Academics

The Master Degree program in Chaplaincy is designed to provide students a thorough understanding of essential theoretical concepts and their practical application as a professional Chaplain. This is a unique program for students with a passion to serve others often during hard times. The program thoroughly develops each student through rigorous academic coursework as well as personal and spiritual development. The following are course requirements for the Program. Courses must be completed with a grade of C - or better in order to successfully complete the program.

MDT 405 The Pentateuch 3 Credits

Modern biblical criticism derives in large part from early attempts to resolve the numerous compositional and structural anomalies and discrepancies found in the Mosaic Pentateuch or ‘Five Books of Moses’; i.e., the ‘five books’ of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

MDE 701 History of Israel 3 Credits

A study of the history of Israel in light of the Old Testament books of Joshua through Esther. Emphasis will be on God’s activities and interventions into the affairs of mankind, as well as on how heroes of faith impacted their culture.

MDE 702 Wisdom Literature 3 Credits

A detailed examination of the books of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.

MDE 707 Evangelism and Communication 3 Credits

This course will focus on the biblical imperative of evangelism and various methods of witnessing in the pluralistic cultures in which chaplains serve. Particular emphasis will be given to wisely sharing the Gospel in military, healthcare, and community settings. Additionally, attention will be given to evangelism follow-up, discipleship, and scripture memorization.

MDE 703 Teaching Method of Jesus 3 Credits

An examination of Jesus as a teacher. The authority, mission, content, discipline, teaching acts, and methodology of our Lord are investigated. Emphasis is given to the place of the cross in education and the Holy Spirit as a teacher.

MDT 408 The Synoptic Gospel 3 Credits

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are the earliest surviving accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. This course will provide a detailed examination of these texts, paying special attention to the distinctive portrait of Jesus that each gospel presents.

MDT 409 The Gospel of John 3 Credits

The course will introduce the students to current research and interpretation of the Gospel of John. You need to be ready to invest about ten hours of class work, research and study each week in order to work through the course requirements adequately.

MDT 422 Eschatology 3 Credits

A study of eschatology, including various systems, history of chiliasm, major themes and problems in Eschatology, the order of predicted events, and the rapture question.

MDCH 901 Introduction to Chaplaincy 3 Credits

This course is designed for people who have received a call from God or are exploring the call to Christian ministry and who may wish to explore the possibility of chaplaincy ministry, either as a full-time calling or in conjunction with other forms of ministry. The course introduces students to the contexts in which chaplains minister, the types of tasks they perform, and the challenging issues that they will face ministering in various settings outside the scope of the traditional church’s ministry, such as the military, the workplace, hospitals and retirement homes, prisons, and rescue missions or homeless shelters.

MDCH 902 Chaplaincy: Healthcare 3 Credits

This course examines a biblical approach to theodicy, suffering, and redemption, demonstrating the foundation for evangelical ministry in a healthcare environment. Attention is given to providing Christocentric spiritual care to patients and staff within pluralistic and secular settings.

MDCH 903 Foundations of Correctional Chaplaincy 3 Credits

This course provides an overview of correctional chaplaincy as it functions in correctional facilities. Topics will include the history of correctional chaplaincy, the special skills, and abilities the professional chaplain must possess, the critical dimensions of the multiple roles a chaplain assumes, and the constitutional mandates that govern the delivery of religious services in an institutional setting. Special focus will be placed on the “ministry of presence,” effective volunteer management, the development of individualized ministry plans, and on chaplains as “agents of change.”

MTD 421 Soteriology 3 Credits

A study of the grace of God in salvation including election, the ministry of the Savior in His humiliation and exaltation, the nature and extent of the Atonement, efficacious grace, justification, regeneration, the salvation ministries of the Holy Spirit.

MDCH 904 Death and dying 3 Credits

This course focuses upon dying and bereavement in today’s cultural and medical environment, and then on death, mourning and immortality from the perspectives of the world’s religious traditions. We will examine psychological, ethical and philosophical perspectives on the process of dying, care for the dying, and issues of mourning. What are the principle beliefs and practices about personal identity, the nature of God or ultimate reality, death, and post-death existence?

MDC 601 Counseling Terminologies and Methodologies 3 Credits

This course is designed to provide counseling of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a multicultural society. Comprehension and application of basic concepts of standardized and non-standardized testing and other assessment techniques, including norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, environmental assessment, performance assessment, inventory methods, psychological testing, and behavioral observations are examined.

MDC 610 Mediation and Conflict Resolution 3 Credits

Conflict is a part of our lives. The study of conflict and its resolution through negotiation is the goal of this course. This course will focus on the concepts and skills necessary to help you identify and resolve conflicts through negotiation.

MDE 708 Christian Ethics and Law 3 Credits

In this introduction to the study and practice of Christian ethics and law, the student will examine philosophical and theological backgrounds for ethics, the role of biblical authority, and the historical relation between church and culture in order to develop a valid method of moral decision making, examine the importance of ministerial ethics, evaluate ethical issues, and lead the church in applying the gospel to life.

MDC 604 Pastoral and Behavioral Psychology 3 Credits

A course designed to consider the special issues associated with the theory, practice, and administration of counseling in pastoral contexts. Students will receive training for certification in the PREPARE-ENRICH and MBTI assessments, as well as the Strategic Pastoral Counseling model.

MDC 606 Adolescent Counseling 3 Credits

Examines the relevant counseling theories and techniques as they apply to children and adolescents. Includes interventions for children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

MDC 602 Theoretical and Practical Application in Counseling 3 Credits

The Counseling Theories and Applications I course is designed to provide students with sufficient knowledge of the major theoretical systems of counseling and psychotherapy.

MDC 611 Innovative Approaches to Counseling 3 Credits

This introductory counseling course is designed to provide students with an orientation to the field of counseling. It will familiarize students with the assumptions, theories, strategies, applications, and ethical and legal considerations related to development in counseling. Students will be introduced to the core requirements and multicultural competencies necessary to become a counselor, the various employment opportunities and settings in the counseling profession, and the roles and functions of counselors in these settings.

MDR 803 Philosophy of Religion 3 Credits

This course introduces the Western philosophical tradition of reasoned, systematic, and critical reflection on various matters about monotheistic religious belief. We will examine the relationship between faith and reason; the question of religious miracles; the relationships among science, religion, and evolution; and the nature and validity of religious experience. The course aims to provide both general philosophical methods for analyzing religious belief and to develop the student’s capacity for logical, analytical, and critical thinking about such matters in particular.

Special Lecture I 3 Credits

Special Lecture II 3 Credits

TOTAL 66 Credits