Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics

36 Credit-Hours

Fully Online

Flexible Payment Plans

Get Your Master's in Apologetics Degree Online in 36 Hours

Apologetics is necessary for engaging our culture, but what does that entail?

Foundational claims about the nature of truth or the existence of God are in question and under fire. It is happening in our colleges and universities, over social media channels, in the endless comment-section arguments, and in conversations of eternal significance. More than ever, apologetics-focused training that integrates classical philosophy and theology is essential for personal or full-time ministry. That is part of what we have always provided at Southern Evangelical Seminary, and it fuels our 36-hour Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (M.A.C.A.). This degree is a strong graduate-level training option for those considering a wide array of personal or full-time ministry opportunities.

Read below for the details of this flexible program, and download your FREE ebook to see how such training relates to real-world Gospel issues.

A Degree in Less Than Two Years

You could complete this master’s program in less than two years of full-time study and be equipped for service in a parachurch ministry, ordination in some denominations, or a wide array of personal ministry applications. Serve in your church. Lead outreach efforts in your community. Be equipped for missions. Or simply be more prepared to train your children. There are so many possibilities.

Transition to the 60-Hour M.A.

Or, you could roll your work from this degree into our seminary-level 60-hour Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics and Theology degree and open even more opportunities beyond graduation, such as our Doctor of Ministry program. You won’t lose any ground to start in the M.A.C.A. and you can make a seamless transfer to the M.A. in Christian Apologetics and Theology at any point in your studies.

It is ideal for those wanting to focus on the core apologetics courses while preparing for Teaching, Speaking, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Missions Work, or Personal Growth.

Your Academic Experience at SES

We aren’t catching up with the distance learning trend — SES has been breaking ground and pioneering an immersive digital campus experience for years. As a student, you'll enjoy a flexible, compelling, connected, environment for your studies. All of the easy-to-use technology you’ll need to thrive in seminary is housed in one place and accessed through a single, secure log-in.

Collaborate with your peers through our integrated approach

Interact with professors during many live-streamed classes

Conduct research in one of the most expansive theological libraries ever created

(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)

Learn more about the remarkable digital campus experience at SES that will help you thrive as a student and be equipped with the technology tools you’ll need in ministry.

In the M.A. in Christian Apologetics Program, You Will:

Form strong connections between core biblical doctrines and contemporary cultural and apologetic issues
Cultivate effective rhetorical strategies for cultural engagement that are grounded in philosophy, theology, and apologetics
Explore both the historical and philosophical development of critical ideas and how they are present in current theologies, philosophies, and ethical issues
Have the option to seamlessly transfer into the 60-hour Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics & Theology program at any point in your studies

See the Vital Need for Apologetics-Focused Education

Engaging real-world issues for the sake of the Gospel

Download Your FREE eBook Today!

"Self-taught study in theology, philosophy, and apologetics, while usually better than no study at all, lacks focused training and an overarching structure that combines theory and practice in order to impact the breadth and depth of your ministry. It may produce knowledge, but self-study usually never rises to the proper level of insight, understanding, and wisdom in the practice of these disciplines."

Dr. Doug Potter

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF APOLOGETICS AND THEOLOGY

Courses of Interest in the M.A. in Christian Apologetics

Theology Proper and Creation

This course is always impactful and formational — even for students with considerable apologetics training. You will dive into a more sophisticated understanding of core doctrines such as God’s triune nature and other attributes before turning your attention to how we understand and explain God’s creation of the world, angels, human beings, and His relation to His Creation.

Classical Philosophy

Much of the Church today has neglected or rejected classical philosophical foundations from thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas, but they are essential for sound theology and effective apologetics in contemporary discourse. In this course, you will find your footing with philosophical views of reality, objective goodness, and more which will directly impact your ministry with unbelievers and skeptics.

Christian Apologetic Systems

What do we mean when we talk about “apologetics?” Many in ministry today do not understand the various ways Christians have approached apologetics, which can lead to confusion or an insufficient set of tools to engage all the diverse opposition to the Gospel you will encounter. Through this survey course you will cultivate your understanding of classical and contemporary apologetic approaches.

Full Course Listing

PREREQUISITE COURSE – 3 hours Pass/Fail

SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)

APOLOGETICS – 15 hours

AP501 Intro to Christian Apologetics or APe (3)
AP503 Logic (3)
AP511 Christian Apologetic Systems (3)
AP512 Ethics (3)
AP518 Resurrection of Jesus (3)

PHILOSOPHY – 6 hours

PH501 Classical Philosophy (3)
PH601 Philosophy of Religion (3)

BIBLICAL STUDIES – 3 hours

BS501 Biblical Backgrounds & Criticism (3)

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY – 12 hours

ST501 Prolegomena & Bibliology (3)
ST502 Theology Proper & Creation (3)
ST503 Hamartiology & Soteriology (3)
ST504 Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, & Eschatology (3)

GENERAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

Have earned a bachelors degree from an institution
accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, the United
States Department of Education, or the equivalent (as assessed by SES)
GPA of 2.5 or above for their undergraduate program

PROVISIONAL GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, he may be granted a Provisional Admission. This requires
that the student maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA on the first semester of work at SES in order to be granted full admission.

A Valuable Degree with Exceptionally Affordable Tuition

Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

You need effective training for ministry — not a crippling load of student loan debt. The value of a degree here pays off through your entire career and truly has an eternal value as well.

As a result, we're delighted to tell you that you'll have a very difficult time finding a better tuition rate than what we offer at SES: $475 per credit hour.

^$475

per credit hour

Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.

LET'S PARTNER TOGETHER ON YOUR TUITION

Financial Aid & Discounts

Why Should You Seriously Consider Studying at SES?

You almost certainly have at least some basic — and perhaps even advanced — knowledge of Christian apologetics. Many new students at SES have studied books like Tactics by Gregory Koukl, Lewis' Mere Christianity, or I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by SES alum Frank Turek and SES co-founder Norman Geisler. These are all very helpful resources, but perhaps you have reached that point in your self-guided research where you hit a wall or find yourself out of your depth.

Apologetics, theology, and even Bible study will never reach their potential without being grounded in sound philosophy. It's not a matter of whether you're doing philosophy. It's a matter of whether you're doing it well or poorly. You can be a good philosopher without being a good apologist or theologian, but it does not work the other way around! Giving you the philosophical foundation you need for both theology and apologetics is just one of the ways that a degree or certificate from SES will serve you well.

Built for Your Calling

Whether you are pursuing full-time vocational leadership or personal ministry growth, this program is designed to provide a path for your success.

Full-Time Ministry

Christians are called to be salt and light in our world, and leaders should be equipped to confidently engage the ideas shaping today’s culture. Apologetics training is essential for breaking down barriers and effectively leading others. As you pursue God’s calling on your life through ministry, a seminary education will maximize your impact.

Personal Ministry

If your personal study hasn’t yielded the growth you’re looking for, formal training can equip you to answer hard questions and present the truth in love. Being grounded in apologetics prepares you to be fruitful in all aspects of your personal ministry. Our apologetics program offers structured training you need to share the faith and defend truth in everyday life.

Ready to Apply Now?

Start the admission process today. You can begin in just a few minutes by filling out our initial application and it will open the door for us to have an exploratory conversation about your educational priorities and hopes for ministry. We have an entire team at SES who is ready to help you in the process of discerning your gifts and calling to ministry so you can engage our culture in the conversations that matter the most.