Program Details
In the M.A. (Theological Studies) program, we give students the choice of schedule options and concentrations to provide an experience that’s flexible enough to meet their unique needs and to capture their individual interests.
Program Options
The Master of Arts (Theological Studies) degree at Bethel Seminary St. Paul is offered through the residential program. Students have their choice of enrolling in the daytime or evening program track.
- Daytime: In the daytime residential program, students take courses through a traditional model—attending class during the day and registering for a variety courses each term over a 3-year period.
- Evening: Our evening residential program, called SemPM, is geared for students with busy daytime schedules. Students take 2 courses each term on Monday evenings over a 3-year period, with 20 hours of directed independent study between each class. They also progress through their courses with the same cohort of students, creating close relationships with their classmates throughout the program.
Concentrations
Students in the residential daytime program can choose from 6 concentrations:
- Biblical Studies
- Pastoral Care
- History
- Theology
- Global and Contextual Studies
- Marriage and Family Studies
Sample Courses
The M.A. (Theological Studies) course work allows students to explore theological issues more deeply and integrate this knowledge directly into their vocations and interests. Take a look at a few sample courses:
Discipleship in Community
This course introduces students to the biblical and theological foundations for discipleship in the faith community, including the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching. We explore different ministry models, instructional methods, and styles of learning to give students a vision and enthusiasm for the teaching-shepherding possibilities within any congregation.
The Gospels
Students explore the individual Gospels within their first-century contexts. Our goal is to develop the capacity to articulate the point of a gospel text in the context of the completed narrative and with sensitivity to the author’s conceptual framework.
Transformational Leadership
This foundational leadership course provides an overview and analysis of issues critical to effectiveness in a variety of ministry leadership roles. We focus on personal issues for the leader and leadership dynamics with an emphasis on the particular concerns of pastors, youth ministers, Christian education leaders, parachurch agency workers, and leaders in cross-cultural settings.
Spiritual and Personal Formation: Foundations and Traditions
In this course, students explore biblical and historical models and themes for spiritual and personal formation, models of transformation and faith development, and cultural dimensions of formation models and traditions.
