
NIGHT TRACK
Memphis Theological Seminary now offers a Night Track for our master’s degree programs. The program makes it possible for a working adult to obtain their MDiv or MACM while still maintaining their full-time job. Classes are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 6-9 pm. A full time student may complete the MDiv in 4 years and the MACM may be completed in 3 years. Learn how you can become a student.
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MASTER OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Social Justice Specialization
SCHOLARSHIP
- Critically interpret Christian scripture, history, and doctrine to inform and guide their specialized ministry.
- Employ theological reflection and exercise skills for ministerial leadership in light of cultural contexts for the just transformation of the church and the world.
PIETY
- Develop and sustain deeper self awareness and accountability through personal and communal relationships for sustainable ministry leadership.
- Be open to diverse perspectives and expressions of love for God, neighbor, and the creation.
JUSTICE
- View injustice in new and more complex ways because of transformational encounters with personal and systemic injustices.
- Integrate their specialized ministry with critical, creative, and compassionate responses to injustice guided by religious faith.
Heritage
Students should be able to understand and critically interpret scripture, history, and Christian theology.
Cultural Context
Students should be able to analyze local and global contexts and respectfully explore culturally non-dominant perspectives in light of Christian tradition.
Formation
Students should be able to show growth in personal faith, emotional maturity, and moral integrity.
Leadership
Students should be able to employ practical theological reflection and exercise skills within a specialized ministry.
The specializations for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) degree program have been designed in light of the mission of Memphis Theological Seminary and the strengths of the faculty. Students will be assigned a faculty adviser who will guide the student in course selections so that those reflect the specialized ministry in which the student chooses to focus.
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry offers specializations within different areas. All specializations share the common core of required courses in Bible, theology, and church history, along with requirements in the areas of the social context for ministry and the practice of ministry. The latter requirements are shaped with regard to the student’s specialization and include practicum and immersion components.
The Social Justice specialization is intended for those preparing for ministry with persons and organizations addressing systemic injustice.
This specialization requires 9 credit hours of courses selected from the list below (or approved by your advisor). Students may wish to focus their study in relation to a context such as urban ministry, rural ministry, or prison ministry. Specialized course work should address such topics as theological analysis of power, cultural dynamics, social institutions and social change, social movements, and community organizing. In consultation with your advisor you should select courses that fit with your interests and your plans for your integrative seminar project.
Any courses listed as Interfaith/Intercultural (IFC) (see academic catalog)
Church History (CH) Courses
CH 210 Religion and Contemporary American Society
CH 215 Religion and the U.S. Presidency
CH 220 Religion, Slavery, and the US Civil War
CH 225 The Forgotten Prophet: Prophetic Rhetoric of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner
CH 280 The Historical Development of Black Religion in America
CH 281 The African American Prophetic Tradition
CH 284 Civil Rights and Religion
CH 285/TH 285 The Theology and Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
CH 330 Twentieth Century Saints and Martyrs
CH 335 Subversive Sisters: A History of Women in the Christian Tradition
CH 499 Independent Studies in Church History
Biblical Studies (HB/NT) Courses
NT 329/TH 329 Jesus Was a Carpenter: Faith Perspectives on Labor and Justice
HB 200 Bible and The Blues
Practice of Ministry (PM) Courses
PM 239 Church as Non-Profit Organization
PM 276 Transformational Leadership for Ministry in the Urban Context
PM 303 Christian Ministry in the City
PM 319 Church as Mediating Institution
PM 326 The Pastor as Broad-Based Community Organizer
PM 327/TH 327 Theology and Practice of Community Organizing
Theology (TH) Courses
TH 309 Male and Female God Created Them: A Theology of Gender and Sexuality
TH 312 Christian Political Thought
TH 285/CH 285 The Theology and Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
TH 286 Rhetoric of MLK
TH 270 The Doctrine of Creation
TH 323 Critical Race Theory
TH 333 Religious Discourse of African American Women
TH 336 Rhetoric of Race
TH 339 Howard Thurman: Mystic, Pastor, and Prophet
Core Courses
Interpreting the Hebrew Bible | 3 |
Interpreting the New Testament | 3 |
Introduction to Theological Study for Ministry | 3 |
Christian Heritage I | 3 |
Christian Heritage II | 3 |
Christian Ethics | 3 |
Total credits in Core Courses | 18 |
Cultural Context
Context and Models for Mission and Evangelism (includes field education) | 3 |
Interfaith and Intercultural Elective (with immersion) | 3 |
Total credits in Cultural Context | 6 |
Practice of Ministry Electives
Provides the opportunity for theological reflection on and knowledge of the practice of ministry in relation to the student’s area of specialization.
Practice of Ministry Elective | 3 |
Practice of Ministry Elective | 3 |
Total credits in Practice of Ministry | 6 |
Personal and Spiritual Formation
Formation for Ministry I | 1.5 |
Formation for Ministry II | 1.5 |
Total credits in Personal and Spiritual Formation | 3 |
Free Electives
Electives should be selected consistent with the specified specialization.
Free Elective | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 |
Total credits in Free Electives | 9 |
Specialized Ministry Practicum
Specialized Ministry Practicum | 3 |
Total credits in Specialized Ministry Practicum | 3 |
Integrative Seminar
(taken after 36 hours or more are completed)
MACM Integrative Seminar and Practicum Project | 3 |
Total credits in Integrative Seminar and Practicum Project | 3 |
Total credits: 48
Note: Within the area of specialization no more than three courses may transfer in from another accredited seminary.
“Practicum” denotes practical education experience within a course. The emphasis within a practicum is the practice of specific ministry skills. This may take place in a classroom, chapel, a local church, or other appropriate setting. Practicums may vary in number of hours from 20 to 70 hours.
“Field Education” denotes 20 hours of practical education experience within a course that takes place outside of the regular classroom setting. The emphasis in field education is learning that takes place through interaction with people and organizations related to the field of study.
“Immersion” denotes at least 50% of class time will take place outside of the traditional classroom setting. Immersions typically involve more field education than practicum.
Colloquia Credits: MACM students are required to earn 6 theological colloquia credits. The colloquia are administration and faculty-approved events held on campus or other events approved by the student’s faculty adviser.
Required GPA for Graduation: Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
Requirements for Ordination: Memphis Theological Seminary offers additional courses that meet ordination requirements for certain denominations. Students seeking ordination should consult their denomination officials to ascertain current requirements and procedures.
NOTE: Degree requirements listed here are for overview purposes only. Official degree requirements are found in the most current Academic Catalog or on current degree sheets.
Important Admission and Financial Aid dates
NOTICE: If you intend to apply for scholarships as an incoming student you MUST meet the early application deadline.
August 14, 2020
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August 15, 2020
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August 24, 2020
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October 1, 2020 MTS School Code G10529 |
November 30, 2020 Spring 2021 Scholarship Application deadline & Spring 2021 Early Admission deadline |
January 15, 2021 MTS Spring 2021 Admission deadline |
January 16, 2021 Spring 2021 New Student Orientation |
January 25, 2021 First Day of Spring 2021 Classes |
April 30, 2021 Fall 2021 Admission deadline for DMin program |
May 31, 2021 Fall 2021 Scholarship Application deadline & Fall 2021 Early Admission deadline for Masters & Certificate programs |
August 13, 2021 MTS Fall 2021 Admission deadline for Masters & Certificate programs |
August 14, 2020 MTS Fall 2021 New Student Orientation |
We appreciate your interest in Memphis Theological Seminary. The MTS admissions staff is committed to supporting you in your theological journey. We are here to help you while you are discerning your call, considering degree and certificate options, and supporting you as you do ministry in the real world. At MTS we are committed to educating and sustaining men and women for ordained and lay ministry in the church and the world through shaping and inspiring lives devoted to scholarship, piety, and justice. Please don’t hesitate to ask how we can assist you along in your journey.

Rev. Fekecia Gunn
(901) 334-5887

Rev. Walter Henry
(901) 334-5833

Rev. Dr. Felecia LaVant
(901) 334-5804

Luke Waters
(901) 334-5841