Master of Arts in Religious Leadership for Social Change (MASC)

MASC program graduate Betty-Jeanne Rueters Ward shares how she is applying the skills she learned at Starr King in her role as a social justice organizer in California.  (6 mins.)

 

The MASC is a professional degree designed for:

  • those who want to concentrate their work on promoting goals of justice, equity and compassion in society, through religious or secular institutions
  • those seeking a grounding in ministerial and theological education to pursue their work
  • those already involved in ministry and social change who want to improve their professional competency in this area.

Each student's program of study is individually designed to integrate theological study, spiritual practice and professional development in a way that responds to the particular interests, gifts and challenges of that student.

The program emphasizes not only theological knowledge, but also practical experience in community organizing, media relations, non-profit management, political action and social service ministry. In addition, the MASC program aims to foster personal growth, spiritual practice and deepened commitment to social justice.

Degree Requirements

  • a portfolio conference
  • a minimum 48 units of credit (at least 6 from courses at other schools within the Graduate Theological Union) distributed among:
      - Threshold areas (see below)
      - Required seminars
      - Specialization
      - Community placement
      - Project representative of the student's learning during the program
  • at least 1/2 of the units of credit must be completed in residency (up to 1/2 of the units may be completed in low-residency mode, online and through field work)

Thresholds

1) Life in Religious Community and Interfaith Engagement
2) Prophetic Witness and Work
3) Sacred Text and Interpretation
4) History of Dissenting Traditions and the Thea/ological Quest
5) Spiritual Practice and the Care of the Soul
6) Thea/ology in Culture and Context
7) Educating for Wholeness and Liberation
8) Embodied Wisdom and Beauty

The ability to act with integrity and knowledge in all these areas is foundational to religious leadership in society. Competence in religious leadership is not limited to academic ability or professional skills. It will also foster personal qualities and habits, such as mature judgment, self-awareness, spiritual practice, integrity, responsibility, sensitivity and ethical discernment.

Specialization

The MASC degree recognizes that individual students have particular interests and abilities. The student, in consultation with the advisor, will identify an area of specialization. Possible areas include:

  • racial justice work
  • gender issues
  • global economics
  • restorative justice
  • children and youth at risk
  • advocacy for people with disabilities
  • the struggle for peace with justice
  • immigration issues
  • environmental responsibility
  • HIV prevention, education and care
  • anti-oppression work
  • protecting civil liberties
  • fostering democratic community
  • medical ethics.

To accomplish this work, MASC students will draw on Starr King and Graduate Theological Union resources, GTU-affiliated advanced centers for research and study, and the course offerings, libraries, research institutes and faculty of the University of California, Berkeley.

Free cross-registration in this array of educational institutions will make possible an individualized course of study, tailored to the student's professional interests, experience and calling.

Community Placement

In the second year of the program, MASC students will participate in a six-month community placement designed to integrate religious leadership abilities with practical skills required for social change. These placements may be on a local, national or international level and will include supervision from a mentor who is a seasoned progressive activist.

Community placement examples:

  • chaplaincy programs in prison
  • advocacy programs for children at risk
  • interfaith programs for the homeless
  • organizations working for environmental responsibility
  • a think tank focused on the ethics of genetic research.

Readiness to Graduate

Readiness is assessed through conversation with a student's primary advisor, who will help determine if all degree requirements have been met and request from the student a written self-assessment of readiness. After a review, the advisor will make a recommendation to the core faculty. Then core faculty then votes on the recommendation and presents a list of approved students to the board of trustees, which votes to confer degrees.

Professional Roles Graduates Might Assume

MASC degree graduates will leave the program prepared to assume professional roles in institutions and organizations that work for progressive social change. The employment field will include non-profit organizations, social service agencies, political action organizations, administrative and leadership positions in denominational bodies and religious associations, church staffs, educational programs, health organizations, community centers, interfaith organizations and research institutes.

Click to listen to a podcast of two MASC students discussing what drew them to the program, what they've learned about the skills and commitment of leadership and the important role in their program of SKSM's commitment to Educating to Counter Oppressions.

 

Click to view the Starr King catalog in PDF format.

M.A. | MASC | M.Div.
 

 


Copyright © 1998- 2010 Starr King School for the Ministry. All rights reserved.