If you are interested in pursuing a Masters of Arts in Christian Apologetics, here are a few options. For the two best places for apologetics training, check out:Biola University - Offering perhaps the best apologetics program available. Distance programs also available.
Southern Evangelical Seminary - Fully accredited resident and distance education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels specializing in Apologetics.
Liberty University - Offering a PhD. in Theology & Apologetics.
For those who want to pursue studies via distance learning and lower cost, check out:
Columbia Evangelical Seminary - Masters of Arts in Apologetics strictly through distance learning. A mentor program working at your own pace and custom programs.
Veritas Evangelical Seminary - Masters of Arts in Apologetics and distance learning programs. Under the oversight of Norman Geisler and a strong apologetics faculty.
If you do not wish to pursue a degree but want to study apologetics in a structured way under the oversight of a mentor, consider a Certificate in Christian Apologetics through Institute of Biblical Defense. Also, see this list of various graduate, undergraduate and non-accredited Christian apologetics training courses.
Please comment below with further resources, as there are more than just these.
34 comments :
How about the MA in Christian Thought at Bethel Seminary, St Paul?
Great. Bring on any other recommendations, as these can be great resources for those looking for it.
Brian,
This is a great idea for a post and very helpful!
Thank you so much for you research and hard work.
Godspeed
Biola! Whoop Whoop!
Thanks for the list of resources.
I am a student in the Master's of Apologetics program at Biola University on a modular or distance learning basis. It has been absolutely phenomenal. I highly recommend it.
A few more links supplied by another reader are:
Carm Apologetics School - online web study.
Denver Seminary Certificate in Apologetics
Denver Seminary M.Div Philosophy of Religion
Thanks, Vocab
If anyone has any in-depth questions about the Biola program then feel free to email me at...
ntapologetics@yahoo.com
Hi Brian,
Here's a couple more ...
The Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics at Wycliffe Hall (Oxford University) offers a one year certificate program in Christian Apologetics. The teaching faculty includes several Ravi Zacharias Ministries members as well as others such as Alister McGrath. Note that the cert is awarded by Wycliffe Hall and is not accredited by Oxford University (even tho Wycliffe Hall is part of Oxford ...)
http://www.theocca.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=41
Luther Rice Seminary offers a Masters in Apologetics ("MAA") or an MDiv with an apologetics concentration (they are, like SES, TRACS accredited). All of LRU's degrees can be done entirely via distance ed, I think:
http://www.lru.edu/Content.aspx?page=academics
Trinity College of the Bible & Theological Seminary offers an MA with a concentration in "Christian Philosophy and Apologetics". They are currently not accredited but are pursuing accreditation through the DETC.
http://trinitysem.edu/DegreePrograms/DegreePrograms.html
I just received an information packet in the mail from Biola about their apologetics program. I'm really considering it because it looks so great!
My one drawback is the financial aspect. I'm curious how others here have paid for their schooling. Any tips?
Feel free to email me at ntapologetics@yahoo.com and I can provide you with financial aid info. I have been in the program for a couple of semesters now but have not used financial aid myself. It is around $450/unit and I have been taking around 5 units each semester so it has cost around $2,250 each semster. I would highly, highly recommend it though. I absolutely love it. I have learned a ton. The program and instructors are top notch. Anyway, email me and I will help you with info to get you more comfortable with the cost and coursework. Take care
Another suggestion ... for anyone who would like some systematic training in apologetics from top quality professors but doesn't have the time or finances to do a full master's degree (or just doesn't have the need for an MA) BIOLA offers a "Certificate of Study in Christian Apologetics". The professors involved are generally fantastic (Craig, Moreland, Habermas, Koukl, Plantinga, etc). There's an oncampus program and a distance program available:
Local on-campus program, $185 per lecture, so $555 total:
http://www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/apologetics/certificate/
Distance program, $95 per course, so $285 total:
http://www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/apologetics/certificate/distance/
Denver Seminary also has an M.A. in Christian Apologetics. Doug Groothuis is the head of the department.
I completed graduate work at Talbot School of Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Columbia Evangelical Seminary (CES, MDiv). I also completed executive programs with UCLA Anderson School of Management (hosted at Howard University), The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and the Center for Creative Leadership.
I review these educational experiences as foundation to say that the programs at CES are rigorous and hold to the highest standards. Please be forwarded that you will work off your tail. You cannot buy a degree from this school, but you will earn a degree that you will be proud to display in front of anyone who might attempt an ad hominem attack. No, CES is not a well known school, but having attended some of the best and most well known schools in the country, I can tell you that your education, while with CES, will be top notch. Tell President Rick Walston, PhD, that I sent you.
Thanks for this list. Coming up on retirement in a year or so and exploring options
I would like to second Darryl's recommendation for Columbia Evangelical Seminary. I am currently pursuing a Th.M with a specific emphasis. I too have tried various distance programs through Reformed Theological Seminary and a business program at Colorado State University. Both programs were very good. What distinguishes CES is that it is not just a distance copy of resident program. It is a mentor-based (shall I say disciple-based) program. There are some key advantages to this. For instance, my interest is in Semitic languages, history and exegesis. Therefore, I am being mentored by a Ph.D expert in this area of study. My mentor ensures that the classes fit my interests and gifts for ministry while at the same time, cover the expected requirements and standards of traditional Th.M programs. That said, I will say that this program is not traditional. It is rigorous and requires significant discipline. That would be my only warning is that if you are not self-disciplined it may be difficult to meet the standards and maintain a steady schedule.
I echo the recommendation of Columbia Evangelcial Seminary. For distance ed, there's no better choice. Also, there is Birmingham Theological Seminary (www.birminghamseminary.org)
Does Columbia Evangelical Seminary teach apologetics from a presuppositional methodology and are other methods taught as well? I appreciate it.
Hi Brian,
>> This is determined partially by choice of mentor and the curriculum <<
Actually, it is primarily determined by the student and the mentor. Both develop the curriculum. If it is a presuppositional apologetics methodology one desires, then I recommend finding a mentor with this academic background to help formulate the curriculum. The curriculum can be customized to suit the students academic and ministry goals. From what I can tell, the only thing CES really cares about is that the curriculum is of a high standard and that it conforms to their evangelical statement of faith.
Thanks for clarifying, Xavier.
Covenant Theological Seminary offers free downloads of courseware (audio lectures and transcripts) and study guide materials for more than 20 of Covenant Seminary's master-level seminary courses, including apologetics.
http://www.covenantseminary.edu/learn/worldwideclassroom/
Here is a link to some more apologetics training opportunities...
I have found lots of resources for Christian Apologetics Programs Thanks to blog admin and blog commenters for that.
Centennial college - This is the place where I found lots of variousdegree programs.
What about ICR's
http://www.icr.edu/soba/
Ligonier is offering certificates in apologetics, one intermediate and one advanced. I'm not a Calvinist so I don't subscribe to everything R.C. Sproul teaches, but I do find his apologetic material excellent.
http://www.ligonier.org/academy/certificate-program/
The Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics at Wycliffe Hall NOW offers a fully accredited Masters Degree in Apologetics THROUGH Wyclifee Hall and the degree is awarded by Oxford.
Noel@NoelVincent.com
The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics has two courses accredited with Oxford University.
-1 Year CTPS
-2 Year MA
http://www.theocca.org
-Evangelism (most years students on the course each lead someone to faith in Christ)
-Academic excellence and intensive research
-Spiritual formation and mentoring
Over 50% of students receive financial aid.
Thanks for this page. I'm working as a Teacher's Assistant, aiding my professors in putting together a good Apologetics for Ministry syllabus for our Seminary. This has been a great resource.
I am looking for an Apologetics program that is at the Master's level or beyond, which is both entirely distance and can be funded using Federal Financial Aid. Any ideas?
Are there any particular pre-requisite courses that are required for pursuing a Masters in Apologetics? Is any 4 year degree acceptable?
I didn't see anyone mention Westminster Theological Seminary as an option so I just thought I'd throw it out there. They don't offer a MA or certificate in apologetics; however, they offer a ThM or PhD with an emphasis in apologetics if one chooses that route.
I have been thinking of whether to apply to WTS or Columbia Evangelical Seminary. I would really like a WTS education but it is very expensive. If I could obtain the same education at CES for less than half the cost then that seems like a better choice. Does anyone have any advice?
I am almost finished with LRU's MDiv in apologetics and my husband has almost completed the MASR (scientific apologetics) at Biola. We have compared and contrasted both programs and have come to the conclusion that they are both excellent options for those seeking an apologetics degree.
Thank you all for your great information regarding schools. I have been torn regarding Columbia Evangelical Seminary's Masters program. Not for lack of a rigorous academic program but for the accreditation issues (or lack thereof) it might pose when looking for future employment. Would the degree even be considered or recognized for teaching at an undergraduate level? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
I was wondering if I wanted to take a Masters in apologetics (for example from Biola) and then after completing it take one in theology, would it be faster to complete since they have similar modules?
Has anyone done this before?
Thanks and God bless!
I believe most schools want a PhD professor teaching at the undergraduate level. Sometimes this isn't always the case but I think they would prefer a PhD over a MA. I also think there's other factors which need to be taken into consideration, such as what type of school is it?
I would recommend completing the MA Theology at Talbot first before the MA Apologetics. I was a student at Talbot so I'm familiar with the coursework. Many of the courses for the Theo program will cancel out required courses for the Apol program. However, I don't think it works vice versa. I've heard the courses at Talbot cover more material than the Apol courses so if you complete the MA Apol degree, you might still have to take most or all of the required courses for the MA Theo.
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