MA in Pastoral Ministry
Esther R. Knott, English Track Director
Ricardo Norton, Hispanic Track Director
The Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry is for experienced pastors whose ministerial functions and employment responsibilities make it impossible to engage in an extended study program at the Seminary. The goals of our program are to deepen the understanding, reflection, and skills of the pastors in the core qualities of character, evangelism/ discipleship, leadership, management, relationship, scholarship, and worship. While admission to the program is similar for all groups of applicants, the curriculum reflects emphases for English or Hispanic ministry tracks (for details, see below).
This program is offered at designated locations within each Union of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. For more information visit the following sites.
The MAPM is not designed to prepare students for advanced degrees. If a student later wishes to pursue an advanced degree they may need to do additional coursework on the masters level. (See the admission requirements under the advanced degrees.)
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MA in Pastoral Ministry is based on the following requirements in addition to the general admission requirements for all graduate students and the general Seminary admission requirements. Applicants must also complete and return the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire as directed.
NAD Ministerial Applicants
- Hold a BA degree or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Provide evidence of successful pastoral leadership during the past five years.
- Be Recommended by their local conference administration, a pastoral colleague and local church leader/elder.
Program Outcomes
- Deliver effective biblically-based sermons.
- Demonstrate proper biblical interpretation skills.
- Understand the historical-theological development of the Adventist Church.
- Capable of training church members for evangelism.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to empower church members for leadership.
- Capable of reaching specific social groups.
Program Requirements
The MA in Pastoral Ministry degree is awarded upon completion of a minimum of 48 credits of formal course work.
- Course work in North America is offered off campus twice annually in one- and two-week intensives, normally at Adventist educational institutions. Students should expect pre- and post-class assignments as part of the total academic requirements of each course. The intensives generate the equivalent of 6–12 credits annually.
- All students must participate in supervised ministerial experience as part of their degree requirements.
- Attendance of at least 6 credits on the Andrews University campus (or approved complete degree site) during the first year of the program is required. This residency requirement is offered as an approved exception to the Association of Theological Schools larger residency expectation stated in Degree Program Standard B, section B.3.1.3.
- Students failing to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 are placed on probation. Any student remaining on probation for the equivalent of two years (maximum of 18 credits) must withdraw from the program.
- Only grades of a C- or above will count towards the 48-credit requirement.
- Following an absence of two years or more, a student’s previous admission status will have lapsed and the student must reapply to the program.
- Course work should be completed within six years of beginning the program. Credits older than ten years will not be applied toward the degree.
Transferred and Earned Term Credit Limits
- All course credits applied towards degree requirements should be earned within 10 years of the awarding of the degree.
- Upon approval by the dean, a maximum of 24 graduate credits may be transferred from approved seminaries or universities, including Andrews University.
- A maximum of 8 credits may be transferred from another conferred degree upon approval by the dean.
Reapplying to the MA in Pastoral Ministry Program
- Following an absence of two years or more, a student’s previous admission status will have lapsed and the student will need to reapply to the program and pay all the admission fees. Students will be accepted under the current bulletin.
*All classes in the MA in Pastoral Ministry program are to be taken for 3 credits.
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