In a world where the foundations of truth, God’s existence, and the goodness of Christianity are under constant scrutiny, specialized training in Christian apologetics is essential. Southern Evangelical Seminary addresses this need with our highly regarded and accredited 36-hour Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (M.A.C.A.). Rooted in the integration of classical philosophy and theology, this degree equips individuals for personal growth or full-time ministry, consistently earning SES recognition as one of the country’s top apologetics programs. Whether you’re pursuing vocational leadership or personal ministry growth, our M.A.C.A. degree provides a focused path to success. Elevate your understanding, deepen your convictions, and impact the world with Southern Evangelical Seminary’s Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics.
You could complete the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics in one year 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.
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.
SES provides a fully immersive digital campus experience where every aspect of traditional education is achieved in a virtual environment. Many courses are live-streamed, while others are offered asynchronously (recorded) with live-streaming components. Our innovative online education can deliver the training you need in a way that fits your schedule and budget.
Our M.A. in Christian Apologetics is ideal for those wanting to focus on the core apologetics courses while preparing for a variety of ministry opportunities such as:
If you’ve delved into insightful works by Frank Turek, Alisa Childers, Greg Koukl, and other notable authors, you’ve laid a solid foundation. Yet, you may be at a juncture in your self-guided study where you recognize the need to elevate your preparation for defending the faith. To effectively engage the culture with the Gospel, you will need a deeply integrated understanding of philosophy, theology, and apologetics. This integrated approach is the core of every SES program and what makes SES one of the premier apologetics-focused seminaries in the country. Whether you’re seeking a degree or certificate in apologetics, philosophy, biblical studies, or something else, the foundation is the same. Good philosophy provides a solid foundation from which to do theology, and both provide necessary tools for sound apologetics. Together, all three disciplines aid in removing obstacles to the Gospel (evangelism) and in building mature disciples who live the Gospel (discipleship) and are steadfast in the truth. Choose a degree or certificate from SES to benefit from our unique integration, ensuring you’re well-prepared to engage with today’s issues and defend your faith effectively.
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.
(With our membership as a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library)
At SES, you will have the opportunity to study under some of the best Christian thinkers in the world. Many of our professors studied under SES co-founder Dr. Norman Geisler, while others have their own distinguished educational linage. Each of them bring their unique areas of expertise to the classroom as well as a genuine desire to see their students grow, not only intellectually, but in spiritual maturity as well. Here are just some of the professors from whom you’ll be learning:
Provost, Professor of Philosophy & Apologetics, Norman L. Geisler Chair of Christian Apologetics
Director of SES Ph.D. Program, Associate Professor of Philosophy & Theology
Dean of Education, Associate Professor of Philosophy
“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.”
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF APOLOGETICS AND THEOLOGY
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.
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.
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.
BS501 Biblical Backgrounds & Criticism (3)
Provisional Requirement Notice:
If one does not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement, they 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.
Contact the Admissions Department with any specific questions you may have or visit our FAQ page.
Prospective students are almost always surprised to learn how affordable we keep our degree programs at Southern Evangelical Seminary. You will also not be bogged down with numerous fees.
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.
(Graduate)
Read more about our current tuition rates, flexible payment plans, and financial aid opportunities.
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.
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.
We’re convinced that you won’t find a higher quality option for seminary or the apologetics training we offer with a more affordable price or flexible payment options. Take the next step in answering the call to ministry or furthering your education today and begin the application process. You can get started in minutes and we are here to help you if you have questions.
Stand out in the evangelical world with this deep dive into classical philosophy and its important role in the apologetics task
This seminary-level degree will take your apologetics training to the next level by layering in important theological study
For a more traditional seminary degree with an apologetics focus, this M.Div. may the right path for your future ministry