Master of Arts in Christian Studies
Equipping Christian Ministry Leaders with Biblical Foundations and Spiritual Maturity
The program equips students to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and theology while developing effective teaching and ministry skills. Students are prepared to serve faithfully and effectively across diverse cultural and ministry contexts and to respond to the needs of the Church.
The program equips students to deepen their knowledge of Scripture and theology while developing effective teaching and ministry skills. Students are prepared to serve faithfully and effectively across diverse cultural and ministry contexts and to respond to the needs of the Church.
Purpose
The Master of Arts in Christian Studies (MACS) program is designed to develop capable Christian leaders by deepening their biblical and theological knowledge, cultivating spiritual maturity, and preparing them for more effective ministry in diverse ministry contexts.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.A.C.S. program, students will be able to:
- Interpret Scripture accurately, develop teaching materials, and communicate biblical truth effectively in Christian ministry.
- Develop and evaluate effective ministry models grounded in Christian theology.
- Assess their own spiritual growth and develop a personal plan for continued spiritual formation.
- Evaluate ministry strategies and serve effectively across diverse cultural contexts.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have completed a four-year undergraduate degree or graduated from a theological institution with a bachelor’s degree or higher, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67 (B− or 80%).
- Applicants must be born-again Christians who have been baptized for at least two years.
- Applicants must demonstrate strong character and spiritual maturity and provide recommendations from two pastors or church leaders. Applicants from mainland China must provide at least one overseas recommender and one church pastor.
- Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in Mandarin Chinese to follow instruction.
- Proof of English reading proficiency is required: a TOEFL score of at least 470 / 52 TOEFL iBT, an IELTS score of at least 5.5, or a Duolingo English Test score of at least 80. English proficiency scores are valid for two years and must be retaken thereafter. Applicants who earned a degree at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction or who have lived in North America for more than 20 years may be exempt from this requirement.
Curriculum and Program Structure
The program requires 40 credits of core coursework and 12 elective credits, for a total of 52 credits.
Program Duration and Location
The program may be completed in a minimum of two years and a maximum of seven years. Students who require more than seven years may apply for an extension on a case-by-case basis. All courses may be completed online, either synchronously or asynchronously.
Required Courses
1. Biblical Studies (15 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NTS501 | New Testament Survey I | 3 |
| NTS502 | New Testament Survey II | 3 |
| TSS500 | Hermeneutics | 3 |
| Choose any 2 from below | ||
| OTS542 | The Pentateuch | 3 |
| OTS528 | Historical Literature | 3 |
| OTS554 | Poetic Books and Wisdom Literature | 3 |
| OTS559 | Prophetic Literature | 3 |
2. Theological and Historical Studies (12 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
| TSS504 | Library Information Research Methods | 1 |
| TSS510 | Theology Overview | 3 |
| TSS536 | Pneumatology, Sanctification, and Discipleship | 3 |
| TSS538 | Ecclesiology | 2 |
| CHS510 | Church History | 3 |
3. Practical Theology (11 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
| PTS519 | Spiritual Formation and Practicum | 3 |
| MCS528 | Soteriology and Evangelism | 3 |
| PTS572-A | Asian American Ministry (AAM) | 3 |
| Choose one of four from below | ||
| PTS521 | Preaching I | 3 |
| CES501 | Christian Formation | 3 |
| MCS521 | Introduction to Missiology | 3 |
| TSS573 | Workplace Theology | 3 |
4. Field Education (0 unit)
FES521 Short-term Mission (0)
5. Capstone Project (1 unit)
TSS570 Capstone Project (1) Last Semester elective.
| M.A.C.S. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-year Track Curriculum Schedule | |||
| First Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| Library Information Research | 1 | Theology Overview | 3 |
| Hermeneutics | 3 | Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| Pentateuch / Prophetic Books | 3 | Intro. Missiology / Chirstian Formation / Elective | 3 |
| New Testament Survey I | 3 | Church History | |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| __ | 2 | ||
| 13 | __ | ||
| 14 | |||
| Short-term Mission | 0 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| Ecclesiology | 2 | New Testament Survey II | 3 |
| Soteriology & Evangelism | 3 | Pneumatology, Sanctification & Discipleship | 3 |
| Preaching I / Elective | 3 | Historical Books / Ps & Wisdom Lit. | |
| AAM | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | Capstone | 2 |
| __ | 1 | ||
| 13 | __ | ||
| 12 | |||
| M.A.C.S. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-year Track Curriculum Schedule | |||
| First Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| Library Information Research | 1 | Theology Overview | 3 |
| Hermeneutics | 3 | Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| New Testament Survey I | 3 | __ | |
| 7 | 6 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| Pentateuch / Prophetic Books | 3 | Intro. Missiology / Chirstian Formation / Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Church History | |
| 6 | 3 | ||
| 6 | |||
| Short-term Mission | 0 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| Soteriology & Evangelism | 3 | New Testament Survey II | 3 |
| Preaching I / Elective | 3 | Pneumatology, Sanctification & Discipleship | 3 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
| Ecclesiology | 2 | Historical Books / Ps & Wisdom Lit. | 3 |
| AAM | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Capstone | 1 |
| 8 | 7 | ||
Church Life
Students are required, with the exception of the first semester, to participate in local church activities.
Transfer Students
- All transfer students from our school or theological seminaries with ATS or ATA accreditation must have a GPA of at least 3.0 (B or 85%), and apply according to the Scholastic Regulations.
- Please refer to the Transfer of Credits in the Scholastic Regulations..
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 52 units of coursework with a GPA of at least 3.0 (B).
- Attend the seminary retreat at least once during the program.
- Obtain an academic clearance.
- Students who have 3 or less credit units left to complete of the degree program may still attend the commencement. Such students must show proof of registration for the remaining units in the following summer term.