Master of Arts in Restorative Justice Ministries (MARJM)

The fifty-four credit hour MARJM degree (plus three credit hours of field education) is designed to equip practitioners to do restorative ministry in contexts susceptible to violence by developing an understanding of Christian ministry and sense of vocation through themes such as trauma/healing, race, justice, mental health, and interpersonal and community relations. While focused on incarcerated individuals in Illinois, the program is also open to non-incarcerated students.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes of the program include the following:

  • Interpret Scripture with historical and theological integrity in relation to one’s ministry.
  • Convey the Christian tradition for appropriation in ministry settings.
  • Comprehension of individual brokenness, interpersonal forms violence, and systemic injustices as it shapes one’s theology of ministry.
  • Demonstrate skills in restorative arts (personal healing, non-violent communication, conflict transformation, care & counseling, intersectional analyses, and the art of listening) that ground one’s sense of vocational identity in God’s mission.
  • Engage diversity and exhibit growth towards inter-cultural competence for ministry reflective of God’s global redemptive work.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Restorative Justice Ministries degree is awarded to students who:

  1. Complete all Vocational and Spiritual Formation for Leadership evaluations and receive approval by faculty vote.
  2. Complete the required 54 semester hours of academic course work, plus 3 field education credit hours.
  3. Maintain a grade point average of 2.5. No grade under C- shall be counted toward the degree.
  4. Exemplify a quality of life and commitment suitable for ministry.
  5. Rectify all incomplete grades no later than week seven of the semester in which they plan to graduate.
  6. Fulfill all financial obligations to the Seminary.
  7. Complete the degree program within seven (7) years from the time of matriculation.

Bible | 6 Credit Hours

BIBL 5210Old Testament 1: Pentateuch & Interpretation

3

BIBL 5240New Testament 1: The Texts & Their World

3

History | 3 Credit Hours

HSTY 5210Christian History 1: the Early Church to the Early Reformation (1-16c)

3

Theology | 3 Credit Hours

THEO 5110Christian Theology

3

Spiritual Formation | 3 Credit Hours

SPFM 5201Journey: The Story of Our Lives

1

SPFM 5211Intercultural Spirituality: Praying Together

1

SPFM
Spiritual Formation Elective

Restorative Arts | 12 Credit Hours

CEDF 7190Special Topics in Christian Education

1-3

MNST 7190Special Topics in Ministry

1-3

THEO 6334Peace, Justice, and Restorative Practices

3

MNST 7195Special Topics in Faith and Health

1-3

Transformative Justice | 12 Credit Hours

Student selects four courses from the following:

MNST 6400Mobilizing for Justice: Methods & Practice of Justice

3

MNST 5110Religions and Cultures

3

THEO 5140Advanced Seminar in Theology

3

THEO 6420Saints, Radicals, and Heretics: Critical Voices in Christian Theology

3

BIBL 5220Old Testament 2: Prophets & Preaching Legacy

3

BIBL 6290Intercultural Readings of the Bible

3

BIBL 6280Women, the Bible, and the Church

3

THEO 5130Christian Ethics

3

THEO 7190Special Topics in Theology

1-3

Pastoral Arts | 12 Credit Hours

MNST 5130Leading & Teaching in Ministry

3

MNST 5125Introduction to Pastoral Care & Counseling

3

 

MNST 5115Preaching the Word

3

Or

MNST 5120Gospel Communication in Context

3

 

THEO 5120Christian Worship

3

Or

MNST 6225Evangelism & Discipleship

3

Christian Ministry Capstone | 3 Credit Hours

MNST 5108Ministry Identity and Practice

3

Total Credit Hours for the Degree | 54 Credit Hours

Students are recommended for graduation when all requirements are fulfilled for the degree.

Field Education

The experiences designated as field education will be awarded three (3) credit hours in addition to the 54 credit hours required for the MARJM degree.

FLDC 5300Vocational Excellence

1

FLDC 7315Intercultural Development Module

1

FLDC 7318Theological Reflection Module

1