Graduate Studies in Religion

School of Religion Graduate Studies

Terry L. Cross, Dean

Lisa M. Long, Director of Graduate Programs in Christian Ministries
Lisa Stephenson, Director of Graduate Programs in Biblical and Theological Studies

The School of Religion offers three graduate degrees: the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, the Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and the Master of Arts in Ministry Studies.

Students must remain in good standing throughout their course of graduate study in the School of Religion, and must adhere to specific requirements for the MA degree program in which they are enrolled. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 prior to application and enrollment for final project, thesis, internship or exams, and must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to be considered for graduation. No student will be allowed to graduate from the program with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Graduate Studies in Biblical and Theological Studies

The Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and the Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies provide post-baccalaureate study that prepares men and women for further graduate work or for other vocational interests. The programs are offered within a community of Christian scholars. The educational perspective is evangelical/Pentecostal. The focus of the degree programs is academic rather than professional. The goal of the programs is disciplinary competence through collegial engagement with peers and scholars in the discipline. The MA degree programs in Biblical and Theological Studies offer advanced study in these disciplines. Similar to seminaries, we offer admittance to qualified students from all undergraduate disciplines, not only those with Biblical or Theological Studies degrees. The program offers an alternative path to these students and requires 48 credit hours to complete. Those with an undergraduate degree in Biblical or Theological Studies can complete the MA with 36 credit hours.

The M.A. in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Pentecostal/Charismatic Studies is offered at ETS (European Theological Seminary) in Kniebis, Germany (http://www.ets-kniebis.de/index.php/en/).

The M.A. in Bible and Theology is offered only at SEMISUD (Seminario Sudamericano) in Quito, Ecuador (http://www.semisud.edu.ec/). It is a combination of the Biblical Studies program and the Theological Studies program offered in a Latin American context.

The Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies is available with an Ethics emphasis. The theological ethics emphasis offered at Lee University is unique. It has its genesis in the observation that the practical implementation of theory is essential if Christians are to become catalysts of change and stability within our fluid culture. Although the theological ethics emphasis incorporates high philosophical reasoning and fundamental theological insights, its main purpose is to provide clues to the practical application of ethics. This application is seen when we evaluate definitions for truth, work toward peace, implement business agreements and contracts, analyze attitudes with regard to sexual preference and practice, consider policies that impact the youngest and oldest members of society, and the like. Students in this emphasis will be allowed to work with faculty in order to build a course of study to follow their own academic interests through a cross-disciplinary approach to their program. In so doing, they will master their field of study as it relates to ethical issues in the social and natural sciences, visual and performing arts, education, business, or religion. The end result of the emphasis is that the student will be equipped for discourse in the public realm as it relates to ethical policy in local, national, and global communities.

More detailed program information can be found at:

Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (BIBST.MA)

Master of Arts in Theological Studies (THEST.MA)

Graduate Studies in Christian Ministries

The Master of Arts degree in Ministry Studies at Lee University provides a program of study that combines practical studies and practical ministry. For those whose undergraduate degree focused on religious studies, this graduate program offers the opportunity to further the student’s knowledge and expertise. For those whose undergraduate degree focused on disciplines other than religion, this graduate program can fill the missing pieces of the student’s education. The Master of Arts in Ministry Studies will equip the student to be the leader in ministry that God has called and gifted the person to be.

The courses in this program are specifically designed to help the student understand the biblical and theological foundations of issues related to ministry in contemporary contexts, and then to move beyond theory to the implementation of practical skills for successful vocational ministry. The combination of superior education and ministry experience of the School of Religion faculty enable them to present a realistic approach to this union of theory and practice. The modular design of this program offers convenient once-a-month course scheduling to better accommodate the busy schedules of working adults. Our students are a diverse group comprised of women and men who range from recent graduates to experienced ministers. The camaraderie between students and faculty, combined with discussion-based classes create an exciting learning environment that readily lends itself to ministry application.

The Master of Arts degree in Ministry Studies at Lee University offers three tracks: Leadership Studies, Worship Studies, and Youth and Family Studies. The degree includes 18 hours of common core courses and 18 hours of courses within each track. The student’s learning experience will culminate in either a track-specific final project or internship.

The M.A. in Church Leadership and Administration is offered at SEBIPCA (Seminario Bíblico Pentecostal Centroamericano) in Guatemala (http://www.sebipca.org/). It is essentially the M.A. in Ministry Studies in the Latin American context.

More detailed program information can be found at:

Master of Arts in Ministry Studies (MINST.MA)

The Master of Arts in Ministry Studies is also available online through the Division of Adult Learning. For more information: Master of Arts in Ministry Studies - Online Program

Programs

Master of Arts

Courses

Bible

German

Greek

Hebrew

Latin

Ministry Studies

Philosophy

Theology

Academic Catalog