Master of Arts in Christian Education

 

Faith communities are in need of ethical religious educators who honor the past, are curious about the present and creatively envision possible futures. By nurturing personal and public liberating Christian faith, the MACE program seeks to equip persons to provide leadership for the formation and transformation of individuals and communities. By cultivating abilities for negotiating the dynamic interplay between Christian heritage, congregational culture and contemporary society; between theological, educational and social-science disciplines; and between the diversities of human and creaturely existence, the MACE program offers formation for the next generation of practical theologians. Field Education placements for MACE students are in an approved Christian education setting. For the Specialization in Youth Ministry, the Field Education placement is in an approved youth ministry setting.

1. Graduates will be prepared for leading communities of faithful change.
2. Graduates will be able to negotiate human differences in the formative ecologies of faith communities in ways that foster liberating personal and corporate Christian faith.
3. Graduates will embrace a lifelong commitment to processes that lead to authentic selfunderstanding and honest theological reflection for themselves and their communities.



Course Requirements:
A total of 58 credit hours are required for the MACE degree.

BIBLICAL STUDIES (9 HOURS)

Introductory and advanced coursework in the study of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

HISTORICAL STUDIES (3 HOURS)

Studies in early church history, the medieval and reformation periods, and a special topics seminar.

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (9 HOURS)

Introductory and advanced coursework in Christian Theology and Christian Ethics.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY STUDIES (16 HOURS)

Introductory and advanced coursework in several practical areas of ministry, including Christian Education, Church Leadership, Pastoral Care, Cross-Cultural Studies, Worship and Music, Homiletics, and Field Education. Also includes a one hour Consultative Group completed during the first semester of enrollment.

ELECTIVES (21 HOURS)

Electives in the MACE program break down as follows:
    • 3 credit hours are committed to additional coursework from Biblical Studies, Historical Studies, or Theological Studies.
    • 6 credit hours are limited electives comprised of the student’s choice of the following offerings: Group Life, Sacraments of Initiation and
       Eucharist, Teaching and Learning, and Theology and Practices of Ministry.
    • 12 credit hours are rationalized electives chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor (who will be a member of the Christian
       Education faculty). United Methodist students seeking ordination may choose courses to fulfill those requirements as nine credit hours of
       rationalized electives.

OPTIONAL SPECIALIZATION IN YOUTH MINISTRY

For the MACE with Specialization in Youth Ministry, three courses are required:
    • ED-011, Ministry with/for/by Youth (3 credit hours)
    • ED-012, Adolescent World (3 credit hours)
    • WM/ED-354, Sacraments of Initiation and Eucharist (3 credit hours) ED-011 and ED-012 would constitute six credit hours of rationalized
      electives. WM/ED-354 may constitute one of the two limited electives for the degree.