Skip to nav Skip to content
Tls Interns 2

The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree prepares individuals for a wide variety of career options, including teaching and leadership roles in lay ministry, spiritual formation, and advocacy and community organizing. This is an excellent degree program for ministry leaders, lay leaders, and persons exploring “what’s next” for them as they discern their ministry role.

Consider the “Big Questions”

Theological Studies for a Variety of Careers

Master of Theological Studies

Students may concentrate in Biblical Studies, Black Church Studies, General Theological Studies, History of Christianity, Practical Ministry Leadership, Public Theology, or Theology and Ethics. The capstone of the 40-credit hour degree is a two-part extended essay on the student’s area of concentration. The flexible degree offers Trinity students the opportunity to focus on the academic topics they are most interested in small classes that promote rich discussion. For the sake of the mission of the church, graduates of the Master of Theological Studies degree program will demonstrate the ability to:

  • Use appropriately the resources of scripture and the church’s historical and theological traditions.
  • Integrate core themes and concepts from their area of concentration.
  • Apply their learning to a significant question or issue in their area of concentration.

What can you do with a degree in this academic area?

  • Ministry
  • Non-Profit Leadership
  • Teaching
  • Personal and Intellectual Enrichment
12:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

1830

Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University Founded

50%

of the Required Courses May be Taken Online

Sample Classes

  • Intro to Womanist Theology
  • Reading the Contexts
  • Theology of the Prophets
  • Faith Seeking Understanding
  • Our Humanity: Creation and New Creation
  • Seven Deadly Sins

Learn More

Remote Learning Opportunities

Both full-time and part-time students have the option of completing up to half of their degree as remote learners participating in hybrid classrooms. This is a popular option for part-time students with full-time employment who have time enough to take an early afternoon class, but not enough time to drive across the city, take the class, and drive back to work. It is also a popular option for students who commute to campus one or two days a week in some semesters but cannot commute for each day of class. Commuters often take advantage of the opportunity to take week-long intensive courses during the semester, as well as May-term classes and summer courses, which usually take place over one or two weeks.

Academic Requirements

For the degree, 40 semester hours of coursework are required, with 15 credit hours of core courses, 15-18 hours in the student’s concentration, and the remaining hours as electives. The degree is typically completed in two years. The Master of Theological Studies degree requires a two-part extended essay (2 semester hours total). With the approval of faculty, a student may choose to complete a thesis (4 semester hours total). Additionally, joint degree programs are available, including a Master of Theological Studies/Juris Doctorate (M.T.S./J.D) and a Master of Theological Studies/Master of Science in Nursing (M.T.S./M.S.N.).

Financial Aid

Most Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students receive full-tuition scholarships. To be considered for a scholarship, complete an application for admission, complete the Trinity Financial Aid application, and turn in the FAFSA.

Accreditation

Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University is accredited by The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. Founded in 1918, the ATS has more than 270 member institutions and works to promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public.

“My experience of doing theology at Trinity has been a dialogical affair– one in which students and professors inform and shape each other. A person can come to Trinity as their whole self and embrace the God who led Israel out of bondage in Egypt and all people out of the slavery of Sin and Death.”

-Naomi Morgan, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, MTS 2024

Female Walking With A Cell Phone

Request Information

Request Information
Male And Female Standing In Front Of Mees

Schedule a Visit

Schedule a Visit
Students Standing Around Gate

Apply to Capital

Apply Now