The Master of Arts in Christian Ministries (MACM) is a three-year, 48-credit hour practical ministries program. This distance education degree is designed to enhance the work you are already doing in ministry, without relocation. The curriculum combines both online courses and 1-2 on-campus residency weeks each year.
Professors come alongside you to teach you how to better apply theological concepts in your real-world ministry contexts. And your student cohort becomes a tight-knit group of friends and colleagues who continue to support and learn from each other’s various backgrounds and experiences. The world of ministry is changing, and Emmanuel can prepare you to better meet the needs of the people you are serving.
Courses are offered in the following areas:
- Christian Ministries (15 credit hours)
- Biblical Studies (15 credit hours)
- Church History and Christian Theology (12 credit hours)
- Spiritual Formation/Mentored Ministry Experience (6 credit hours)
View all details and course requirements for this program in the Milligan University Catalog. The Milligan University academic catalog is the official, authoritative source for all academic requirements and policies. Any discrepancies in curricular requirements from other sources will default to the Catalog.
Get ready to change lives
Schedule
The MACM starts a new cohort of students each January. However, students may begin during other semesters and pursue the program completion at a more gradual pace to meet scheduling needs. Students can complete the program in three years if they follow the spring-summer-fall sequence starting in January.
Year 1
| Spring 1 | • Intro to Seminary Studies • Personal Identity in Pastoral Care |
| Spring 2 | • Introduction to Biblical Languages and Tools |
| Summer | • Introduction to the Christian World Mission |
| Fall 1 | • Old Testament Writings |
| Fall 2 | • New Testament Writings |
Year 2
| Spring 1 | • Biblical Preaching |
| Spring 2 | • Introduction to Theology |
| Summer | • Christian Tradition and Mission |
| Fall 1 | • Mentored Ministry Experience |
| Fall 2 | • English Bible Exegesis: Philippians |
Year 3
| Spring 1 | • Ministry Team Dynamics |
| Spring 2 | • Christological Principles for Ministry |
| Summer | • The Church and the Stone-Campbell Movement |
| Fall 1 | • Spiritual Formation and the Ministry of Teaching |
| Fall 2 | • Theology of the Old Testament • Theological Integration |
Cost of Attendance elements by program »
Students visit campus 4 times during the course of the program. Housing options will be provided by the MACM Office.
Many meals are provided for students, allowing time for interaction with residential students and faculty members and staff. Other times students can explore the variety of restaurants in the area or utilize the Milligan cafeteria. Details for meals will be provided prior to residential weeks.
Students who choose to fly to Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) for residential weeks will be offered transportation assistance to and from this airport, located 30 minutes from campus. These arrangements can made through the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries Office.
Current students and applicants who have taken courses at other accredited graduate institutions may receive transfer credit for courses that are comparable to offerings in the Emmanuel curriculum. Transfer of credit is not automatic; it is conditional upon approval by the Academic Dean of the Seminary in consultation with the faculty. Students seeking transfer of credit, or who wish to transfer to Emmanuel from another accredited graduate institution, may be asked to present a letter of good standing from the institution.
The majority of our students qualify for scholarships. We are committed to making your graduate degree as affordable as possible. Apply early for maximum aid. Learn more »
Be sure to check out our competitive Honors Scholarship, the Barton W. Stone Scholarship. Students must start the program in January. Apply by mid-October!
NON-RESIDENTIAL: Due to the unique program design, this program is not available to students who live in residence at Emmanuel Christian Seminary.
FORMER STUDENTS: Students who began their studies at Emmanuel and then moved away from campus due to jobs, families, or other situations may contact the Academic Dean’s Office regarding petitioning the faculty to become part of this degree program. Former and current students do not need to reapply but will need to go through a faculty petition process to apply for this program.
MAR GRADUATES: Students who completed an MAR at Emmanuel may contact the Academic Dean’s Office about enrolling in this degree.
OUT-OF-STATE: As a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), Emmanuel Christian Seminary can offer the MACM program to students residing in all states except California, which has not yet joined NC-SARA. Contact us for additional information if you reside in CA.
INTERNATIONALS: Admission into the MACM program is currently unavailable to F-1 students. Canadian citizens may petition for an exception.
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our graduates say:
- I was deeply impressed at how much the faculty cared about the students. They modeled pastoral care for us.
- Even though one professor only had me online, when I came to campus she recognized me, called me by name, and asked about my ministry at the church.
- I looked at the qualifications of the faculty and found them to be very intimidating – but when I met them, they seemed eager just to spend some time getting to know me.
- My classes pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow. I can’t believe how different I am now from what I was three years ago.
- I have an entirely new worldview now.
- You can tell that the professors see their job as a ministry.
- The Bible means so much more to me than it did before I came into the program.
- This program literally saved my faith. I had been reading some of the new atheists to be able to relate better to students, and it really messed with my mind to the point where I could hardly pray or read the Bible anymore. But my Emmanuel classes helped me reframe my faith and see how I had been operating from an inadequate paradigm.
- Being able to come to chapel and worship with the faculty and residential students during our weeks on campus was amazing.
- I feel prepared to keep learning, and know now how to make it happen.
- The rhythm of the courses was perfect. It meshed very well with the church calendar.
- This was, by far, the best thing I’ve ever been a part of. I’m actively recruiting for the school now.
