Master of Theological Studies

Total Requirement for Degree - (40 credit hours)

The Master of Theological Studies degree prepares individuals for a wide variety of career options, including doctoral work, teaching and leadership roles in lay ministry, spiritual formation, advocacy and community organizing.

SUMMATIVE REQUIREMENT

As part of the academic requirements, students will typically complete a two-part extended essay (2 semester hours total). With the approval of the faculty, a student may choose to complete a thesis (4 semester hours).

DEGREE OUTCOMES

For the sake of the mission of the church, graduates of the Master of Theological Studies degree program should be able to:

Students will demonstrate the ability to use appropriately the resources of (a) scripture and (b) the church’s historical and theological traditions.
Students will demonstrate the ability (a) to integrate core themes and concepts from their area of concentration and (b) to apply their learning to a significant question or issue in their area of concentration.

Core Requirement - (15 credit hours)

The following Core courses are required:

BL 1021 - Old Testament I Credit Hours: 3
BL 1041 - New Testament I Credit Hours: 3
FDN 1010 - Boundaries Training Credit Hours: 0
FDN 1020 - Anti-Racism Training Credit Hours: 0
HTS 1001 - Faith Seeking Understanding Credit Hours: 3
HTS 1021 - Themes in Church History Credit Hours: 3 or HTS 1024 Church History I
HTS 2044 - Systematic Theology Credit Hours: 3

Concentration - (13 - 18 credit hours)

Students choose from the following concentration: Biblical Studies, Black Church Studies, General Theological Studies, History of Christianity, Practical Ministry Leadership, Public Theology, Theology and Ethics.

(The number of courses required for a concentration is in addition to the credits for any course required in the MTS core.)

Biblical Studies (6 courses)

Choose two courses from the following:

Black Church Studies (5 courses)

HTS 2218 Church & Community in the Black Experience (CHIW)

Choose four courses from the following:

General Theological Studies (6 courses)

Choose two Biblical Literature (BL) courses from the following:

Choose two Ministry Division (MN) courses from the following:

Choose two History Theology Society (HTS) from the following:

History of Christianity (5 courses)

HTS 1025 Church History II

Choose 4 courses from the following:

Practical Ministry Leadership (5 courses)

Choose two courses from the following:

Public Theology (5 courses)

Choose five courses from the following:

Theology and Ethics (5 courses)

Choose five courses from the following.

Electives (Remainder to reach 40 total credits) (2 -10 credits)

Electives can be chosen from any category not already taken in the Core or selected Concentration.

Master of Theology Essay / Thesis (2 - 4 credits)

Students must complete one of the following:
FDN 3000 - Extended Essay I Credit Hours: 1 and FDN 3099 Extended Essay II (may be done concurrently) or
FDN 3992 - Thesis Credit Hours: 1 - 8