Master of Theological Studies
The Master of Theological Studies 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.
Students may concentrate in African American Studies, Biblical Studies, Church in the World, History of Christianity, Congregational Ministry, Systematic Theology and Ethics, or General Theological Studies.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
For the degree, 40 semester hours of coursework are required, with 15 dedicated to core courses, 15-18 hours in the student’s concentration, 2-4 hours for the summative evaluation (extended essay or thesis), and the remainder in elective credit hours. 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.)
Required Courses
Bible Division
- BL 1021 - Old Testament I
- BL 1041 - New Testament I
Non-Credit Requirements
- FDN 1010 - Boundaries Training (Non-Credit)
- FDN 1020 - Anti-Racism Training (Non-Credit)
History-Theology-Society Division
- HTS 1021 - Themes in Church History
- HTS 2031 - Lutheran Confessions (Non-Lutherans may take a course appropriate to their own tradition)
- HTS 2044 - Systematic Theology
Degree Culminating Coursework (one of the following must be completed)
- FDN 3000 - Extended Essay I and FDN - 3099 Extended Essay II
- FDN 3992 - Thesis I
Required Electives
History-Theology-Society Division
Choose one HTS or MN course from the World Religions/Interreligious Relations or Church in the World electives.
Ministry Division
Choose 4-6 hours of coursework from the Ministry Division (MN).
General Theology Concentration:
Complete an additional six credits from each of the following: Biblical Literature (BL), Ministry Division (MN), and History-Theology-Society Division (HTS).
Biblical Studies Concentration:
- BL 1021 - Old Testament I
- BL 1041 - Old Testament II
- BL 2022 - New Testament I
- BL 2042 - New Testament II
- LA 1021 - Greek I
- LA 1032 - Hebrew I
History of Christianity Concentration:
Students must complete the following courses in place of HTS 1021 - Themes in Church History. Also, they must take 12 additional credit hours in the Biblical Literature (BL), Ministry Division (MN), and History-Theology-Society Division (HTS).
- HTS 1024 - Church History I
- HTS 1025 - Church History II
Systematic Theology & Ethics:
Please contact the Associate Dean for Academics for course planning.
Congregational Ministry:
Please contact the Associate Dean for Academics for course planning.
Church in the World:
Please contact the Associate Dean for Academics for course planning.
African Studies Concentrations:
Please contact the Associate Dean for Academics for course planning.
DEGREE OUTCOMES
For the sake of the mission of the church, graduates of the Master of Theological Studies degree program should be able to:
- Use appropriately the resources of scripture and the church’s tradition
- Comprehend and communicate core themes and concepts from their area of concentration