Accelerated B.C.M. Theological Studies to M.A. Theological Studies

B.C.M. Theological Studies

The theological studies major focuses the student’s ministerial training on exploration of the world of the Bible, deepening his or her understanding of Christian doctrine, ethics, and church history. To complement the major, the student will complete a minor as a portion of the professional development hours in the degree unless the student enters the university with substantial ministry-related transfer credit, as determined by the dean of the school.

Bachelor of Christian Ministry Degree Specific General Education Core Course Requirements - 44 hrs

The Bachelor of Christian Ministry Degree (B.C.M.) is a minimum 124-semester hour degree designed to afford both academic and professional depth for individuals who express a call to ministry. The degree integrates university degree requirements with appropriate experience. A minimum of 36 semester hours must be upper-level credit (courses numbered 3000 and above). Components of the Bachelor of Christian Ministry degree include:

• English - 6 hrs:

• ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric 3 hrs ¹ and ENGL 1302 - Composition and Reading  3 hrs¹

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• History - 6 hrs from:

• HIST 1301 - Western Civilization to 1648 3 hrs or HIST 1303 - World Civilization to 1500  3 hrs AND  HIST 1302 - Western Civilization since 1648  3 hrs or HIST 1304 - World Civilization since 1500  3 hrs; -OR- HIST 2301 - United States History to 1877  3 hrs and HIST 2302 - United States History since 1877  3 hrs

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• Mathematics - 3 hrs:

• MATH 1303 - Mathematics for Liberal Arts 3 hrs - OR - higher

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• Exercise and Sport Science - 3 hrs:

• EXSS courses²

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• Religion - 6 hrs:

• RLGN 1303 - Old Testament for Majors and Minors 3 hrs ³ and RLGN 1304 - New Testament for Majors and Minors  3 hrs³

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• Science - 3 hrs:

• Science course 3 hrs

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• Political Science - 3 hrs:

• POLS 2301 - American Government 3 hrs

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• Communication - 3 hrs from:

• COMS 1301 - Speech Communication 3 hrs , COMS 1303 - Professional Communication  3 hrs, COMS 2302 - Communication in the Classroom  3 hrs, or COMS 2303 - Public Speaking  3 hrs

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• Computer Applications - 3 hrs:

• COSC 2311 - Computer Applications 3 hrs ⁴

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• Additional Requirements - 8 hrs:

• Math/Science/Language⁵ 3 hrs
• Math/Science/Language⁵ 3 hrs
• BASC 1200 - Best Achievement Strategies for College 2 hrs -OR- BASC 1201 - Best Achievement Strategies for College  2 hrs
• GRAD 0001 - Senior Seminar 0 hrs

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  NOTATIONS:

  1. ENGL 1301  and ENGL 1302  should be taken within first year of enrollment.
  2. Students who have served two or more years in the Armed Forces are exempt from the EXSS requirement with DD-214 from basic training.
  3. Wayland Baptist University will not accept RLGN 1303 - Old Testament for Majors and Minors  or RLGN 1304 - New Testament for Majors and Minors  , or their equivalents, from any institution except other Baptist institutions to meet the core requirement in any Wayland degree. If a student has taken  RLGN 1303 - Old Testament for Majors and Minors  and/or RLGN 1304 - New Testament for Majors and Minors  , or their equivalents, at any institution except other Baptist institutions, then the student has two options to meet the core requirement: (1) take RLGN 1303  and/or RLGN 1304  at Wayland or (2) take THST 4310 , THST 4311 , THST 4312 ,  THST 4313 , or THST 4320  in lieu of RLGN 1303 ; and/or take THST 4320 , THST 4321 , THST 4322 , or THST 4323  in lieu of RLGN 1304 . THST 4320  may be an option for either RLGN 1303  or RLGN 1304  as stated above, but may not count for both on the same degree plan. No other THST/MNST courses may substitute for either RLGN 1303  or RLGN 1304 . The Dean of the School of Christian Studies must approve any exception to this policy. RLGN 1303 - Old Testament for Majors and Minors   or RLGN 1304 - New Testament for Majors and Minors , or their equivalents, taken at non-Baptist institutions, may be transferred as elective credit with approval of the Dean of the School of Christian Studies and the Registrar.
  4. Students may opt to test out of COSC 2311 ; see course description.
  5. Remedial level courses may not be used to fulfill the mathematics requirement. Equivalents to MATH 1300  may be used.

Theological Studies - 36 hrs

The theological studies major requires a minimum of 36 hours from the following courses, of which 6 hours may be cross-listed for non-thesis track and 18 hours may be cross-listed for thesis track M.A. in theological studies (indicated in parenthesis):

M.A. Theological Studies

The M.A. in theological studies is an advanced degree for persons interested in furthering their theological and ministerial education, primarily in the classical disciplines of biblical studies, church history, theology, ethics, and philosophy. The non-thesis track allows students who elect not to complete a Master of Divinity the opportunity to gain additional theological training while actively serving in a local Christian ministry. It may also provide interested students an avenue for additional study in the classical disciplines.

The thesis track substantively prepares the student for work on more advanced degrees, such as the Ph.D. or Th.D. in a classical discipline, with hours in biblical languages and a research thesis. Students considering a career teaching at the college or seminary level should understand that the M.A. in theological studies is a step toward the academic credentials required for college or seminary teaching positions.

Program

The non-thesis track is 30 hours for students with no work in Christian Studies. The thesis track includes an additional 18 hours of graduate work beyond the 30 hours.