Master of Divinity/Master of Arts
Our programs provide the best of theological education that can stand all the context based challenges of ministry and life.
Master of Divinity
Purpose: The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a three-year programme. This programme is designed to provide professional training for those who are planning to minister in churches, teach in theological institutions, or minister in other related Christian ministries. The training in this programme is carried out in view of the African context in which the graduates will most likely minister.
Content: The nature of the Christian ministry today requires that the Christian minister has both a comprehensive and highly specialized education. The courses in the M.Div. programme at CBTS are designed to meet these demands. The courses enable students to think theologically and to be equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills for the ministry. To prepare students for different areas of ministry, each one has the opportunity to select an area of concentration (see below) that will prepare them for their vocation.
Admission Requirements (see section under Admission)
Objectives: At the end of the M.Div. programme, students should be able to:
- Show that they have a good knowledge of the content of the Old and New Testaments
- Carry out ministry interacting biblically with historical and current issues facing the African church
- Explain clearly the role of the Church in evangelism and be personally involved in the completion of the Great Commission
- Demonstrate teaching skills in his or her area of concentration
- Manifest a godly life and serve others with humility
- Be a moral and ethical example in all aspects of their lives
- Live in love with other believers.
Content of the Programme: The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is a three-year programme. All the M.Div. candidates are expected to complete 114 hours of work before graduation. These hours include 78 hours of core courses (which all students take) and 36 hours in their various areas of concentration. It is assumed that a student pursuing an M.Div. degree in 3 years will take an average of 16 hours per semester and 6 hours in the January and Summer sessions each year. Students with the HND that are admitted to the M.Div. programme will complete the programme in four years
Core Courses for the M.Div. Programme (78 credit hours)
Core courses are required for all M.Div. students. These courses are designed to give students a broad knowledge base before they branch out into areas of concentration.
Our programs provide the best of theological education that can stand all the context based challenges of ministry and life.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Bible & Interpretation | 25 | Missions & Ministry | 36 |
Hermeneutics I – Principles | 3 | Evangelism/Discipleship | 3 |
New Testament Survey | 3 | Introduction to Missions | 3 |
Old Testament Survey 1 | 2 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
Old Testament Survey 2 | 2 | Christian Social Ethics | 3 |
Greek I | 3 | Leadership and Church Administration | 3 |
Greek II | 3 | Personal Development | 2 |
Hebrew I | 3 | Preaching I | 2 |
Hebrew II | 3 | Preaching II | 2 |
Hermeneutics II – Exegesis (OT/NT) | 3 | Worship/Music | 3 |
Introduction to Philosophy | 2 | Introduction to Christian Education | 3 |
Spiritual Formation | 2 | ||
African Traditional Religion | 2 | ||
Spiritual Warfare | 3 | ||
Islam | 2 | ||
History & Theology | 15 | Communication/Other | 2 |
Church History I | 2 | Communication Arts | 2 |
Church History II (Pentecostalism) | 2 | English Grammar/Composition | 0[1] |
Baptist History & Distinctives (Pentecostalism?) | 2 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 0[2] |
African Christian Theology | 3 | Research Methodology | 0[3] |
Systematic Theology I | 3 | ||
Systematic Theology II | 3 |
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[1] Required but not counted toward graduation credit hours. Students have the option of testing out of this course. See Academic Policies for information.
[2] This involves the whole community and will handle needed contemporary topics.
[3] Required but for zero credit.
Master of Divinity Concentrations
Biblical and Theological Studies
Purpose. A concentration in Biblical and Theological Studies provides students with the foundation they need for effective ministry. Thus, the purpose of this concentration is to provide biblical, theological, historical, and practical training for persons who desire to be better equipped for the different ministries of the Church. It is also a preparation for students desiring to further their studies in the area of Biblical and Theological Studies. Students in this concentration receive a sound biblical foundation while at the same time getting practical training in ministry.
Content. In addition to the 78 credit hours of core courses, students in the Biblical and Theological Studies concentration are required to complete an additional 36 credit hours. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Intermediate Greek | 3 | Biblical, Pastoral or Pauline Theology | 3 |
Intermediate Hebrew | 3 | Advanced Preaching | 3 |
Hebrew Exegesis (OT) | 3 | Advanced Hermeneutics | 3 |
Greek Exegesis (NT) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
NT Theology | 3 | Supervised Ministry Experience | 0 |
OT Theology | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.Div. Biblical and Theological Studies Concentration | 36 | ||
Evangelism and Missions Concentration
Purpose: The Master of Divinity in Evangelism and Missions is designed to equip men and women for ministry as pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, urban ministers, church planters, and workers for the denomination both within and outside Cameroon. In addition, a concentration in Evangelism and Missions prepares students for all other church related ministries that emphasize missions, evangelism, and church planting. Students in this concentration receive a sound biblical foundation while at the same time getting practical training in ministry.
Content: In addition to the 78 credit hours of core courses, students in the Evangelism and Missions concentration are required to complete an additional 36 credit hours. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Biblical Foundations for Missions | 3 | Urban Missiology | 3 |
Church Planting Strategies | 3 | World Religions and Cults | 3 |
Contextualization or Sociology | 3 | Missiological Field Experience[1] | 3 |
History of Missions | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Cross Cultural Communication | 3 |
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Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.Div. Evangelism and Missions Concentration | 36 | ||
[1] Each student in the concentration is expected to carry out a missiological experience which is intended to expose the student to practical missiological ministry.
Pastoral Care and Counseling Concentration
Purpose: The Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling is designed to equip men and women for ministry as pastoral counselors and chaplains, particularly in the medical and educational institutions operated by the Cameroon Baptist Convention, as well as pastors and teachers who intend to focus on pastoral care and counseling in their ministry. Students in this concentration receive a sound biblical foundation while at the same time getting practical training in counseling.
Content: In addition to the 78 credit hours of core courses, students in the Pastoral Care and Counseling concentration are required to complete an additional 36 credit hours. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Introduction to Pastoral Care | 3 | Premarital Counseling | 3 |
Theories of Counseling | 3 | Supervised Ministry | 3 |
Marriage and Family | 3 | Free elective | 3 |
Crisis Counseling | 3 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 6 |
Conflict Management | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.Div. Pastoral Care and Counseling Concentration | 36 | ||
Christian Leadership and Administration Concentration
Purpose. The program is designed to prepare men and women for leadership positions in the church and in other Christian organizations.
Content. In addition to the 78 credit hours of core courses, students in the Christian Leadership and Administration concentration are required to complete 36 credit hours in their area of concentration. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Introduction to Christian Leadership | 3 | Leadership Development Models | 3 |
Project Writing/Management | 3 | Labor Law | 3 |
Stewardship and Fund Raising | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Leadership & Contemporary Issues | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Human Resource Management | 3 |
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Social Involvement/Networking | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.Div. Christian Leadership and Administration Concentration | 36 | ||
Master of Arts
General Description: The Master of Arts (M.A.) is a two-year program (75 credit hours) with emphasis in one of four areas: Bible & Theology, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Evangelism and Missions, and Christian Leadership and Administration. The M.A. degree is designed to equip candidates who want to pursue further academic and/or professional degrees in particular areas of interest. M.A. candidates are expected to complete 29 credit hours in core courses and 40 are in their areas of concentration. Additionally, candidates are also expected to write a thesis (100-120 pages) for which 6 credits are granted.
Admission Requirements (see section under Admission)
Objectives of the M.A. Program: Studies in the M.A. program are offered to equip qualified students for the practice of effective Christian ministry. The general objectives of this program are for each student to:
- embrace whole-heartedly and bear witness to the truth of Holy Scripture and the power of the gospel
- embrace and maintain the historic principles of the Christian faith and of the Baptist heritage
- understand himself/herself as a called disciple and minister of Jesus Christ, serving his Kingdom with obedience and joy
- possess a deep and growing love for God, reverence for His holy character, and commitment to follow His wise and good ways without compromise
- possess an abiding love for people and the work of Christian ministry in the context of the Cameroon Baptist Convention and the Church in general
- embrace and live consistently within the moral imperatives of the Kingdom of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures
- integrate theological understandings with human need in the contemporary world
Core Courses for the M.A. Programme (29 credit hours)
These courses are designed to give students a broad knowledge base before they branch out into areas of concentration.
Below is a list of the core courses.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
World Religions and Cults | 3 | Principles of Administration | 3 |
Islam | 3 | Introduction to the Law | 3 |
Apologetics | 3 | African Christian Theology | 2 |
Philosophy of Religion | 3 | English Grammar/Composition | 0[1] |
Christian Education | 3 | Research Methodology | 0[2] |
Spiritual Warfare | 3 | French | 0[3] |
Conflict Management | 3 | ||
Total for M.A. Core Courses | 29 | ||
[1] Required but not counted toward graduation credit hours. Students have the option of testing out of this course. See Academic Policies for information.
[2] Required but for zero credit.
[3] Required but for zero credit.
Master of Arts Concentrations
Biblical and Theological Studies Concentration
Purpose: This program is designed to prepare leaders for the Church by providing students with a graduate-level understanding of the Bible, theology (Systematic and Biblical), and Church history, as well as having the tools for interpreting Scripture properly, doing research, and for presenting what they have learned to others (for example, hermeneutical and communication skills).
Content: In addition to the 29 credit hours of core courses, students in the Biblical and Theological Studies concentration are required to complete 46 credit hours in their area of concentration. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Intermediate Greek | 3 | Biblical Theology |
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Intermediate Hebrew | 3 | Advanced Hermeneutics | 3 |
NT Theology | 3 | NT Introduction | 3 |
OT Theology | 3 | OT Introduction | 3 |
Christian Education | 3 | Pauline Theology | 3 |
Educational Psychology | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Advanced Preaching | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.A. Biblical and Theological Studies Concentration | 46 | ||
Evangelism and Missions Concentration
Purpose. The M.A. in Evangelism and Missions is a two-year program that requires 69 credit hours of course work and a thesis (6 hours) to complete. The program is designed to equip men and women for missions work, both local and global, in the areas of missionary task, evangelism, church planting, disciple making, and social service.
Content. In addition to the 29 credit hours of core courses, students in the Evangelism and Missions concentration are required to complete 46 credit hours in their area of concentration. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Contextualization | 3 | Biblical Foundations for Missions | 3 |
Cultural Anthropology | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Church Planting Strategies | 3 | Elective | 3 |
History of Missions | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Missiological Field Experience | 3 | Elective | 2 |
Urban Missiology | 3 | Elective | 2 |
Cross Cultural Communication | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Crusade Ministries | 3 |
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Total for M.A. Evangelism and Missions Concentration | 46 | ||
Pastoral Care and Counseling Concentration
Purpose. This is a two-year program that requires 69 credit hours of course work and a thesis (6 hours) to complete. The program is designed to equip men and women for ministries that focus on pastoral care and counseling, such as chaplaincy.
Content. In addition to the 29 credit hours of core courses, students in the Pastoral Care and Counseling concentration are required to complete 46 credit hours in their area of concentration. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Introduction to Pastoral Care | 3 | Supervised Ministry | 3 |
Theories of Counseling | 3 | Pastoral Theology | 3 |
Marriage and Family | 3 | Biblical Counseling | 3 |
Crisis Counseling | 3 | Free elective | 3 |
Pastoral Care in Death, Bereavement & Grief | 3 | Clinical Pastoral Education | 6 |
Premarital Counseling | 3 | Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.A. Pastoral Care and Counseling Concentration | 46 | ||
Christian Leadership and Administration Concentration
Purpose. This is a two-year program that requires 69 credit hours of course work and a thesis (6 hours) to complete. The program is designed to prepare men and women for leadership positions in the church and in other Christian organizations.
Content. In addition to the 29 credit hours of core courses, students in the Christian Leadership and Administration concentration are required to complete 46 credit hours in their area of concentration. These courses are listed below.
Course | Credit Hours | Course | Credit Hours |
Introduction to Christian Leadership | 3 | Leadership Development Models | 3 |
Project Writing/Management | 3 | Labor Law | 3 |
Stewardship and Fund Raising | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Leadership & Contemporary Issues | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Human Resource Management | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Social Involvement/Networking | 3 | Elective | 2 |
Principles of Administration | 3 | Elective | 2 |
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| Thesis | 6 |
Total for M.A. Christian Leadership and Administration Concentration | 46 | ||