The Master of Arts Program (MA)
The MA program purposes to provide a basic understanding of Christianity for general educational purposes. ACPL’s MA program draws from the breadth of the curriculum requiring substantive study in biblical, theological, and missiological areas, combined with a significant number of hours in the student’s area of interest. The program is particularly suited for Christians desiring to better understand God’s revelation to humanity in the biblical and theological context of orthodox historic Christianity and who are engaged in non-church related vocations or for those seeking a general theological degree to accompany a specialized master’s degree. As a degree, its particular concern is to relate Christian studies to the work of the church. Program participants may also elect to focus their elective course work, capstone project, and field education course work on a particular subject area available in the curriculum or at their particular site.
MA Program Objectives
The MA program will enable participants to
(i). Understand the biblical and theological constructs that form the foundation for the Christian faith
(ii). Think critically and constructively about the historic and global contexts of Christianity
(iii). Examine closely an area of Christian studies of personal interest
(iv). Articulate their Christian faith in light of their present vocational engagement
(v). Grow in personal and spiritual maturity
MA Program Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
The admission requirements for the MA program are those described under the Admissions section of the catalog and the following further requirements specific to the MA program:
(a). Applicants must possess a baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree, or the educational equivalent, from a recognized accredited institution or University. In some cases, admission with deficiencies is possible with fulfillment of those deficiencies at ACPL.
(b). The applicant’s undergraduate cumulative grade average (CGA) must be a minimum of 60% or first class. However, since CGA is not always an accurate indication of an applicant’s abilities for graduate work, those with a lower CGA are encouraged to consult with the Academic Dean.
(c). Applicants whose undergraduate cumulative grade average (CGA) is less than minimum prescribed above will be required to take additional qualifying exams and fulfill deficiency loads determined at the time of admission.
(d). For those that do not have a baccalaureate degree because of their involvement in the ministry field, we make a special consideration in the light of their ministry experience of at least 15 years. But this requires additional documentation and the decision to offer admission wrests entirely upon the office of the Academic Dean. This consideration is usually restricted to one student per year in the MA program.
Statute of Limitation
All MA program requirements must be completed within six years of matriculation into the program. Extension of the statute of limitation for up to two years may be granted by petition when a student has demonstrated consistent program progress toward the degree.
MA Candidacy Requirements
Admission to the MA program must be followed by achievement of candidacy for the degree. Program candidacy occurs when
1. A minimum of 75% of the hours in the program is completed with a minimum cumulative grade average (CGA) of a D – or 70% for program course work has been achieved after admission to the program.
2. All entrance deficiencies and conditions are removed.
3. Formal action has been taken by the faculty to grant candidacy for the degree.
MA Graduation Requirements
After the student has filed for candidacy, the following requirements need to be met inorder to participate in the graduation service.
(i) Complete the General Graduation Requirements for all master’s programs.
(ii) Complete the Field Education; or have an approved plan for completion over the summer following the graduation.
Complete the MA capstone project in the form of an integrative paper or ministry project equivalent to 2 semester hours.