The Master of Arts in Christian Education San Diego Campus

The seminary confers a Master of Arts in Christian Education degree upon students who satisfactorily complete the prescribed program-related
requirements. These include the completion of field education; participation in the assessment and evaluation program for two years, including Profiles of Ministry; a major comprehensive examination covering competencies in Christian education; the writing of a satisfactory personal statement of faith; achieving a grade point average of C (2.0) or above; financial clearance from the Business Office; and participation in graduation ceremonies. A student may individualize his or her program by testing out of particular competencies.

The aim of the program is to provide trained leadership for Christian educational ministries in churches, on mission fields, and in denominational offices. While the curriculum provides excellent preparation for educational service in the church, it does not provide thorough pastoral training. It
is not an abbreviated period of graduate study leading to the pastorate.

In the context of an appreciation for the ministry of the church, the student will be expected to demonstrate ability in the following competencies

1. to model an effective role as a teacher and a leader and to assist lay people to develop teaching and leadership skills;
   
2. to enable lay people to worship, witness, teach, minister, motivate, and apply Christian faith in life and to initiate and administer programs in these areas;
   
3. to communicate, lead, motivate, manage, and administer people and programs in the educational ministries of the church;
   
4. to develop, evaluate, and administer curriculum in the church educational program and to serve as a resource person in the area of curriculum;
   
5. to function effectively in interpersonal relationships;
   
6. to understand the foundations of religious education and to conceptualize these understandings in the church educational ministry;
   
7. to develop specialized ministries to meet unique needs of individuals in the educational program; and
   
8. to function as a lifelong learner and to apply understanding of the developmental process and learning to facilitate learning among other people.

The curriculum provides a full academic experience in the field of Christian education, yet offers a flexibility that permits some selection of courses according to the need, experience, and interest of the student. Biblical, historical, and theological studies help equip the Christian educator for evaluating objectives, programs, and curriculum materials. The student’s horizons of Christian service are broadened through classroom experiences that lead him or her to see ministry in the world. Personal attitudes and patterns of life are challenged through these encounters. The student will study under most of the teachers on the faculty.

The curriculum includes supervised ministry experience. During the first year the student is involved in observation of local church life. The second year requires local church leadership and supervisory experience. Christian education students are involved with students in the M.Div. program in many classes. This provides for a healthy experience and interchange and reduces the likelihood of problems in misunderstanding and interpersonal relationships that sometimes occur in local churches between the pastor and the Christian education director. Students in the program will, however, have a number of class experiences they share only with other Christian education students and faculty. Students working more than 20 hours a week may prefer to take three years for the program.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts in Christian Education

Concentration Courses and Electives

Supervised Ministry and Other Requirements

A minimum of 96 credits is required for graduation.

A minimum of eight courses in DC is required for the degree, including the professional internship. Students must select DC electives from at least two of the four age groups.

The Bethel Seminary Catalog is provided online as a convenience for those who desire course information in electronic form. The printed version of the Bethel Seminary catalog is the official version, and it will be treated as the document of record in all seminary business.