Master of Arts in Theology and Healthcare
Purpose Statement
The Master of Arts in Theology and Healthcare is a 36-hour degree program that seeks to provide theological and spiritual foundations for students intending to enter the healthcare field. The program will prepare students to think theologically and constructively about foundational commitments shaping contemporary healthcare. Attention to biblical, theological, and ethical matters surrounding illness, suffering, and the dynamics of healthcare in the United States, coupled with a focus on spiritual formation, will equip students to serve in the healthcare field with a well-formed and maturing Christian faith.
Primary Goals of the Program
The George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University creates a learning environment that shapes scholar-ministers for the Church in the historic orthodox Christian tradition. The Seminary does so in the larger context of a major national research university with a confession rooted in the historic Baptist tradition.
As evidence of the Seminary’s commitment to both its ecclesial and educative contexts, Truett Seminary creates an intentional learning environment that promotes formation, deepens knowledge and embraces praxis. These three areas--being, knowing, and doing--prove equally foundational and absolutely essential for holistic ministerial formation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be:
- Persons with a developing sense of calling and a growing dedication to the mission of God in the world;
- Persons with a deepening commitment to the life of the church;
- Persons who are continually being formed as followers of Christ, committed to integrating the Christian practices into daily life (e.g., worship, prayers, study, service);
- Persons of high ethical standards regarding their relationship and responsibility to self, family, congregation, colleagues, community, and creation.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should know:
- The narrative of Scripture including the contours of the biblical stories of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church, as well as the central themes of creation, fall, redemption, mission, and recreation that shape the narrative;
- The Great Tradition (and traditions) of Christian thought;
- Baptist history and doctrine, while developing an appreciation for the wider ecumenical community;
- Appropriate means for articulating the Christian faith in light of the context in which she or he ministers.
Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary should be able to:
- Demonstrate competency in basic ministry skills;
- Interpret accurately the Christian Scriptures and apply them effectively to ministry tasks;
- Reflect critically and theologically upon the acts and experiences of Christian ministry;
- Lead others in spiritual formation and discipleship;
- Practice contextual evangelism;
- Participate effectively in God’s mission locally and globally;
- Exercise skillful care of people in the midst of crises, but more broadly, through all stages of life;
- Relate effectively and authentically as a human to humans in the common concerns of life;
- Demonstrate appropriate self-care.
Student Learning Outcomes
The MA in Theology and Healthcare program at Truett Seminary seeks to achieve holistic student development by equipping students through theological and biblical reflection, spiritual formation, and contextual engagement. The outcomes for this degree include:
- Graduates of George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills for reflection upon the integration of Christian Scripture and healthcare.
- Graduates of George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of both the content and context of the larger Christian tradition of theology and spirituality, particularly as they pertain to the healthcare field.
- Graduates of George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess a foundational understanding of pastoral care regarding issues particularly relevant to the healthcare context.
- Graduates of George W. Truett Theological Seminary will engage in patterns of practice and belief that will inform and enrich the spiritual life and a maturing Christian faith.
Requirements for a Master of Arts in Theology and Healthcare
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Introductory Courses | ||
THEO 7340 | Introduction to Christian Scriptures | 3 |
THEO 7341 | Introduction to Christian History and Theology | 3 |
WOCW 7385 | Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission | 3 |
Spiritual Formation | ||
PRTH 7101 | Spiritual Formation I | 1 |
PRTH 7102 | Spiritual Formation II | 1 |
PRTH 7103 | Spiritual Formation III | 1 |
Theology and Healthcare | ||
PAST 7332 | Pastoral Care in Healthcare | 3 |
PRTH 7140 | Theology and Healthcare Praxis | 1 |
PRTH 7200 | Practicum in Healthcare | 2 |
PRTH 7331 | Christian Theological Tradition in Healthcare | 3 |
WOCW 7391 | Vocation and Work | 3 |
REL 4395 | Bioethics | 3 |
REL Elective or PRTH 7330 | 3 | |
Electives | 6 | |
Choose six hours from any of the following: | ||
Seminary Elective Options | ||
Any seminary course, including CRED, LEAD, MENT, MUS, PAST, PRCH, PRTH, PTSM, THEO, TEFJ, WOCW, and WSLY prefixes | ||
Interdisciplinary Elective Options | ||
History of Medicine | ||
U.S. Health Care System | ||
Disability and Society | ||
Philosophy and Medicine | ||
Dying and Death Education | ||
Disability Ethics | ||
Other electives as approved by Program Director and Associate Dean. | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
Students will begin this program in the summer term and should complete their degree by the following May. Theology and Healthcare core classes will provide students the opportunity to study with members of their cohort, while other classes will be taken with students in other programs. Elective classes will allow students to pursue courses of particular interest to them and will draw upon the expertise of Baylor’s world-class faculty across the disciplines.
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Summer | Hours | |
PRTH 7101 | Spiritual Formation I | 1 |
THEO 7340 | Introduction to Christian Scriptures | 3 |
THEO 7345 | Introduction to Christian Theology | 3 |
Hours | 7 | |
Fall | ||
PRTH 7102 | Spiritual Formation II | 1 |
PRTH 7140 | Theology and Healthcare Praxis | 1 |
PRTH 7331 | Christian Theological Tradition in Healthcare | 3 |
WOCW 7385 | Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission | 3 |
REL 4395 | Bioethics | 3 |
ELECTIVE | 3 | |
Hours | 14 | |
Spring | ||
Wintermester | ||
PRTH 7200 | Practicum in Healthcare | 2 |
Spring | ||
PRTH 7103 | Spiritual Formation III | 1 |
PAST 7332 | Pastoral Care in Healthcare | 3 |
WOCW 7391 | Vocation and Work | 3 |
REL Elective or PRTH 7330 | 3 | |
ELECTIVE | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours | 36 |