Master of Arts in Christian Service

The Master of Arts in Christian Service degree is a forty-eight semester hour degree for persons who serve (or plan to serve) vocationally or bi-vocationally as specialized ministers or associate ministers (e.g. of Christian Education, Worship, Pastoral Care) or as permanent deacons. The degree provides a basic understanding of theological disciplines with a mixture of practical coursework in order to focus on Christian service in various church settings. United Methodist students preparing for deacons' ordination may fulfill, with assistance from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UMC expectations and utilize this degree to meet specific educational requirements. Normally those pursuing ordination in a vocation other than deacon pursue the M.Div. degree.

The M.A. in Christian Service (M.A.C.S.) is an appropriate degree program for (1) those pursing specialized vocations as ministers or associate ministers of Christian Education, Worship, Pastoral Care, etc. or permanent deacons and (2) persons who seek to enhance the theological foundations of Christian service in a congregational or institutional setting.

Admission

Consideration for admission into the program requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent as shown by a complete and certified transcript from an accredited college or university. Specific requirements for admission into this program are discussed elsewhere in this catalog. The Divinity School may require additional information for an admission profile. All materials for admission are to be submitted to the Admissions Office at Brite Divinity School.

 

Curriculum

I. Distributive Requirements - 27 hrs.

1. Religious Heritage - 12 hrs.
1. Bible - HEBI 60003 and NETE 60003
2. History - choose one from CHHI 60113, CHHI 60413, or CHHI 60713
3. Theology - CHTH 60013
2. Cultural Context/Globalization - 6 hrs.
1. Choose one from CHET 60003, CHET 60023, or CHSO 60103
2. Choose one from JWST 60003, CHHI 60913, CHHI 70533, MIHI 60003, MIHI 60053, MIHI 70413, MIHI 70503, MIHI 70513, or CHSO 60403
3. Personal and Spiritual Formation - 9 hrs.
1. Choose one from CHHI 70403, CHTH 70213, WRSP 70113, or WRSP 70243
2. PRTH 70503 and PRTH 70603 in the student's area of Christian Service

II. Specialization - 9 hrs.
Any combination of three courses chosen from among PRTH, WRSP, REED, and PTPC. All prerequisites for desired courses must be met properly.

III. Electives - 11 hrs.
Specialization and elective hours are to be selected in consultation with the student's faculty adviser. Graduate courses from TCU divisions normally do not receive credit toward the M.A.C.S. degree. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) courses, however, do not count toward a degree at Brite.

Other Degree Requirements
Other significant degree requirements pertaining to the M.A.C.S. are listed in the section following the description of the Master of Theological Studies program.