Master of Arts in Christian Counseling/Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM
The purpose of the dual Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree program is to provide Christ-centered graduate-level education to prepare servant leaders for the practical ministry of Christian counseling in the local church, denominational agency, and faith-based agency, and general ministry-related services in the 21st century. The MA in Christian Counseling degree offers a theological and counseling foundation enabling the student to incorporate biblical principles into a counseling ministry, while the MA in Christian Ministry degree focuses on the broad, interdisciplinary and practical nature of ministry preparation.
ADMISSION
In order to pursue a Dual Master’s Degree program, the applicant must apply to, meet the existing admission requirements for, and be accepted into each of the master’s degrees which comprise the dual degree program.
Note: Church Membership Requirement (for admission into the Master’s Ministry Degrees, Advanced Ministry Certificate Programs, EDD in Educational Leadership—all concentrations, and PHD in Leadership Studies’ Ministry Concentration): Within the last 12 months, the applicant must have been an active member of a Christian church that holds Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who holds solely the Old Testament and the New Testament as sacred Scripture.
Graduate School of Ministry Portfolio
Dallas Baptist University’s Ministry Degree Programs seek to provide an academic experience that enables all candidates to engage and impact Christian Ministries of the 21st century. The Portfolio is designed to be an individualized collection of documents that represent the candidate’s preparation for future ministry positions, demonstrating the candidate’s ongoing knowledge, skills, and ministry experiences.
The Graduate School of Ministry provides candidates the opportunity for self-reflection through the compilation of documents in an electronic Portfolio. Documents in the Portfolio may include Signature Assignments, Resume, and Philosophy of Ministry among others.
Throughout the program, the candidate will collect designated documents and upload them to the Portfolio within Blackboard. The Portfolio will be used to assess development as the candidate proceeds through their designated ministry program. It is the candidate’s responsibility to meet with their GSOM Program Director to discuss the Portfolio required documents prior to graduation.
PROGRAM REQUISITES
Old Testament Survey
New Testament Survey
General Psychology
Requisites may be met with equivalent courses from another institution or from a passing grade on the GSOM Old Testament and New Testament equivalency exams and do not count toward degree completion.
REQUIRED SHARED CURRICULUM - 24 hours (excluding requisites)
course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
Required Shared Curriculum | 24 |
MINS 5302 - Ministry Research and Writing Across Media MINS 5303 - Foundations of Spiritual Life MINS 6305 - Ministry Mentorship (S-L) THEO 5313 - Applied Hermeneutics |
MA IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELING REQUIRED CURRICULUM - 18 hours (excluding requisites)
course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
Required Curriculum | 18 |
COUN 5312 - Counseling Theories and Techniques or MACC 6304 - Contemporary Christian Counseling Theories | |
Recommended Courses: (Elective - 3 hours) COUN 5313 - Group Counseling Methods MAEML 5310 - Small Group Ministry Design and Practice a course from one of the following disciplines: |
MA IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY REQUIRED CURRICULUM - 18 hours (excluding requisites)
course | Credit hours |
|---|---|
Required Curriculum | 18 |
MACM 5301 - Foundations of Christian Ministry THEO 5308 - New Testament Literature and Interpretation | |
The following are the recommended courses of study in specific areas of focus. | |
Christian Ministry Courses MACM 6303 - Conflict Resolution in Ministry MACM 6307 - Christian Ministry Travel Study MACM 6309 - Pastoral Care Children's Ministry Courses MACH 5312 - Ministry with Children MACH 6311 - Early Childhood Ministry MACH 6351 - Children and the Christian Faith Christian Counseling Courses MACC 6301 - Introduction to Christian Counseling MACC 6302 - Abnormal Psychology MACC 6303 - Christian Counseling Skills MACC 6304 - Contemporary Christian Counseling Theories
MAEML 6301 - Christian Education in the Local Church MAEML 6304 - Principles for Bible Teaching MAEML 6307 - Business for Legal Administration for Ministry Family Ministry Courses MAEML 5313 - Student Ministry in the Church MAFM 6316 - Faith Formation in the Life Stages MAFM 6353 - Ministry to Families Global Leadership Courses MAGL 5330 - Introduction to Missiology MAGL 5331 - Cross-Cultural Living and Ministry MAGL 5341 - Global Christianity Theological Studies Courses THEO 5310 - The Gospels THEO 5321 - The Early Life and Letters of Paul THEO 5322 - The Later Life and Letters of Paul THEO 6322 - Old Testament Readings: Pentateuch THEO 6360 - Biblical Preaching Worship Studies Courses WORS 5308 - History of Christian Worship WORS 5309 - Worship Life: Education and Administration WORS 6316 - Worship Theology for Contemporary Ministry WORS 6326 - Worship Praxis II: Worship Media: Technology and Production WORS 6329 - Worship Praxis V: Worship Leader Travel Study |
TOTAL HOURS | |
|---|---|
24 hours | Required Shared Curriculum |
18 hours | MA in Christian Counseling Required Curriculum |
18 hours | MA in Christian Ministry Required Curriculum |
60 hours | TOTAL Dual Degree (excluding requisites) |
(S-L)=Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.
Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Find course descriptions by category under the Graduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.