Master of Arts in
Philosophy & Apologetics
Master of Arts in
Philosophy & Apologetics
(MAPA)
60 units
AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS & 100% ONLINE
The Master of Arts in Philosophy and Apologetics (MAPA) program provides graduate-level biblical, theological and philosophical instruction, aimed at preparing the student for apologetic discourse. This program is intended for persons interested in the classical Christian tradition of understanding and expressing the Christian faith in a skeptical or otherwise unfavorable environment. The curriculum in this program includes biblical, philosophical, theological, and apologetic studies. This program includes the preparation of a research thesis related to Christian thought and/or apologetics. By taking a full-time load of 9 units each trimester, the program can be completed in three years. Course availability, student load, adherence to student advisement, how soon the student completes the capstone thesis requirement, and other factors may extend or shorten the anticipated completion timeline.
PURPOSE
The MAPA degree is primarily designed to prepare students for:
- Christian ministry including educational and/or leadership positions where critical thinking skills and/or social-religious engagement may be required.
- Graduate-level discourse concerning the ideas that have shaped the church, the academy, and the marketplace.
- Advanced studies including Master of Theology, or PhD in Philosophy.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the Master of Arts in Philosophy and Apologetics program students will be able to:
- Interpret the content of the Old and New Testaments utilizing a literal-grammatical historical hermeneutic.
- Demonstrate a graduate-level proficiency in research and writing across multiple disciplines related to philosophy and apologetics.
- Evaluate and critique philosophical and theological issues facing the church and society, today.
- Articulate a rational and biblical apologetic for the Christian faith.
- Synthesize biblical and philosophical knowledge for expounding truth and exposing errors in a variety of settings; and
- Apply leadership skills in a variety of ministry contexts inside and outside of the local church.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Each candidate for the MAPA degree must meet the general graduation requirements and complete 60 units of graduate-level courses of which no more than 12 units can be transferred from another institution.
- Complete 60 units of graduate-level courses.
- Complete a minimum of 48 units at SCS. Students are urged to follow the recommended curriculum to prevent scheduling conflicts later on.
- Defend a thesis in an area related to Christian thought and/or apologetics that reflects a graduate-level of research and writing.
- Complete the program curriculum with not less than a 2.5 GPA.
- Submit a petition to graduate to the Registrar by the deadline in the Academic Calendar.
- Settle all financial obligations to SCS.
- Be recommended by the faculty based on demonstrated moral integrity.
MAPA to ThM
Those pursing the ThM usually complete another master’s degree along the way. For those wanting to invest in both apologetics and theology, students can complete the MAPA in route to the ThM and thus be awarded these two master’s degrees. The MAPA and ThM combination provides the most philosophically robust, biblically grounded education available today. Discuss this option with your advisor for the smoothest path to completing both degrees.
Degrees that get you where you want to go
Southern California Seminary is more than just another Bible seminary, offering generic degrees in Ministry and Theology. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of biblical study and truth. Our distinctives cumulatively make our institution unique among biblical seminaries in a day and age where the Word of God is not taken at face value, and core doctrines are being diluted.
You have goals. Southern California Seminary can help you achieve them. Do you need a bachelor’s degree to help fulfill God’s call on your life? Do you need a master’s or doctoral degree to take the next step in your ministry or career? SCS has a program—either Online or On-Campus—designed to renew your mind and deepen your faith in Jesus Christ.
SCS is seeking students with a hunger for learning about God and a desire to dig deeper into the Bible. From your first visit until your graduation, we will strive to support you in your spiritual growth, and prepare you to minister in the 21st century.
MA Philosophy & Apologetics
Core Curriculum
BIBLICAL STUDIES – 9 UNITS
- BH-501 HERMENEUTICS
- BH-505 METHODS OF INDUCTIVE STUDY
- NT-601 ANALYSIS OF ROMANS
THEOLOGY – 9 UNITS
- TH-501 SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
- TH-508 COMPARATIVE SYSTEMS OF THEOLOGY
- HI-505 CHURCH HISTORY AND CANONICITY (TRIMESTER)
PHILOSOPHY – 12 UNITS
- PH-501 LOGIC AND RHETORIC
- PH-503 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY AND WORLDVIEWS
- PH-507 CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP
- PH-601 EPISTEMOLOGY AND METAPHYSICS
APOLOGETICS – 12 UNITS
- AP-505 APOLOGETICS AND CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES
- AP-603 NATURALISM AND SUPERNATURALISM
- SR-551 PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION
- SR-555 CREATION AND EVOLUTION: BIBLE, SCIENCE, AND WORLDVIEWS
RESEARCH AND THESIS – 6 UNITS
- RS-501 GRADUATE RESEARCH & WRITING
- RS-791 THESIS WRITING (2 TRIMESTERS)
ELECTIVES – 12 UNITS
Our Distinctives
Southern California Seminary is more than just another Bible seminary — more than just another Christian College or Christian University. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of biblical study and truth. Our distinctives cumulatively make our institution unique among biblical seminaries in a day and age where the Word of God is not taken at face value, and core doctrines are being diluted.
Our Mission
Southern California Seminary’s mission is to bring glory to God by assisting local churches to equip believers of various cultures and languages to live and minister biblically based on the inerrant Word of God. This equipping includes building biblical knowledge, Christian character, and ministry skills—all at modest tuition.
Our Purpose
Southern California Seminary is a private institution of higher education dedicated to teaching from the inerrant Word of God. Here you will learn about God from His book – the Bible. As a ministry of Shadow Mountain Community Church, under the leadership of Dr. David Jeremiah, SCS offers the highest quality of biblical education with a tuition that is refreshingly affordable.