Welcome to the Graduate Programs Home
Seaver College is the flagship liberal arts college within the Pepperdine University family of schools. The college offers seven master's degree programs for scholars seeking growth and mastery within their disciplines.
American Studies
Master of Arts designed for high school teachers in the humanities, integrating literature, history, political science, and economics. 36 units
Master of Arts in American Studies
Learning Outcome - American Studies
Communication
Master's programs specializing in advanced professional training in communication theory, research, and ethical concepts—four concentrations available.
Master of Arts in Communication 31–34 units and Master of Science in Communication 34–40 units.
Learning Outcome - MA Communication
Learning Outcome - MS Communication
Media Production
Master of Arts program specializing in storytelling across multiple platforms, from cinema to television to the web; providing cutting edge techniques for inspiring and transforming audiences for films, TV, music, public relations and advertising.
Master of Arts in Media Production. Minimum of 32 units.
Learning Outcome - Media Production
Religion
Three graduate curricula emphasizing academic rigor and inquiry, in preparation for Christian ministry or further graduate study.
Master of Arts in Religion, 34 units; Master of Science in Ministry, 36 units; and Master of Divinity 66 units. (+ 3 courses in Greek, and 3 courses in Hebrew)
Learning Outcome - MA Religion
Learning Outcome - MS Ministry
Learning Outcome - Divinity
Screenwriting for Film and Television
Master of Fine Arts training for students pursuing vocations in screen and TV writing, and personal development as storytellers and cultural leaders.
Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Screen and Television 48 units, maximum of 64 units.
Learning Outcome - Screenwriting for Film and Television
Learning Outcomes
American Studies
- Identify and evaluate seminal ideas of American culture in economics, history, literature, political science, and religion.
- Demonstrate an ability to connect the perspectives from their undergraduate majors with those perspectives represented in American studies.
- Integrate seminal ideas and perspectives represented in American Studies into the curriculum which he or she teaches in his or her secondary classrooms.
- Integrate the major themes in American studies.
Communication (MA)
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out original, scholarly research in the discipline.
- Demonstrate the ability to write a master's thesis.
- Demonstrate the ability orally to defend a master's thesis.
Communication (MS)
- Demonstrate mastery in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Demonstrate mastery in communication theory.
- Demonstrate mastery in communication ethics.
- Demonstrate mastery in two additional areas of disciplinary concentration.
Media Production
- Demonstrate knowledge of how media are used to tell compelling stories that inspire, inform and persuade audiences in a manner consistent with Christian values.
- Gain technical competence in the use of selected media technologies.
- Work individually and in teams, to create professional quality media communication that exhibits an in-depth understanding of the tools and technologies of emerging media.
- Assess his or her own and others' work to ensure that their mediated creations reflect an appreciation of complex ethical considerations present whenever media are used to inform, persuade or inspire.
- Demonstrate an understanding that today's audiences are diverse and global, and that matching messages with audiences in a constructive manner requires an appreciation of the changing demographics and political realities of our world.
Religion
- Interpret biblical texts critically and competently, explaining the meaning of a given text within applicable contexts.
- Investigate major and distinctive teachings of the Christian faith, recognizing core beliefs and practices and how these compare with other major world religions.
- Survey major historical developments in Christianity, especially – but not solely – in the West, discerning internal and external factors that have shaped it in various cultures.
- Apply current methods for incorporating the teachings of a faith – especially the Christian faith – into the lives of individuals in a faith community, beginning with oneself.
- Communicate coherently in professionally competent written form (following a standard style guide) and in effective oral form on matters of religion, illuminating historical, theological, and pastoral implications for contemporary societies.
Ministry
- Evaluate the primary literature, critical methodologies, and secondary literature of a specialized field of religious study.
- Utilize a foreign language relevant to one’s chosen field of specialization.
- Competently illustrate the influence of other areas in the study of religion on one’s chosen field of specialization.
- Communicate coherently in professionally competent written form (following a standard style guide) and in effective oral form on matters related to one’s chosen field of specialization.
- Complete and defend a thesis documenting proficiency in all the desired outcomes listed above.
Divinity
- Interpret biblical texts critically and competently, explaining the meaning of a given text within applicable contexts and its significance in pertinent streams of current research.
- Analyze major and distinctive teachings of the Christian faith, critiquing leading perspectives through the centuries regarding core beliefs and practices and how these compare with other religions.
- Explore major historical developments of Christianity, especially – but not solely – in the West, discerning internal and external factors that have shaped it in various cultures.
- Apply and evaluate current methods for incorporating the teachings of a faith – especially the Christian faith – into the lives of individuals in a faith community, beginning with oneself.
- Communicate coherently in professionally competent written form (following a standard style guide) and in effective oral form on matters of religion, illuminating historical, theological, and pastoral implications for contemporary societies.
Screenwriting for Film and Television
- Write television scripts, feature screenplays, and adaptations displaying best practices in the field.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Hollywood history along with the ability to analyze critically, discuss and write about that history.
- Demonstrate knowledge of film theory - including issues pertaining to ethnic, gender and cultural diversity - along with the ability to analyze critically, discuss, and write about that theory.
- Explain the concept of "The Storyteller as Cultural Leader" and how that concept applies to them personally as writers leading lives of purpose, service and leadership.
Why Seaver College Graduate Programs?
What sets our program apart from other schools?
- Value-centered learning geared to prepare Christian practitioners for prominent professional careers or doctoral programs.
- Small class size and personal attention from distinguished Ph.D.-holding faculty with important professional and academic contacts. Opportunities abound to work one-on-one with faculty, publish research papers, co-author journal articles, and attend academic conferences.
- Location near Los Angeles, one of the world's dynamic media centers, which offers many communication career opportunities. Pepperdine's breathtaking campus nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu provides a serene setting for study and personal and spiritual growth.
