M.A. in Christian Education

Objectives

Mission

As a graduate degree of the Department of Christian Education, the mission of the M.A.C.E. program is to develop and equip experienced church and parachurch servant-leaders in mind, character, and ability to serve God and further His kingdom through biblically-based educational ministries, according to a particular area of specialization.

Goals

The goals of this degree preparation are to enable the student to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of biblical and theological content including sound principles of interpretation and application.
  2. Engage in the process of personal spiritual development and discipleship in the context of Christian community.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to teach biblical truth based on sound theological, educational, and social science principles and research.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and direct educational ministries based on principles of leadership and administration and a sound philosophy of ministry.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to be a servant-leader with a particular vocational focus in a church or parachurch context.

Ministry Preparation

In light of increasing demands for persons trained in Christian education, the program is designed to prepare individuals to serve competently in a growing number of functional roles. Along with core classes, a variety of courses to meet students' individualized needs and goals are offered in five areas of emphasis: Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Adult and Family Ministry, General Christian Education Ministries and Cross-cultural Ministry.

Outcomes

As a result of this program, the student will:

  1. Grasp an overview of the Old and New Testament literature, appreciate its life changing impact, and utilize appropriate study skills and sound principles of interpretation in treating biblical books.
  2. Understand and value the major doctrines of the faith and their scriptural basis and think critically and integratively about theology and church history, with particular attention to one's religious heritage.
  3. Actively pursue and progress in a life-long process of personal spiritual development by nurturing a relationship with God, connecting in Christian community, growing in moral integrity, and engaging in vocational service in light of giftedness.
  4. Commit to, engage in, and equip others for the disciple-making process of evangelism, edification, counseling, and leadership development.
  5. Plan and implement transformational biblical teaching grounded in sound educational practice and supported by relevant teaching/learning theory and comprehensive human and spiritual development understandings.
  6. Value the role of social science research to inform ministry practice and develop skills to locate and analyze research that can then be communicated through publication and serve as a foundation for curriculum development and other educational ministry purposes.
  7. Understand and value the administrative and leadership dimensions of ministry and develop skill in designing, implementing, and assessing educational ministry.
  8. Gain a broad understanding of and appreciation for the history of educational ministry and the theological and philosophical underpinnings that have influenced its theory and practice and evaluate current educational practice in light of these understandings.
  9. Gain knowledge, appreciate new perspectives, and develop skills for interpersonal and small group work with people of differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gender, ages, generations, and worldviews.
  10. Engage in a supervised educational ministry experience leading to growth in personal maturity and character, developed skill in ministry leadership, and the understanding necessary to integrate and apply ministry theory.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must hold the Bachelor of Arts degree or its academic equivalent with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Those accepted who do not meet this latter requirement will be placed on probation. Graduates from approved unaccredited colleges, if accepted, will be granted provisional acceptance, though exceptions may be made when the GPA is higher than 3.0. Both probation and provisional acceptance may be changed to full acceptance if the student earns a GPA of 3.0 or better on the first eight units at Talbot. Graduates from approved unaccredited colleges may be required to take certain additional liberal arts coursework (not applicable toward the graduate degree), if their undergraduate program did not include these courses.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactorily complete 56 semester units. See (D.) below.
  2. Take the courses prescribed in the Master of Arts in Christian Education curriculum.
  3. 300 hours of supervised field ministry approved by a faculty advisor.
  4. Complete the program in no more than five years.
  5. Complete an acceptable literature review on a ministry issue related to a selected specialization.
  6. Obtain a 3.0 average with no grade below a C- in all courses to be counted toward graduation.
  7. At least 24 units unique to the program must be taken at this seminary.

A student must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) to graduate. Students are placed on academic probation if their GPA for any semester falls below 3.0, and will remain on probation as long as the single semester or cumulative GPA remains below 3.0. Probation students are granted one semester in which to bring their academic work up to the required level (3.0) for continuance in the seminary. A student cannot graduate while on probation.

Program Requirements

The academic program leading to the Master of Arts degree in Christian Education is structured to include:

  1. Biblical and theological foundations
  2. A core curriculum consisting of foundational courses and practical skills
  3. A vocational specialization

The Standard Program: 56 Units

The program leading to the Master of Arts degree in Christian Education, with a ministry specialization in children's ministry, youth ministry, general Christian education, family and adult ministry, or cross-cultural education ministry, includes a minimum of 56 units of study. The student who is able to enroll in 14 units each semester can complete the degree in two years. The student who enrolls for less than 14 units may be able to access Interterm and summer school courses and still complete the program in two years, or may require additional time to complete the degree program. The program must be completed within five calendar years from the first enrollment. A literature review concerning a ministry issue is also required.

Curriculum

Click to download course curriculum:

* The literature review is a research project on a ministry issue that is taken in TTCE 633 Christian Education Research and Writing. Its focus is on the identification, evaluation, synthesis and application of relevant social science research and biblical / theological principles to a ministry need in the student's area of specialization. Details on the literature review can be obtained in TTCE 633. It is important that MACE students not wait to take TTCE 633 in their last semester.

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have taken undergraduate courses in biblical or theological studies may request advanced standing based on collegiate work. See Admissions Requirements for details.

The Accelerated Program: 36 Units

Students entering this program must have the following:

  1. An undergraduate degree in Christian Education with a 3.0 GPA in courses taken in the major.
  2. A total of at least 30 hours in Bible / theology.
  3. An overall GPA of 2.6 (Those with a GPA of 2.6-2.9 will be placed on probation. See earlier section on admission qualifications.
  4. In addition to the above, demonstration of competency in the content of any waived or substituted courses will be assessed at the time of admission.
  5. At least two years of vocational experience in educational ministry after completion of undergraduate degree.

For students who qualify for this program, graduation requirements may be satisfied in 36 semester units.

Curriculum

Click to download course curriculum:

Vocations or positions for which the Master of Arts in Christian Education program prepares students are:

  • Minister/Director of Christian Education
  • Minister of Youth
  • Parachurch Children and Youth Ministries Staff
  • Pastor/Director of Children’s Ministries
  • Pastor of Adult/Family Ministries
  • Pastor/Director of Single Adult Ministries
  • Church Business Administrator
  • Counseling and Family Ministries
  • Christian Camp Administration