The primary goal of HPU’s School of Christian Studies is to equip Christian students to fulfill Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples of every nation and to teach them what He has commanded. HPU ministry students are challenged to develop personally, spiritually, intellectually and socially as disciples of Jesus Christ while they are prepared to provide leadership through service to the local church.
Howard Payne University offers two graduate programs in Christian Studies to prepare current and future ministers for work in various fields of ministry:
These 42-hour, non-thesis degree programs are delivered in a modular format allowing students to continue serving in full-time ministry while pursuing the degree. This makes the program accessible to students in the local area as well as those serving in ministry locations away from Brownwood. In lieu of a thesis, each student will complete three semester-long mentorships focusing on the student’s personal and spiritual growth as well as a specific target area for development in ministry.
The School of Christian Studies at Howard Payne University is designed to make the practice of the Christian faith more relevant for our world. HPU’s School of Christian Studies is dedicated to helping students understand that the church is God’s minister to His world and to helping them live out their Christian faith as they confront the religious, moral, intellectual and social decisions of life, both now and later.
HPU’s programs in Christian studies include biblical, theological, historical and practical ministry studies. We are committed to intellectual growth and the development of the “life of the mind” for our ourselves and for our students. At the same time, “Christian Studies” indicates that we are also committed to the growth and development of the “life of faith.” We value the spiritual and social growth of the faculty and students, just as we do the intellectual growth. We often say, “We want to be good students and good servants of the Lord.”
At Howard Payne University, studying Christian Studies is more than preparing for a career, it’s an opportunity to grow in your faith, deepen your understanding of Scripture and discover how God can use your gifts to serve others. Within a Christ-centered academic community, students are challenged to think critically, engage deeply with biblical truth and develop a strong foundation for lifelong Christian leadership and service.
Through meaningful relationships with faculty, hands-on ministry opportunities and a supportive community of fellow believers, students are equipped to connect their faith with their calling.
Whether pursuing ministry, graduate studies, missions, education, or another vocation, a Christian Studies degree from Howard Payne helps prepare students to lead with conviction, serve with humility and live out their faith with purpose.
At Howard Payne, your education is more than a degree, it’s preparation to follow your calling and make a difference for Christ.
Rooted in Howard Payne University’s Christ-centered mission, the School of Christian Studies equips students to deepen their faith, expand their biblical knowledge, and prepare for lives of meaningful Christian service. Through academic study, spiritual formation, and opportunities to serve, students are encouraged to thoughtfully engage their faith and use their gifts to impact churches, communities, and the world around them. By combining rigorous study with a commitment to Christian values, graduates are prepared to lead with humility, serve with compassion, and faithfully live out their calling in an ever-changing world.
To learn more about the values that guide the Howard Payne University community, explore our Core Values.
For complete program requirements, course descriptions, academic policies, and degree information, please refer to the Howard Payne University Academic Catalog. The catalog provides the most current and comprehensive details to help you plan your academic journey, page 246-251; 257-258.
For complete program requirements, course descriptions, academic policies, and degree information, please refer to the Howard Payne University Academic Catalog. The catalog provides the most current and comprehensive details to help you plan your academic journey, page 246-256.
Complete our free graduate application here!
Christian Studies Graduate Application
Christian Studies Graduate Program1000 Fisk StreetBrownwood, Texas 76801
Texas Baptist Financial Assistance – If you are a member of a Baptist Church, Texas Baptists will provide $100 per credit hour toward your degree.
Church Match Scholarship – If your church is willing contribute financially toward your degree, Howard Payne University will match what they give! (up to $100 per credit hour)
If you have any questions, please submit them here: Questions/Comments
In lieu of a thesis, students must complete three semester-long ministry mentorships, each focusing on the student’s personal and spiritual growth, as well as a specific target area for development in ministry. For each mentorship, the student will have an on-site ministry guide with whom she/he will meet each week for reflection and accountability. In addition, the student will have weekly communication with the instructor in order to stay on task toward meeting the targeted goals. By design, no student who earns the MATM or MATFM degree will be without significant guided experience in ministry.
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All Christian studies majors are encouraged to serve in volunteer or paid ministry positions at
local churches while earning their degrees. Many churches in the local area provide opportunities for students to serve an gain experience in a variety of ministry roles. Additionally, Christian studies majors take a Supervised Ministry course during their time, giving them opportunities to serve in local churches or other ministry settings under the supervision of experienced ministers.
All of the courses that are required to complete the degree will be offered in a two-year rotation in a “modular format.” The modular format is a type of hybrid or blended delivery system in which the equivalent of two thirds of the instruction time is accomplished face-to-face in an intensive 8-hour per day, 4-day format. The remaining portion of instruction is fulfilled through the combination of assigned readings, electronic interactions, etc. beginning 6 weeks prior to the class meetings, and through the continued reflection and assimilation demonstrated by the production of a written assignment that is completed weeks after the class meetings. Additionally, some courses will be available to local students in the typical semester long format.
This type of delivery system makes the program accessible to ministry students who are currently serving in ministry locations away from the Brownwood area [does not require relocation], ministry students living in the area, and current HPU undergraduate students who can complete a bachelor’s degree and continue immediately into a graduate program.
Alumni Testimonial
“The MATM at HPU is an opportunity to train theologically, but it is also much more. You can gain friends in the ministry. The small class sizes and approachability of the instructors create a safe, intimate learning environment for students looking for more than lectures and assignments. Ministry can be lonely, so let the MATM faculty and staff become the help and support you need while you study for your master’s degree.”
Scotty Crawford ’24
Scholarships
Scholarships are available through HPU’s School of Christian Studies, including the Davidson Scholarship and the Church Match Scholarship (through which HPU will match designated church gifts for students up to $3,500 per year). In addition, Texas Baptists will distribute $100 per semester hour to graduate students who serve BGCT-affiliated churches. Contact the School of Christian Studies for more information on these and other scholarships.
Contact
Director, Christian Studies Graduate Program
