At Kidron College, we believe that the future of Messianic Judaism depends on a foundation of rigorous, high-level scholarship. This program is not just a course of study; it’s a call to intellectual excellence and theological depth. We have designed this Master of Arts to challenge serious students, bridging the gap between ancient heritage and modern academic inquiry to produce leaders who can articulate our faith with both authority and nuance.
Overview
The Master of Arts in Messianic Judaism is a 39-credit graduate program designed to foster rigorous scholarship and theological depth within the framework of Messianic Jewish thought. Built on high academic standards, the program centers on research and intensive writing in each course, with a clear expectation that students will deeply engage with both ancient texts and modern scholarship.
A distinctive feature of this degree is its demand for conceptual writing, as opposed to abstract or speculative approaches. Each assignment and research project must clearly articulate core ideas, theological frameworks, and exegetical insights in a manner that is grounded, coherent, and applicable to the study and practice of Messianic Judaism. Students are trained to communicate complex ideas with clarity, depth, and practical theological relevance.
The Source Requirements aim to promote academic integrity and diversity; these sources must include a variety of perspectives, including:
- Classical and contemporary Jewish scholarship
- Messianic Jewish theologians and historians
- Rabbinic literature and primary Jewish texts
- Academic biblical studies and theological works
- Mussar
- Interpretive Methodology
This ensures that students are immersed in a robust, well-rounded academic dialogue, enabling them to write with authority and nuance. For each research and writing assignment, the study must include at least 50 sources. Of those 50 sources, the student is required to use 25 in the research paper.
Thesis Requirement
At the core of the program is the Master’s Thesis—a significant academic research project that spans 75 to 100 pages of original, publishable work. The thesis must demonstrate:
- A high level of critical research
- Theological insight relevant to the Messianic Jewish world
- Proper integration of the required source materials
- Clear, conceptual argumentation
Source Requirements for Thesis
Students are required to use at least 50 scholarly sources for their thesis. Of these, at least 25 sources must be actively cited and integrated into the thesis.
To meet degree requirements, the thesis must be published on an institution-approved academic or professional platform. Publication is not optional—it is a final demonstration of the student’s scholarly contribution and readiness for leadership in teaching, writing, or further academic study.
Course of Study – 21 Credit Hours
As previously stated, the Master’s Program is a 39-credit-hour research and writing program. It is broken down as follows:
- Research Class #1 – 15-20 pages of a selected topic
- 3 Credit Hours
- Research Class #2 – 15-20 pages of a selected topic
- 3 Credit Hours
- Research Class #3 – 20-40 pages of a selected topic
- 3 Credit Hours
- Research Class #4 – 20-40 pages of a selected topic
- 3 Credit Hours
- Research Class #5 – 40-50 pages of a selected topic
- 3 Credit Hours
- Research Class #6 – 50-60 pages of a selected topic
- 3 Credit Hours
- Research Class #7 – 50-60 pages on the Thesis topic
- 3 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours 21 Credit Hours
Additional Classes – 12 Credit Hours
- Select one of the writings above. Prepare a video teaching based on one of the papers that are 20-40 pages long, and create and record a bachelor-level course consisting of 18-24 lessons, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes.
- 4 Credit Hours.
- Select one of the writings above. Prepare a video teaching based on one of the papers, which are 40-50 pages long, and create and record a bachelor-level course consisting of 18-24 lessons, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes.
- 4 Credit Hours.
- Select one of the writings above. Prepare a video teaching based on one of the papers, which are 50-60 pages long, and create and record a bachelor-level course consisting of 18-24 lessons, each lasting 45-60 minutes.
- 4 Credit Hours.
- If one of these classes is chosen for a bachelor’s degree, the student will receive 15% of the tuition paid for that class. This way, you become a partner in Kidron College.
Master’s Thesis – 6 Credit Hours
- As stated earlier, each student in the master’s program must complete a master’s thesis. The thesis topic should relate to the seventh written paper as outlined above. However, if the student prefers, they may choose any topic for their master’s thesis, provided their advisor agrees. The thesis must be at least 75 pages long. Further instructions on preparing the thesis, such as selecting a topic, outlining the paper, meeting with the faculty advisor, writing the thesis, and defending it, will be given at the appropriate time.
The Breakdown of the Master’s Thesis.
- Selection and approval of the topic, along with writing an outline for the proposed thesis.
- 2 credit hours.
- Writing the first draft of the thesis. Once the student submits the initial draft to the faculty advisor for approval or revisions, if the advisor approves, the student can proceed. If the advisor disapproves, the student must make revisions.
- 2 credit hours.
- Upon completion, the thesis must be published — the student can publish on KDP or select a publisher that fits their needs. If a student wants to publish on KDP, we will provide guidance on preparing for this process.
- 2 credit hours.
The Ten Categories of Study
The Master’s student must choose 7 of the 10 study categories for research and writing. Each category corresponds to one of the assigned research classes. This is meant to ensure that each student gains a well-rounded exposure to the most important areas of Jewish and Messianic studies. The categories are as follows:
The goal of these research papers is to build competence in each field of study and to train students in advanced research techniques, critical analysis, and academic writing skills. By the end of the program, students will have developed a body of research that demonstrates mastery in all areas of Messianic Jewish studies.
Total Credit Hours Needed for the Master’s Degree
Seven classes chosen of the ten listed classes = 21 credit hours
Video production for bachelor’s video classes = 12 credit hours
Writing and defending the Thesis = 6 credit hours
Total 39 credit hours
The Two Paths of Study- The Direct Path and The Specific Field of Study Path
The Direct Path
The first pathway is called The Direct Path, a clear and thorough approach to the Master’s process. It is ideally suited for students who want to explore a wide range of topics within Messianic Jewish studies. In this pathway, students choose seven out of the ten academic categoriesand write a research paper for each. These papers will vary in length as students improve their writing skills, with the goal of producing works between 50 and 60 pages. Each paper should show increasing depth of analysis, engagement with primary texts, and the development of original insights that demonstrate both academic rigor and Messianic understanding.
As previously stated, once your 7 papers are complete, you will select three of those papers and transform them into video courses, each consisting of 18-24 lessons, approximately 45 to 60 minutes in length. These courses serve a dual purpose: they allow you to demonstrate your ability to communicate advanced scholarship to a wider audience and to integrate research, teaching, and ministry. By the end of this process, you will have developed a solid body of written work and three complete courses ready to be used in congregational or academic settings. In addition, if one of these three courses is offered as part of the bachelor’s program, a designated portion of the bachelor’s students’ tuition will be allocated to the Master’s student serving as the instructor.
The Specific Field of Study Path
The second pathway is called the Specific Field of Study Method. This pathway enables you to explore specialized areas of Messianic Jewish research in greater depth by combining related topics. Instead of writing seven separate papers, you will merge two categories into one major research project, resulting in a paper that averages 50 to 60 pages long. Each of these combined studies must demonstrate a genuine integration of two of the 10 categories of study. For example, examining how Rabbinic hermeneutics intersects with Messianic theology or how Mussar ethics influence New Testament discipleship.
You will complete this process two times, resulting in two comprehensive research papers, each covering two of the ten categories. These papers can be used to fulfill the requirements of the preparation of the video classes. If one of these papers is chosen, you will develop a video course consisting of 18-24 lessons, with each session lasting 45 to 60 minutes. These courses will demonstrate not only your expertise in complex topics but also your ability to teach effectively. Additionally, as in the direct method, if one of these courses is offered as part of the bachelor’s program, a designated portion of the bachelor’s students’ tuition will be allocated to the master’s student serving as the instructor.
After completing your two combined papers and video courses, you will still need to write three additional individual research papers of appropriate length, each focusing on one of the remaining categories. This will bring your total to seven out of ten areas of study—similar in scope to the Direct Method but different in structure and focus.
The Cost of the Master’s Degree
- The cost of the Master’s Degree is $200 per credit hour. The total required credit hours to complete the Master’s degree is 39. The overall cost of the degree is $7800.00.
- Monthly payment plans are available. Three options are available with no interest or finance charge.
- 24 monthly payments – $ 325.00 per month
- 36 monthly payments – $ 217.00 per month
- 48 monthly payments – $ 163.00 per month
Please note that no diploma will be awarded until the balance is fully paid.
Join the Movement
This Master’s degree is not designed for passive learning, but for those called to rigorous, disciplined scholarship. Through engagement with both classical Rabbinic sources and contemporary academic thought, your work will be firmly rooted in the enduring theological conversation of our people. The 75–100 page thesis is more than a requirement—it is a mandate to produce meaningful, publishable research that contributes to and shapes the Messianic Jewish world. This is an invitation to step into serious academic labor, where your voice will not only be refined, but will help define the future of the movement.