GRADUATE BIBLE & THEOLOGY
AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SEMINARY
GRADUATE BIBLE & THEOLOGY
We offer multiple degree programs designed to satisfy a wide range of academic and ministry goals. Students studying for an advanced degree, such as the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theology (ThM), may elect to earn a second Master of Arts degree with no additional cost or time added to your program.
“Southern California Seminary teaches the Bible first and foremost. It is our main textbook. It is the grid through which all life is evaluated. We believe that our seminary exists to equip and train godly men and women to know the Word, apply the Word and to use God’s inerrant Word both in ministry and vocational settings.” – President of SCS, Dr. Gary Coombs
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) is the most flexible of all the Seminary’s programs. Out of a total of 36 units, 18 units are dedicated to the student’s area of interest related to Christian ministry. By taking 12 units each trimester, the program can be completed in a year.
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS)
The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) program provides graduate-level curriculum that is designed for persons seeking a thorough biblical and theological understanding of the Old and New Testaments. By offering 12 units of electives as part of the curriculum, the MABS program allows students to focus on a particular area of interest. This program includes the preparation of a research thesis that should correspond to the students’ area of interest related to biblical and theological studies. The program can be completed in about two years if students take 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC)
The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) provides graduate-level instruction related to counseling from a biblical framework. This program of study is most useful for persons seeking to focus their education on the interdisciplinary counseling and Christian studies. This program provides students with a biblical and theological foundation that is significant for counseling from a biblical worldview. The program can be completed between 16-24 months if students take 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAIS)
The Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAIS) offers students a 36-unit graduate-level program of study that includes a core curriculum of biblical studies and interdisciplinary skills along with a targeted intercultural field study that includes an ethnography project. This highly specialized program requires students to complete a minimum of eight months of the program from a cross- cultural field of study of the student’s choosing. The program is designed to be completed between 20-24 months.
Master of Arts in Philosophy and Apologetics (MAPA)
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. The program can be completed between 16-24 months if students take 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is recognized as the standard degree for vocational Christian ministries that communicate the Word of God. Generally, graduates may serve in senior leadership positions in the pastorate, missions, christian education, youth ministry, chaplaincy, evangelism, denominational settings, and social work. The degree can be completed in about three to four years by taking 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Theology (ThM)
The ThM is 121 units or 42 courses, which is well suited for students who plan to pursue doctoral studies, wish to teach in an academic institution, or want to be more effective preachers and teachers of God’s Word. The degree can be completed in five years by taking 6-9 units each trimester.
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is a 36-unit doctorate designed for leaders and pastors who are looking to take their ministry and career to the next level. The degree has three tracks: Christian Leadership, Christian Education, and Biblical Exposition. All tracks blend the best of intellectual pursuits with functional foundations. The program combines the best of a modified residency with a “high-touch” and interactive online component. Students are required to come to one intensive per year, lasting two weeks. The degree is run in a cohort model and can be completed in as few as three years (though the student may choose to take longer in the project stage).
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about the Graduate Bible & Theology Department

GRADUATE BIBLE & THEOLOGY
AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SEMINARY
GRADUATE BIBLE & THEOLOGY
We offer multiple degree programs designed to satisfy a wide range of academic and ministry goals. Students studying for an advanced degree, such as the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Theology (ThM), may elect to earn a second Master of Arts degree with no additional cost or time added to your program.
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)
The Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) is the most flexible of all the Seminary’s programs. Out of a total of 36 units, 18 units are dedicated to the student’s area of interest related to Christian ministry. By taking 12 units each trimester, the program can be completed in a year.
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS)
The Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) program provides graduate-level curriculum that is designed for persons seeking a thorough biblical and theological understanding of the Old and New Testaments. By offering 12 units of electives as part of the curriculum, the MABS program allows students to focus on a particular area of interest. This program includes the preparation of a research thesis that should correspond to the students’ area of interest related to biblical and theological studies. The program can be completed in about two years if students take 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC)
The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) provides graduate-level instruction related to counseling from a biblical framework. This program of study is most useful for persons seeking to focus their education on the interdisciplinary counseling and Christian studies. This program provides students with a biblical and theological foundation that is significant for counseling from a biblical worldview. The program can be completed between 16-24 months if students take 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAIS)
The Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAIS) offers students a 36-unit graduate-level program of study that includes a core curriculum of biblical studies and interdisciplinary skills along with a targeted intercultural field study that includes an ethnography project. This highly specialized program requires students to complete a minimum of eight months of the program from a cross- cultural field of study of the student’s choosing. The program is designed to be completed between 20-24 months.
Master of Arts in Philosophy and Apologetics (MAPA)
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. The program can be completed between 16-24 months if students take 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is recognized as the standard degree for vocational Christian ministries that communicate the Word of God. Generally, graduates may serve in senior leadership positions in the pastorate, missions, christian education, youth ministry, chaplaincy, evangelism, denominational settings, and social work. The degree can be completed in about three to four years by taking 9-12 units each trimester.
Master of Theology (ThM)
The ThM is 121 units or 42 courses, which is well suited for students who plan to pursue doctoral studies, wish to teach in an academic institution, or want to be more effective preachers and teachers of God’s Word. The degree can be completed in five years by taking 6-9 units each trimester.
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program is a 36-unit doctorate designed for leaders and pastors who are looking to take their ministry and career to the next level. The degree has three tracks: Christian Leadership, Christian Education, and Biblical Exposition. All tracks blend the best of intellectual pursuits with functional foundations. The program combines the best of a modified residency with a “high-touch” and interactive online component. Students are required to come to one intensive per year, lasting two weeks. The degree is run in a cohort model and can be completed in as few as three years (though the student may choose to take longer in the project stage).
“Southern California Seminary teaches the Bible first and foremost. It is our main textbook. It is the grid through which all life is evaluated. We believe that our seminary exists to equip and train godly men and women to know the Word, apply the Word and to use God’s inerrant Word both in ministry and vocational settings.” – President of SCS, Dr. Gary Coombs