CHRISTIAN MINISTRY EDUCATION -COURSES AND DEGREES EXPLAINED

Biblical Studies

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The Biblical Studies program is designed to train students in the actual text of the Bible. With a heavy focus in exposition, the program takes a student into the text itself, training a student how to draw out meaning and to proclaim that meaning through lectures, lessons, and sermons. The program is ideal for any Christian desiring to study God’s word in an in-depth manner.

Undergraduate Program
Associate of Biblical Studies Program (60 Semester Hours)

The foundation of all ATS programs, the Associate of Biblical Studies program introduces students into the world of higher biblical education, focusing heavily upon exposition of key biblical books.

Ministry

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The Ministry program is designed to train students in practical ministry applications. The core of the program consists of expositional courses, with supplemental courses in pastoral counseling, pastoral leadership, and theology being added. The program is ideal for pastors and other Christian leaders within the church who desire a well-rounded general Bible education.

Undergraduate Program
Bachelor of Ministry (120 Semester Hours)

Currently, the B.Min. program focuses upon Bible exposition and practical ministry courses. The program is ideal for students wishing to advance into graduate programs offering the Pastoral Leadership area of specialization.

Master Programs
Master of Ministry: Pastoral Leadership (30 Semester Hours )

The Pastoral Leadership area of specialization is designed primarily for pastors and assistant pastors within the church. It combines biblical exposition with practical pastoral counseling courses, giving pastors a firm foundation for leading the modern church. The program is also an excellent entry program into the MDiv Pastoral Leadership program and the DMin program.

Master of Ministry: Biblical Counseling (30 Semester Hours)

The Biblical Counseling area of specialization differs considerably from the Christian Counseling program. Whereas the Christian Counseling program is designed for those Christian workers engaged primarily in counseling, the Biblical Counseling program is designed for those pastors and Christian workers who find that counseling is a small but necessary portion of their ministry. Thus, the Biblical Counseling program focuses upon practical application courses designed primarily for Christian workers who must counsel in areas such premarital counseling, marriage counseling, and bereavement counseling. As the program is designed primarily for Christian workers, it is not offered at the undergraduate level, for the Biblical Counseling assumes a thorough Bible training for students who enroll into the program.

Master of Ministry: Christian Counseling (45 Semester Hours)

The Christian Counseling area of specialization is designed for Christian workers whose primary job is counseling within the church. The program contains course work upon key Bible books and doctrinal courses, but strongly emphasizes Christian Counseling coursework from the National Christian Counselors Association. The program leads to an ATS Master of Ministry degree and faith-based licensure by the NCCA.

Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Ministry: Pastoral Leadership (30 Semester Hours)

This D.Min. program continues the training begun at the Master of Ministry level. It is an excellent program for pastors and Christian leaders who desire advanced ministry coursework.

Doctor of Ministry: Biblical Counseling (30 Semester Hours)

This D.Min. program continues the training begun at the Master of Ministry level. It is an excellent program for pastors and Christian leaders who desire advanced biblical counseling coursework. As with the Master’s program, the program is designed to aid those Christian workers who find that counseling is a small but necessary part of their ministry.

Doctor of Ministry: Christian Counseling (30 Semester Hours)

This D.Min. program continues the training begun at the Master of Ministry level. Taking the student even deeper into advanced Christian counseling, the coursework requires advanced courses from the NCCA. Students will complete at least two faith-based NCCA Board Certification areas of specialization with their degree program. See the D.Min. (Christian Counseling) page for more specific information

Divinity

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The Divinity degree program offers all pastors and church leaders extensive training in critical areas of Christian ministry within the church. With two very diverse areas of specialization, the Divinity degree program is well rounded in its offerings. One of the most recognized and sought after degree programs, the Divinity degree program allows a student to receive training in all the core areas of ministry under one program.

Graduate Programs
Master of Divinity (M.Div.): Biblical Languages 90 Semester Hours

The Biblical Languages area of specialization is designed for pastors and other Christian leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills with practical ministry and theological training, and with translation skills. Understanding of key language concepts allows pastors and teachers to prepare and present dynamic and in-depth Bible lessons, drawing congregations and classrooms into deeper discussion of the text and its meaning for today’s world. The program is ideal for those seeking to advance into specialized Th.D. programs.

Master of Divinity (M.Div.): Pastoral Leadership 60 Semester Hours

Pastoral Leadership (M.Div.) offers pastors and other Christian leaders a well-rounded and practical ministry program that focuses upon biblical exposition, key areas of theology, and pastoral counseling. More developed than the Ministry program, the M.Div. Pastoral Leadership program is ideal for students seeking to advance into the D.Min. program.

Theology

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Undergraduate Program
Bachelor of Theology (120 Semester Hours)

The Th.B. program focuses upon exposition of key biblical books and practical theology courses. The program is ideal for students wishing to advance into any ATS graduate program.

Master Programs
Master of Theology: Pastoral Theology (30 Semester Hours )

The Pastoral Theology area of specialization is designed for students active in the ministry with a desire to understand key theological concepts more thoroughly. Although the program does not focus upon practical ministry training, such as Church Administration or Premarital Counseling, the Pastoral Theology specialization maintains a practical atmosphere for students actively serving in the church.

Master of Theology: Old Testament Studies (45 Semester Hours)

The Old Testament Studies program provides advanced training in key Bible books such as Romans and Isaiah, and strongly focuses upon Biblical Hebrew, requiring Hebrew I through Hebrew IV. Research and Thesis coursework are also required for this program. The program prepares students for the M.Div. (Biblical Languages) program and the Th.D. in Old Testament Studies program.

Master of Theology: New Testament Studies (48 Semester Hours)

As of Spring 2016, the current program is a 42 Semester Hour program. The program as listed in the 2016 Catalog is slated to be completed by the Fall of 2016. The program requires study in key New Testament books and strongly focuses upon New Testament Greek, requiring Greek I through Greek IV. Research and Thesis coursework are also required for this program. The program prepares students for the Th.D. in New Testament Studies.

Doctoral Programs
Doctor of Theology: Pastoral Theology (30 Semester Hours)

The Pastoral Theology program focuses upon key New Testament books and key Bible doctrines, and continues the training begun in the Th.M. (Pastoral Theology) program.

Doctor of Theology: New Testament Studies (36-42 Semester Hours)

This emphasis offers three fields of study: The Writings of John (36 Semester Hours); The Writings of Paul (36 Semester Hours); and The Writings of Luke (42 Semester Hours). Each requires a dissertation and extensive work with the original Greek underlying the KJV. This is the most in-depth training offered by ATS in the New Testament, requiring 3 to 5 years of study.