Master of Arts in Children’s Ministry/Master of Arts in Discipleship

DUAL DEGREE PLAN

The dual degree, Master of Arts in Children’s Ministry and Master of Arts in Discipleship, is a program designed to prepare leaders for church-related ministries in the field of religious education. Graduates from this dual degree program are equipped to demonstrate an understanding of the needs of children, explore the principles of best strategies in teaching and reaching children, and implement ministry that impacts not only the child but the family. The program provides foundations in theological, educational, and practical programming for effective childhood ministry. This dual program will also equip graduates to demonstrate general biblical and theological knowledge; and develop, organize, conduct, and evaluate Discipleship ministry in various vocational assignments. Communicate and lead effectively in a variety of church settings.

ADMISSION

In order to pursue a Dual Master’s Degree program, the applicant must apply to, meet the existing admission requirements for, and be accepted into each of the master’s degrees which comprise the dual degree program.

Note: Church Membership Requirement (for admission into the EDD in Educational Leadership—all concentrations, PHD in Leadership Studies’ Ministry Concentration, Master’s Ministry Degrees, and Advanced Ministry Certificate Programs): Within the last 12 months, the applicant must have been an active member of a Christian church that holds Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who holds solely the Old Testament and the New Testament as sacred Scripture.

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

Old Testament Survey
New Testament Survey

Prerequisites may be met with equivalent courses from another institution or from a passing grade on the GSOM Old Testament and New Testament equivalency exams and do not count toward degree completion.

REQUIRED SHARED CURRICULUM - 24 hours (excluding prerequisites)

course	Credit hours
Required Shared Curriculum	24
DISC 5302 - Biblical Servant Leadership GSOM 6310 - Ministry Mentorship (S-L)* THEO 5313 - Applied Hermeneutics THEO 6305 - Christian History and Heritage THEO 6306 - Systematic Theology WORS 6303 - Spiritual Formation and Worship Electives - Select two courses (6 hours) from the Graduate School of Ministry with approval of Program Director.

MA in CHILDREN'S MINISTRY REQUIRED CURRICULUM - 18 hours (excluding prerequisites)

course	Credit hours
Required Curriculum	18
MACH 6311 - Early Childhood Ministry MACH 6312 - Ministry with Children MACH 6351 - Children and the Christian Faith+ Select a MA in Children's Ministry 9-hour concentration and complete the required courses. (Concentrations are listed on the single degree plan.)

MA in DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRED CURRICULUM - 18 hours (excluding prerequisites)

course	Credit hours
Required Curriculum	18
DISC 6301 - Christian Education in the Local Church DISC 6302 - Biblical Strategies for Discipleship DISC 6304 - Principles for Bible Teaching Select a MA in Discipleship 9-hour track and complete the required courses. (Tracks are listed on the single degree plan.)

TOTAL HOURS
24 hours	Required Shared Curriculum
18 hours	MA in Children's Ministry Required Curriculum
18 hours	MA in Discipleship Required Curriculum
60 hours	TOTAL Dual Degree (excluding prerequisites)

+Prerequisite: MACH 6311, MACH 6312

(S-L)=Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.

Refer to individual course descriptions for course requisites.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Find course descriptions by category under the Graduate Course Descriptions section in the navigation panel.