Graduate School of Theology

Carson Reed, Dean, Graduate School of Theology
Mason Lee, Associate Dean, Graduate School of Theology
ACU Box 29422
Abilene, Texas 79699-9422
Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 313

Phone: 325-674-3720
Fax: 325-674-3776

Email: cer12a@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/gst

Faculty

Jeff Childers, Professor
Wes Crawford, Associate Professor
Kenneth Cukrowski, Associate Professor
Chris Flanders, Professor
James Gorman, Associate Professor
Mark Hamilton, Professor
Tera Harmon, Assistant Professor
Mason Lee, Assistant Professor
Carson E. Reed, Associate Professor
Tim Sensing, Professor
Myles Werntz, Associate Professor
Richard Wright, Professor

Faculty from other departments who teach in this program:

Houston Heflin, Professor, DBMM
David Kneip, Associate Professor, DBMM
Curt Niccum, Professor, DBMM

Theological Librarian

Ethan Lewis

Introduction

The Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University offers a variety of degrees and programs designed to meet the complex needs of its students. Its goal is to be both academically rigorous and practical in equipping students for effective ministry.

The faculty view their work as integral to the university’s mission: to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. All programs attempt to instill in students the heart and nature of Christ, opportunities for service and spiritual growth, and educational and ministry opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.

Mission

The Graduate School of Theology is located in the College of Biblical Studies and is vitally engaged in its goals and tasks. The stated mission of the college is to provide leadership preparation and resources for effective worldwide ministry in the cause of Christ.

The mission of the Graduate School of Theology is to equip men and women for effective missional leadership for ministry in all its forms and to provide strong academic foundations for theological inquiry. It is within this framework that the Graduate School of Theology has set its purposes:

to prepare men and women for effective work in a variety of ministry settings;
to provide specific ministry skills in the areas of preaching, teaching, worship, missions, pastoral counseling, congregational ministry, youth and family ministry, children’s ministry, church leadership, spiritual formation, and program development;
to provide adequate academic foundations to students in the various theological disciplines including textual studies, biblical languages, church history, and historical theology;
to provide an academic and interpersonal environment by which the theological disciplines can be integrated one with another as well as with the students’ ministry skills and their personal spiritual development;
to equip adequately those students who desire advanced academic work including doctoral studies in schools of religion, seminaries, or universities.

The Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This accreditation guarantees that programs and faculty are of the highest quality. Students must complete all master’s degree requirements within ten years and doctoral degree requirements within six years. The degree requirements are the same for both residential and online students.

Programs Offered

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree is a 33-hour degree oriented toward ministerial leadership. It requires a dissertation and includes tracks in Christian Spiritual Formation, Leadership for Missional Renewal, and Preaching for Community Transformation plus a Dual Enrollment track through a partnership with Stirling Theological College in Melbourne, Australia.

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) is a 48-hour degree, for specialized ministry.

In cooperation with the School of Social Work, the Department of Marriage and Family Studies, and the College of Business Administration, the Graduate School of Theology has developed plans whereby students can pursue the MACM concurrently with the MSSW, MMFT, or MBA degrees.

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a 72-hour comprehensive degree, which integrates the various theological disciplines with the practice of ministry and personal spiritual formation. Two tracks are available: ministry and missions.

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree is a 48-hour program, which includes tracks in New Testament, Old Testament, Theology, History of Early Christianity, and Modern and American Christianity.

The Certificate in Ministerial Training (CER) is an 18-hour graduate certificate taught wholly in Spanish, offering contextualized courses in Bible, church history, theology, and ministry.

The Certificate in Practical Ministry (CER) is an 18-hour graduate certificate designed for those seeking practical skills in specific areas of congregational ministry.

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Arts in Global Service, and Master of Divinity degrees integrate writing and research skills with the practice of ministry. Opportunities for contextual education in ministry are integral to these degree programs. Students are required to participate in a first and final review prior to graduation.

The departmental faculty combines the finest academic preparation from some of the world’s outstanding universities with intense interest in the effective practice of ministry.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Masters of Arts and Master of Divinity are as follows:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. For doctoral programs, a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale;
Two letters of recommendation;
A reflective essay, three to five pages in length (typed, double-spaced) following the guidelines on the GST website, www.acu.edu/gst; and
An academic writing sample following the guidelines on the GST website, www.acu.edu/gst.

Registration for courses begins in March (for fall) and October (for spring and summer). Students are therefore urged to submit all admission materials before registration begins.

Course Modalities

The Graduate School of Theology offers remote and residential course options for students in all degree programs. Courses are offered in the following modalities: scheduled and flex-time.

Scheduled courses have regular meeting dates and times that are published before registration. Students are required to attend class in order to get credit for the course. Scheduled courses occur in three different modalities:

Scheduled residential courses are taught as in-person once per week for three hours during the fall and spring semesters, weekend intensive courses that take place over two weekends, or as weeklong intensives. For a scheduled residential course, students must come to the ACU campus.
Scheduled hybrid courses have the option for students to join a course by Zoom. These courses have students in a physical classroom and students joining online. Students will indicate how they will attend the course when they register.
Scheduled remote courses meet entirely on Zoom. Everyone in the course will join from their own location. Synchronous Zoom participation is required for this kind of course.

Flex-time courses are primarily asynchronous and allow students to do much of the work for the course on their own time. Flex-time courses may have synchronous meetings that take place on Zoom that do not exceed one hour per week of a 3 credit-hour course. Instructors work with the students to find available meeting times and provide alternate assignments for students who are unable to attend the Zoom discussions.

Scholarships and Assistantships

The Graduate School of Theology awards scholarships that cover part of a student’s tuition. Most Graduate School of Theology students receive scholarships each year. To be eligible, a student must be planning to do full-time ministry after graduation. In addition, the Graduate School of Theology awards many graduate assistantships each year. The deadline for applying for scholarships and assistantships is June 1 for fall and November 1 for spring. Scholarship applications received after these dates will be considered only if funds are available.

Multiple Degrees

Students enrolled simultaneously or sequentially in two master’s programs in the Graduate School of Theology may overlap some courses in both degrees. Students seeking both the MTS and MDIV degrees must complete all requirements for both degrees and complete no less than 87 hours.

Courses numbered 700 or above in the Graduate School of Theology may be taken by doctoral students only.

Integrated Programs

The Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry offers several integrated program options, which shorten the time it takes to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Bible at ACU. In these programs, high-performing undergraduate students count a specified number of graduate courses toward both degrees. For details regarding the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry’s integrated programs, click here .

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) is a 48-hour degree designed to equip individuals primarily for church ministry roles other than preaching. This degree prepares students for competent leadership in some form of specialized ministry in congregations or other settings. The MACM degree is normally two years in duration for a full-time student. Persons admitted with some advanced theological study or with extensive undergraduate studies in Bible, religion, and ministry may receive up to 12 hours of advanced standing. Consult with the advisor.

Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is the basic degree in theological education. It is a 72-hour comprehensive program of studies designed to prepare graduates to serve as pulpit ministers, counselors, Christian educators, campus ministers, other ministers of the church and chaplains, and it provides the foundation for the PhD, ThD, and DMin degrees. This three-year program provides knowledge of various theological disciplines to integrate with the skills for various ministries and to provide the opportunity for spiritual formation.

Persons admitted with some advanced theological study or with extensive undergraduate studies in Bible, religion, and ministry may receive up to 18 hours of advanced standing. Consult with the advisor.

Master of Theological Studies

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is a flexible 48-hour program tailored for students pursuing doctoral studies or seeking careers in writing or publishing. The degree also provides a foundation for students in specialized ministry roles in the church, academy, or the world. The MTS offers students the ability to specialize in one of five areas—Old Testament, New Testament, History of Early Christianity, Modern and American Christianity, or Theology. MTS students may also choose to write a thesis in the program (highly recommended for further academic work) or take two additional elective courses.

Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) is an advanced program oriented toward ministerial leadership. Its purpose is to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the Master of Divinity or its educational equivalent and have engaged in ministerial leadership. It is a 33-hour program that requires a project/thesis which includes effective ministry intervention in a specific setting, a thesis which demonstrates the integration of theology and practice, and an oral examination. Distinguished from academic research programs such as the PhD or ThD, the primary emphasis of the Doctor of Ministry program is on excellence in the practice of ministry and is not intended to be an academic teaching degree.

The aim of ACU’s DMin degree is to provide the context for deepened spiritual formation for ministerial leaders, to advance skill development for leadership in faith communities, and to promote critical theological reflection that informs mission and practice. This program includes biblical interpretation, theological reflection, applied leadership theory, congregational studies, and practical theology.

Most DMin courses utilize a hybrid format, with each hybrid course incorporating online learning as well as a multi-day residency on ACU’s campus or other designated learning site. A small number of classes are offered fully online.

DMin residency periods occur twice each year: for 1 week in the spring and 2 weeks in the summer. Students’ initial residency must include: BIBM 701 , BIBM 702 , and BIBM 753 . The following semester should include BIBM 725 . Subsequent semesters may include up to 6 credit hours each spring and up to 6 credit hours each summer.

All requirements for a course must be completed before a student is permitted to enroll in an additional course. A minimum of three years and a maximum of six years are allowed for the completion of the degree.

The student is expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 during the program. A grade of “C” in a course automatically puts the student on academic probation. A student must earn a grade of “B” or above in BIBM 799 .

Transfer of credits from other accredited programs must be approved by the DMin director and GST associate dean. No more than two courses or six hours may be transferred.

The DMin has a program fee instead of standard tuition. Contact the DMin office for information regarding scholarships, financial aid, housing for residencies, and admission.

Prerequisites

A Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, or its educational equivalent, from an institution accredited by a nationally recognized regional accrediting agency or by the Association of Theological Schools is required for admission to the program.

Ministers who hold an accredited master’s degree in religion, other than the MDiv, will be required to complete graduate courses equivalent to the standard requirements for the MDiv degree at Abilene Christian University. To apply, complete the MDiv Equivalency application at gradapply.acu.edu. This application requires an application fee and official transcript(s) of all master’s level work. The MDiv Equivalency advisor will review the completed application and develop an equivalency plan.

DMin applicants must be involved in ministry, and must have been involved in ministry for at least three years following the completion of their first theological master’s degree.

Admission Requirements

Application materials are due December 1 for international applicants or January 31 for domestic applicants, with online engagement beginning in March and the initial on-campus residency beginning in June.

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
Recommendations from four persons knowledgeable of the applicant’s personal character and performance in ministry; at least one recommendation should provide an academic reference;
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, with degrees posted. A minimum GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) in prior graduate work is required;
A documentation of ministry employment form;
A five-to-nine page, typed and double spaced, admission essay including personal self-reflection statement, reflection on ministry context, and project/thesis interest statement; and
A personal interview with the DMin director may be required.

In addition to submitting the standard application documents detailed above, DMin applicants from outside the U.S. must complete all requirements detailed on ACU’s International Graduate Application Information page. For international transcripts, ACU reserves the right to require a course-by-course credential evaluation detailing U.S. equivalents to all coursework and degrees completed abroad, from a company approved by ACU and the National Association for Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Please contact the DMin office for guidance.

If an applicant does not enter at the first opportunity after being accepted into the program, the admission will be honored for one additional year. At the time of entry, the student will pay a one-time, non-refundable resource fee to cover the cost of assessments and materials for BIBM 701 .

Candidacy Process

The DMin is a formational degree that requires students to make progress in their academic, personal, and professional development. Therefore, students will be required to apply for candidacy after the first 9 hours.

Dual Enrollment

DMin students may pursue the Dual Enrollment track, concurrently earning 18 hours of ministry electives for the ACU DMin degree as well as a Graduate Diploma in Divinity (GDDiv) through Stirling Theological College (Mulgrave, Australia) and University of Divinity (Kew, Australia). To complete this track, students must be accepted into ACU’s DMin program and Stirling’s GDDiv program.

Certificate in Ministerial Training / Certificado en Capacitatción Ministerial

The Certificate in Ministerial Training, or Certificado en Capacitación Ministerial (CCM), is an 18-hour program developed for students who desire to reshape themselves and their ministry. Participants are encouraged to pursue academic, spiritual, community, and personal excellence throughout the program. In addition to theological exploration, the certificate includes courses in Latin American church history, exegesis, and hermeneutics. Furthermore, Christian spirituality provides readings and spiritual mentoring throughout the program. Consequently, students are prepared for their roles with special attention to generational integration and social justice. The hours can be accommodated within a larger master’s degree, typically completed in two years by a full-time student. Consult with the advisor.

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El Certificado en Capacitación Ministerial (CCM), es un programa de 18 horas desarrollado para estudiantes que desean remodelarse a sí mismos y a su ministerio. Se alienta a los participantes a buscar la excelencia académica, espiritual, comunitaria y personal a lo largo del programa. Además de las exploraciones teológicas, el certificado incluye cursos de historia de la iglesia latinoamericana, exégesis y hermenéutica. Además, la espiritualidad cristiana utiliza lecturas y acompañamiento espiritual durante todo el programa. En consecuencia, los estudiantes se preparan para sus funciones a través del diálogo sobre la integración generacional y la justicia social. Las horas se pueden acomodar dentro de un programa de maestría más grande, generalmente completado en dos años por un estudiante de tiempo completo. Consultar con el asesor.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the certificate are as follows:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Two letters of recommendation;
A reflective essay, three to five pages in length (typed, double-spaced) following the guidelines on the GST website, www.acu.edu/gst; and
An academic writing sample following the guidelines on the GST website, www.acu.edu/gst.

Certificate in Practical Ministry

The Certificate in Practical Ministry is designed for those seeking practical skills in specific areas of congregational ministry, including youth and family ministry, children’s ministry, worship ministry, spiritual formation ministry, preaching ministry, and church leadership. This eighteen-hour certificate offers foundational instruction for ministers who have yet to complete a more comprehensive graduate theological degree. Should one choose to pursue a degree within the Graduate School of Theology, he or she may use the hours from this certificate toward that degree program.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the certificate are as follows:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
A reflective essay (purpose statement), 1-2 pages typed, double-spaced.

Programs

Doctor of Ministry

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Christian Ministry, MACM (MACM)

Master of Divinity

Master of Theological Studies

Certificate