Degree Programs

The ACA seminary, called the Evangelical Theological Seminary (ETS) is equipped to offers four degree programs at the graduate level.

The 3-year Master of Theology Degree (M.Th.)
The 2-year Master in Biblical Studies (M.B.S.)
The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Purpose of Ministry Programs at ACA

The ministry programs at ETS seek to prepare men for a ministry of Bible exposition as pastors, teachers and leaders. Our post-graduate programs prepare Christians for a life of ministry, with the ability to expound and interpret the Scriptures in a meaningful and moving way, in order to share God’s Word with Christians and the unchurched, alike.

The M.B.S. and M.Th. are separate programs. If a student plans to earn the M.Th. degree, he should enroll directly in the three-year M.Th. program. A student will not save time by completing the M.B.S. program first and then pursuing the M.Th. degree.

Women may be admitted to the Seminary as M.B.S. students. ETS also encourages students to enroll for selected courses which may not lead to a degree, for intellectual fulfillment, biblical education and to grow closer to God through their studies. Admission to selected courses is decided by the Academic Committee.

Graduation Requirements

3-year Masters of Theology (M.Th.)

Student must meet the following requirements to graduate:
Complete 120 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 or B-.
Submit a satisfactory thesis/research work.
Meet the field education requirements, which will show evidence of his capability to perform acceptable Christian ministry.
Completing the minimum requirements does not, however, automatically qualify the student for the degree. He must show evidence, to the satisfaction of the faculty solidarity, of Christian character, ability and acceptability in Christian ministry and commitment to the purpose of the Seminary.
An oral and written comprehensive examination in all major departments is required as a condition for graduation. The student will be examined by a panel of professors from various departments and an average grade of B- is required for graduation.
The degree will not be conferred unless all financial obligations to the Seminary have been met.

Masters of Biblical Studies (M.B.S.)

The same requirements are applicable for M.B.S. students except for the following:

70 credit hours are required for the M.B.S. degree program.
M.B.S. student are exempt from presenting a thesis.
Greek and Hebrew language courses are excluded from the curriculum.
The duration for this course is two years of residential study.

Scholastic Honors

Cum Laude (with honors): 3.5 minimum grade point average
Magna Cum Laude (with high honors): 3.7 minimum grade point average
Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors): 3.8 minimum grade point average

Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

Students may be admitted to candidacy for the Doctor of Ministry degree by action of the faculty only after these requirements have been met:

Completion of all residence requirements and all independent study courses leading to the degree.
Evidence of proven Christian character.
Effectiveness in Christian ministry.
Adherence to the following doctrines: the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, the spiritual lostness of the human race, the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ, salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, and the physical return of Christ.

Students in the Doctor of Ministry program also must provide a written letter from the local church in which the student is serving that endorses the student’s ministry.

Candidates for the Doctor of Ministry degree must have completed 30 semester hours of the DM801 Core Courses; or 18 hours of DM801 Core Courses plus 12 hours of DM802 Independent Study and DM803 Dissertation.

The completion of requirements does not automatically qualify a student for the degree. Diplomas will not be awarded, transcripts issued, or placement assistance provided unless all financial obligations to the Seminary are current.

Click here for more information on the Doctor of Ministry Class Information
Click here to read thoughts and prayer requests from the D.Min Professor

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Applicants must (1) hold the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree, Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree, or Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.); (2) have an academic record that demonstrates superior ability; (3) satisfactorily pass a written examination in the field of their intended major and an oral examination of their Christian experience, scholarship, theology, achievement, and purpose; and (4) show evidence that they:

are born again
are of proven Christian character
are endowed with appropriate spiritual gifts
adhere to the following doctrines: the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Christ, the spiritual lostness of the human race, the substitutionary atonement and bodily resurrection of Christ, salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, and the physical return of Christ.

Applicants for the Ph.D. degree who hold only the M.Div. degree must complete stage one for the program, which consists of an additional 26 semester hours of course work (see below) before taking the written entrance exams to continue in the Ph.D. program. Applicants holding the Th.M. or S.T.M. degree must successfully pass the written entrance exams before beginning their studies.

Stage one requirements for students admitted with the M.Div. degree consist of 26 hours of classroom work. The student is required to pass a proficiency exam in Greek grammar and syntax, complete NT104 and NT105 (6 hours), pass a proficiency exam in Hebrew grammar, and complete OT103 and OT104 (6 hours). The student must also complete a major of 9 hours in a Biblical Studies or Theological Studies department, complete either CE215 or WM410 (3 hours), and write a 2-hour thesis in their intended major. After completion of the 26 hours of stage one, the student must pass the Ph.D. written entrance exams.