The MA in Applied Apologetics provides training that improves the church’s understanding and expression of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith and the evidence which undergirds those doctrines. The degree 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 curriculum provides not only theoretical consideration of apologetics issues but also the practical deployment of apologetics approaches.

Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Applied Apologetics, students are able 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.

Students choose one of four emphases to provide greater depth and rigor to their study of apologetics:

  • ​Cultural Engagement

  • Global Apologetics

  • Innovative Evangelism

  • Practical Apologetics

Admission to the Master of Arts in Applied Apologetics Degree Program

Admission Requirements

  • Submit a completed application form (including essay, transcripts, and fees).

  • Valid state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID card or passport.

  • Submit an official transcript that reflects a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution.

  • Possess a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester.  CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.

Transfer of Courses

Students may transfer up to 9 semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the MA in Applied Apologetics requirements.

Time Limitation

The MA in Applied Apologetics is a 39 credit-hour degree designed to be completed within 17 months of intensive study by persons who work or are otherwise occupied by the equivalent of a full-time job.

All work applied toward a master’s degree must be completed within a four-year period from the date of enrollment. After the four-year period, an MA in Applied Apologetics student who has not completed the requirements to graduate will be withdrawn from the program. Students who go beyond the four-year period and wish to complete their MA in Applied Apologetics degree will be required to apply for reconsideration by completing a Petition for Exception to Academic Policy. Readmitted students will be required to adhere to the degree plans and academic policies in place at the time they are readmitted.