MATM DEGREE OUTLINE
The MA in Theology and Ministry stresses practical learning in combination with biblical studies and vocational formation, preparing students to serve in any setting with theological depth and cultural understanding. Along with a solid biblical scholarship, the program includes practice courses and an apprenticeship that help students integrate and practically apply their studies.
The degree requires a total of 80 quarter units (most classes are 4 quarter units) and is typically completed in 2 years of full-time study (12 units per quarter). Fuller’s 80 quarter unit MATM program is equivalent to a 56 semester credit program at other institutions. Both will take the same amount of time and effort to complete.
*All course descriptions listed on this page are tentative. Please consult the most current version of Fuller’s Academic Catalog for the most definitive course description(s).
Foundational Courses (24 Units)
Students complete a set of shared foundations courses before moving to the second phase of the program and more advanced courses. Each of these foundational courses draws on a specific expertise intrinsic to Fuller Seminary and cultivates transformative habits of thinking and doing.
While all Christians share an overarching call to God’s work in the world, how are each of our vocations discerned, developed, and sustained across a lifetime and in our particular context? This course considers “calling” through historical Christian practices that include discernment, lament, and stewardship. Students explore the values and assumptions about vocation present in their setting. By integrating course resources with their lived experience, students reflect on their vocational journey in and for their social and cultural context.
Drawing upon the leading edge of psychological science, this course aims to introduce students to the most helpful psychological paradigms for understanding what it means to be and become more fully human, not merely as individuals, but as thriving persons-in-relation. As an interdisciplinary and practical course, findings of psychological science are discussed in light of theology and are translated into practical tools and strategies to inform the psychological and spiritual growth of the student and to equip them to nurture flourishing in those entrusted to their care. As such, its central focus is on the person of the minister/theologian/Christian as the primary site for engaging in psychological and theological reflection and the primary tool for effective Christian leadership.
What is theology? And what are the implications of theology for the practice of history, ethics, public life, and Christian witness? The theological task involves entering into the centuries-long and worldwide conversation of the church and her members regarding what it means to live faithfully in the present in light of how God has moved in the past. This course is designed to provide an orientation to a series of critical issues, events, and figures in church history and theology, reaching from early Christianity through the Middle Ages and European Reformations to the modern world. In doing so, it aims to equip students with a foundational understanding of the development and discourses of Christian doctrine and history.
How is it that we might live our lives deeply formed by Missiological understanding? Living Missiologically is an integrative, intersectional, and interdisciplinary course which introduces three aspects of missiology to facilitate personal missiological formation. First, students will explore Trinitarian perspectives on the reign of God, as they also explore the historical global development of the church in the world. Second, the identity and practices of Christian mission as a people called, gathered, and sent by God are introduced. In accomplishing the second task the roles of culture, epistemic definitions of truth as a message of Christianity, as well as the nature of the relationship of God with creation (including humans) is explored. Third, students will develop new skills for cultural engagements combining the Bible, theology, history, the social sciences, and the church’s practices as tools. The disciplines of social sciences (including cultural, religious, economic, and political studies) are particularly engaged as partners in understanding the church in its mission context. This course will interrogate past and current perspectives within missiology and show that the diverse contexts of mission produce a variety of ways of reasoning missiologically. Finally, in this course, students will enact historic Christian disciplines necessitated by this distinctive identity (worship, community, friendship, inculturation, witness, mercy, advocacy, creation care, inter-religious dialogue, and reconciliation) in order to cultivate a missiologically reflective practice of Christian living in the world.
The purpose of this course is to teach students how to move from specific situations to theological reflection, and then to action. The course emphasizes the need for students to learn the ability to minister in Jesus’s name even in new and changing social circumstances. Students will learn how to exegete social circumstances in order to discern the theological issue(s) at stake in them and they will learn how to make spiritual sense of those situations in a way that leads to faithful action.
This course orients students to the literature of the Old Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to Old Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice. The books of Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel will be the focus of study.
MATM Core (36 Units)
New Testament Introduction orients students to the literature of the New Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to New Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice.
Must take a biblical studies class from each testament; one of these classes must be a book study
Select one of the following two courses to enhance your theological acumen in light of your research interests, vocational goals, and scheduling/modality considerations:
ST505 Trinity, Revelation, and Salvation
Systematic Theology 1 is a survey of systematic (doctrinal or constructive) theology that focuses on the doctrines of the revelation, Trinity (patrology, christology, pneumatology), and salvation. In keeping with systematic theology’s nature as an integrative discipline, the course considers carefully biblical, historical, philosophical, and contemporary theological materials, with a special focus on global, contextual, and diversity issues. Throughout, interdisciplinary connections are pursued and investigated (even beyond theological disciplines). The implications of the trinitarian faith to current issues such as liberation, justice, equality, gender, environment, and religious plurality are carefully discussed with the ultimate goal of helping the students learn to practice “embodied” theological thinking for the sake of the diverse ministry settings in the Global Church.
ST506 Creation, Church and Consummation
Systematic Theology 2 is a survey of systematic (doctrinal or constructive) theology that focuses on the doctrines of the creation, providence and divine action; theological anthropology, church and her mission, and eschatology. In keeping with systematic theology’s nature as an integrative discipline, the course considers carefully biblical, historical, philosophical, and contemporary theological materials, with a special focus on global, contextual, and diversity issues. Throughout, interdisciplinary connections are pursued and investigated (even beyond theological disciplines). The implications of the trinitarian faith to current issues such as liberation, justice, equality, gender, environment, and religious plurality are carefully discussed with the ultimate goal of helping the students learn to practice “embodied” theological thinking for the sake of the diverse ministry settings in the Global Church.
Select one of the following three courses to hone your historical awareness in light of your research interests, vocational goals, and scheduling/modality considerations:
CH500 Early Church History
A survey of the early church from the post-apostolic fathers through the Council of Chalcedon.
CH502 Medieval and Reformation History
The further development of the church, especially in the West, from Gregory the Great through the Reformation.
CH504 The Modern Church in a Global Historical Context
This course introduces the more important themes and events in the life of the church around the world from the seventeenth through the late twentieth centuries. Beginning with the post-Reformation period, students will survey the growth and contributions of the church in Europe and throughout the world (with occasional glimpses at the United States). Attention will be given to many of the important historical, theological, and cultural developments that have shaped (or been shaped by) specific regional and global historical contexts.
Select a course with a missiological focus (catalog prefix beginning with M) to enhance your understanding of God’s mission in light of your vocational goals, research interests, and scheduling/modality considerations
Select a course in leadership to grow as a Christian leader in light of your vocational goals, research interests, and scheduling/modality considerations:
LD 500 Leadership
This course is a survey of leadership that introduces the student to the practice of Christian leadership in both congregational contexts and in contexts beyond the congregation (e.g. nonprofits). The course will give specific attention to intercultural leadership.
YF 502 Leadership in Youth Ministry
Strategies for implementing a youth ministry: recruitment, budgeting, administration, planning.
Select a pastoral ministry course (any course with catalog prefix beginning with PM) to profoundly encounter the meaning and substance of pastoral ministry in light of your vocational goals, research interests, and scheduling/modality considerations. Examples of previously offered courses in this area:
PM 503 Pastoral Theology
Theology of the ministry, theology and conduct of worship, liturgy, hymnody, parish responsibilities and procedures, church administration, community relations and ministerial ethics. MDiv core: MIN6
PM 559 Fundamentals of Chaplaincy
This course provides an overview of the nature and history of the chaplain’s identity, purpose, and functional roles. You will examine the biblical and theological foundations of a ministry of presence comprising the core of chaplaincy ministry. You also will review the various types of chaplaincy and explore the commonalities, distinctives and expectations of military, health care, public safety, correctional, sports, campus and disaster relief chaplains. Additionally, the course will develop biblical-theological knowledge, skills and abilities for ministry leadership in chaplaincy. Supplemental areas of expertise will be introduced at a basic level focusing on specialized skills in pastoral, caregiver and emotional/spiritual support for a chaplain. The emphasis is to develop a basic understanding of how chaplaincy impacts organizations with the Gospel message in military, institutional and organizational communities. (from Summer 2017 ECD description).
Select an approved course in the areas of Preaching or Communication to refine your public speaking ability with reference to your vocational goals. The following are two possibilities:
PR500 Homiletics
Both theological and practical questions about the nature of preaching are explored and discussed. A practicum element is an essential part of this course.
CO 510 Speech and Thought.
This course explores the interrelationship between speech and thought in the context of public speaking skill development. It provides students with resources and opportunities that will enhance their abilities to think through and craft, well-structured speeches. Through weekly self-evaluation, and peer and instructor critique, students improve their public speaking skills and become more effective in ministry.
ELECTIVES - 20 UNITS
Choose any five master's-level courses. You may go deeper with one of the following concentrations: Asian American Ministry, Black Church Studies, Intercultural and Urban Ministry, Ecclesial Ministry, Youth, Family, and Culture. Or you can choose a combination of electives that support your ministry and life goals.
APPRENTICESHIP - 0 UNITS
The apprenticeship—which you may complete in a church or a marketplace, nonprofit, or mission organization—allows you to integrate your studies and calling in a supervised setting, helping you clarify your vocation and grow as a practitioner.
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