New MAC Theology Sequence

Last updated by JeJessie Swigart in 


Table of contents
Overview
What is essential to know?
The current ST sequence will be taught for only 1 more year.
It is recommended that students who have not yet taken ST320 Systematic Theology I switch into the new ST sequence.
To hear Drs. Griggs, Loosemore, and Zink discuss why the faculty made this change, view this recording of the informational meeting on January 29. https://covenant.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=7bdbf6b5-3d9f-45d7-9e87-b3b800f59d0c
Switching to the New Systematic Theology Sequence
Is switching right for me?
How do I make the switch?
I'm still not sure. Who can I talk to?
Other Questions:
Will the new ST courses be available online?
Will the pre-2026 ST courses be available online going forward?
What about dual degree students?
Will the new MAC theology courses be taught concurrently with theology courses from other degrees (such as Sin, Christ, and Salvation being taught at the same time and in the same classroom as Systematic Theology II)?
If I switch into the new MAC sequence, will I have the option to switch into the old sequence again if I change my mind.
What if I switch from the MAC to another degree?
What if I switch from another degree into the MAC?
What if I have already completed my ST courses but want to take the new ST courses?
Is there an option to take the new ST courses for 2 credit hours instead of 3 credit hours?
Can people in other degrees take ST315 and ST325 for credit as electives?
Can people in other degrees audit ST315 Theology for Counseling I and ST325 Theology for Counseling II?
Can people in the MAM Counseling Ministries track take ST315 Theology for Counseling I and ST325 Theology for Counseling II in lieu of their prescribed ST sequence.
I wasn't able to go to the informational meeting on January 29. Can I review a recording?



Overview


Starting in Summer 2026, the sequence of systematic theology (ST) courses in the MAC degree program will be revised. The changes automatically apply to students who start the MAC in Summer 2026. Students who started the MAC prior to Summer 2026 have the option to switch into the new sequence.
The changes are shown in the table below:
Table 1 - MAC Systematic Theology (ST) Requirements
Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, ST315 Theology for Counseling I will be taught every fall, and ST325 Theology for Counseling II will be taught every spring.

What is essential to know?



The current ST sequence will be taught for only 1 more year.

Students who are in the current MAC course sequence should be mindful to finish their systematic theology (ST) courses in the 2026-2027 school year. Systematic Theology I, Systematic Theology II, and Systematic Theology III will not be offered after the 2026-2027 school year. The final offerings of the pre-2026 ST courses will be as follows:
  • ST320.C Systematic Theology I - Summer 2026
  • ST340 Systematic Theology II - Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
  • ST370 Systematic Theology III - Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
If you are not able to finish your ST courses in 2026-2027, you will have to switch to the new sequence, even if the new sequence means taking more credit hours. Therefore, it is very important you complete your ST courses in the 2026-2027 school year.


It is recommended that students who have not yet taken ST320 Systematic Theology I switch into the new ST sequence.

Though the number of credit hours is the same, taking two courses (Theology for Counseling I and II) will give more space in your schedule. In particular, you will not have to take  ST320 in the summer, freeing time to take a counseling elective and a core counseling course. 

To hear Drs. Griggs, Loosemore, and Zink discuss why the faculty made this change, view this recording of the informational meeting on January 29.  https://covenant.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=7bdbf6b5-3d9f-45d7-9e87-b3b800f59d0c 



Switching to the New Systematic Theology Sequence

Is switching right for me?

Whether or not switching is right for you depends on how many systematic theology (ST) courses you have already taken. ST315 Theology for Counseling I will integrate material from Systematic Theology I and Systematic Theology II. ST325 Theology for Counseling II will integrate material from Systematic Theology II and Systematic Theology III. Therefore, if you have already taken Systematic Theology I, II, or III, we do NOT recommend switching to the new sequence. Switching would require you to take more credit hours than necessary for your degree.
Therefore, our recommendations are as follows:
  • If you have not yet taken Systematic Theology I, II, or III, we recommend you switch into the new ST sequence for the MAC.
  • If you have taken Systematic Theology I, II, or III, we do not recommend you switch into the new ST sequence for the MAC. Doing so will lead to you taking more credit hours than required for your degree. However, if you want to switch despite the extra credit hours, talk to your advisor to see if doing so would alter your internship year or create course conflicts.

How do I make the switch?

If you would like to switch to the new MAC sequence, fill out this  form .


I'm still not sure. Who can I talk to?

If you are still not sure which option is best for you, please make an appointment with your advisor.

Other Questions:

Will the new ST courses be available online?

No.

Will the pre-2026 ST courses be available online going forward?

No, with the exception of ST320.C, whose last offering is in Summer 2026.

What about dual degree students?

  • MDiv/MAC students should follow the MDiv ST sequence.  
  • MABTS/MAC students should follow the MABTS ST sequence.  
  • MAM/MAC students should follow the MAM ST sequence.  
  • MATS/MAC students should follow the MATS ST sequence.  

Will the new MAC theology courses be taught concurrently with theology courses from other degrees (such as Sin, Christ, and Salvation being taught at the same time and in the same classroom as Systematic Theology II)?

No, the new MAC systematic theology courses will not be taught at the same time/in the same classroom as systematic theology courses for other degrees.

If I switch into the new MAC sequence, will I have the option to switch into the old sequence again if I change my mind. 

No.  

What if I switch from the MAC to another degree? 

You will need to do equivalency work and/or take additional courses to meet the ST requirements of your new degree. The nature of the equivalency work and whether or not you take additional courses will depend on which courses you have already taken. Talk with your advisor.

What if I switch from another degree into the MAC?

Depending on which ST courses you completed before switching into the MAC, you may need to do equivalency work. Talk with your advisor.

What if I have already completed my ST courses but want to take the new ST courses?

You can audit ST315 Theology for Counseling I and/or ST325 Theology from Counseling II if it fits into your schedule. Talk to your advisor.

Is there an option to take the new ST courses for 2 credit hours instead of 3 credit hours?

No, there is not an option to take the new ST courses for 2 credit hours each. If you take a new ST course, it will be for 3 credit hours.

Can people in other degrees take ST315 and ST325 for credit as electives?

No. The content in ST315 and ST325 will closely overlap with the content in the required ST courses in other degrees. Because of the amount of overlap, ST315 and ST325 are not available as electives in other degrees.

Can people in other degrees audit ST315 Theology for Counseling I and ST325 Theology for Counseling II?

Yes.

Can people in the MAM Counseling Ministries track take ST315 Theology for Counseling I and ST325 Theology for Counseling II in lieu of their prescribed ST sequence.

No, the prescribed ST sequence in the MAM Counseling Ministries track involves 12 credit hours of ST whereas the MAC sequence involves only 9 credit hours of ST.


I wasn't able to go to the informational meeting on January 29. Can I review a recording?