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58 MASTER OF ARTS (MA) The Master of Arts degrees are intended for students who plan to engage in some specific form of Christian service requiring training different from the Master of Divinity degree. By studying in an area of specialization, the student will be equipped to serve in a specific capacity needed by the Christian community. The programs are designed for: • Specialized personnel in the areas of church ministry, administration, and counseling • Teachers in Christian or public schools who desire advanced biblical and theological training • Those who plan to serve in non-clergy roles in parachurch or missions support agencies (for example, specialized apologetics ministries to challenge non-Christian worldviews) • Missionaries who want biblical and theological training while on home assignment • Those interested in serving in a chaplaincy or justice and compassion-related ministry • College-trained lay people who desire biblical and theological studies to enhance their Christian witness within their chosen professions and/or their leadership in the local church • Students planning to pursue doctoral-level study in a related field where the Master of Arts degree is an acceptable intermediate step The Master of Arts degrees are not designed as alternatives or substitutes for the Master of Divinity program. The Master of Divinity degree provides the maximum flexibility in ministerial preparation and is the standard degree for those Christian vocations that usually require ordination, which include the pastorate, chaplaincy, and cross-cultural evangelism/church planting. Students pursuing the Master of Arts degree should select a degree or major that is appropriate to their vocational goals and must be accepted for studies in that degree program or major prior to enrollment. Degree Requirements 1. The completion of a the required number of credit hours for the specified Master of Arts degree [thirty-nine hours for the Master of Arts in Theology, Justice, and Social Advocacy, forty hours for the Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies), forty-two hours for the Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation, forty-four hours for the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and the Master of Arts (Theology), forty-five hours for the Master of Arts in Leadership, fifty-one hours for the Master of Arts (Christian Studies), fifty-three hours for the Master of Arts (Old Testament), fifty- four hours for the Master of Arts (New Testament), and sixty-four hours for the Master of Arts in Counseling]. 2. The successful completion of a summative experience specific to the major. Graduation Requirements 1. Satisfactory completion of the minimum number of required hours for the specified Master of Arts degrees and completion of all degree requirements. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required for graduation [2.75 for the Master of Arts (New Testament, Old Testament, or Theology)]. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is required for graduation in all Master of Arts in Counseling programs. 2. Satisfactory completion of the summative experience required by the major department. This may require the passing of a comprehensive examination administered by the major department. In some programs, students must satisfactorily complete a thesis or project. 3. Master of Arts in Counseling students must complete the required number of individual counseling sessions as outlined in the MA-Counseling Program Handbook. 4. Submission and approval of an application for graduation. Students must submit the graduation application via the online form by the deadline posted for the semester in which the student expects to graduate. Students may contact the Registrar's Office for the link to the graduation