Methodist Ministry specialization provides basic educational requirements for ordination as a deacon in the United Methodist Church. This specialization also allows for Methodist students to use this specialization for alternative pathways and not just ordination.
The Curriculum
The three year MAJS program combines MTS’s expertise in Bible exposition and theology with MJTA’s and ICB’s expertise in Jewish history, literature, and ministry strategy.
Core Courses
CM 101: Introduction to Theological Studies for Ministry
HB 100: Interpreting Hebrew Bible
NT 100: Interpreting New Testament
HT 100: Christian Heritage I
HT 200: Christian Heritage II
ET 200: Introduction to Christian Ethics
CM 300: Context and Models for Mission and Evangelism
WP 300: Theology and Practice of Worship
WP 400: Theology and Practice of Preaching
PC 200: Theology and Practice of Pastoral Care
PM 100: Theology and Practice of Pastoral Leadership
EM 200: Christian Education and Spiritual Formation
PC 300: Clinical Practicum
CM 400: MDiv Integrative Seminar
Cultural Context Electives
2 IFCs: Interfaith/Intercultural (1 with immersion)
Personal and Spiritual Formation
FM 100: Formation, Spirituality, and Ministry
FM 200: Formation and Contextual Ministry (involves a ministry placement in a church or other organization based in the Wesleyan tradition)
Electives in Specified Areas of Study
1 HB: Hebrew Bible
1 NT: New Testament
2 CH: Church History and/or TH: Theology
1 PM: Parish Ministry or PC: Pastoral Care or WP: Worship and Preaching or EM: Educational Ministry
Free Electives
3 Free Electives
Specialization Courses
WP 300: Theology and Practice of Worship
IFC 240: Mission and Evangelism in a Globalized World or PM 227: Evangelism and Discipleship in the Wesleyan Tradition
CH 240: United Methodist History
PM 250: United Methodist Theology
1 Vocational Elective
Integrative Seminar
CM 400: MDiv Integrative Seminar and Practicum Project
Program Details
What you'll experience
• Our classes integrate ministry experiences with ongoing theological reflection. Students will develop skills to prepare for creative and sustainable ministry.
Engaged Faculty
• Students will gain wisdom from faculty experienced in nonprofits, community organization boards and a variety of ministry settings. Our faculty are deeply committed to applying theological scholarship to ministry contexts.
Expanded Network
• Connect with students and faculty from various backgrounds and denominations. Diversity is a staple of the MTS experience.
Course Requirements
48 total credit hours
Colloquia Credits
All master’s level students are required to complete a number of colloquia credits in order to graduate. Please see the Colloquia Credits policy.
If colloquia credit events are attended, students need only to sign-in as they attend the event to receive credit.
If students make up credits by viewing videos of the events online (please be aware that Sunday Morning Seminary/Pulpit & Pew lessons do not qualify as colloquia events) they will need to submit a completed Colloquy Summary and Response Form to the registrar’s office: Word | PDF