University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Theology Matters Collaborate on new Master of Arts in Reformed Theology
Dubuque, Iowa – The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS) and Theology Matters are proud to announce a new master of arts in Reformed theology, beginning August 2023.
The fully-accredited 36-credit degree, funded in part by the Lilly Endowment, will focus on a Reformed understanding of the Scriptures, study of classic texts and practices valued by the Reformed tradition, and congregational ministry. Instructors will include members of UDTS faculty and pastor-scholars whose knowledge has been tested in the academy and significant pastoral ministry. For courses offered in the fall 2023 semester, instructors will include Rev. Richard Burnett, PhD, executive director of Theology Matters and co-director of the master of arts in Reformed theology; Rev. Andrew Dearman, PhD, senior professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary; Rev. Bradley Longfield, PhD, professor of church history at UDTS and co-director of the master of arts in Reformed theology; Rev. Beth McCaw, DMin, associate professor of ministry at UDTS; and Rev. Timothy Matthew Slemmons, PhD, professor of homiletics and worship and director of the doctor of ministry program at UDTS.
“We are tremendously excited to offer this new degree in collaboration with Theology Matters and thankful for the generous support of the Lilly Endowment in this endeavor,” said Mark Ward, PhD, dean of the seminary and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque.
Burnett likewise affirmed the strong support of this degree program and said, “Theology Matters has long had a passion for raising up lay and ordained leadership for Presbyterian congregations. This collaboration with Dubuque Seminary offers an exciting avenue for strengthening congregations in the Reformed tradition.”
The courses in the master of arts in Reformed theology will include both online and face-to-face learning. This degree offers a pathway for those preparing for ordained or non-ordained leadership positions in the church or for those already serving in leadership positions, such as pastors, commissioned lay pastors (CLPs), those transferring into a Presbyterian denomination, or advanced lay teachers.
For more information, or to apply, contact Rev. Richard Burnett, PhD, executive director of Theology Matters and co-director of the master of arts in Reformed theology, at rburnett@dbq.edu or 864.378.5416 or Rev. Samuel Felderman, MACL, director of seminary admission at UDTS, at UDTSadmission@dbq.edu or 563.589.3115.
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary to Offer New Master of Arts in Ministry
Dubuque, Iowa – A new master’s degree this fall at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS) will serve an expanded group of partnering denominations to help them prepare lay and ordained ministers.
Beginning August 2023, the master of arts in ministry will prepare graduates to be pastoral leaders in local, regional, and missional contexts, especially those pursuing non-traditional pathways to ordained, lay ministry, and Christian formation positions. The fully-accredited, 30-credit degree will provide a flexible, 100 percent online asynchronous curriculum that is ecumenically welcoming, biblically and theologically informed, practical in expression, and focused on serving the Church in its many contexts. The program will also offer optional residential opportunities.
“At UDTS, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to train vibrant leaders for the Church. The master of arts in ministry meets the needs of the changing congregational landscape, providing students with a solid foundation in biblical interpretation, pastoral skills and personal spiritual formation, and giving them flexibility to take the courses most helpful for their ministry context,” said Rev. Susan Forshey, PhD, director of the master of arts in ministry and associate professor of discipleship and Christian formation at UDTS.
Courses will be taught by UDTS faculty and easily transferred into other degree programs offered at UDTS including the master of divinity, master of arts in mission and discipleship, master of arts in Reformed theology, and master of arts in ministry.
“This program is a result of UDTS faculty listening to many different voices in the Church and hearing the need for a program that can be tailored to the student’s particular call. I’m excited to see how this program will contribute to leadership across a wide spectrum of Christian faith traditions,” said Mark Ward, PhD, dean of the seminary and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Dubuque.
The master of arts in ministry will offer a cohesive curriculum that integrates ministerial best practices with intentional formation in a flourishing pastoral identity. Students may complete the degree in as little as five semesters.
For more information, or to apply, contact Rev. Samuel Felderman, MACL, director of seminary admission at UDTS, at UDTSadmission@dbq.edu or 563.589.3115.
For further information, please contact Stacey Ortman, director of public information, at 563.589.3267 or sortman@dbq.edu.
