Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM)

The MAM is a new degree designed for those who desire to receive training for real, practical ministry in a manner that provides rich biblical and theological training alongside practical application, better preparing the student for a lifetime of faithful ministry. The MAM General Track may be completed in a hybrid (online/on-campus) format with as few as 4 one-week visits to campus for intensive courses.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS DEGREE?

The varied formats and concentrations possible within the MAM make this degree a good fit for:

• People who sense a call to ministry but need a season of preparation and who desire to study in a more immersive manner in residence at our main campus in St. Louis.
• Busy ministry leaders who are unable to relocate to complete their training but desire a biblical and practical degree to better equip them for the work to which the Lord has already called them.

See MAM course list below.

CONCENTRATIONS

All MAM students will take substantial core courses providing foundations in Bible and theology, with a wide range of electives to be spread across classes in biblical studies and applied theology. Students can also choose to concentrate the remainder of their electives to better equip them for their unique ministry contexts or goals. (NOTE: The MAM Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry track may be done in a hybrid (online/on-campus) format with as few as 5 one-week visits to campus for intensive courses. The MAM Counseling Ministries track may be completed in as few as 4 one-week visits to campus for intensive courses. The other concentration tracks require several semester-long on-campus courses.)

• Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry — Ideal for the ministry leader who wants to be trained to handle and communicate God’s Word and care for his people. Requires 33 credits of core work, with 21 concentrated credits in deeper biblical studies, gospel communication, pastoral counseling, and theology of ministry. 
• Counseling Ministries — Ideal for those not seeking professional licensure but who are involved in any number of counseling ministries (recovery groups, diaconal ministry, mercy ministry, etc.). Requires 42 credits of core work, with 12 concentrated credits in counseling classes.
• Cultural Apologetics and Communication — Ideal for the person who wants to be equipped to handle the questions of our day in a way that is truthful and winsome. Requires 41 credits of core work, with 13 concentrated credits in apologetics, cultural studies, and communication courses.
• Educational Ministries — Ideal for ministry directors (women, youth, children’s, etc.) or for anyone who is called to make disciples in a non-ordained setting. Requires 41 credits of core work, with 13 concentrated credits in teaching, learning, and communication.
• Leadership  for Community Transformation — Ideal for the person who is called to minister in an urban context, whether in the church or outside of it. Requires 41 credits of core work, with 13 concentrated credits in intercultural, community development, and city ministry courses.

BIBLE CONTENT EXAM

Students must attempt the Bible Content Exam during the first semester of coursework and pass it prior to graduation.

FIELD EDUCATION

For all tracks of the MAM, 200 hours of supervised practical ministry experience and the Field Education Practicum class are required for graduation with Field Education Office approval. Specific requirements vary by track.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Accredited Bachelor’s Degree, with minimum 2.25 GPA

MAM CORE CURRICULUM (GENERAL TRACK) COURSE LIST

The chart below shows the standard course groupings for the MAM General Track, and the PDFs linked here give detailed course sequences for the on-campus and hybrid versions of that track. For other track options see the links above and talk to your Academic Advisor.

• MAM General Track – On-Campus
• MAM General Track – Hybrid

* There may be differences in the Field Education Practicum for students choosing different concentrations.

** Students wishing to form a concentration may use the elective hours to follow one of the concentration tracks (see course lists below). Students not enrolling in a track must use their electives in the following manner.

• 6 credits of electives must be in OT (Old Testament) or NT (New Testament).[3]
• 5 credits of electives must come from classes with the following prefixes: AT (Applied Theology), CC (Contemporary Culture), CG (Church Growth), CM (Communication), CO (Counseling), EM (Educational Minitries), WM (World Missions).
• 2 remaining credits are free electives.

[1] For this class, students in the Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry Track will substitute NT220 and one of NT230 or NT250. Students not in that track may also choose to make this substitution. 

[2] For this class, students in the Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry Track will substitute OT220 and one of OT230, OT240, or OT250. Students not in that track may also choose to make this substitution. 

[3] Students who have made the substitutions in notes 1 and 2 above will be considered to have fulfilled these six credits of electives.

See a list of our Course Offerings for 2021-2022.

See a full list of all our Course Descriptions.