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:
- Recognize and articulate theological values according to a thoroughly Biblical and historically Baptistic position.
- Communicate Biblical truth clearly and effectively, whether in print or in speech.
- Develop relevant answers to current ministry problems and issues.
- Serve and lead in the local church with administrative, relational, and spiritual adeptness.
Program Requirements
Course | Hours | |
---|---|---|
BI 500 | Old and New Testament Survey | 2 |
BI 512 | Hermeneutics | 2 |
EN 620 | Research and Writing | 2 |
PR 651 | Discipleship and Mentoring | 2 |
PR 653 | Philosophy of Ministry | 2 |
TH 601 | Prolegomena and Bibliology | 2 |
TH 602 | Trinitarianism | 2 |
TOTAL | 14 |
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:
Course | Hours | |
---|---|---|
Approved Electives | 16 | |
PR 630 | Capstone Project | 2 |
TOTAL | 18 |
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:
Course | Hours | |
---|---|---|
Applied Principal (conducting, voice, piano, instrumental, composition) | 4 | |
MU 521 | Biblical Foundations of Church Ministry | 2 |
MU 552 | Hymns as Theology | 2 |
MU 573 | Church Music Internship | 2 |
TOTAL | 10 |
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.
Course | Hours | |
---|---|---|
MU 542 | Church Music Writing and Arranging | 2 |
ED 581 | Teaching General Music | 2 |
MU 621 | Advanced Keyboard Skills | 2 |
MU 671 | Advanced Songleading | 2 |
MU 672 | Graded Choirs | 2 |
MU 501 | Computer Music Notation and Publishing | 2 |
Approved General Electives | 4 | |
TOTAL | 8 |
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:
Course | Hours | |
---|---|---|
HI 533 | History of Fundamentalism | 2 |
PR 652 | Evangelism and Cross-Cultural Issues | 2 |
PR 671 | Expository Preaching | 2 |
PR 672 | Homiletics | 2 |
PS 500 | Theology of Counseling | 2 |
Approved Electives | 6 | |
PR 630 | Capstone Project | 2 |
TOTAL | 18 |
Student Spotlight
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.”