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Master of Arts
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Arts
degree is to provide a basic understanding of theological disciplines for
leadership in public ministry, further graduate study, or professional and
spiritual development.
Program Goals
The program is designed to:
- Provide foundational biblical,
theological, ethical and historical knowledge.
- Foster the capacity for critical and
constructive theological reflection regarding the content and processes
of an area of concentration
- Offer opportunity for personal,
professional and spiritual integration and growth.
Program Content, Location and Duration
The Master of Arts is designed to
provide instruction in the Christian religious heritage within diverse
cultural contexts. The degree may be used to enhance a candidate’s work in
a variety of fields. Areas of concentration may include work in such
cross-disciplinary areas as Bible and literature, ethics and public policy,
spirituality and healing, theology and the arts, or in Bible, Theology,
Church History or Ethics. Concentrations are structured in consultation with
a faculty advisor according to the interests and goals of the student. The
summative evaluation provides the opportunity to design, undertake,
integrate and assess work in the area of concentration.
The degree may be completed at either
the Portland or Bangor location of the Seminary, and includes a mid-program
review and a summative evaluation. The Master of Arts requires 50 semester
credit hours of coursework and may be completed within two years by
full-time students. Part-time students are also welcome.
The Mid-Program Review
The mid-point review is scheduled with the student’s advisor when the
student has completed at least twenty but no more than thirty-five credits.
The Registrar notifies students and their advisors when the 20 credit
threshold has been reached. Students are not permitted to register for more
than 35 credits in the M.A. program until after completing the mid-point
review. The student gathers the necessary documents for the review, which
include:
- The student’s Academic
Transcript.
- A written presentation of the student’s
learning goals and purposes for the degree.
- A review of progress in the concentration.
- A statement regarding the student’s
intended summative evaluation.
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Master of Arts
Degree Credits:
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| 6 |
Hebrew Scriptures |
| 6 |
New Testament |
| 6 |
History |
| 6 |
Ethics |
| 6 |
Theology |
| 9 |
Concentration
9credit hours of course work in the area of concentration, 6
hours of which may be taken at other institutions in the field at
the graduate level. Concentrations may be a) in
professional fields such as ethics and public policy, spirituality
and the arts or medicine and ethics, or b) in a general field such
as Bible, Theology, History or Ethics. |
| 6 |
Electives
The required credit hours may be completed through additional
course work or independent study at the Seminary. Independent
study may include work with a faculty-approved professional in the
student’s area of concentration. Such study would be directed
and evaluated by the faculty member. |
| 5 |
Summative Evaluation* (See below) |
| 50 |
Total Credit Hours |
| Graduation
Requirements Checklist |
*A summative evaluation
demonstrates skill and expertise in the area of concentration, as well as
the capacity for critical and constructive theological reflection in the
area of concentration. Three options are available:
Portfolio
The portfolio includes the mid-program and final statement of goals
and purposes for the degree and an analysis of their accomplishment;
materials from the mid-term review; the principal work from all courses; all
work done in the area of concentration; and a final paper which integrates
the material studied for the degree, personal and vocational aspirations and
theological reflection. The paper is normally 10-15 pages, cross-referenced
to other items in the portfolio and completed in proper scholarly form. The
portfolio is evaluated by first and second faculty readers.
Project
The summative project is developed with the advisor. A project
report, which includes theological reflection on the project, will be
completed in proper scholarly form and evaluated by first and second faculty
readers.
Thesis
The thesis is developed with the advisor following established
thesis procedures and evaluated by first and second faculty readers.
Students will select specific core courses in
consultation with their advisor in order to provide an adequate theological,
biblical, historical and ethical grounding for their area of concentration.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the degree must have a baccalaureate degree.
Location
The full MA degree can be completed in Portland
or Bangor. Course listings on
each campus are available prior to each semester.
Housing
The Bangor campus can accommodate both commuter and residential
students. Some family housing is available on the campus as well as in the
surrounding area. The Portland campus serves commuter students.
Bangor Theological Seminary:
"serving students from a variety of cultural and religious
backgrounds with a young, dynamic, and well-trained staff."--Nancy
Hooper Horvath, Alumna
Admissions
Information
TO THE DEGREE
PROGRAMS PAGE
TO THE BTS
HOME PAGE
Last modified April 08, 2002
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