Master of Arts (M.A

PURPOSE

The purpose of studying for the degree of Master of Arts (M.A.) is to acquire a general competence in the study of theology, which includes both a major and a minor in that study. A student who completes the M.A. Program may apply for admission to the Ph.D. Program.

The M.A. is designed for both clergy and laity. It is especially helpful for Christian men and women who seek to further their knowledge of theology so that they may give appropriate leadership in their congregations and communities.

The Spiritual Care Major focuses on the theology of spiritual care and serves as the basis for the Residential Deaconess Program.

GOALS

The program is designed to include the attainment of a general knowledge of various theological disciplines or of a more focused knowledge in a specific discipline.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. The student exhibits a capacity for critical and analytical theological inquiry. 2. The student exhibits skill in the application of responsible methods of scholarly research. 3. The student exhibits an ability to articulate the results of scholarly research in ways beneficial to the people of God. 4. The student exhibits commendable sense of responsibility for faithfully retaining and transmitting the heritage of truth that has been entrusted to the church.

BASIC PROGRAM SEQUENCE

All students must complete their studies with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The number of credits depends on the option chosen, as described below. Students with a major in Exegetical, Systematic, Historical or Practical Theology also will declare a minor area. The student may not fail more than two courses in either the major or the minor and still successfully complete the major or the minor.

Students in the Spiritual Care Major will follow the requirements for this program as described in a separate section below.

There are no general requirements for foreign language proficiency. However, students with an Exegetical Theology Major will be required to demonstrate proficiency in biblical Greek and in biblical Hebrew to complete courses conducted on the basis of the biblical languages.

Each student will complete the M.A. using either the examination option or the thesis option. The description of the two options is below.

PROGRAM SEQUENCE, EXAMINATION OR THESIS ROUTE

Students who did not graduate from a theological seminary degree program must complete 18 semester hours of credit in a major and 12 semester hours of credit in a minor. The student further must complete an additional nine semester hours of free elective credit.

Graduates of a theological seminary degree program must complete 15 semester hours of credit in a major, six semester hours of credit in a minor and three additional semester hours of credit in eligible courses of their choice.

A total of six semester credits in religion or theology may be transferred from another accredited graduate school with the approval of the program director.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

Students must pass a written comprehensive examination that tests their knowledge and understanding in their major area. There is no examination in the minor field. Comprehensive exams may be taken at any time but are normally taken during the last semester of course work or after all course work has been completed.

A request to take an examination must be arranged with the Director of the Graduate School at least two weeks in advance of the intended examination date. Special arrangements for off-campus testing, with appropriate supervision, can be made upon approval of the program director.

In order to participate in Commencement, the examination must be taken and passed by April 1. Any student who twice fails a comprehensive exam will not be allowed to continue in the program.

M.A. THESES

The student may register for the thesis at any time but it is generally advisable to register for the thesis during or (no later than) immediately after the semester in which the last course work has been taken (Summer not included).

The work of the thesis proceeds according to the guidelines specified by the Graduate School. The thesis may be submitted at any time, but the student is subject to deadlines for participation in Commencement.

REGISTRATION FOR EXAMS AND THESES

Registration for the M.A. thesis or exam shall be valid for one calendar year (two semesters, as well as the Winterim and Summer Terms). When a student’s original registration period expires, the student will be enrolled in extension, and a Program Continuation Fee will be assessed each semester until the thesis or examination, as applicable, has been completed, as certified by the Director of the Graduate School.

COURSES TAUGHT IN SPANISH

Select courses offered through Concordia Seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies have been approved for master’s-level credit. Upon application and admission to the M.A. Program, such courses can be taken and applied toward the M.A. degree. This option allows for the completion of the M.A. through courses that are all taught in Spanish. For further details, see the CHS Program section and the Resources for Theological Formation & Research section.

SMP AND THE M.A. PROGRAM

Because the SMP courses are taught at the M.A. level, and the SMP to GPC courses are M.Div./M.A. courses, by completing courses from the SMP to GPC Program, students can, if they qualify, earn the M.A. degree with a Practical Theology Major from Concordia Seminary in addition to the theological certification. Requirements are as follows:

• An earned B.A. degree • Minimum 3.0 GPA in the SMP courses • GRE scores required

The student will be expected to:

• Complete four courses toward the major/ minor; and • Pass the Practical Theology M.A.

Comprehensive Examination administered through the Graduate School.

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

For information regarding dual degree programs with Fontbonne University (Master of Not-for-Profit Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education) or Saint Louis University (Master of Social Work), please contact the Registrar’s Office.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Academic Policies & Procedures section of this catalog contains important information that applies to all Concordia Seminary students. If the information for this program is more specific than the general policies, the more specific policy shall prevail.

Exegetical, Historical, Practical and Systematic Theology Majors

Major Minor Free electives Comprehensive exam in major or thesis

18 12

9 0

Total for Master of Arts (M.A.) 39

credit hours

Master of Arts (M.A.) Credit Distribution for Graduates of a Theological Seminary Degree Program

Exegetical, Historical, Practical and Systematic Theology Majors

Major Minor

15 6

Free electives Comprehensive exam in major or thesis

Total for Master of Arts (M.A.)

for graduates of a theological Seminary degree program 3 0

24

credit hours

Master of Arts (M.A.) via SMP Program Credit Distribution

Students who pursue a M.A. via the SMP Program are expected to complete the initial courses of the GPC Program and pass the Practical Theology M.A. Comprehensive Examination.

Completion of SMP Program 32 Courses 12

HIS507 Introduction to Historical Theology 3 PRA514 Pastoral Care and the Word 3 SYS513 Church and World 3 PRA517 Pastoral Leadership and Theology 3 Practical Theology M.A. Comprehensive Exam. 0

Total for Master of Arts (M.A.) via SMP Program

44

credit hours