Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology (MAPTh)
Master of Pastoral Theology (MAPTh)
The Pastoral Theology program (MAPTh for its acronym in English) has been developed to equip men and women to effectively exercise ministry as leaders in response to the needs and demands of the 21st-century church, with solid biblical foundations and proclaiming the Christian message supported by the practice of biblical teachings. The MAPTh focuses on ministerial work, leadership skills, pastoral counseling, and ministerial growth; in addition to teaching solid principles, methods, and procedures of interpretation. Students will have the opportunity to develop updated and relevant plans and strategies for the proclamation of the gospel and the fulfillment of the church’s mission. They will testify about the content of the gospel and their beliefs respectfully and clearly to people of other religions and cultural contexts; and they will have the ability to research relevant topics in applied theology and articulate them in clear documents, demonstrating mastery of the most fundamental theological topics of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This master’s degree is offered in Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Competencies
- Prepare individuals involved in pastoral ministry to be qualified professionals in the efficient fulfillment of the mission of proclaiming the gospel, administration, and church ministry.
- Encourage research that contributes to a better understanding of the needs of society, communities, and churches.
- Train students in the most fundamental aspects of pastoral vocation and the spiritual life of those who accept the call to ministry.
- Provide solid biblical and theological content to equip students with efficient tools to guide the church toward a genuine spiritual experience and the fulfillment of its mission.
Curriculum
To obtain the MAPTh degree, each student is required to take at least 48 credits. These must include: 9 credits of Research, 9 credits of Biblical Studies, 18 credits in Ecclesiastical Ministry, 3 credits in Mission, and 9 credits in Historical Theology.
Plan de estudios (48 créditos)
| Year* | Code | Course Title** | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GSEM620 | Research Methods | 3 |
| NTST/OTST685 | Principles of Hermeneutics | 3 | |
| CHMN650 | Foundations and Strategies of Discipleship | 3 | |
| CHMN623 | Innovative Evangelism | 3 | |
| 2 | GSEM501 | Leadership and Strategic Planning | 3 |
| OTST650 | Theology and Exegesis of the Old Testament | 3 | |
| CHMN545 | Principles of Stewardship and Ministerial Spirituality | 3 | |
| CHIS674 | Development of Adventist Theology | 3 | |
| 3 | GSEM695 | Research Project | 3 |
| NTST650 | Theology and Exegesis of the New Testament | 3 | |
| CHMN555 | Pastoral Counseling | 3 | |
| CHIS534 | Topics in Ellen G. White Studies | 3 | |
| 4 | CHMN643 | Christian Professional Ethics | 3 |
| CHMN632 | Contextualized Preaching | 3 | |
| MSSN525 | Mission to the World | 3 | |
| THST679 | Seminar in Theological Topics | 3 |
The Master of Pastoral Theology is offered with emphases in: Youth Ministry, Family Life, Chaplaincy Ministry, Church Growth, Mission, and Leadership and Administration. The courses to be taken may vary depending on the selected emphasis, but the minimum number of credits required to obtain the MAPTh degree will remain at 48 credits.
* SETAI reserves the right to postpone sessions or courses, which will be duly communicated to students.
** To view a course description, hover over its title.