Class Notes

Master of Arts >

M.A. in Biblical Leadership

Degree Purpose

What is the purpose of the Master of Arts degree in Biblical Leadership?

The Master of Arts in Biblical Leadership degree prepares students for Christian leadership other than pulpit/preaching ministries. It specifically equips students for a variety of professional church and para-church ministries or as church lay leaders. It is expressly not designed to prepare students academically for doctoral studies or for ordination in those churches that require the Master of Divinity  degree.

Students will engage in the systematic study of the Scriptures and theology while being exposed to current theological issues and positions with the goal of equipping the student to think biblically, independently and constructively in vital areas of ministry. The student will also be directed by a Seminary mentor or local church mentor during his or her training for the personal development of character.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Biblical Leadership degree program should be able to:

  1. Know and interpret Scripture according to proper hermeneutical principles;
  2. Apply Scripture according to proper hermeneutical principles;
  3. Articulate sound doctrine consistent with the Phoenix Seminary Statement of Faith and the historic doctrines of the Christian church;
  4. Explain the aspects of leadership from the Bible;
  5. Justify biblical lay leadership development in a ministry setting;
  6. Recruit workers using a Bible-based philosophy, vision, and strategy;
  7. Explain from Scripture how to be a Christian leader in a non-Christian world;
  8. Shepherd God’s people with biblical wisdom, compassion, and justice.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Arts program must have earned an accredited baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) that includes exposure to a breadth of liberal arts. Phoenix Seminary encourages undergraduate course work in philosophy and the history of western civilization. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is required. Those who do not meet these general academic requirements may petition the Admissions Committee for special consideration. Applicants must have vocational goals consistent with the design of the Master of Arts in Biblical Leadership. Applicants must also demonstrate evidence of mature Christian character and ministry potential.

Degree Requirements (64 Hours)

M.A. Biblical Leadership Core Requirements

CourseTitleHours (40)
BIBLICAL LITERATURE16
BC 499Graduate Writing WorkshopTranscripted
BL 501Principles for Biblical Interpretation4
BL 502Survey of the Pentateuch2
BL 503Survey of the Historical & Wisdom Lit.2
BL 504Survey of the Prophets2
BL 505Survey of the Gospels2
BL 506Survey of Acts & the Pauline Epistles2
BL 507Survey of the General Epistles & Rev.2
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT4
CD 501Living in God’s Presence2
CD 504Foundations of Intimacy2
CD 59330-Hour Faculty ReviewTranscripted
INTERCULTURAL STUDIES6
IS 501Cross-cultural & Diversity Competency2
IS 502Global Outreach2
IS 503Evangelism & Discipleship2
THEOLOGY14
TH 501God, Scripture, Revelation, and the Holy Spirit4
TH 502Humanity, Angels, and the Person & Work of Christ4
TH 503Salvation, the Church, and the Future4
TH 506Contemporary Moral Issues2
TH 599Theological Oral ExaminationTranscripted

M.A. Biblical Leadership Core Requirements Continued

CourseTitleHours (24)
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT8
LD 501Shepherding God’s People2
LD 507Church Growth & Assimilation2
LD 510Christian Leadership in
a Non-Christian World		2
LD 591Leadership Development Internship I*2
MINISTRY SKILLS10
MS 501Principles for Ministry Leadership2
-- 5##Apologetics Elective: Choose from
TH 505, TH 504, IS 509, or IS 510		2
-- 5##Homiletics / Teaching Elective: Choose from
BC 501, BC 509, or MS 506		2
-- 5##Ministry Skills Elective: Choose from
MS 502, MS 508, LD 508, or LD 509		2
-- 5##Ministry Skills Elective: Choose from
MS 502, MS 508, LD 508, or LD 509		2
GENERAL ELECTIVES*6

*Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) may in some cases be undertaken to fulfill requirements for LD 591 and / or general elective credit.

Note: Courses which list “Transcripted” are recorded on the transcript as S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). No tuition or fees are charged except in the case of BC 499.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 50 percent (32 semester hours) of the course work required for the Master of Arts may be transferred from another seminary or graduate school when the transfer credit fits the nature of the program and other requirements are met.

Graduation Requirements

The Master of Arts requires the completion of 64 semester hours within four years with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

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