Master of Arts in Philosophy

42 Credit-Hours

Fully Online

Flexible Payment Plans

Get Equipped for Philosophical Debate and Trained to Defend the Christian Worldview in a Challenging Culture

You can't be a good apologist without being a good philosopher

The unique classical philosophy taught at Southern Evangelical Seminary, upon which good theology and apologetics are built, is extremely lacking in the evangelical world. If you’re thinking about pursuing your Ph.D., or you simply want to take your thinking skills to the next level, the 42 hour Master of Arts in Philosophy can provide a firm foundation for your success as a scholar and teacher. Between family, work, and other commitments, you may be wondering how a seminary education fits into your life. Offered via our immersive digital campus, this degree program is flexible, affordable, and accessible to men and women around the world.

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.

Your Path to a Ph.D.

Your scholarly work—both today and in the future—should equip you with the tools to lead, teach, and serve. The M.A. in Philosophy provides a solid foundation for entering a doctoral program and gives you an effective voice to impact today’s culture.

Maintain Your Personal Ministry

Being fruitful in your personal ministry requires diligence. Our program offers structure, guidance, and mentoring that meets the needs of busy people juggling multiple life commitments. It’s designed to help you grow in your faith and apply your training effectively.

Designed to provide the philosophical skills and understanding to help students discern major issues in current philosophical debate and prepare for future doctoral studies, this degree is ideal for those preparing for Teaching, Speaking, Campus Ministry, Youth Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, 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 Philosophy Program, You Will:

See the Vital Need for Apologetics-Focused Education

Engaging real-world issues for the sake of the Gospel

Download Your FREE eBook Today!

"Apologetics wasn’t a side issue. It was the actual essence of the ministry I was doing…I’m finding out more and more how important it is to be trained in order to pick up on these philosophical problems to answer the real question at hand."

Anthony Miller

SES Alum

Courses of Interest in the M.A. in Philosophy

Epistemology

Learn about the nature of knowledge with emphasis on theology and metaphysics while becoming versed in responses to skepticism, agnosticism, and other views that deny knowledge of reality.

Moral Philosophy

Explore questions relating to the problems and possibilities of rationally grounding distinctions between moral and immoral conduct. This course takes both a historical and critical approach.

Theology Proper and Creation

Study the triune God, as well as His existence and attributes. This course also explores God’s creation of the world, angels, human beings, and His relation to them.

Full Course Listing

PREREQUISITE COURSE – 3 hours Pass/Fail

SM501 Writing & Research Skills (3)

PHILOSOPHY – 27 hours

PH502 History of Ancient & Medieval Phil. (3)
PH505 History of Modern & Contemporary Phil. (3)
PH513 Symbolic Logic (3)
PH514 Moral Philosophy (3)
PH601 Philosophy of Religion (3)
PH604 Metaphysics (3)
PH605 Epistemology (3)
Philosophy Electives (6)

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.