Programs & Curriculum |
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Basic Degree Programs
MDiv
The starting place for a variety of professional ministries, a Master of Divinity degree or MDiv may lead to careers such as pastor, teacher, evangelist, chaplain, missionary, or a variety of ordained church leadership opportunities. Full-time students complete this 31 course program in three years. Educating the mind, heart, and spirit, the MDiv program provides a common core of intellectual and practical learning that readies students for a vocation of faith.
MA(TS)
This master level degree is a flexible theological studies degree program for those who are preparing for a doctoral level program, church leadership positions, or specialized lay ministry. The Master of Arts (Theological Studies) or MA(TS) degree, may also be used to investigate the relationship between a profession and issues of faith such as business, law, the arts, medicine or science.
MAPT
Columbia Theological Seminary is known for the practical application of scholarship in theology and other related fields. The purpose of the Master of Arts in Practical Theology degree or MAPT is to equip persons for a broad array of ministries through the practice of theological and contextual reflection. With faculty representing multiple denominations, our courses in practical theology will deepen and broaden your understanding of Christian practice.
Advanced Degree Programs
D.Ed.Min
The Doctor of Educational Ministry or DEdMin degree program is open to qualified applicants currently engaged in ministries of Christian education. Applicants should have a master’s degree in religious education and at least three years in educational ministry. Usually completed in four years, Columbia Theological Seminary’s DEdMin was created to foster spiritual maturity as well as imaginative thinking about educational ministry as it is practiced within the life of congregations, as well as in other contexts.
This is a part-time program for those actively employed in an official position of educational ministry. The 45 credit hour degree includes 33 hours of course work, a 6 hour practicum and a 6 hour final research project. Courses take place on the Columbia Seminary campus and include courses taught in two week residential intensives and hybrid courses with some web delivered components complementing on campus classroom time. The practicum and final research project are ordinarily done in the student’s place of ministry.
This is a part-time program for those actively employed in an official position of educational ministry. The 45 credit hour degree includes 33 hours of course work, a 6 hour practicum and a 6 hour final research project. Courses take place on the Columbia Seminary campus and include courses taught in two week residential intensives and hybrid courses with some web delivered components complementing on campus classroom time. The practicum and final research project are ordinarily done in the student’s place of ministry.
D.Min
This leadership development degree program is designed for experienced pastors of any denomination who are currently engaged in ministry in the US and other North American or Caribbean settings.
Usually completed in four years, Columbia Seminary’s DMin degree program allows students to focus their research and studies in one of the following areas of concentration:
Usually completed in four years, Columbia Seminary’s DMin degree program allows students to focus their research and studies in one of the following areas of concentration:
- Christian Spirituality
- Church and Ministry
- Gospel, Culture, and Transformation
- Asian North American Ministry and Theology
Th.M
The Master of Theology degree program or ThM is designed for persons already holding an MDiv degree or its equivalent and who wish to deepen their mastery in one area or discipline of theological study through reflection, research, and writing for the service of the Church.
The distinctive element of Columbia’s ThM program is the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors in research of mutual interest. Students pursue a one-year course of full-time study that includes coursework in relevant curricular areas; a seminar in research methods; close work with a faculty mentor; the production of a publishable research thesis project; and, by application to the faculty, the opportunity to serve as a research or teaching assistant.
The distinctive element of Columbia’s ThM program is the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors in research of mutual interest. Students pursue a one-year course of full-time study that includes coursework in relevant curricular areas; a seminar in research methods; close work with a faculty mentor; the production of a publishable research thesis project; and, by application to the faculty, the opportunity to serve as a research or teaching assistant.
Courses Integrating Faith and Service
Theories of justice and public policy
Theories of Justice and Public Policy Analyzes theories of justice and their implications for public policy regarding such issues as affirmative action, AIDS and drug testing, healthcare, and welfare reform.
Preaching Justice in an Age of Globalization
Preaching Justice in an Age of Globalization
This course aims to empower preachers to address issues of global injustice and oppression through their preaching ministries with the hope of mobilizing congregational engagement thereby. To that end, this course will equip students with critical tools to prepare congregations for ethical engagement in an age of globalization through their preaching ministry. This course will model a certain kind of social analysis, theological/ethical reflection, and prophetic preaching — one that is globally aware and locally mobilized. Students will select one topic of injustice in Atlanta for close social analysis, which will serve as a catalyst for ethical, theological, and homiletical reflection.
This course aims to empower preachers to address issues of global injustice and oppression through their preaching ministries with the hope of mobilizing congregational engagement thereby. To that end, this course will equip students with critical tools to prepare congregations for ethical engagement in an age of globalization through their preaching ministry. This course will model a certain kind of social analysis, theological/ethical reflection, and prophetic preaching — one that is globally aware and locally mobilized. Students will select one topic of injustice in Atlanta for close social analysis, which will serve as a catalyst for ethical, theological, and homiletical reflection.
The Cross and the State: Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Reflections on States, Prison, and Execution
The Cross and the State: Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Reflections on States, Prison, and Execution
Introduces and critically engages aspects of the current justice system in the U.S., especially the Prison-Industrial Complex and state-sponsored executions, in light of biblical and theological traditions regarding bondage, imprisonment, and crucifixion. Includes readings, discussion, and field trips. Prerequisites: B520 and B530.
Introduces and critically engages aspects of the current justice system in the U.S., especially the Prison-Industrial Complex and state-sponsored executions, in light of biblical and theological traditions regarding bondage, imprisonment, and crucifixion. Includes readings, discussion, and field trips. Prerequisites: B520 and B530.
Christian Worship, Human Difference, and Divine Justice
Christian Worship unifies human bodies in love and praise of the God who makes this worship possible.
At the same time, God-given and culturally inscribed human differences contest the possibility of a unity of persons and communities gathered before God. In this course, we consider the hope and challenge of Christian worship through the work of scholars and theologians who analyze the marks of gender, ability, race, class, and nationality as these affect worshipping bodies of Christians. How can we understand divine justice in relationship to the human differences manifest and hidden in the church's prayer and praise? How might churches and communities engage and desire human difference?
At the same time, God-given and culturally inscribed human differences contest the possibility of a unity of persons and communities gathered before God. In this course, we consider the hope and challenge of Christian worship through the work of scholars and theologians who analyze the marks of gender, ability, race, class, and nationality as these affect worshipping bodies of Christians. How can we understand divine justice in relationship to the human differences manifest and hidden in the church's prayer and praise? How might churches and communities engage and desire human difference?
Field Education Connecting Faith and Justice:
Our Contextual Education office is a “yes” office. Students are encouraged to seek out and/or create opportunities that best meet their interests for ministry.
We have had students engage internships in juvenile detention facilities (DeKalb County Juvenile Justice); prison (Jackson Men’s Prison and Certificate in Theological Studies program with Women’s Correctional Prison; Global Growers (immigrant/refugee garden projects); Sex-trafficking through StreetGrace and Tapestri non-profits; homeless youth (Stand Up for Youth); after-school and summer camps for immigrant/refugees children and youth in Clarkston, GA; Black Lives Matter local efforts; Central Outreach and Advocacy Center; the Atlanta Food Bank; Atlanta Furniture Bank to name a few.
Students are encouraged to seek out and/or create opportunities that best meet their interests for ministry. In addition to more traditional placements at hospitals, CTS students have the opportunity to complete clinical pastoral education (CPE) placements at sites that work with people in marginalized populations (those experiencing homelessness, mental disabilities, people in recovery from addiction, etc.). A number of students also take advantage of CTS’s relationship with Montreat Conference Center, where student interns are able to interact with a wide range of conferences, worship styles, and issues. Others choose to work at churches that are consistently bridging gaps whether they be between the congregation and community or the pulpit and politics.
We have had students engage internships in juvenile detention facilities (DeKalb County Juvenile Justice); prison (Jackson Men’s Prison and Certificate in Theological Studies program with Women’s Correctional Prison; Global Growers (immigrant/refugee garden projects); Sex-trafficking through StreetGrace and Tapestri non-profits; homeless youth (Stand Up for Youth); after-school and summer camps for immigrant/refugees children and youth in Clarkston, GA; Black Lives Matter local efforts; Central Outreach and Advocacy Center; the Atlanta Food Bank; Atlanta Furniture Bank to name a few.
Students are encouraged to seek out and/or create opportunities that best meet their interests for ministry. In addition to more traditional placements at hospitals, CTS students have the opportunity to complete clinical pastoral education (CPE) placements at sites that work with people in marginalized populations (those experiencing homelessness, mental disabilities, people in recovery from addiction, etc.). A number of students also take advantage of CTS’s relationship with Montreat Conference Center, where student interns are able to interact with a wide range of conferences, worship styles, and issues. Others choose to work at churches that are consistently bridging gaps whether they be between the congregation and community or the pulpit and politics.
Student Engagement |
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Opportunities for Engagement
Thanks to Columbia’s proximity to the great Atlanta area, students have numerous opportunities for students to engage in social justice and service work while in seminary. Students volunteer and complete work study with a number of organizations:
Claiming Justice
Claiming Justice is a group of the Student Coordinating Council that seeks to serve students by providing opportunities to consider and articulate the theological relationship between faith and justice by raising awareness through education, the facilitation of experiential opportunities to stand against injustice and creating space for open dialogue
Imago Dei
Imago Dei seeks to promote the welcome and inclusion of all people, especially those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA community and their allies. Imago Dei seeks to help the CTS community engage with issues surrounding inclusion on campus and in the world.
Outreach
Outreach is a student organization that seeks to engage with the Greater Atlanta area and community. Our mission to know and be known in our community, and to empower students to participate in pressing issues in the area. Outreach works to connect students with opportunities to engage in public witness. The Mission and Outreach committee of our Student Government offers frequent opportunities to engage community needs. Whether it’s spending the night at a local shelter, helping prepare a hot meal for neighbors, or doing maintenance work. Many students find opportunities through Mission and Outreach to be their initial introduction to organizations that they continue to devote themselves to during their time at CTS.
Our highest award, the Columbia Scholarship, provides full tuition, room and board for up five entering students each year. Columbia scholars stand out among their peers as those who have demonstrated an ability to connect their gospel convictions and academic prowess with the broader world. Students who not only believe that academic studies are valuable, but also know that “if those potentially life-changing ideas are left hanging in the air of Ivy-League institutions and not brought into churches, households, coffee shops, and prisons, something of value, perhaps the entire point, is lost.” (Incoming Columbia Scholar)
Columbia scholars do not have to complete work-study hours with the intention that their schedules can accommodate service and justice work more easily without an on-campus work-study obligation.
Columbia scholars do not have to complete work-study hours with the intention that their schedules can accommodate service and justice work more easily without an on-campus work-study obligation.
Core Commitments |
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Environmental Q&A: How does CTS practice and promote environmental stewardship and sustainability?
Columbia lives out its commitment to environmental stewardship in a myriad of ways. Most notable, however, is our community garden. We have a plot of land on our campus that is a
designated community garden. Students manage half of the land and garden together weekly. Everyone is welcome to come glean the produce. The other half of the land is managed by refugees through the Global Growers network.
designated community garden. Students manage half of the land and garden together weekly. Everyone is welcome to come glean the produce. The other half of the land is managed by refugees through the Global Growers network.
Q: What makes CTS unique?
Columbia is situated just down the street from the most diverse square mile in the US. Clarkston, GA is home to countless refugees and immigrants. To live as a neighbor, our community can't neglect the reality of those just down the streets. We have a class called Explorations and students get a two-week immersion into communities that are different than their normal contexts. One option is to more fully-explore Clarkston. We've also had students complete internships in Clarkston and our students continue to engage the question of what it means to welcome the stranger and be a more faithful neighbor.
Environmental justice is at the forefront of Columbia's life together currently. With a vibrant community garden and a grant that allows for scientists at the top of their fields to offer lectures connecting faith and science, Columbia intentionally engages questions of what it means to be a faithful steward of this earth.
Environmental justice is at the forefront of Columbia's life together currently. With a vibrant community garden and a grant that allows for scientists at the top of their fields to offer lectures connecting faith and science, Columbia intentionally engages questions of what it means to be a faithful steward of this earth.
Q: How is CTS changing the world?
Dr. Leanne Van DykPresident, Columbia Theological Seminary
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"Columbia changes the world not because of what happens on these 57 acres nestled outside of Atlanta. Columbia changes the world when people leave these 57 acres and devote their time to ministries of great social and cultural need. Our graduates go out into the world with the expectation that their ministry will do nothing less than change the world." |
Careers that Change the World |
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Q: Profile three alum who are integrating faith and service in their current ministry/career fields.
Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley: MDiv, 2006
Executive Director, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light engages communities of faith in stewardship of Creation as a direct expression of our faithfulness and as a religious response to global climate change, resource depletion, environmental injustice, pollution, and other disruptions in Creation.
Executive Director, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light engages communities of faith in stewardship of Creation as a direct expression of our faithfulness and as a religious response to global climate change, resource depletion, environmental injustice, pollution, and other disruptions in Creation.
Manikka Bowman: MDiv, 2006
Elected Official, Cambridge, Massachusetts School Committee
Bowman sees the connection between public policy and theology, seeking to affect policy at this intersection she worked on issues ranging from public education to raise to improving food insecurity and raising wages for laborers.
Elected Official, Cambridge, Massachusetts School Committee
Bowman sees the connection between public policy and theology, seeking to affect policy at this intersection she worked on issues ranging from public education to raise to improving food insecurity and raising wages for laborers.
Rev. Andrew Foster Connors: MDiv, 2001
Senior Pastor, Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church
Andrew intentionally leads in a way that welcomes all and pays particular attention to people who've been hurt by the exclusionary tendencies of church communities. He's involved with BUILD Baltimore as well.
Senior Pastor, Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church
Andrew intentionally leads in a way that welcomes all and pays particular attention to people who've been hurt by the exclusionary tendencies of church communities. He's involved with BUILD Baltimore as well.
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