Program: Master of Christian Ministry, M.C.M. - Wayland Baptist University

Academic Catalog 2014-2015

Apr 09, 2025

The Master of Christian Ministry helps prepare students for ministry in the churches or church-related organizations. The M.C.M. permits students to focus on the practical courses in the graduate curriculum of the School of Religion and Philosophy. The degree assists students in gaining additional theological training while they continue to serve in ministry wherever these students are located. Some M.C.M. courses at Wayland may be accepted into degree programs at some seminaries.

Admission Requirements (In Addition to Those Listed for All Graduate Students)

Old Testament

Students who enter without prior advanced study (upper level baccalaureate or graduate level, based on transcript evaluation by the Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy) in Old Testament will be required to complete the courses listed below prior to taking any other courses in Old Testament. Students who enter with prior advanced study (upper level baccalaureate or graduate level, based on transcript evaluation by the Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy) must take one course from the Old Testament area and one additional elective. This transcript evaluation is required of all students whether degree-seeking, conditional degree-seeking, or non-degree post-baccalaureate.

New Testament

Students who enter without prior advanced study (upper level baccalaureate or graduate level, based on transcript evaluation by the Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy) in New Testament will be required to complete the courses listed below prior to taking any other courses in New Testament. Students who enter with prior advanced study (upper level baccalaureate or graduate level, based on transcript evaluation by the Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy) must take one course from the New Testament area and one additional elective. This transcript evaluation is required of all students whether degree-seeking, conditional degree-seeking, or non-degree post-baccalaureate.

Course Requirements

43 total hours are required for the MCM degree program: 15 hours Religion (possible 21 hours - see OT and NT areas); 6 hours Religious Education; 15 hours electives (possible 21 hours - see OT and NT areas); one hour comprehensive exam or capstone course. The core is 15 to 21 hours and includes:

Old Testament

Six hours from (if no prior advanced OT credit):

or three hours from Old Testament:

RLGN 5304 - Old Testament Theology 3 hrs
RLGN 5306 - The Intertestamental Period 3 hrs
RLGN 5316 - Pentateuch and Former Prophets 3 hrs
RLGN 5317 - Latter Prophets 3 hrs
RLGN 5318 - The Writings 3 hrs
RLGN 5332 - Seminar on Issues in Old Testament Interpretation 3 hrs
RLGN 5337 - Seminar on Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds to the Old Testament 3 hrs
RLGN 5338 - Seminar on Exegesis and Interpretation of Selected Old Testament Writings 3 hrs
or one from Foundation courses

New Testament

Six hours from (if no prior advanced NT credit):

or three hours from New Testament:

RLGN 5305 - New Testament Theology 3 hrs
RLGN 5320 - Jesus and the Gospels 3 hrs
RLGN 5322 - Life and Letters of Paul 3 hrs
RLGN 5324 - General Epistles and Revelation 3 hrs
RLGN 5331 - Seminar on Issues in New Testament Interpretation 3 hrs
RLGN 5340 - Seminar on Exegesis and Interpretation of Selected New Testament Writings 3 hrs
RLGN 5341 - Seminar on Studies in the Synoptics 3 hrs
or one from Foundation courses

Theology

Three hours from Theology:

Praxis

Three hours from Praxis:

RLGN 5315 - The Christian Ministry 3 hrs
RLGN 5319 - Preaching 3 hrs
RLGN 5323 - Basic Christian Ethics 3 hrs
RLGN 5327 - Christian Worship 3 hrs
RLGN 5335 - Seminar on Principles of Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs
RLGN 5348 - Seminar on Topics in Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs
RLED 5308 - Evangelism 3 hrs - OR - RLGN 5308 - Evangelism 3 hrs
RLED 5355 - Principles of Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs - OR - RLGN 5355 - Principles of Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs

Religious Education

Three hours from:

RLED 5301 - Survey of Christian Education 3 hrs
RLED 5302 - Church Administration 3 hrs
RLED 5303 - Seminar on Christian Education 3 hrs
RLED 5304 - Christian Leadership 3 hrs
RLED 5308 - Evangelism 3 hrs - OR - RLGN 5308 - Evangelism 3 hrs
RLED 5312 - Contemporary Christian Missions 3 hrs
RLED 5315 - The Christian Ministry 3 hrs
RLED 5316 - Seminar on Topics in Religious Education 3 hrs
RLED 5317 - Seminar on Age-Group Christian Education 3 hrs
RLED 5321 - Psychology of Religion 3 hrs
RLED 5335 - Seminar on Principles of Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs
RLED 5355 - Principles of Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs - OR - RLGN 5355 - Principles of Pastoral Counseling 3 hrs

Additional Requirements

M.C.M. students must take the following courses if they did not take those undergraduate courses that cover similar content. Students should take these courses as part of the 43 hours required in the degree.

RLGN 5314 - Biblical Interpretation 3 hrs
RLGN 5315 - The Christian Ministry 3 hrs
RLGN 5319 - Preaching 3 hrs
RLGN 5346 - Christian Theology 3 hrs

Three hours from:

Examinations or Capstone

RLGN 5102 - Comprehensive Written Examination 1 hrs - Eight hour written examination over all courses taken at Wayland Baptist University for the M.C.M. degree. May be taken in two consecutive days at four hours each day. One semester hour of credit is granted for this course.
or
RLGN 5103 - Capstone Course for the Master of Christian Ministry Degree 1 hrs - This seminar will require the student to reflect on his/her course of study, to integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the graduate program courses, and to explain how these courses can inform the practice of specific ministries.

Specialization (Optional)

Students may designate 12 of the 43 hours as a specialization in Religious Education, Bible or Christian Ministry; these hours are neither added to nor deducted from the required hours listed above.