MA in Advanced Christian Studies

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MA in Advanced Christian Studies
Contact Details

Admissions Administrator:
Sarah Prior
Spurgeon’s College
South Norwood Hill
London SE25 6DJ
Tel: (020) 8683 8462
s.prior@spurgeons.ac.uk

Master of Arts (MA) in Advanced Christian Studies

This course is designed for graduates in Theology from Spurgeon's College and other institutions.  It builds on their undergraduate studies in Theology and is also suitable for Baptist ministerial students with a previous Degree in Theology.  Ministers from other denominations can deepen and develop their knowledge and skills. The course offers an advanced level of study in a variety of subjects.

Course structure

The course has two parts and can be studied full-time over one year with a maximum period of registration of 24 months. The part-time pathway takes between two and five years. Part-time students normally attempt modules over six semesters, attending College for one day per week. It is also possible to spread the taught modules over three, four of five semesters. The part-time mode of the course thus lasts for two to four years.  The maximum period of registration for part-time candidates is five calendar years.

Part One comprises six taught modules of 20 credits each and Part Two is a 20,000 word dissertation. The six modules can be selected from the following list:

  • 401 Biblical Hermeneutics
  • 402 Research Methods (compulsory)
  • 404 The Mission of Justice and the Theology of Law
  • 405 Theological Aesthetics
  • 410 Advanced Hebrew Texts
  • 411 OT Theology
  • 412 OT Narrative
  • 414 Hebrew from Scratch
  • 416 Jeremiah
  • 420 NT Greek Texts (Acts or Luke or 2 Corinthians)
  • 426 The Book of Revelation
  • 424 NT Greek from Scratch
  • 425 NT Theology (Romans)
  • 431 Doctrines of Ministry and Sacraments
  • 432 Theological Ethics
  • 433 The Doctrine of Election from Calvin to Barth
  • 434 Comparative Ecclesiology
  • 435 The Doctrine of Creation and Environmental Ethics
  • 436 Contemporary Issues in Theology
  • 438 Feminist Theology
  • 449 The History of Evangelicalism
  • 465 Theologies of Mission
  • 467 Forms and Practice of Spirituality 
  • 474 Church Planting
  • 475 Chaplaincy

Lectures take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Not all modules are taught every year.

Assessment

Part One: for the compulsory module, 402 Research Methods, assessment is based on one 2000 word academic journal style article plus a dissertation research proposal. The language modules 410, 414, 420 and 424 carry a written exam. The other modules require one 5000 word essay. For full details please request a course document from our Admissions Department.

Part Two: consists of a dissertation of not more than 20,000 words. Students must complete part one of the course before proceeding to the dissertation. The dissertation will be the result of the student's own research and is expected to provide evidence of a person's analytical, evaluative and creative abilities. The subject of the dissertation will reflect the topics covered by Part One of the course. Dissertation subjects need the approval of the Academic Dean and a supervisor will be allocated to each student.

Ministerial training 

Candidates for Baptist ministry who already hold a degree in Theology will be registered for this course.  They will normally study in church-based mode and their course will last for two to three years.  Their choices of modules will be guided by the Director of Training, taking into account their previous training, to ensure that they fulfil all requirements of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Entry requirements and contact information

  • Qualifications for entry conform to the Regulations of the University of Wales for Master's Degrees by Examination and Dissertation (Modular Structure).
  • Applicants will normally be graduates in Theology with at least a second class honours degree or a BTh (ordinary degree) from an approved institution.
  • Non-graduates in Theology are referred to the MA in Christian Faith and Practice.
  • All applicants should note that irrespective of a person's qualifications, Spurgeon's College will need to be satisfied that a candidate has achieved the necessary academic standard to complete the course satisfactorily.

English language entry requirements

Click here for details.

How to apply

Contact our Admissions Department and ask for an application form together with a copy of the course document. Don’t forget, you can always seek information about the course by attending one of our Open Days (click here for information).

 

This degree is validated and awarded by the University of Wales, UK. For further details regarding the University and its validation services, please log on to www.wales.ac.uk/validation or email validation@wales.ac.uk