Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (M.A./CL)
The world is changing. Be a leader for this generation and the next. From the ministry to the marketplace, the M.A./CL gives you the leadership tools to adapt to diverse situations.
Curriculum
| Area of Study | |
|---|---|
| Biblical Exposition | 22 |
| Theological Studies | 18 |
| Vision, Communication, and Leadership | 10 |
| Ministry Internship | 12 |
| 62 |
If you already work at a church or ministry you can earn up to 12 hours of credit towards your M.A./CL degree just for doing what you already love to do. Learn more about the Ministry Residency.
In addition to online classes, DTS offers the full M.A./CL at eight locations around the country: Dallas, Houston, Austin*, San Antonio*, Atlanta, and Tampa*. *Pending minimum student enrollment.
Hear What Our Graduates Are Saying
"The M.A./CL program provides a graduate level theological education for people called to senior leadership roles which might not involve a pulpit. The program enhances ministry and leadership skills both theologically and practically for those of us who are already serving. This degree is providing me with a strong biblical, theological and ministry oriented foundation with a specialized study in leadership. And with the ministry residency program I can earn credit towards my M.A./CL degree by studying alongside my ministry."
Details
The program leading to the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (M.A./CL) degree is designed to provide graduate-level biblical and theological education to prepare students for organizational leadership roles in a wide variety of ministry settings. The training prepares students to assume leadership positions in church, parachurch, missions, and marketplace contexts.
Educational Goals
To enable students to:
- demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible, including a synthetic understanding of the major books
- evidence an understanding of the historical development of theology, a knowledge of premillennial theology, and an ability to support their theological views and apply them to contemporary issues
- develop a biblically sound philosophy of Christian leadership.
Spiritual Goals
To enable students to:
- evidence an increasing likeness to Christ as manifested in love for God, love for others, and the fruit of the Spirit
- develop deep levels of biblical and spiritual integrity in their own personal life, relationships, and ministry.
Ministry Goals
To enable students to:
- appraise the leadership needs of an organization
- design a leadership development plan for an organization
- demonstrate transformational leadership skills within an organization
Course Requirements
Sixty-two semester hours of course work are required as a minimum for graduation. Of those hours, 22 are in prescribed Bible Exposition courses, 18 hours are in prescribed Systematic Theology courses, 2 are in Spiritual Life, 3 are in prescribed Christian Education courses, 12 are electives in leadership related courses from the Division of Ministry and Communication, and 3 hours are in a Servant Leadership Internship. A 2-hour applied research project is also required. There is a seven year time limit on completing any professional M.A. program.
Ministry Residency
Up to 12 Hours of Credit
DTS believes that preparation for ministry takes place both in the classroom and in the field of service. It is vital to link theory and practice. Instead of learning only in the isolation of the classroom, DTS supports learning happening within the community of faith as the student ministers in a ministry context and reflects on that experience. MACL students now have the option of completing either the new twelve credit hour Ministry Residency or a three credit hour Servant Leadership Internship.
Ministry Residency Servant Leadership Internship
Hear what our students are saying about the Ministry Residency:
Degree Plan
Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (M.A./CL) and Master of Theology (Th.M.) students now have the option of completing either a three credit hour Servant Leadership Internship or the new twelve credit hour Ministry Residency. Learn more about this option.
First Year
Fall Semester
| Code | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BE101 | Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics | 3 |
| ST101 | Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| PM101 | Spiritual Life | 2 |
| SL305 | Dynamics of Leadership | 3 |
| RS101 | Orientation and Research Methods | 1 |
| Elective(s) | 4 | |
| 16 | ||
Spring Semester
| Code | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BE102 | Old Testament History I | 3 |
| BE105 | The Gospels | 2 |
| BE109 | Ruth, Psalms, Jonah, and Selected Epistles | 3 |
| ST102 | Trinitarianism | 3 |
| SL335 | Personal Assessment and Ministry Vision | 2 |
| Elective(s) | 2 | |
| 15 | ||
Second Year
Fall Semester
| Code | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BE103 | Old Testament History II and Poetry | 2 |
| BE104 | Old Testament Prophets | 3 |
| BE106 | Acts and Pauline Epistles | 3 |
| ST103 | Angelology, Anthropology, and Hamartiology | 3 |
| ST105 | Sanctification and Ecclesiology | 3 |
| Internship1 | 3 | |
| 17 | ||
Spring Semester
| Code | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BE107 | Hebrews, General Epistles, and Revelation | 3 |
| ST104 | Soteriology | 3 |
| ST106 | Eschatology | 3 |
| CE103 | Teaching Process | 2 |
| CE104 | Audiovisual Presentations | 1 |
| Applied Research Project2 | 2 | |
| 14 | ||
- M.A./CL students now have the option of completing either a three-credit-hour Servant Leadership Internship or the new twelve-credit-hour ministry residency. Students selecting the 3-hour internship have one calendar year (three consecutive semesters) to complete it. See the Spiritual Formation and Leadership department for more information.
- Students need one calendar year (three consecutive semesters) to complete the Applied Research Project. See the Spiritual Formation and Leadership department for more information.
MACL Approved Electives
| No. | Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SF320 | Spiritual Formation & Ministry in Contemporary Culture | 2 |
| PM102 | Evangelism | 2 |
| PM301 | Pastoral Theology & Leadership | 3 |
| PM351 | Role of Women in Ministry | 3 |
| PM540 | Develop/Leading the Culturally Diverse Church | 3 |
| CE220 | Evaluating Ministry Effectiveness | 3 |
| CE315 | Administrative Process | 3 |
| CE325 | Legal & Financial Issues in Ministry | 3 |
| CE720 | Creativity | 2 |
| WM445 | Business of Mission | 2 |
| SL310 | Emotional Intelligence & Relationships in Leadership | 2 |
| SL315 | Developing Leaders Through Mentoring & Coaching | 2 |
| SL320 | Change and Resistance in Christian Leadership | 2 |
| SL325 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| SL330 | Personal and Organizational Leadership Development | 2 |
| SL340 | Team Leadership | 2 |
| SL350 | Leadership Seminar | 2 |
| SL355 | Readings in Leadership/Current Issues in Leadership | 2 |
| SL360 | Leadership Evaluation and Development (L.E.A.D.) | 3 |
| SL901 | Independent Study in Leadership | 1-4 |
| SL905 | Special Topics in Spiritual Formation & Leadership | 1-4 |
| ST615 | Ethics | 2 |
(Alternate Courses may be approved on a case by case basis)
Online & Distance Studies
Students can complete the entire MA/CL degree at any of our approved campuses (Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Austin, Knoxville, San Antonio, or Tampa), but the degree can also be completed in any city through a combination of online classes, an internship, and week-long intensive courses.
To study via distance, you can break down your course work as follows:
- 41 hours online - You can complete up to 2/3 or (41 hours) of your degree online. This is the maximum that our accrediting body (ATS - the Association of Theological Schools) allows.
- 12 hours in ministry - You can earn 12 hours of credit in your existing ministry through an approved Ministry Residency or Servant Leadership Internship.
- 9 hours on campus - For the remaining 9 hours of course work, you can take week-long intensive courses during the winter and summer terms at the campus most convenient for you.
