The Master of Arts Concentration in the History of Christianity in America (MA/HCA)

MA/HCA Concentration Purpose

The Master of Arts concentration in the History of Christianity in America (MA/HCA) provides specialized study in American Christianity to those desiring graduate work in this field, as well as to those who intend to teach history or church history in Christian secondary schools, Bible colleges, and theological seminaries. It also serves as an intermediate step toward doctoral study in a related area.

MA/HCA Concentration Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

The admission requirements for the MA/HCA are those described in the Admissions section of the catalog and those specific to the MA/HCA program described below:

• An undergraduate major or its equivalent which includes: 18 semester hours of undergraduate history
• An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required.
• A reading knowledge of languages required to complete the thesis, depending on the area of study

MA/HCA Candidacy Requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts programs must be followed by achievement of candidacy for the degree. Program candidacy occurs when

• A minimum of 12 hours in the program is completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5 after admission to the program.
• All entrance deficiencies and conditions are removed.
• After a review of student files for continued progress toward meeting graduation requirements, formal action is taken by the faculty to grant candidacy for the degree.

MA/HCA Residency Requirement and Statute of Limitation

• Twenty-four hours must be completed on the Deerfield Campus of Trinity. Generally two to three semesters of full-time course work and comprehensive exams are followed by one year of thesis writing.
• The final 8 hours must be taken through Trinity.
• All requirements in the Master of Arts programs must be completed within five years of matriculation into the program. Petition to extend the statute of limitation may be made by a student to the Academic Exceptions Committee.

MA/HCA Concentration Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all course work in the program, including required Field Education, with a minimum cumulative grade point average for program course work of 2.5, with no course work graded below a “C-” applicable to the degree. A maximum of 20 percent of course work may be completed in an independent study format (Reading, Guided Research, and Distance Education courses).
2. Meet the general comprehensive requirements in Old Testament, New Testament, and two in Systematic Theology. See the Academic Handbook for details.
3. Successfully write the major comprehensive exam.
4. Complete a Master of Arts capstone project for the MA/HCA, which is research and write an acceptable thesis on an approved topic, exhibiting the ability to do competent research, to think critically, and to communicate effectively in the area of emphasis. The thesis may be for 0-3 hours credit, applicable to the student’s program.

MA/HCA Concentration Curriculum

Updated to 2008-09 Catalog