Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Pittsburgh Extension Site

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School offers two ideal paths for nontraditional learners who are interested in pursuing a program marked by breadth, depth and flexibility. For mature learners who are unable to relocate to Trinity's Deerfield campus for theological education, Trinity offers the Master of Arts in Christian Studies and the Certificate in Christian Studies. Both the 42 semester hour MA in Christian Studies and the 24 semester hour Certificate enable you to deepen your biblical and theological knowledge base, while broadening your ministry scope through relevant course work in any or all of our academic departments at Trinity. Your goals, effectiveness in ministry and impact in the secular workplace will be significantly enhanced by the training you receive in these quality programs.

A most attractive feature of both the Certificate and the MA/CS program is their flexibility. These programs allow you to either devote your large number of electives to concentrated study in one or two areas of interest, or to develop a comprehensive program from Trinity's broad selection of course offerings, which have been drawn from several masters level programs, including the MDiv. You will have the opportunity to pursue study of both theoretical and practical concerns, integrating the two for greater Christian growth and ministry effectiveness.

Another appealing feature for many nontraditional learners is that either program can be pursued in a non-traditional educational format. The Certificate of Christian Studies and up to 5 courses of the MA in Christian Studies can be done through Distance Education (DE) courses online. Further, if you are within driving distance to one of our Extension sites, you can complete the entire MA Christian Studies degree at the extension site.

Master of Arts in Christian Studies

The Master of Arts concentration in Christian Studies (MA/CS) provides a basic understanding of Christianity for general educational purposes. Trinity’s MA/CS program draws from the breadth of the curriculum requiring substantive study in biblical, theological, historical, and global areas, combined with a significant number of hours in the student’s area of interest. The program is particularly suited for Christians desiring to better understand God’s revelation to humanity in the biblical and theological context of orthodox, historic Christianity and who are engaged in non-church-related vocations or for those seeking a general theological degree to accompany a specialized master’s degree. As a seminary degree, it relates Christian studies to the work of the church.

 

Objectives include:

Enabling participants to understand the biblical and theological concepts that form the foundation of the Christian faith

Thinking critically and constructively about the historic and global contexts of Christianity

Examining closely an area of personal interest related to Christian studies

Articulating Christian faith in light of present vocational engagement  

Growing in personal and spiritual maturity   

 

MA/CS Curriculum

Biblical Studies (Select from OT and NT studies) ............................................................. 8-12 hours

Recommend OT 5000, NT 5000

Theological Studies (Select from ST, PR, CC, BE studies) ................................................ 9-12 hours

Recommend ST 5101, ST 5102, ST 5103

Historical and Global Studies (Select from CH and ME studies) ......................................... 5-9 hours

Recommend CH 5010, CH 5060, ME 7700, ME 7450, ME 7570

Free Electives (Select from across the curriculum) ........................................................ 12-15 hours

PT 5000 ...............................................................................................................................1 hour

Capstone Project (ID 7480 ................................................................................................. 2 hours

Field Education (2 semesters) ............................................................................................. 0 hours

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................. 42 HOURS

 

Courses, Summer 2013

Courses are available to audit ($225) or to take for credit ($375 per credit hour).

 

PT 5000: Personal Assessment and Ministry Orientation

Friday, June 7 – Saturday, June 8

Designed to assist in personal assessment of character temperament, learning style, talents, abilities and gifts, ministry and relational skills, and other traits relevant to ministry. Based on these assessments, students will develop a personal plan to accomplish their goals through course work and an integrative paper.

 

ME 6760: Theology of Mission and Evangelism with Dr. David Gustafson, Three Credit Hours
Fridays from 5:30-9:50pm, Saturdays from 8:00am-5:20pm – June 28/29, July 26/27, August 9/10
North Way Wexford Campus, Trinity Room

The many Old and New Testament texts that provide theological foundations for the global mission of the church are examined. Basic issues that confront the missionary will be investigated, as well as the more complex and contemporary issues. The course provides the student with various perspectives and strategies for dealing with the Trinity, the Great Commission, the call and motivation for ministry, and the problems of dialogue, syncretism, universalism, and ecumenism.

 

Fall 2013

NT 5000 Introduction to the New Testament with Dr. David Sloan, Four Credit Hours

Fridays and Saturdays, September 13-14, October 4-5, October 25-26, November 15-16, December 6-7

Fridays, 6-9pm and Saturdays, 9am-12pm and 1-4:30pm

North Way Wexford Campus, Trinity Room

Introductory survey of the New Testament, including the life and ministry of Christ, apostolic history, New Testament literature, principal critical issues, and the unity and diversity of New Testament theology.

ST 5103 Theology III: Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things with Dr. Wayne Johnson, Three Credit Hours

Tuesdays, August 27 – December 10, 6-9pm

North Way Wexford Campus, Trinity Room

This course begins with the study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Focus then shifts to the doctrine of the church. Topics include the nature, mission, function, organization, and ordinances of the church, the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in ministry, and the relation of Israel to the church. The course concludes with a treatment of the Last Things in relation to individuals (including the intermediate state and the resurrection of the body) and in relation to the following corporate groups: the church, Israel, and nations.

Spring 2014

HM 5000 Theology and Methodology of Biblical Preaching with Dr. Greg Scharf, PT Dept. Chair,

Two Credit Hours
Friday and Saturdays, January 24-25, February 29-March 1, April 11-12, 2014.

Fridays, 6-9pm and Saturdays, 9am-12pm and 1-4:30pm

North Way Wexford Campus, Trinity Room
Theological foundations for preaching and sermon preparation with emphasis on biblical integrity and structural soundness.

CH 5010 History of Christianity with Dr. Alice Ott, Four Credit Hours

Friday and Saturdays, January 10-11; January 31-February 1; February 28-March 1; March 28-29; April 25-26

Fridays, 6-9pm and Saturdays, 9am-12pm and 1-4:30pm

North Way Wexford Campus, Trinity Room

The development of Christianity from the first century to the present, including the following are studied: the patristic period; the ecumenical councils; the development of a cultural and theological synthesis of the middle ages; the precursors, content, and personalities of the Protestant Reformation; the contributions of classical Protestant orthodoxy and subsequent rise of denominations; the rise of secularism and the “Enlightenment”; awakenings, revivals and missionary expansion; and theological trends.

 

Course Rotation

As an aid to help you map out a plan to complete your degree, the following is a schedule of courses that the Pittsburgh site will offer on a three-year rotation. Although variations may occur, every attempt is made to follow this schedule:

Year “A”

CH 5010 History of Christianity 4 Credit Hours

ST 5101 Systematic Theology I: Introduction to Theology 3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

PT 5000 Personal Assessment/Ministry Orientation 1 Credit Hour

Year “B”

OT 5000 Introduction to the Old Testament 4 Credit Hours

ST 5102 Systematic Theology II: Christ, Man, Sin, Salvation 3 Credit Hours

ME 5001 Foundations of Evangelism 2 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

Year “C”

NT 5000 Introduction to the New Testament 4 Credit Hours

ST 5103 Systematic Theology III: Holy Spirit, Church, Last Things 3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

-- ---- Free Elective 2-3 Credit Hours

Students will also need two semesters of field education and a capstone project (2 credit hours) to complete the Masters of Arts in Christian Studies (MA/CS).

For more information, or to register, contact Trinity Coordinator, Allison Smith: (724) 935-6800 x3104 or allisons@northway.org. You may pre-register for courses by calling or e-mailing Allison.

 

Forms & Applications

TriNet Account Creation Form
Visiting Student Application

The TriNet Account Creation Form and the Visiting Student Application must be completed by all credit and auditing extension site students. Please make sure to complete as soon as you decide to take a course.