses are appropriate for your interest area.
Course	Title	Credits
CH 5051	History of Christianity I	4 hours
CH 5052	History of Christianity II	4 hours
CM 6510	Human Growth and Development	3 hours
CO 5210	Counseling Skills Training	3 hours
CO 6530	Child & Adolescent Counseling	2-3 hours
CO 6575	Parent Education	2 hours
HM 5000	Theology & Methodology of Biblical Preaching
ID 6500	Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry
ME 5001	Foundations of Evangelism	2 hours
ME 5175	Evangelistic Bible Study: Mark
ME 6610	Anthropology for Ministry
ME 6660	Christian Community Development
ME 6963	Principles of Discipleship
ME 7215	Teaching the Bible in Intercultural Settings
ME 7710	Contextualization
ME 8215	Teaching Across Cultures
ME 8815	Ethnicity: Modes of Inquiry and Analysis
NT 5100	English Bible (various books)
OT 5100	English Bible (various books)
OT 5050	Geography of Bible Lands
PR 5600	Christian Faith and Contemporary Challenges
PT 5100	Spiritual Formation for Ministry
PT 6300	Intro to Chaplain Ministries	2 hours

“The MA in educational ministry prepared me well for ministry in any setting, but especially for my role as a Student Discipleship Coordinator at a Christian school. Mixing educational philosophy and ministry corresponds greatly with I am able to teach about Jesus in ways that are most beneficial for students. Jesus himself was an educator and so much of what we are called to do as Christians is educational. I find myself constantly referring people to Trinity for the education but most important the faculty I was blessed by. I completed my MA/EM in combination with the MDiv and it added a special edge to my understanding of ministry that I wouldn’t have had without it. It has set a trajectory for future ministry about which I am very excited.”

Brennan Bowman ’20

Learn From the Best

Trinity is a place where you will learn how to serve the church and how to academically engage the world around you. Throughout the year we host some of the brightest minds in modern academics allowing you to learn from experts in their field. Hear from faculty on why you should choose TEDS.

Why Teds?

Trinity has been entrusted with the Gospel since 1897, and every day we are called to live with purpose. Our purpose as a divinity school is to know the Gospel, live the Gospel and make the Gospel known. In today’s ever-changing culture, Trinity immerses students in a community of biblical orthodoxy and practical living. The Trinity faculty is among the most widely published in evangelical academia and has deeply influenced the leaders shaping the present and future of evangelical Christianity across the globe.

“The Master of Arts in Educational Ministries is designed to equip leaders for collaborative ministry engagement and transformational teaching and learning. It is based on biblical-theological foundations, whole life discipleship, congregational best practices, and educational theory and practice, affording students the opportunity to integrate their learning with their practical ministry experiences.”

Mimi Larson
Assistant Professor

PREREQUISITES

In addition to the requirements for general admission, you’ll need the following:

An undergraduate major in educational ministries or its equivalent that includes a minimum of 30 hours in educational ministries, Bible/theology, and social science studies; or
An undergraduate major or its equivalent with exposure to educational practice in the church, in parachurch/other Christian organizations, or in the public education arena; and
Leadership experience in educational practice.

Alternatively, some applicants may not meet the above ideal admission requirements, but possess the following and are encouraged to apply to the Master of Arts in Educational Ministries program, or the Educational Ministries certificate:

Intensive or extensive life experience with educational practice in the church, parachurch, other Christian organization, or in the public education arena (generally five-plus years of full-time experience)
Non-formal or informal preparation for theological study in educational ministries at the graduate level (theological education in a church or parachurch environment)
Demonstrated academic ability through evaluation and interview by the Educational Ministries department (personal interview encompassing demonstrable skills, character, knowledge, and critical thinking)

Learn More

By clicking the button below, you authorize Trinity International University to call, text or email you information using the information provided in the form above.