Programs

Master of Theology

You feel that God is leading you into the world of Christian scholarship. It is an exciting prospect tempered by the expectation of a great deal of work. The questions start coming. Who will mentor you through the process? How can you make it fit within your already busy schedule? Do you even have the capablity to do the work?

It is time for you to think about the Master of Theology degree at Central Seminary. Here you will find a warm fellowship of Christian scholars who will guide you through your journey. The Th.M. at Central is everything you need. The courses are taught by some of the best minds in Fundamentalism. The structure is modular which will allow you to continue your life while you study. The faculty will partner with you to make sure that you succeed in your task. You will be introduced into the wider world of Christian scholarship.

An interview with Dr. Straub concerning the postgraduate program

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Theology program is to initiate students into the scholarly disciplines of research and writing.

Admissions

Applicants must have a recognized M.Div. degree or its equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). A limited number of students with an average grade lower than B may be admitted on a probationary basis, if otherwise acceptable.

Applicants must demonstrate a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Typically, the applicant’s transcripts should reflect 18 semester hours of Greek and 12 semester hours of Hebrew prior to application for the Th.M. program.

Graduates of M.Div. programs other than Central Seminary’s may be required to take either written or oral entrance examinations at the seminary’s discretion. Other academic, psychological, or spiritual examinations may be required at the discretion of the seminary.

Normally, students will submit a thesis or extended research paper that they have written previously. Otherwise, the faculty may administer an examination in connection with the application.

Curriculum

___ 3 Postgraduate seminar in hermeneutics
___ 3 Guided research seminar
___ 9 3 Seminars inside discipline
___ 3 1 Seminar outside discipline
___ 6 2 Elective seminars
___ 6 Thesis

Total 30 Hours

Master of Arts

You want to minister more effectively in your church, but you don't know how. You've had some opportunites to counsel, but you struggle to know what to do. Things get so complicated so quickly. All you know is a few well worn cliches and a pat on the back. You know the Bible has answers; you're just not sure how to provide them. Maybe you've been given the chance to teach. It's been exciting, but you are discovering that it's difficult to present anything with depth. You're just not sure how to make the connections and present the truth.

The Master of Arts could be the solution for which you are looking. With two tracks, one in Biblical Counseling and one in Theology, it is customizable, so that you can prepare for the ministry God has given you. The Master of Arts is a great start. You will begin obtaining the tools you need to make use of the power of the Word of God.

An interview with Dr. Beacham concerning the MAT program

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Arts in Theology program is to develop students’ theological competency and practical skills in order that they might minister more effectively in support roles of their local churches.

Admissions

Applicants must hold a recognized four-year bachelors degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Applicants with a GPA greater than or equal to 2.0 but less than 2.5 will be accepted on probation. See catalog for more details.

Curriculum

The M.A.T. degree consists of 32 credit hours: 14 credits form the core, while 18 credits form the concentration. Students in any concentration will take the following courses:

MAT Core

Course Abbreviation/Credit Value/Course Name

Bible Exposition (2 hours)
BI 571 2 Hermeneutics

Systematic Theology (12 hours)
ST 551 2 Systematic Theology I
ST 552 2 Systematic Theology II
ST 651 2 Systematic Theology III
ST 652 2 Systematic Theology IV
ST 751 2 Systematic Theology V
ST 752 2 Systematic Theology VI

Biblical Studies Concentration

Bible Exposition (6 hours)
BI 540 2 Matthew
BI 544 2 Acts
BI 545 2 Romans

Historical Theology (2 hours)
HT 601 2 Baptist History

Electives (10 hours)
____ 6 Bible Exposition
____ 2 Historical Theology
____ 2 General

Biblical Counseling Concentration

Required Course (2 hours)
CO 501 2 Foundations of Biblical Counseling

Elective Courses (16 hours from the following courses)
CO 521 2 Methods of Biblical Change
CO 522 2 Human Personality
CO 523 2 Marriage Counseling
CO 524 2 Family Counseling & Parenting Skills
CO 525 2 Physical Man vs. Immaterial Man
CO 526 2 Problems and Procedures
CO 560 2 Women’s Issues
CO 565 2 Counseling/Discipleship: A Local Church Ministry

Independent Studies (up to 4 hours)
An independent study course may be substituted for an elective course.
CO 581 2 Biblical Training I
CO 582 2 Biblical Training II
CO 650 2 NANC Membership Seminar

Doctor of Ministry

You've been in ministry long enough to know what you do well and what you don't. You want to sharpen your strengths. You also want to remedy your weaknesses. You've already been to seminary, and besides, you wouldn't want to leave your current ministry to go back to school. What can you do?

If you find yourself in this situation, Central Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program may be for you. Central Seminary's D.Min. brings you into a fellowship of learning without requiring you to abandon active ministry. It gives you the opportunity to strengthen your core competence in biblical and theological knowledge while sharpening your skills for the hard work of ministry.

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry program is to enable students to increase their theological and ministerial skills as spiritual Christian leaders.

Admissions

The applicant must normally have completed four years of significant vocational ministry subsequent toreceiving the M.Div. degree. In exceptional instances, applicants may be considered who have fewer than four years of post-M.Div. experience, but never those with fewer than two years.

The applicant must demonstrate growth and competence in church ministry and leadership. He must give evidence of the potential to minister effectively while successfully completing doctoral studies. The applicant must be engaged in vocational ministry when he enters the program. If at any time he leaves vocational ministry, he may be suspended from the program. The applicant must secure the endorsement of his church or other ministry to pursue the D.Min. degree. References from others who know his ministry will also be required.

The applicant may be required to pass an entrance interview with a faculty committee. In some cases, the student may be granted provisional acceptance and the interview may be held in connection with the student’s first seminar. Other academic, psychological, or spiritual examinations may be required at the discretion of the seminary.

Normally, the applicant will submit a 10-page paper on sanctification. Otherwise, the faculty may administer an examination in connection with the application. At the faculty’s discretion, the applicant may be required to pass a written examination of theological and biblical competence.

Central Seminary is not obligated to grant admission to any student, even if he possesses all of the above qualifications. Enrollment in the program is a privilege and not a right. The decision of the seminary will be influenced by several factors, including the number of openings available in the program and the likelihood that the student will contribute to the aims of Central Seminary and the intellectual and spiritual advancement of his fellow students.

Curriculum

Course Abbreviation/Credit Value/Course Name

DM 822 4 Hermeneutics & Homiletics
DM 830 4 A Theology of Counseling
DM 857 4 A Theology of Pastoral Ministry
DM 840 4 NT World Evangelism
____ 12 Elective Seminars
DM 895 4 Major Project
Total 32 Hours

Doctor of Philosophy

You are ready for the final step. You have spent a lifetime preparing to teach at the college or seminary level. You are now ready to make a contribution to the wider world of scholarship. In these important undertakings, you want a faculty who will assist you, guide you, and befriend you. You want an institution with a rich history of scholarship and devotion.

The Doctor of Philosophy program at Central Seminary might be what you need. Join with a committed group of men who have already achieved their terminal degrees at some of the best institutions in America. Benefit from their wisdom as they shepherd you through the highest scholastic achievement of your life. You will graduate not only with your doctorate but also with friendships that will remain with you during the course of your ministry.

An interview with Dr. Straub concerning the postgraduate program

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy or Theology program is to train men to serve as scholars, authors, and educators who will equip spiritual leaders of New Testament churches.

Admissions

Applicants must have a recognized M.Div. degree or a Th.M. degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants must demonstrate a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Typically, the applicant’s transcripts should reflect at least 18 semester hours of Greek and 12 semester hours of Hebrew prior to application for the program.

Applicants who have graduated from a Th.M. program must submit a copy of the Th.M. thesis with their applications. Applicants who have graduated from the M.Div. program must submit an extended academic paper that they have prepared within their projected field of concentration.

All applicants must submit satisfactory scores for the Graduate Record Examination. These scores may not be older than five (5) years. Information on taking the Graduate Record Examination can be found online at www.ets.org.

Curriculum

___ 3 Postgraduate seminar in hermeneutics
___ 6 2 Guided research seminars
___ 3 1 Seminar inside discipline
___ 9 3 Seminars outside discipline
___ 27 9 Elective seminars
___ 0 Teaching Practicum
___ 0 Comprehensive Exams
___ 12 Dissertation

Total 30 Hours

Master of Divinity

You feel called to Christian leadership, but the task seems daunting. Whether it is the public proclamation of the Word or a private meeting for counseling, you are not sure where to start. The best pastors, missionaries, and teachers that you have known have had wisdom, patience, skill in the Word, and humility. They are marked by their love of God. You have a vision of what you want to be, but you lack understanding of how to get there. How are you supposed to acquire these traits?

Consider the Master of Divinity degree. This is the core of everything that we do at Central. It is in this program that we seek to train leaders for local churches. You will gain proficiency in Greek and Hebrew which will prepare you for the exegesis that is the foundation of everything. Historical and systematic theology classes will inform your work in the text and connect you to centuries of believers who have gone before. Counseling courses will train you to appropriately apply the meaning of the text to life's problems. Pastoral theology will groom you to lead the way you ought.

An interview with Dr. Pratt concerning the M.Div. program

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Divinity degree is to equip Christian leaders to handle the Scriptures skillfully and to love God rightly so that they may bring truth to others.

Admissions

Knowledge of the original biblical languages is essential and invaluable for educating students to preach and to teach confidently from the Scriptures. The student who is limited to the English text is somewhat deprived of a wealth of critical study aids. M.Div. students are expected to be able to perform exegetical work from the original languages; therefore, an emphasis is placed on those languages at Central Seminary. All students who have taken one or more years of Greek or one or more years of Hebrew must take a placement exam for that language. If a grade of B- or greater is received, the applicant will receive advanced standing credit. A maximum of 10 credits for Greek and 9 credits for Hebrew is allowed. Students are required to take at least one semester of Greek exegesis (NT 602) and one semester of Hebrew exegesis (OT 701) at Central Seminary.

Curriculum

Course Abbreviation/Credit Value/Course Name

Year One

BI 571 2 Hermeneutics**
ME 501 2 Personal Evangelism
NT 511 2 New Testament Introduction**
NT 521/522 6 Greek Grammar
OT 511 2 Old Testament Introduction**
PT 501 2 Foundations of Biblical Counseling
PT 703 2 Pastoral Theology
ST 511 2 Research and Writing**
ST 551/552 4 Systematic Theology I & II

Year Two

HT 501/502 4 Church History I & II
ME 601 2 Foundations of Missions
NT 531/532 4 Greek Syntax & Reading
OT 501/502 6 Hebrew Grammar
PT 704 2 Church Administration
ST 651/652 4 Systematic Theology III & IV
____ 4 Electives

Year Three

NT 571 2 New Testament Biblical Theology I
NT 601/602 4 Greek Exegesis
OT 601/602 6 Hebrew Syntax, Reading, & Exegesis
OT 672 2 Old Testament Biblical Theology I
PT 602 2 Homiletics
PT 701 2 Expository Preaching I
PT 726 0 Pastoral Internship Program
ST 751/752 4 Systematic Theology V & VI
____ 2 Electives

Year Four

HT 601 2 Baptist History
HT 602 2 Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism
PT 702 2 Expository Preaching II
PT 727 2 Pastoral Internship Program
PT 750 0 Senior Seminar
ST 701 2 Dispensations
____ 12 Electives
____ 0 Senior Doctrinal Defense

Total 96 Hours

*A three year program is available by request.
**First year students must take these classes their first year.