Master of Arts in Christian Studies
The Master of Arts in Christian Studies (MACS) is a continuation of the Graduate Diploma of Christian Studies (GDCS). Building on the credits of the GDCS, the MACS offer additional credits making up a total of 62 credits.
The programme offers deeper engagement for working professionals in the areas of biblical, theological, and historical foundations of the Christian faith. As part of their training, students will participate in two semesters of a Spiritual Mentoring Group that facilitates the integration of academic knowledge with inner life and spirituality, mission, and vocation.
As a course that extends for a year beyond the 1-year GDCS, the MACS is similarly conducted on a part-time basis in the evening over a 8-year cycle, or in the daytime as a 2-year, full-time course of studies. The majority of credits earned in this programme are transferable to the Master’s degree programmes. However, it should be noted that the MABS and MDiv programmes have original-language requirements that take at least 2 years of full-time studies besides completed coursework from a MACS degree in order to complete.
Prerequisites for Programme Admission
Academic Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or Bible College
English Language Minimum Requirements
- ‘A’ Level: B4
- TOEFL: 550 (PBT)/213 (CBT)/80 (IBT)
- IELTS: 6.0
General Requirements
- At least 24 years old
- Christian for at least 2 years
- Evidence of involvement in ministry
- Evidence of call to ministry and service
- Endorsement by church leadership
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of 62 credit hours
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Church Involvement and Ministry (CIM)
Curriculum
The first year of the MACS curriculum is identical to the GDCS as described in the left-hand columns. The second year that is unique to the MACS can be found in the right-hand columns:
Year 1
| First Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Old Testament Survey OR Old Testament Foundations | 3 |
| New Testament Studies I | 3 |
| Survey of Church History | 3 |
| Introduction to Christian Spirituality | 3 |
| Hermeneutics | 3 |
| Systematic Theology II | 3 |
| Second Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Old Testament Studies I | 3 |
| New Testament Survey OR New Testament Foundations | 3 |
| Missiological Perspectives | 3 |
| Systematic Theology I | 3 |
| Theology of Work & Vocation | 3 |
| Year 1 Total | 33 |
Year 2
| First Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Old Testament Studies II | 3 |
| Christian Ethics | 3 |
| Principles of Christian Education OR Teaching-Learning Process | 3 |
| *PT/IS Elective #1 | 3 |
| Spiritual Mentoring Group | 1 |
| Second Semester | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| New Testament Studies II | 3 |
| Homiletics I | 3 |
| Gospel, Church & Culture OR Apologetics & Outreach | 3 |
| Systematic Theology III | 3 |
| *PT/IS Elective #2 | 3 |
| Spiritual Mentoring Group | 1 |
| Year 2 Total | 29 |
* PT – Practical Theology IS – Intercultural Studies
Note: Course offerings are subject to change. There will be a tracking of Church Involvement and Ministry (CIM) as part of the programme requirements..
Blended Learning at SBC
At SBC, we seek to build up our community through blended learning: designing synchronous and asynchronous learning activities using both physical and online platforms. Students may expect to be enriched with a variety of face-to-face and online learning experiences during their studies at SBC.
