Master of Arts in Theology with specialization in Christian Traditions

at EDUCO - Seattle Pacific University USA

The interdisciplinary Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) major is a unique program which prepares students for leadership in many areas of public service and private enterprise.

About the Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) Major

PPE is a rigorous, interdisciplinary program that combines studies in political science, philosophy, and economics.  Modeled after a program at Oxford University, PPE core classes study human values, cultural institutions, and economics in order to develop multiperspectival solutions to pressing social problems. PPE students will also choose an area of emphasis from the following tracks: Applied Economics, Financial Economics, International Affairs, Law, Philosophy, Public Administration, and Social Enterprise.

Choosing the Public Administration track will set you up for success in urban politics, public administration, and public policy.

SPU’s BA (bachelor of arts) in Computer Science emphasizes problem-solving, organizing and synthesizing ideas, and applying computing theory. It’s an especially good choice if you’re going to double major, or minor in another field. With this degree you’ll be well prepared for projects that apply computing to other disciplines.

In this program you’ll cover the field’s major topics in 15 Computer Science courses, along with applied calculus, computer math, and statistics. In a senior project you’ll apply computer-based problem-solving techniques to an area of interest.

The low-residency MFA at SPU is a creative writing program for apprentice writers — both Christians and those of other faith traditions — who not only want to pursue excellence in the craft of writing but also place their work within the larger context of world literature by writers of faith.

The spiritual dimension of this program is not intended to produce didactic, sectarian, or sentimental literature. On the contrary, this program seeks to extend what our faculty understand to be a longstanding conversation that comprises much of world literature, a conversation in which the highest levels of art, an open-eyed exploration of human experience, and a respect for mystery are all held in a proper balance.

Our models are Augustine and Dante, Saint Ephraim the Syrian and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, the Pearl poet and Sor Juana de la Cruz, George Herbert and John Milton, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Emily Dickinson, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Alexandros Papadiamandis, T.S. Eliot and Flannery O’Connor, Walker Percy and James Baldwin, Annie Dillard and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We believe that our program will appeal to writers for whom matters of faith are central. We also intend to cultivate reading and writing as spiritual disciplines. We are convinced that writers flourish best when they engage in a sustained dialogue with the great literature that has come before them. Therefore, our program maintains a strong emphasis on reading classic works from the writers of faith, and responding to them in a series of critical papers.

Students in Seattle Pacific University’s cohort-centered Marriage and Family Therapy program learn to bring cultural sensitivity to family therapy practice. Development of competent skills occurs through an integration of self-of-the-therapist, family systems models, bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective, and our unique ORCA-Stance. Training in a Christian context, students become instruments of healing through ethical care within diverse communities and clinical populations.

Graduates of the Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MS) program are prepared to demonstrate the following program goals:

Majoring in Criminal Justice prepares you to examine policing, courts, and corrections, and how they are shaped by society, race, class, and gender. You'll be equipped to help your community reach justice and reconciliation goals.

The interdisciplinary curriculum for this major examines criminology, crime mapping, the contexts in which crime is rooted, as well as ethical issues in the field.

With a degree in Criminal Justice, you'll graduate with an understanding of criminal behavior and the procedures and institutions within the criminal justice system. You'll see the links in the criminal justice system between criminal behavior and larger social forces. You will learn alternative approaches to address crime and related social problems. You will also learn to apply Christian values and ethical principles to the criminal justice system.

This major provides the academic foundation for a career in law enforcement, social work, mental health services, or corrections, as well as graduate work in criminology, sociology, social work, social policy, or law.

When you major in Health and Fitness Education at SPU, you build a strong foundation in the application and pedagogy of human movement science. You are prepared for leadership positions in a variety of fields in which you can promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages. Whether you plan to become a teacher, a coach, or another type of health care or fitness professional, a Health and Fitness Education degree from SPU gives you the skills and knowledge base you need.

As an SPU Health and Fitness Education major, you will benefit from outstanding faculty members who have years of experience working in the exercise industry. They have experience in academic settings and with recreational and elite populations. They have also been coaches and trainers for individual athletes and teams.

In this major, which emphasizes information delivery and includes instructional methods, your courses include “Human Anatomy and Physiology,” “Motor Learning and Development,” “Biomechanics,” “Sport Injury Management,” and “Exercise Physiology,” in addition to classes in teaching methods. Whether you plan to enter the workforce after graduation or attend graduate school, a Health and Fitness Education major provides you with a solid foundation.

 The Film Studies major prepares you to become a creative and informed writer, audience member, and practitioner of film, through a deeper understanding of film art, history, aesthetics, criticism, and production.

About the Film Studies major

You will develop skills that are at the heart of a liberal arts education, including writing, critical thinking, and problem solving. The major provides an array of course offerings informed by a Christian perspective, with the aim of graduating students of competence and character who are prepared for professional careers, advanced study, and service. Primary goals include:

• Cinema literacy: You will practice critical media literacy within the contexts of American and International cinemas.
• Historical literacy: You will understand the formation of the American film industry and the pivotal roles movies have played in shaping American and International cultures.
• Creative practice: This major prepares a generation of film critics, audiences, and professional.

If you’re preparing for a future in teaching, medicine, law, or the ministry — or if you seek personal enrichment — you’ll want to consider a major or minor in Classics.

Whether you major, minor, or take courses as part of your electives, studying the Classics at Seattle Pacific University allows you to develop the analytical skills needed to understand ancient languages and engage in disciplines such as linguistics or textual criticism. You will also discover how Classics can add depth to disciplines such as history, philosophy, and art criticism.

With half the words in English vocabulary made up of Latin or Greek words and roots, majoring or minoring in Classics, or minoring in Latin, gives you a great preparation for any of the liberal arts. And because Latin provides the root words for science vocabularies, you will also understand science and math terminology in a new way — as well as gain personal satisfaction.

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Psychology majors are rigorous yet flexible programs designed to meet the American Psychological Association Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology major while also fulfilling SPU’s mission to provide students with a transformative and holistic experience grounded in Christian faith.

As such, these programs prepare you with extensive knowledge of the field; scientific and critical thinking skills; an awareness of diversity, ethics in practice, and social responsibility; effective oral and written communication skills; and professional-level training and experiences (e.g., research and internship opportunities) for both careers and graduate school in psychology.

Psychology (BS)

The BS in Psychology is designed for students with a broad range of career and graduate school interests such as, but not limited to, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, school counseling, and industrial and organizational psychology.

Community Psychology and Behavioral Mental Health: Focuses on social justice, community development, and social services for students wanting to pursue further training or work in social work, nonprofit, community development, social justice, public health, community behavioral health.

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Psychology majors are rigorous yet flexible programs designed to meet the American Psychological Association Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology major while also fulfilling SPU’s mission to provide students with a transformative and holistic experience grounded in Christian faith.

As such, these programs prepare you with extensive knowledge of the field; scientific and critical thinking skills; an awareness of diversity, ethics in practice, and social responsibility; effective oral and written communication skills; and professional-level training and experiences (e.g., research and internship opportunities) for both careers and graduate school in psychology.

Psychology (BS)

The BS in Psychology is designed for students with a broad range of career and graduate school interests such as, but not limited to, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, school counseling, and industrial and organizational psychology.

Clinical Counseling Psychology: For students interested in working within a therapeutic context, this track focuses information and experiences relevant to clinical psychology, counseling psychology, marriage and family therapy, as well as related graduate programs or jobs providing or researching the effectiveness of therapy or counseling.