The Master of Christian Studies exists to raise the level of ministry competence among church staff and laypersons in the churches of the Mid-South region.

Program Emphases

Two primary emphases are at the core of the Master of Christian Studies program. First, the courses offered are foundational, both in terms of the student’s ability to think biblically and theologically, as well as in terms of specific ministry skills. The courses in Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Ethics, and Church History lay a foundation that grounds students both biblically and theologically. The courses on Bible Study, Communicating Biblical Truth, Evangelism and Missions, Leadership, and Counseling, are designed to help the student grow in these vital ministry skills. These two areas, thinking rightly and ministering effectively, must be seen as working in a synergetic relationship. The goal is to think biblically and theologically to make ministry more effective. Well developed ministry skills then become the natural means of living out biblical and theological truths.

A second primary emphasis of the Master of Christian Studies program is integration. Too often theological education is fragmented into isolated classes that are unconnected and coursework that is not directly linked to ministry in the church. The M.C.S. program integrates courses, with pairs of courses being strategically integrated to demonstrate how the subject matters interrelate. For instance, Preaching and Old Testament II might be taught during the same term. In that semester students might be asked to reflect on the Old Testament foundations of preaching, as well as how they should preach from the Old Testament. In addition, classroom assignments encourage students to apply classroom learning to the ministry of the local church. This happens not only in the ministry skill courses, but also in biblical and theological foundation classes. For example, assignments in Theology I might require students to design and teach a substantive, ten-week seminar on the doctrine of God. Other classes might call for students to write a case study on how the doctrine of humanity relates to a particularly difficult counseling situation in the church.

The M.C.S. program seeks to advance God’s kingdom in the churches of the Mid-South by laying a solid foundation for ministry and by teaching students to integrate their studies with their real world ministry.

Required courses include:

Program Outcomes

1. The program will raise the level of biblical literacy in churches of the region.
2. The program will promote sound processes of Bible study and encourage more people to be involved in Bible reading and study in area churches.
3. The program will educate people to be more theologically grounded and reflective and raise the level of theological education in area churches.
4. The program will raise the level of the awareness of and appreciation for Church history among the students and in area churches.
5. The program will equip students with enhanced skills in preaching and teaching the Bible.
6. The program will equip and motivate students to be involved in evangelism and missions, and will raise the level of commitment to evangelism and missions in area churches.
7. The program will equip students to think ethically, to make ethical decisions from a biblical perspective, and to bring ethical reflection to bear on the life and ministries of the church.
8. The program will train students to be more effective leaders in area churches.
9. The program will raise the level of responsible, biblical counsel given in area churches.
10. The program will strengthen the relationship between Union University and churches of the region.
    
11. The program will provide a context in which those called into full-time ministry can begin Masters-level training.
12. The program will encourage some students to pursue a full M.Div. degree at a seminary.
13. The program will play a role in “equipping the saints,” as laypersons in area churches take courses in the program.
14. Students will have a sense of Christian community with their professors and other students in the program.
    
    

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will deepen their analytical skills as they reflect seriously on the biblical text, theology, church history, and how these apply to the various tasks and ministries of the church.
2. Students will integrate what they learn in class with ministry done from week to week in their local churches.
3. Students will serve their churches more effectively as they become more biblically literate, historically, theologically, and ethically reflective.
4. Students will serve their churches more effectively as they become more skilled in various aspects of ministry, including Bible study, preaching, teaching, counseling, and leading.
5. Students will be more motivated to participate, and lead their churches in participating, in advancing the kingdom of God through missions and evangelism.
6. Students will be “doers of the Word,” applying the Bible responsibly to their personal lives and ministries.
7. Students will understand the integration between various disciplines in the curriculum.
   
   

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites:

Requirements:

To request an application packet: (for Jackson) email vtrautma@uu.edu or call 731-661-5160; (for Germantown) email keasley@uu.edu or call 901-969-5950.

Financial Information

Application Fee: $25
Graduation Fee: $25
Tuition per Semester Hour: $225

Tuition refunds for withdrawal: See the Graduate Catalogue.

Financial Aid: M.C.S students seeking a degree and taking at least six semester hours may qualify for Federal Stafford Loans. Students not seeking a degree and/or not taking six semester hours may contact the Financial Aid Office about private alternative loans.

Graduation Requirements

1. The completion of 42 hours of course work with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
2. The fulfillment of all financial obligations
3. The approval of the faculty

Course Descriptions
Master of Christian Studies (MCS)

500. Old Testament I: Promise, Covenant, and Praise (3)
An investigation of the theological implications of God’s promises which were given to his covenant people, as well as the people’s response to God in praise and lament. This course will analyze these themes through the study of the history, background, literary genre, structure, and theology of Genesis through Psalms. Exegetical methodologies for analyzing narrative and poetic texts will be introduced.

505. Old Testament II: Wisdom, Justice, and God’s Rule (3)
An investigation of how practical principles of divine wisdom impact human behavior and doubting, how God's plan to create a world of justice and trust impacted Israelite and world history, and how God's soveriegn power will one day triumph and usher in the messianic kingdom. This course will introduce a method of analyzing the prophet's messages in order to perceive how they attempted to transform the worldview of their audiences by persuading them to change their thinking and behavior.

510. New Testament I: The Gospel and Acts (3)
A survey of the Gospels and Acts with more intensive study of selected texts and issues. Included are a survey of New Testament background, evaluation of various critical approaches to the life of Christ, consideration of the historical reliability of the Gospels, and a survey of central theological themes in the teaching of Jesus, the individual Gospels, and the book of Acts.

515. New Testament II: The Letters of the New Testament (3)
A survey of the Pauline epistles, the general epistles and Revelation, with more intensive study of selected texts and issues. Included are a survey of basic issues in Pauline theology, issues in interpreting New Testament letters and the hermeneutics of the book of Revelation.

520. Bible Study for Preaching and Teaching (3)
An exploration of the methods, tools, and practices associated with the interpretation and application of the Bible. Students will exegete selected biblical passages, moving from the ancient text to the modern world.

545. Theology I: God, Revelation, and Humanity (3)
A study of the nature, method, and content of Christian Theology. Theology I will focus on prolegomena, God and revelation, and the doctrine of man.

546. Theology II: Salvation, Ecclesiology, and Last Things (3)
A study of the nature, method, and content of Christian Theology. Theology II will focus on Christ, the Holy Spirit, Salvation, the Church, and Last Things.

530. Church History I: Early and Midieval Christianity (3)
A survey of the history of Christianity from the late first century through the fifteenth century, focusing on the development of pivotal doctrines and ecclesiastical institutions in the Patristic and Medieval periods.

531. Chruch History II: Reformation and Modern Christianity (3)
A survey of the history of Christianity from the early sixteenth century to the early twentiy-first century, focusing on the development of pivotal doctrines and ecclesiastical institutions in the Reformation and Modern periods.

535. Communicating Biblical Truth (3)
Communicating Biblical Truth is a study of the basics of sermon development and delivery, as well as the art and craft of teaching biblical truth.

536. Evangelism and Missions (3)
An introduction to the ministry of evangelism and missions that moves from its biblical basis and theological foundations to a study of contemporary strategies, methodologies, movements, and trends with a focus on their practical application.

537. Introduction to Christian Ethics (3)
An introduction to Christian ethics which focuses on ethical methodology and application of Christian ethical principles to key issues in church and society.

538. Christian Leadership (3)
The course focuses on how biblical values affect models of organizational leadership within the local church and other Christian institutions.

539. The Ministry of Biblical Counsel (3)
An introduction to the underlying principles and methods involved in offering biblical counseling in today's church and society.