Master of Arts in Women’s Studies

Program Description

Students explore the lives and impact of women in Scripture and the Church, dive deep into questions of theology and gender, and engage the contributions and concerns of women of color. The MA in Women’s Studies prepares students to lead well and faithfully meet the challenges of contemporary culture. Students apply biblically sound and theologically rigorous solutions to critical issues faced by women in their churches, communities, workplaces, and spaces of influence.

Study with professors Lynn H. Cohick, Nijay Gupta, Ingrid Faro, Beth Felker Jones, Scot McKnight, and Felecia Thompson.

Degree Requirements

This 54-credit MA program is designed to be completed in 3-4 years. This includes one weekly class, typically on Thursday 4:00–6:40pm CT (on occasion, a class may be held Thursday 7:00–9:40 or on a Tuesday), as well as one week-long intensive in late-August/early September.

*Master of Divinity students will complete these Women Studies specialization courses as well as the other Master of Divinity requirements.

Christian Heritage Courses: 12 total credits

• Pentateuch, Poetry and Wisdom Books OR Historical Books and the Prophets
• History of Christianity I OR History of Christianity II
• Christian Theology I  OR Christian Theology II
• Gospel and Acts OR Epistles and Revelation

Specialization Required Courses: 18 total credits

• Women in the Early Church
• Women in the OT
• Women in the NT
• Women of Color in the Church
• Theology and Gender
• Hermeneutics

Specialization Elective Courses: 15-18 total credits

• Women in Reformation/Modern Christianity
• Women Leadership
• Thriving in Ministry
• Women, Preaching, Evangelism
• Women and Social Justice
• Women, the Church, and the Arts
• Women’s Studies Annual Conference
• Sexual Ethics and the Family

Final Thesis (9 credits) OR Project (6 credits)

• Thesis Proposal
• Thesis Writing
• Thesis Completion
• Project 1
• Project 2

Graduate Certificate

Earn an MA-level Certificate in Women’s Studies in one year.
Students must take a minimum of 2 required courses and 3 elective courses from the MA in Women’s Studies specialization courses.