By David Fiensy
Kentucky Christian University, Grayson, Kentucky (www.kcu.edu)
The Graduate School of Kentucky Christian University offers two 36-hour Master of Arts degrees with several concentrations. The MA in New Testament requires both biblical languages, a core of foundational classes, and 15 hours of exegetical courses. The MA in Christian Leadership requires an 18-hour core of foundational classes plus a concentration of 18 hours. The concentrations granted in the MA in Christian Leadership degree include Theological Studies, Leadership Studies, Pastoral Care, and Christian Ministry. Students may choose either the thesis or the comprehensive exams option as the capstone of their degree. The degree most commonly sought by those pursuing an education for second-career ministry is the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership with a concentration in Christian Ministry.
KCU”s graduate school is very user-friendly to those making a career change. A student can complete the entire MA degree without moving to our campus. The school offers (in addition to traditional, full-semester, residential courses) both one-week campus modular classes and online classes. The one-week modular classes run a full semester in terms of work responsibilities, but concentrate all of the in-class hours into a one-week campus session. Students complete presession and postsession assignments but stay in town (either in the dorms or in area hotels) for only one week in order to fulfill course requirements.
Those pursuing ministerial preparation in the KCU Graduate School of Bible and Ministry find an interesting mix of classmates. At any given time, about 20 percent of our students are transitioning into ministry after working in business or professional careers. There are U.S. citizens and internationals, male and female students, 20-somethings and people over 40.
KCU tries to encourage second-career ministry education by keeping tuition costs as low as possible. The school also works with individual students to assess how to help them pay for their graduate education.
Most students who are already involved in full-time ministries or other full-time work require three years to finish their master”s coursework. Those who reside on campus and study full-time may finish in three or four semesters.
David Fiensy is dean and professor at the Sack School of Ministry at Kentucky Christian University, Grayson.
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