Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)

For those pursuing the academic study of religion or seeking to increase religious understanding

M.T.S. Quick Overview

Credits Required:

  • 60 semester hours

Requirements:

  • Basic Theological Studies: 30 sem. hrs.
  • Concentration and Project: 18 sem. hrs.
  • M.T.S. Colloquy: 3 sem. hrs.
  • Electives: 9 sem. hrs.

Time for degree completion:

  • Minimum: 2-3 years full time study

students study in the library

The Master of Theological Studies degree program is designed for persons who wish to pursue the academic study of religion or to increase their religious understanding and their ministerial capacity to serve the Church and community.

These may include:

  • Students preparing for further graduate study
  • Individuals with intellectual interests in religion
  • Persons seeking ordination as deacons in The United Methodist Church
  • Teachers and leaders in local churches
  • Persons wishing to bring theological perspectives to their professional endeavors
  • Pastors seeking to extend their theological education or concentrate in specific theological areas

The Master of Theological Studies degree is designed to:

  • Provide a solid basis in theological foundations including bible, theology, church history and related theological studies
  • Introduce students to methodologies involved in the academic study of religion
  • Extend one’s understanding of theological studies through concentration in a specific theological area
  • Enable a student to develop a specialization for a specific vocational aim
  • Deepen a student’s understanding of the varieties of Christian faith and practice

Academic Course of Study

The M.T.S. degree program involves sixty (60) semester hours of academic study distributed among theological foundations, an area of concentration and electives.

A field of concentration includes course work (18 semester hours) and a major thesis paper or project (3 semester hours) done as a Directed Study under the direction of a faculty member with expertise in the area.

In addition, M.T.S. students meet four (4) times each semester in a M.T.S. Colloquy for evaluation, planning, reflection on their course of study and the presentation of final projects.

Academic Areas and Requirements

Basic Theological Studies (30 sem. hrs.)

Biblical Studies (OLT, NET) (12 sem. hrs.)

    • OLT 104 Created in the Image: An Introduction to the Old Testament (3)
    • One additional Old Testament (OLT) elective (3)
    • NET 121 Jesus: Introduction to New Testament (3)
    • One additional New Testament (NET) elective (3)

Church History (CHH) (6 sem. hrs.)

    • CHH 101 History of Christianity I (3)
    • CHH 102 History of Christianity II (3)

Theology (THE) (6 sem. hrs.)

    • THE 102 The Faith of the Church: An Introduction to Theology (3)
    • One additional Theology (THE) elective (3)

World Religions or Judaic Studies (CHC) (3 sem. hrs.)

    • Any 3-credit course in the field of World Religions or Judaic Studies (3)

A course in one of the following fields (3 sem. hrs.):

    • Ethics
    • Psychology of Religion
    • Sociology of Religion
    • Educational Theory
    • Communication Theory

M.T.S. Colloquy (3 sem. hrs.)

Colloquy attendance is required of all M.T.S. students. The M.T.S. Colloquy meets four (4) times each semester. Students are required to register for:

    • COL 120A M.T.S. Colloquy Attendance (0)
      • Every semester for the length of the student’s residency. There is no cost and no credit for Colloquy Attendance registrations.
    • COL 120 M.T.S. Colloquy (1)
      • One semester hour of Colloquy must be taken within the first 30 semester hours of the program.
    • COL 220 M.T.S. Colloquy Thesis Proposal (1)
      • One semester hour of Colloquy must be taken in the semester in which the thesis proposal is presented.
    • COL 221 M.T.S. Colloquy Thesis Completion (1)
      • One semester hour of Colloquy must be taken in the semester in which the thesis paper or project is completed.

Concentration (18 sem. hrs.)

  • Coursework (15)
  • Thesis paper or project (3)

Electives (9 sem. hrs.)

  • These courses are chosen by the student in consultation with her or his advisor.

Assessment (non-credit requirements)

The Thirty-hour Progress Evaluation

In the semester in which the student will finish 30 semester hours of credit, the academic advisor, in consultation with the student, will review the student’s progress and performance thus far.

The Forty-five hour Candidacy Review

The student, in consultation with the M.T.S. advisor and a thesis advisor, will present and defend a research proposal in a M.T.S. Colloquy.

The Sixty-hour Portfolio Review

The academic faculty advisor, in consultation with the student and the thesis advisor, will evaluate the completion of the student’s coursework, thesis/project, and the overall effectiveness of the M.T.S. program.

See the Academic Catalog for additional details.