Curriculum in the Applied Apologetics Master's Degree
The Master of Arts in Applied Apologetics engrains students with graduate-level knowledge and skills necessary to provide a meaningful defense of the faith and thoughtful evangelistic tools to share it.
The 39-credit-hour degree is designed to be completed online within 17 months of intensive study. Students may hold a full-time job during the course of study. All work applied toward a master's degree must be completed within four years from the date of enrollment.
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Applied Apologetics, students will be equipped to:
- Analyze the biblical, philosophical, and practical rationale for Christian apologetics.
- Apply critical thinking and logic as an effective means of persuasion.
- Evaluate the evidence for the historicity of Jesus' person and work, focusing particularly on his resurrection.
- Produce a rational defense for the trustworthiness of the Bible.
- Differentiate between personal and church-based, effective evangelistic approaches.
CCU students attend classes online, do research using the internet, exchange emails, and participate in online discussions. Even assignments and tests are submitted online.
Highlighted Courses
Students are required to complete 13 courses for the M.A. in Applied Apologetics. Select core and emphasis courses include:
- Bibliology: The Case for the Bible (APL 515). This course examines the foundational arguments for the reliability of the Scriptures utilizing various apologetic approaches, internal, and external evidence.
- The Case for Christ: Historical Evidence for the Son of God (APL 525). This course assesses and composes apologetic approaches and arguments to defend the historicity and divinity of Christ, with particular attention given to the resurrection of Christ.
- Advanced Personal and Church-based Evangelism (APL 530). This course equips students to use a variety of approaches in both personal and church-related outreach efforts.
- The Apologetics of C.S. Lewis (CUL 538). This course analyzes Lewis' works by focusing on his apologetic orientation. By applying insights of Lewis to their own context and culture, students are able to describe their own worldview more creatively and effectively.
- Apologetic Responses to World Religions (GLA 530). This advanced course assesses the major world religions’ texts, histories, and philosophies in relation to Christianity. Students design and compose arguments articulating the distinctions between the applicable views.
- Building Highly Evangelistic Congregations (EVA 532). This course teaches advanced methods and strategies on how to increase the evangelistic temperature of local churches through a unique six-stage process.
- Engagement with Religious Doubt (PRA 530). This course provides the practical application of apologetics to the different forms of religious uncertainty. Emphasis is placed on understanding doubt and ministering appropriately to suffering individuals.