Download Full 2008-2010 Catalog - Lincoln Christian University

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN SEMINARYThe Master of Arts Degree ProgramLincoln’s Master of Arts is a 48-hour academic degree oriented towardgeneral theological studies and requires either a master’s thesis or an extendedresearch paper with a comprehensive exam or an oral presentation. This programdoes allow a student to specialize in one of the Seminary’s major areas of study,but such specialization is more from a research perspective than for professionalpractice. Students with an undergraduate degree in professional ministerial ortheological studies may arrange for a briefer degree program, possibly as few as30 hours. Students who desire a degree more oriented toward general ministrypractice should pursue the Master of Divinity either instead of or in addition tothis degree. Since this degree is by nature “general” and since the various areasof specialization are so diverse, it is difficult to establish comprehensive goals forevery individual in this program. Still, there are some basic objectives that aregermane to all Master of Arts students:1. To demonstrate advanced research and writing skills through successfulcompletion of LS600 “Shaping the Mind of a Leader” and completion of athesis or an extended research paper.2. To develop an ability to properly interpret God’s Word through proficiency inthe Biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew or through completion of coursework in those disciplines.3. To gain a deeper theological understanding of one of the Seminary’s majorareas of study, evidenced through successful completion of course work in thatarea, culminating in a thesis or extended research paper and a comprehensiveoral exam or graduate presentation over that area.4. To understand how deeper theological study of a particular area should be setwithin the context of the Seminary’s own religious heritage and its emphasison leadership ministry.36