Th.M. Ministry Tracks

Each student in the Master of Theology program selects a ministry track from the following. 

• Academic Ministries
  • Old Testament Studies
  • New Testament Studies
  • Bible Exposition
  • Systematic Theology
  • Historical Theology
  • Christian Education
  • Biblical Counseling
    
  • World Missions and Intercultural Studies
• Bible Translation
• Cross-cultural Ministries
• Educational Leadership
  • Church Educational Leadership
  • Children's Ministry
  • Youth Ministry
  • Adult Ministry
  • Family Life Ministry
  • Educational Administration
• Evangelism and Discipleship
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Media Arts in Ministry
• Parachurch Ministries
• Pastoral Ministries
• Women's Ministry

Academic Ministries Track

This track is designed to equip students for ministry in a nonchurch educational context such as teaching in a Bible college or seminary, or a parachurch ministry emphasizing research and communication. Elements of instructional theory and practice are combined with additional study in an academic discipline. For many of these students study beyond the Th.M. will be necessary or advisable. Students desiring to teach in the area of Pastoral Ministries should select the Pastoral Leadership concentration of the Pastoral Ministries track and consult with their adviser in choosing Christian Education courses from the Academic Ministries track as part of their free electives.

Bible Translation Track

This track is designed to equip students for the task of Bible translation. All track courses are offered by the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics (GIAL). GIAL is located at the International Linguistic Center in south Dallas and is associated with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Because of the unique nature of the Bible translation ministry and the needs of translators on the field, 18 semester hours of courses are required to complete the Bible Translation track.

All Bible Translation track courses are taken through the GIAL and are offered in a six-month modular format in either the spring/summer or summer/fall. Students should plan to complete all track requirements in either the fall or spring. Students in this track should consult the Registrar's Office for additional information on class scheduling.

Additional information can be found under the M.A./BEL degree.

Cross-cultural Ministries Track

This track is designed to equip students for evangelistic, church-planting, discipleship, and educational ministries in intercultural situations in North America and abroad. It provides training in cultural adaptation, effective mission strategies, religious and cultural contexts, and leadership development. The internship and adviser-approved electives are designed to assist students in achieving their specific ministry goals.

Educational Leadership Track

This track, designed to equip students for leadership in a local church or parachurch organization, includes training in both foundational courses and courses related to the student’s chosen concentration. The student may select one of the following six concentrations:

Church Educational Leadership Concentration

Students completing this concentration should be able to design, direct, supervise, and evaluate the overall educational ministries of a local church.

Children’s Ministry Concentration

Students completing this concentration should be able to organize and supervise local church or parachurch ministries to children, including the recruitment and retention of adult staff.

Youth Ministry Concentration

Students completing this concentration should be able to organize and supervise an effective church program of youth ministry at the junior high and high school levels.

Adult Ministry Concentration

Students completing this concentration should be able to organize and lead an adult education program.

Family Life Ministry Concentration

Students completing this concentration should be able to develop and direct a church program of family life education including family classes, counseling, and discipling relationships.

Educational Administration Concentration

Students completing this concentration should be able to lead effectively in an educational institution at the elementary, secondary, or higher level. This program does not lead to certification.

Evangelism and Discipleship Track

This track, designed to equip students to do the work of evangelism and develop disciples, combines advanced courses taught in the departments of Bible Exposition, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Ministries, Christian Education, and World Missions and Intercultural Studies. It is particularly appropriate for church staff members, parachurch workers, and campaign evangelists.

Interdisciplinary Studies Track

The Interdisciplinary Studies track is designed to provide a more generalized ministry preparation course of study for students whose ministry goals are less settled or incorporate elements of two or more of the standard ministry tracks in the Th.M. curriculum. Since the Interdisciplinary Studies track requires a combination of requirements from two different departments plus a field education internship in an area of intended ministry, the total hours required for the track are 20 (two hours of which are the internship). Students in the Interdisciplinary Studies track may select a wide variety of departmental combinations under the following guidelines.

One of the Interdisciplinary Studies track departments must be from the Division of Biblical Studies or the Division of Theological Studies (Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Bible Exposition, or Theological Studies); the second department must be from the Division of Ministries and Communication (Pastoral Ministries, Christian Education, World Missions and Intercultural Studies, or Biblical Counseling). Students will take a minimum of nine credit hours in each of the two departments selected in consultation with their advisers.

Media Arts in Ministry Track

This track is designed to equip students to serve the body of Christ as artists, directors, and producers in a variety of media related to biblically oriented congregational and parachurch ministries.

Parachurch Ministries Track

The Parachurch Ministries track, developed jointly by the Christian Education and World Missions and Intercultural Studies Departments, is designed to facilitate ministry training for those currently engaged in or anticipating serving in parachurch ministries either in the U.S. or overseas.

The track is designed with maximum flexibility. Courses totaling 15 semester hours are selected in consultation with the student’s adviser.

Pastoral Ministries Track

The Pastoral Ministries track offers four distinct ministry concentrations: church planting, counseling ministries, pastoral leadership, and urban ministries. Each concentration provides training for pastoral ministry in a specific context. While each is unique, all are designed to develop a pastor’s heart and pastoral skills in the four ministry areas.

Women’s Ministry Track

While Dallas Seminary holds the position that Scripture limits to men the roles of elder and senior pastor in the local church, it also affirms that local churches, denominational structures, parachurch organizations and ministries, educational institutions, and missions agencies all present many other strategic ministry opportunities for women. This track is designed to equip women to organize and lead women’s ministry programs in a variety of these settings.

The Women’s Ministry track is an interdisciplinary track under the oversight of the Christian Education department but with course options from several departments. Though specified courses make up the general requirements of the track, students may substitute other relevant courses, with the approval of the department, to tailor the track to meet their unique ministry goals.