Christian Ministry, MA

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Offered in Columbia SC

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) degree is a two-year program (49 credit hours) consisting of a theological core curriculum and three separate tracks for specialized ministry: Congregational Ministry, Faith Formation, and Chaplaincy. The MACM provides the necessary educational and formational requirements for students aspiring to become deacons in either the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) or the United Methodist Church.

Program Admission Requirements

Visit Graduate Admission for the most current Program Admission Requirements.

Core Requirements: 34 Credit Hours

BIB 500 - Survey of the Bible 3 Credits.
BIB elective in a New Testament area 3 Credits.
BIB elective in any biblical area 3 Credits.
CHS 501 - Church History I 3 Credits.
CHS 502 - Church History II 3 Credits.
MIN 504 - Spiritual Practices 1 Credits.
MIN 505 - Foundations in Pastoral Care 3 Credits.
THL 503 - The Vocation of the Seminarian 3 Credits.
THL 510 - Exploring Theology Across Contexts and Cultures 3 Credits.
THL 600 - Introduction to Christian Theology 3 Credits.
THL 650 - Christian Ethics 3 Credits.
Denominational theology course 3 Credits. *

Congregational Ministry Track: 15 Credit Hours

MIN 540 - Leadership in God’s Mission 3 Credits. **
MIN 610 - Foundations in Preaching 3 Credits.
Any MIN or CED elective 3 Credits.
Any MIN or CED elective 3 Credits.
General elective 3 Credits.

Faith Formation Track: 15 Credit Hours

CED 500 - Foundations in Faith Formation 3 Credits.
MIN 500A - Boundary Training 0 Credits.
MIN 500 - Field Education I 1 Credits.
MIN 501 - Field Education II 1 Credits.
MIN 600 - Field Education III 1 Credits.
Choose nine hours from the following:
- Any CED elective in Christian education 3 Credits.
- Any MIN or CED elective 3 Credits.
- EDU 506 - Child, Individual, and Family Development 3 Credits.
- CPE 500 - Clinical Pastoral Education 6 Credits.
- General elective 3 Credits.

Chaplaincy Track: 15 Credit Hours

CED 500 - Foundations in Faith Formation 3 Credits.
CPE 500 - Clinical Pastoral Education 6 Credits.
MIN 500A - Boundary Training 0 Credits.
MIN 500 - Field Education I 1 Credits.
MIN 501 - Field Education II 1 Credits.
MIN 600 - Field Education III 1 Credits.
Choose three hours from the following:
- MIN 581 - Chaplaincy Leadership 3 Credits.
- Any approved COU (Counseling) course 3 Credits.
- General elective 3 Credits.

Total Credit Hours: 49

* The course in denomination-specific theology applies to Lutheran, United Methodist, and Baptist students. Other students may substitute a theology elective in consultation with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.

** Students may substitute for MIN 540 any approved LED course in the University’s MA in Leadership program.

Degree Outcomes

All graduates of the Master of Christian Ministry (MACM) program will:

Demonstrate emotional and spiritual maturity and faithful living appropriate to public ministry.
Demonstrate theologically informed and self-reflective engagement of distinct human cultures and communities.
Demonstrate competencies necessary to cultivate anti-racist discipleship

Graduates of the MACM Congregational Ministry track will also:

Analyze Christian scripture and traditions with reference to their original contexts.
Interpret Christian scripture and traditions in ways that cultivate Christian community and discipleship.
Demonstrate leadership in areas of pastoral ministry that generate discipleship and positive change in the church and the world.

Graduates of the MACM Faith Formation track will also:

Analyze Christian scripture and traditions with reference to their original contexts.
Interpret Christian scripture and traditions in ways that cultivate Christian community and discipleship.
Demonstrate pedagogical and leadership skills for the cultivation of discipleship and spirituality in others.

Graduates of the MACM Chaplaincy track will also:

Demonstrate pastoral skill appropriate to chaplaincy ministry.

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