Graduate Studies

Master of Arts in Ministry Degree

The Master of Arts in Ministry equips individuals for church and para-church ministries with a focus on the spiritual formation of others. Whether you're already involved in ministry or desire graduate studies to enhance your future service, the JBU M.A. in Ministry is for you.

Program Distinctives:

• Spiritual formation
• Integrating Bible study, theology and spiritual formation studies
• Practical application
• Meeting ministry concerns

You will receive the tools, knowledge and skills to equip and mobilize people to worship, evangelize, and disciple others through the ministries of local churches and para-church organizations.

MA in Ministry Degree Options

MA in Ministry giving you the tools, knowledge, and skills to equip and mobilize people to worship, evangelize, and disciple others, focusing on spiritual formation and its practical applications. The program's unique format offers classes one night a week, allowing you to complete your ministry degree in just over two years, comprised of 37 hours of coursework.

Emphasis in Counseling exposing students to the theory and practice of counseling within a biblical and theological context. This program will equip those in ministry to use scripture and theology in a practical way to bring healing to persons in their personal lives and in their relationships with others. This emphasis will not result in certification or licensure in and of itself. This emphasis requires a total of 45 hours of study.

Emphasis in Leadership and Ethics designed to assist leaders of the church by advancing their knowledge in the theory of servant leadership. Graduates learn to lead with excellence using biblically based models. This program requires 45 hours of coursework. Degree Outline

Emphasis in Higher Education prepares individuals to understand and minister within the university environment and specifically with the college population. Coursework incorporates higher educational history, philosophy, current trends, and leadership practices. The study culminates with an applied project or thesis related to ministering in the educational community. This degree program requires 36 hours of study.

Emphasis in Biblical Community Development is offered in partnership with the Institute for Biblical Community Development, a mission organization housed on the campus of John Brown University. The program targets Christian leaders and development workers for the purpose of equipping them to better understand holistic ministry and to carry out biblically and theologically grounded community development work in impoverished areas.

These programs combine the current M.A. in Ministry degree with the appropriate emphasis of your choice. Each option can be completed in 2 to 3 years of study. These three additions to our M.A. in Ministry program offer you the opportunity to become equipped for the task of ministry that is surely at hand.

If you feel called to further your Christian service and ministry, we encourage you to prayerfully consider joining us at John Brown University!

MA in Ministry New Program Format

JBU offers a new approach to earning a ministry degree through a low residency program. The new format would include the same excellent academic coursework under a new delivery method. Each eight-week class would require students to attend the first and last session on campus in Siloam Springs. The other six sessions would be completed online. This new format currently only applies to the 37 hour degree program. Contact Graduate Admissions at 1-866-232-4723 ext.4 or send an email to chrisr@jbu.edu for more information.

Certificate program options
If you already have master's degree but would like to expand your knowledge in a specific area of emphasis, you may also consider the option of taking an additional 12 hours in Leadership and Ethics or 12 hours in Higher Education toward earning a certificate of completion. Contact Graduate Admissions at 1-866-232-4723 ext.4 or send an email to chrisr@jbu.edu for more information.

Requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Ministry

1. Bible and Theology Core—18 hours

• BBL 7723 Spiritual Formation in the Gospels
• BBL 7733 Hermeneutics
• BBL 7743 Spiritual Formation in Acts and the Epistles
• BBL 8033 Christian Theology and Foundations
• BBL 8723 Spiritual Formation in the Old Testament
• CMN 7013 Biblical and Theological Research Methods

2. Ministry Core—19 hours

• CMN 7713 Biblical Foundations of Ministry and Leadership
• CMN 7793 Christian Communication in a Pluralistic Society
• CMN 8113 Theory and Practice of Small Group Ministry
• CMN 8123 Theology and Practice of Worship Ministry
• CMN 8263 Evangelism and Discipleship
• CMN 8811 Supervised Ministry
• FAM 7763 Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry

Minimum semester hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Ministry with emphasis in Counseling

1. Bible and Theology Core—18 hours

• BBL 7723 Spiritual Formation in the Gospelsy
• BBL 7733 Hermeneuticsy
• BBL 7743 Spiritual Formation in Acts & Epistlesy
• BBL 8033 Christian Theology and Foundationsy
• BBL 8723 Spiritual Formation in the Old Testamenty
• CMN 7013 Biblical and Theological Research Methodsy

2. Ministry Core—18 hours

• CMN 7713 Biblical Foundations of Ministry & Leadership
• CMN 7793 Christian Communication in a Pluralistic Society
• CMN 8263 Evangelism and Discipleship
• CMN 8813 Supervised Ministry (Internship)
• FAM 7763 Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry
• One of the following:
  • CMN 8113 Theory and Practice of Small Group Ministry
  • CMN 8123 Theology and Practice of Worship Ministry

3. Counseling—9 hours

• CNL 7613 Family of Origin
• CNL 7633 Principles of Marital Therapy
• CNL 8613 Brief Therapy

Minimum semester hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

 

Requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Ministry with emphasis in Leadership and Ethics

1. Bible and Theology Core—18 hours

• BBL 7723 Spiritual Formation in the Gospels
• BBL 7733 Hermeneutics
• BBL 7743 Spiritual Formation in Acts & Epistles
• BBL 8033 Christian Theology and Foundations
• BBL 8723 Spiritual Formation in the Old Testament
• CMN 7013 Biblical and Theological Research Methods

2. Ministry Core—15 hours

• CMN 7713 Biblical Foundations of Ministry & Leadership
• CMN 7793 Christian Communication in a Pluralistic Society
• CMN 7103 Applied Project
• CMN 8263 Evangelism and Discipleship

One of the following:

• CMN 8113 Theory and Practice of Small Group Ministry
• CMN 8123 Theology and Practice of Worship Ministry

3. Leadership and Ethics Emphasis—12 hours

• LDR 7223 Mission, Vision, & Values
• LDR 7993 Building Teams
• LDR 8003 Applied Christian Ethics
• LDR ___3 Approved elective

Minimum semester hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

 

Requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Ministry with emphasis in Biblical Community Development

This program is offered in partnership with the Institute for Biblical Community Development, a mission organization housed on the JBU campus. The program targets Christian leaders and development workers for the purpose of equipping them to better understand holistic ministry and to carry out biblically and theologically grounded community development work in impoverished areas.

1. Bible and Theology Core—15 hours

• BBL 7723 Spiritual Formation in the Gospels
• BBL 7743 Spiritual Formation in Acts & Epistles
• BBL 8033 Christian Theology and Foundations
• BBL 8723 Spiritual Formation in the Old Testament
• CMN 7013 Biblical and Theological Research Methods

2. Ministry and Leadership—9 hours One of the following:

• CMN 7713 Biblical Foundations of Ministry & Leadership
• LDR 7223 Mission, Vision, and Values

One of the following:

• CMN 8263 Evangelism and Discipleship
• CMN 8113 Theory and Practice of Small Group Ministry

One of the following:

• CMN 7333 Building Strong Marriages and Families
• CMN 8243 Building Emotionally Healthy Relationships
• FAM 7763 Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry

3. Institute for Biblical Community Development
Completion of the IBCD program is recognized as twelve credit hours toward the M.A. degree in Ministry with emphasis in Community Development.

Minimum semester hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

 

Requirements for the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Ministry with emphasis in Higher Education

1. Bible and Theology Core—15 hours

• BBL 7723 Spiritual Formation in the Gospels
• BBL 7743 Spiritual Formation in Acts & Epistles
• BBL 8033 Christian Theology and Foundations
• BBL 8723 Spiritual Formation in the Old Testament
• CMN 7013 Biblical and Theological Research Methods

2. Ministry Core—9 hours

• CMN 7713 Biblical Foundations of Ministry & Leadership

Two of the following:

• CMN 7793 Christian Communication in a Pluralistic Society
• CMN 8113 Theory and Practice of Small Group Ministry
• CMN 8123 Theology and Practice of Worship Ministry
• CMN 8263 Evangelism and Discipleship

3. Higher Education Emphasis—12 hours

• HED 7113 History and Philosophy of American Higher Education
• HED 7663 The College Student: Issues, Policies, and Programs
• HED 7993 Administrative Leadership in Higher Education
• HED 8223 Educational Program Development and Implementation

Minimum semester hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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