Master of Applied Theology
Programme Summary
Carey’s Master of Applied Theology provides an advanced theological qualification for those who are committed to career-long education.
The Masters aims to support professional development for pastors, including senior pastors, and other Christian ministry and missional practitioners who have high levels of curriculum knowledge, research skills, and leadership capacity.
In addition the academic programme aims to equip students interested in advancing academic scholarship and research in the field of applied theology. It is therefore also intended as a pathway for those interested in continuing on to doctoral studies, particularly through one of the established pathways Carey has with Auckland University of Technology, Otago University, or other tertiary institutions.
There are three different starting points to the Masters of Applied Theology depending on your prior education and experience. The full programme is a 240 credit (two years full-time) and there are options for a 180 credit and 120 credit (thesis only) programme of study. Please refer to the entry requirements for further details.
Programme Options
120 Credit thesis only
This could be the option for you if you have an undergraduate Bachelor of Theology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology and have studied Postgraduate Research Methods.
180 Credits
Parts of your ministry experience might count towards prior learning, as well as any post graduate study you have already done.
MA801 Research Methods in Applied Theology
AND
90 or 120 credit thesis with the remainder of credits from the range of postgraduate courses on offer in 2019 which include:
Special Topic (Ministry): Suffering Christ’s Call: Christian Discipleship and the Way of the Cross – Dr Michael Mawson (University of Aberdeen)
Special Topic (Missions): Reading Paul Missionally – Prof Michael Gorman (St Mary’s Seminary & University, USA) and Dr George Wieland (Carey)
Special topic (Theology) Third Article Theology – Dr Myk Habets (Carey) and Dr Greg Liston (Laidlaw College)
240 Credits
MA801 Research Methods in Applied Theology
AND
90 or 120 credit thesis with the remainder of credits from the range of postgraduate courses on offer in 2019 which include:
Special Topic (Ministry): Suffering Christ’s Call: Christian Discipleship and the Way of the Cross – Dr Michael Mawson (University of Aberdeen)
Special Topic (Missions): Reading Paul Missionally – Prof Michael Gorman (St Mary’s Seminary & University, USA) and Dr George Wieland (Carey)
Special topic (Theology) Third Article Theology – Dr Myk Habets (Carey) and Dr Greg Liston (Laidlaw College)
Research Essay guided research option
Special Topics 2019
MA825 Special Topic (Ministry): Suffering Christ's Call: Christian Discipleship and the Way of the Cross
In this course we will explore and reflect upon Christian discipleship.
What does it mean to understand discipleship as following after Christ? What does it mean that we are called by Christ to discipleship? We will give particular attention to the claim that Christian discipleship always entails suffering, ‘taking up one’s cross’ (Mark 8:34).
What role does suffering play in preparing and forming us as disciples? Should (and can) we embrace this suffering? We will explore these and other such questions with reference to the writings of Julian of Norwich, Luther, Kierkegaard, Barth, Bonhoeffer, William Stringfellow, Hauerwas, and others.
MA824 Special Topic (Missions): Reading Paul Missionally
This course in missional hermeneutics explores some of Paul’s letters to discover Paul’s understanding of the missio Dei (God’s mission) in Christ and by the Spirit, and our participation in that mission.
We will examine Paul’s vision of individuals and communities that not only speak the good news but also embody it in such missional practices as faithfulness, reconciliation, justice, and enemy-love.
The close, missionally sensitive reading of his letters will combine with missionally sensitive readings of the students’ own contexts to generate missional conversations and guide practice. The course will include two three-day intensives, one facilitated by Dr Michael Gorman and the other by Dr George Wieland.
MA823 Special Topic (Theology): Third Article Theology
Third Article Theology (TAT) is a new theological movement utilizing a distinctly pneumatological approach to developing Christian doctrine.
By examining Christian beliefs and practices through the lens of the Spirit, it aims to equip the church to “act its age”—proclaiming a timely message appropriate for our current context, leading to practical applications for life, mission, and ministry.
In addition to the lecturers, the course will include sessions from leading TAT scholars from around the world.
Use your research to make a difference
Programme Objectives
Upon completion graduates will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:
- Assess critically the most recent published research in applied theology.
- Reflect critically on issues of society and contemporary life from advanced, appropriate, and soundly-based biblical and theological perspectives.
- Develop critical skills in the interpretation of biblical texts and theological evaluation.
- Analyse life contexts for contemporary ecclesial and missional practice in Aotearoa, New Zealand and related contexts.
- Implement assessment skills including, finding strengths, weaknesses, multiple options, as well as identifying obstacles.
- Evidence planning skills including, the collaborative construction of preferred outcomes, finding ways around obstacles, ways to mobilize strengths and resources to achieve
- Practise interdisciplinary research skills.
- Display advanced, independent, critical research, and writing skills that insightfully interact with existing scholarship in a chosen area of study.
- Practise self-discipline, and demonstrate the ability to plan and achieve goals
Entry Requirements
There are three entry points for the Masters of Applied Theology depending on prior education and experience.
Level 8 Entry – 240 credit : An applicant will normally have completed one of the following:
- a recognised undergraduate degree in Theology or Ministry with a grade point average of B in courses of the undergraduate programme at levels 6 and 7 (or equivalent)
- a professional or other qualification which, in the judgement of the Academic Director and Head Carey Graduate School, can be recognised as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in theology or Christian ministry.
Level 8 Entry – 180 credit : An applicant will normally have both:
- completed a recognised undergraduate degree in Theology or Ministry with a grade point average of B in courses of the undergraduate programme at levels 6 and 7 (or equivalent)
AND - Acquired professional/ministry experience and training that, in the judgement of the Academic Director and Head Carey Graduate School, warrants advanced standing
Level 9 Entry – 120 credit: An applicant will normally have:
- A recognised 3-year Undergraduate degree in Theology or Christian Ministry with a grade point average of B in courses at Level 6 and 7, or equivalent,
AND - A recognised Postgraduate Diploma (eg: Carey’s Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Theology) in a related discipline wherein the applicant is deemed by the Academic Director as having completed an equivalent to the MA801 Research Methods in Applied Theology course
This programme is open to full-time and part-time New Zealand students and full-time International students.
For full information please see the Academic Regulations and Calendar 2019.
International student admission requirements, including English language requirements, can be found here.
What is the cost?
See our full Fees Schedule for costs
What courses are part of the Programme?
View our 2019 Timetable
Note: The Schedule of courses in the Academic Regulations and Calendar indicates the planned cycle of what courses will be offered in which years.
However, please note that due to timetabling constraints and lecturer availability some courses may not be offered as planned.
Course selection and advice is provided via the Academic Registrar to ensure that your programme of study meets the requirements of the qualification you are enrolled in.
Alumni Stories
Grahame Walker
Mental Health Chaplain at Auckland District Health Board
It’s really worthwhile not just for your professional development but also the spiritual aspect where you are learning and growing in an area that’s of interest to you.
So many doors have opened up as a result of this piece of research and it’s been immediately transferrable to my role.