Master of Arts, Theological Studies

Program Overview

The Southeastern University Master of Arts in Theological Studies provides a broad level of understanding of the systematic, historical, biblical, ethical, and practical theologies. Students will receive a strong foundation in the various theologies from a Pentecostal perspective and learn to interact critically with affirming and opposing theoretical constructs in the academic field of theology. Graduates will gain sound theological education for church ministry or for teaching at secondary academies or at an undergraduate college level in the field of theological studies.

Through this program students will:

 

1.0 - Biblical Knowledge - Apply biblical interpretation and proclamation in light of social-cultural contexts, ancient and contemporary.

 

2.0 - Spiritual and Theological Formation - Formulate personal and communal spirituality informed by historic Christian theology and spiritual practices, emphasizing pentecostal theology-spirituality.

 

3.0 - Theological Studies  - Demonstrate a developed knowledge of Christian theologies, emphasizing pentecostalism. 

 

4.0 - Research - Contribute to the general knowledge and theological insight in the field by producing a master’s thesis or capstone project.

Career Options

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies, career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Bible Teacher

• Religion Writer/Editor

• Church Administrator

• Pastor

• Parachurch Leader

• Overseas Missionary

• Church Planter

• Campus Pastor 

Program Sequence

    Total Credits - 48 credit hours with four components:

• Core Courses (21 hours)

• Theological Studies Courses (9 hours)

• Pentecostal Studies Courses (3 hours)

• Historical Theology Studies Courses (6 hours)

• Languages (6 hours) 

• Summative Evaluation (3 hours)

 

    Program Length: 2-3 years

        Full-time students (6 credit hours per semester)

        Part-time students (3 credit hours per semester)

 

Program Delivery:

• Fully Online

• Traditional Evening Courses - Courses meet on either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings on Lakeland Campus

Entrance Requirements

All of the components listed below are required and will be utilized by the Graduate Program Coordinator and School of Divinity Chair in making an admittance decision.  However, failure to meet one of these standards may not immediately disqualify a candidate depending upon the strength of their other components. Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the decision of the School of Divinity Chair is final.

• Regionally accredited undergraduate degree with at least a 3.0 GPA

• One Academic or Professional Reference

• One Christian Character Reference

• Academic writing sample of at least five pages indicative of writing and research ability to interact with scholarly sources in a critical manner or a statement of purpose paper with response to a prompt.

Transfer Credit

Graduate-level credits may be accepted if they were earned from an accredited university (Regional and/or Association of Theological Schools Accreditation), less than 8 years old, and relevant to coursework at SEU.

The School of Divinity Chair will evaluate and award transfer credit on a case-by-case basis.  No transient credit (future courses are taken at another university) will be allowed without prior approval.

Residency Requirement

• Online - No residency requirement

• Evening - Classes meet on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings on Lakeland Campus

Satisfactory Progress

The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. Grades of less than C- will not be counted toward degree completion.

 

Summative Evaluation Requirement

The MA (Theological Studies) program culminates with either a thesis or a capstone project that provides valuable experience engaging in an extended, rigorous writing project for those students who desire to pursue further doctoral studies.