Master of Arts in Ministry

The Master of Arts in Ministry program is designed to provide graduate-level preparation for those who wish to be more effective servants of the Lord.

The program consists of 14 credits of core requirements that emphasize fundamentals of Biblical interpretation and effective Biblical communication and 18 credits of approved electives in your chosen emphasis so that you acquire deeper knowledge and practice. You will also complete a capstone project.  Your emphasis can be Christian Service, Church Music, or Pastoral Ministry.

Substitute Credits

According to the New Testament, pastoral leadership is the responsibility of men. Female applicants may be admitted into the IBCS M.A.Min. program. Admittance, however, is with the understanding that IBCS does not train women for or place women into pastoral ministry. Therefore, those admitted will be required to select 4 credits of general electives in place of PR 671 and PR 672.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.A.Min., the successful student will:

  1. Recognize and articulate theological values according to a thoroughly Biblical and historically Baptistic position.
  2. Communicate Biblical truth clearly and effectively, whether in print or in speech.
  3. Develop relevant answers to current ministry problems and issues.
  4. Serve and lead in the local church with administrative, relational, and spiritual adeptness.

Department Head

Dr. David Shumate
Dr. David Shumate
Dr. David Shumate came to know the Lord while in Harvard Law School through the witness of a Christian classmate. He felt the call to full-time ministry and after finishing his law degree, attended Bob Jones Seminary earning his M.Div. and Ph.D. With 15 years of assistant pastoral experience, he became the general director of Mexican Gospel Mission in 2005. He currently serves as the Seminary Dean.

Program Requirements

CourseHours
BI 500Old and New Testament Survey2
BI 512Hermeneutics2
EN 620Research and Writing2
PR 651Discipleship and Mentoring2
PR 653Philosophy of Ministry2
TH 601Prolegomena and Bibliology2
TH 602Trinitarianism2
TOTAL14

The Christian Service Concentration exists to further prepare men and women to serve the Lord in a variety of ministry settings. It provides maximum flexibility in the selection of electives that best suits the student’s ministry needs and interests.

In addition to the program’s Core Requirements, the Christian Service Concentration includes the following:

CourseHours
Approved Electives16
PR 630Capstone Project2
TOTAL18

The Church Music Concentration provides a special emphasis in the theology, principles, and skills of music to the glory of God. It is open to men and women who, in addition to the general requirements for admission to the M.A. Min. program, have adequate proficiency in one of the principal areas (conducting, voice, piano, collaborative piano, instrumental, composition) as determined by the administration. The program includes the M.A.Min. core requirements (14 credits), the music concentration requirements which include a church music internship (10 credits), church music electives (4 credits), general electives (4 credits), and, as a capstone, a public performance in the student’s applied principal area.

In addition to the Core Requirements, the Church Music Concentration includes the following:

CourseHours
Applied Principal (conducting, voice, piano, instrumental, composition)4
MU 521Biblical Foundations of Church Ministry2
MU 552Hymns as Theology2
MU 573Church Music Internship2
TOTAL10

Church Music and General Electives

The student will choose eight (8) total electives: four (4) credits from the list below of church music electives and four (4) approved general electives.

CourseHours
MU 542Church Music Writing and Arranging2
ED 581Teaching General Music2
MU 621Advanced Keyboard Skills2
MU 671Advanced Songleading2
MU 672Graded Choirs2
MU 501Computer Music Notation and Publishing2
Approved General Electives4
TOTAL8

The Pastoral Ministry Concentration is for qualified male students who are seeking further preparation and development for the pastoral ministry or its equivalent. In addition to the M.A.Min. core, the program introduces the student to knowledge and skills that are especially pertinent to pastoral ministry. With the exception of the capstone project, all of the required courses in the Pastoral Ministry concentration can count toward the fulfillment of required ministry courses in the Master of Divinity degree at IBCS, should the student qualify for that program.

In addition to the Core Requirements, the Pastoral Ministry Concentration includes the following:

CourseHours
HI 533History of Fundamentalism2
PR 652Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Issues2
PR 671Expository Preaching2
PR 672Homiletics2
PS 500Theology of Counseling2
Approved Electives6
PR 630Capstone Project2
TOTAL18

Student Spotlight

Randy Hernandez

Randy Hernandez

“I received my B.A. in Bible and Christian Service in 2007 and my Master of Arts in Ministry in 2016 from International Baptist College & Seminary. IBCS sharpened and equipped me in many areas including Christ-like character, biblical discernment, and the wrapping weight of the responsibility of ministry in love. It has prepared me to be the hands and feet of Christ to the Hispanic community while loving, guiding, teaching, and leading our Spanish group by example for God’s glory.”

Your Future

Potential Careers Include:

  • Church Administrator
  • Evangelist
  • Missionary
  • Pastor