Graduate studies build on the education students have already received, and the experience they have already gleaned. The Master of Arts (MA) is a degree that requires integration: the integration of theology/Bible, pastoral studies, and the student’s own ministry. The academic rigor of the program is greater than undergraduate education both in terms of expectations on preparations and assignments. The curriculum is indeed more integrated and requires a personal element of theological and pastoral reflection on the content of instruction. Likewise, the curriculum is not only comprised of more focused content, but the processing of the content requires more significant engagement of the information both cognitively and affectively, ultimately applying itself to how the student does ministry in his or her congregation.
An intentional aspect of CCCB’s approach to graduate studies includes the formation of a network of resources. This is accomplished by engaging the personnel associated with partner organizations and individuals actively engaged in diverse disciplines in ministry, which adds not only to the learning experience in the classroom, but also outside the classroom.
CCCB accepts select master’s-level courses into the MA programs, and any of CCCB’s certificates can be added to them.
CCCB offers the MA degree with the following programs:
- Ministry Leadership
- Preaching
CCCB has identified the following statements as Learning Objectives for the Graduate program:
1. Foundational Knowledge: the ability to identify and articulate the essential content of various academic disciplines.
2. Analytical Thinking: the ability to analyze carefully and critically information and ideas from multiple sources and perspectives.
3. Application of Knowledge: the ability to use information and concepts from studies in multiple disciplines in academic, personal, and ministry contexts.
4. Cultural and Social Understanding: the ability to recognize and appreciate one’s own cultural and social traditions as well as the ability to understand and appreciate cultural, religious, and political diversity within the human experience, both locally and globally.
5. Effective Communication: the ability to make effective use of language and other symbolic systems essential to academic, personal, and ministry success.
6. Ethical Decision-making: the ability to make judgments with respect to values and conduct and to evaluate the effects of these choices.
7. Servant Leadership: the ability to understand and apply the principle that leadership emerges from those whose primary motivation is a deep desire to serve others.
The graduate program utilizes professors with terminal degrees in their fields to teach and/or lead the in-seat classes.