Theology

The Master of Arts in Theology provides you with specialized education of biblical and systematic theology and history of Christianity. The program focuses on the disciplines and resources of biblical interpretation allowing graduates to continue education on their own well after program completion.

Highlights

Purposeful community of learners and leaders
Experienced and published faculty
Theologically diverse student body
MFT and ministry students integrated in foundational courses
Option to study in Israel each summer
Option to attend the Hispanic Summer Program
Diverse practicum opportunities
Online courses available
Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Career opportunities

Graduating with a Master of Arts in Theology from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary will prepare you for a future of teaching and writing in your area of expertise. Graduates of this degree have the option of becoming a teaching pastor or using it as a gateway to achieving their Ph.D. in order to teach at the collegiate level.

Program director

Mark Baker, Ph.D.

Professor of Mission and Theology

Faculty

Valerie Rempel, Ph.D.

Vice President, Dean of the Seminary, Associate Professor, J.B. Toews Chair of History and Theology

Tim Geddert, Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director, New Testament

Brian Ross, D.Min.

Associate Professor, Program Director, Christian Ministry, Master of Divinity & Ministry Leadership and Culture

Lynn Jost, Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director, Old Testament, Director of the Center for Anabaptist Studies

Admission requirements

Commitment to and desire for Christian ministry and service
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Online application and fee ($90)
Personal profile questions
Three letters of reference
Writing sample

Download the Admissions Checklist to get started.

Course listing

Required Courses (60 Units)

Foundations

Code	Title	Units
BIB 709	Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar	0
BIB 720	The Church and God’s Mission in the World *	3
BIB 725	Understanding, Interpreting and Teaching Scripture (Must be taken as a 3 unit course)	2-3
BIB 750	Old Testament Theology **	3
HIST 712	History of Christianity	3
MIN 704	Discerning Vocation and Calling *	1
MIN 750D	Cross-Cultural Encounter: San Francisco	1.5
THEO 712	The Story of the Church and Its Theology (Must be taken as a 3 unit course)	2-3

Expanding the Base

Code	Title	Units
BIB 726	Advanced Biblical Interpretation	2
BIB 752	New Testament Theology **	3
MIN 760	Practicum Assessment and Discernment	0
HIST 716 THEO 760 or HIST 718	The Evangelical Anabaptist Story or Evangelical Anabaptist Confessions of Faith or North American Religious History	3 or 3 or 3
THEO 730	Discipleship and Ethics* (Must be taken as a 3 unit course)	2-3
THEO 734	Contemporary Theology (Must be taken as a 3 unit course)	2-3

Practicing the Theory (3 Units)

Choose one

Code	Title	Units
COUN 724 MIN 718	Interpersonal Communication (Must be taken as a 3 unit course) or Effective Contemporary Public Communication	2-3 or 3
MIN 732 MIN 740 or MIN 742 or MIN 793B and MIN 793A	Church Educational Ministries or Preaching I or Preaching for Contemporary Listeners or The Practice of Ministry II * and The Practice of Ministry I *	3 or 3 or 3 or 3

Capstone Learning

Code	Title	Units
BIB 790TH THEO 799	Senior Seminar - Theology * or Thesis *	3 or 3-6
MIN 770TH	Ministry Discernment - Theology	0

Electives

Code	Title	Units
	Theology or History courses	9
	Bible course	3
	Free electives	7.5-10.5

*Must be FPU Biblical Seminary course.

**At least one biblical theology course must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.

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Program details

Delivery mode

On campus

Cost per unit

$485

Number of units

Accreditation

Association of Theological Schools

Locations

Fresno Main Campus

FPU has exceeded my expectations. The theology program has challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me hone my skills and discover my calling. I am passionate about helping others make meaning out of their experiences and encounter new depths of God’s love.

Grace Spencer

Theology