Degree Overview
| Total Hours | 79 credit hours |
| Degree Time Limit | 7 years from first DTS class |
| Real-time courses | 4 courses required (Fully Online degree) |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) | 12 hours per academic year |
The following are degree worksheets specific to students who entered the MACP or reclassified to the MACP in the following academic years. If students have questions about their specific degree requirements or degree audit, students should contact their academic advisor.
Roundtable Event
Priorities
0-24 Credit Hours
- Refer to the degree plan for your entering catalog as an overall guide.
- Register for core courses: BE5101, ST5101, BC5101, BC5201, and BC5210.
- Register for Spiritual Formation (SF5100 – Dallas, Houston, DC; SF5110 – Online/Extension locations).
- SF5110 Mentored Spiritual Formation requires an application process and will take some time to complete.
- For questions about Spiritual Formation, please email: sf@dts.edu
- Familiarize yourself with the Academic Success Resource Center for various tools and links to assist with your courses.
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss:
- What led you to DTS
- What elective courses might be helpful to take
- When, where, and what courses to take in Real-time in the coming semesters. (See the Real-Time Courses chart for more information.)
25-49 Credit Hours
How do I select MACP electives?
Students have 12 hours of electives with 6-hours required from upper-level Ministry and Communication courses. Ministry and Communication courses are those listed in the following departments: PM, WM, BC, EML, MW. A few things to consider when selecting electives:
- What areas of knowledge do you wish to acquire?
- What skills do you need to develop to serve as a chaplain or in a particular ministry setting?
- What might be some of your responsibilities in ministry? (internship)
- The DTS course schedule page will provide you with a list of courses available.
If you click “info” next to a course, you can see the course description and option to download the syllabus to understand what the course involves.
What should I do and know for my internship (INT5180)?
Students should anticipate serving in a ministry setting that involves pastoral care or chaplaincy experience. The internship is designed to cultivate a student’s ministry skill and clarify future ministry direction. Students may substitute their internship with Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). If students intend to pursue this option, they should consult the internship office before beginning CPE. Many locations that offer CPE training require an application several months before the start date. Be sure to plan ahead and look into the requirements and deadlines for CPE at your desired location.
The internship requires an application in order to be registered and will take time to complete. Students are encouraged to begin this internship application before registration opens for the semester in which they would like start.
Internship Prerequisites:
- 40 hours of completed credit hours
- 3 semesters completed
- Courses:
- Progress toward SF5100/5110
- CM5701 Chaplaincy Orientation and Ethics
- CM5300 Professional Skills and Ethics OR CM5101 Pastoral Counseling and Ethics
Internship Information:
50-79 Credit Hours
How do I find a chaplaincy or other ministry care position?
Students in this degree will pursue a variety of ministry care and chaplaincy positions. The following are general guidelines.
For Chaplaincy – it is important for students to consider the following:
- Each branch of the military or hospital may have slightly different requirements.
- Students should contact their military branch recruiter or hospital for specific instructions. The earlier in a student’s program, the better!
- Students may need an Ecclesial Endorsement from their church indicating their support of the student’s ministry plans to serve as a chaplain.
For Ministry Care – this could be vocational or volunteer.
- Volunteer – students could consider building upon their internship experience after graduation.
- Vocational – student should meet with Career Services to discuss resume development, interview skills, and ministry opportunities.
What is required for Graduation?
- Students must submit the Admission to Candidacy Application (including all references) by the deadline listed for each semester on the Graduation Information page.
- Confirm the Graduation Date listed in the system corresponds to your plan with your Academic Advisor and/or Registrar’s Office. (Update graduation date here)
- Review/Confirm upcoming semester plans with an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements are met.
- Students should indicate their plans to participate in spring Commencement using the Commencement Ceremony Participation application during the available dates and after being approved for Candidacy.
Further Training After Graduating
Master’s level students keep their current Logos Bible Software package. Future Logos updates or upgrades are the responsibility of each person and not done through DTS.
DTS graduates have three options for further training:
- Self-paced learning through Online Videos – All online courses and lectures are available for graduates to access through the Alumni portal. No application is required.
- Alumni nondegree – Graduates may take additional DTS courses as a nondegree student, either for audit or credit at a reduced rate. If students take courses for Alumni nondegree credit and want to use the course(s) toward another Master’s degree, then the student will need to pay the difference of tuition between the Alumni rate and current tuition rate.
- Pursue an additional DTS degree – Graduates may return to DTS to pursue a second Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree. Graduates must reapply through Admissions and previous DTS credits are reevaluated and remaining requirements are evaluated upon readmission. Doctoral degrees may require additional Master’s level work.
