Master of Arts
Now available: an MA degree via Connections, our distance education track. Learn more!
The Life of the Mind,
the Passions of the Heart, and the Master of Arts
Vincent
Van Gogh, in a letter to his brother Theo, offered one of his many
theological testimonies, “The best way to know God is to love many
things.” Students at Bethany learn that Van Gogh, who was a Methodist
preacher before he became a painter, offers us a window into the
richness of theological education in this simple yet profound testimony.
Indeed, in the long history of theological education, artists and
intellectuals alike have reminded us that the love of learning and the
desire for God cannot be pried apart.
The life of the mind is freely celebrated in Bethany’s MA program. Although we seek to integrate head and heart and body in all study at Bethany Theological Seminary, the challenging academic curriculum of the MA reminds graduate students that the mind, like the heart, is also a passionate organ. Thus, the more they master a variety of complicated texts, historical documents, biblical languages, stories, poems and biographies the more they will know about God, others, the world and themselves.
Students enter the program with a desire to give two years of focused study to a topic that will carry them into future doctoral work or prepare them for a professional appointment. Recent MA thesis topics include more traditional themes in Brethren History, Peace Studies, Theology and Biblical Studies as well as more contemporary academic topics in Theopoetics, Ecotheology, An Inclusive Church, Feminist Theology and other interdisciplinary and intercultural approaches to religious thought.
Several of our recent graduates are in PhD programs across the country in preparation for careers in teaching and writing. Others now work for faith-based agencies or organizations such as On Earth Peace. Still others took the MA for personal and professional enrichment and remain in their vocations as financial consultants, public school teachers and physicians.
As the current director
of the Master of Arts Program at Bethany, Malinda Berry
(
bethanyseminary.edu
Read Student Stories!
On her way to becoming a future scholar - Monica's Story
When the personal becomes public - Sue's Story
Bethany graduate pursuing PhD - Josh's Story
General Information:
The Master of Arts program provides structure in which to explore specific theological questions and for preparing for future graduate-level education. Bethany's Master of Arts (MA) is an academic degree program of theological reflection and research. It serves as the basis for further graduate study in religion and for developing a theological perspective for church and non-church related vocations. It is not designed to prepare persons for pastoral ministry, but other, more academic, ministry vocations. Required coursework includes eighteen 3-hour courses distributed over four primary disciplines and the Research/Thesis sequence.
Each student will choose an area of concentration that supports their thesis research. Possible areas include
Basic Areas of Concentration:
* Biblical Studies
* Historical Studies
* Theological Studies
Interdisciplinary Areas of 
Concentration:
* Brethren Studies
* Ministry Studies
* Peace Studies
Other areas can be considered upon petition to the Educational Policies and Assessment Committee. Thesis work includes participation in Research Seminar, which provides interaction with other MA students in a collegial style of learning. To learn more, check out our catalog.
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