The Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
The Master of Theological Studies with General Studies and Concentration options, delivered on campus, is for students interested in theological education for a variety of educational and personal goals. An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5 is normally required for admission to the M.T.S. program. This degree program seeks to provide a meaningful grounding in the theological disciplines for further graduate study (M.T.S. Concentrations). Through a core of required courses and a wide variety of elective course offerings, the on-campus Master of Theological Studies General Studies and Concentration options can be tailored to a variety of particular interests and goals. The degree consists of 48 credit hours, and requirements for the M.T.S. are typically completed in two years (four semesters) of full-time study. The maximum time allowance for completion of the M.T.S. degree requirements is ten academic years.
Graduation Requirements
To be recommended for the Master of Theological Studies degree a candidate must:
- Satisfactorily complete 48 credit hours and fulfill financial and library obligations.
- Maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average in the course of studies when taken for general educational purposes.
- Successfully complete INTG 510 A Guide to Seminary Writing, or test out of it.
- Successfully complete all summative requirements.
- Give evidence of growth in personal character, moral and spiritual maturity, and emotional stability.
Program Requirements for M.T.S. Concentration in General Studies
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Level One | ||
| INTG 510 | A Guide to Seminary Writing 1 | 3 |
| BIBL 501 | Old Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 503 | New Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 502 | Old Testament Study II | 3 |
| or BIBL 504 | New Testament Study II | |
| BIBL 513 | Biblical Interpretation for Ministry | 3 |
| CHHM 510 | The Church in Mission Through History | 3 |
| SFRM 505 | Nurturing Spiritual Life & Character I: Introduction to Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| THLE 510 | Theology and Ethics of Congregational Life | 3 |
| Level Two | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Christian World Mission | ||
| Church Renewal & Evangelism | ||
| Teaching the Faith | ||
| SFRM 506 | Nurturing Spiritual Life & Character II Journey to Wholeness | 3 |
| THLE 520 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Vision of Community | 3 |
| or THLE 521 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Reign of God | |
| "Free" Electives 2 | 9 | |
| Summative Elective | 3 | |
| Summative Project | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Students can test out of this course.
- 2
12 credits of free electives if tested out of INTG 510 A Guide to Seminary Writing.
Program Requirements for M.T.S. in A Focused Discipline (Concentration)
Students may pursue a focused-discipline Master of Theological Studies degree in one of three areas:
- Biblical Studies and Theology
- Christian Counseling
- Christian Faith and Public Policy (this concentration is currently closed to new students while undergoing evaluation and redesign)
All M.T.S. students are required to complete satisfactorily INTG 510 A Guide to Seminary Writing or test out of it. If not tested out of, the Writing Course must be completed in the first semester of course work for full-time students and within the first two semesters of coursework for part-time students. Satisfactory completion of all requirements in these courses is necessary in order to advance in the M.T.S. program.
The 48 credit hours required for the M.T.S. are normally distributed as follows:
- Foundational Coursework – 24 to 30 credit hours
- Concentration Requirements – 12 to 18 credit hours
- Summative Requirements – 6 credit hours
(Note: Most courses in the curriculum are 3-credit courses that meet for 3 hours a week for a 14-week semester, equivalent to a 3 semester-hour course.)
General Guidelines
- Faculty advisors are responsible for working with students in designing their program. Requests for exceptions to the stated requirements are submitted to the Academic Dean by the advisor. Students are assigned an entry-level advisor. Upon completion of the semester in which students will have completed 12 credit hours of coursework, they must find a permanent advisor to work with them in their particular concentrations.
- All M.T.S. research papers will follow The Chicago Manual of Style.
- Transfer credit from other institutions will be evaluated and approved by the Registrar and the Dean. A minimum of one-half of the concentration coursework must be taken with the Seminary’s regular or adjunct faculty members.
Foundational Coursework
Students will normally take foundation courses listed in the M.Div. curriculum (e.g., Old Testament Study 1; New Testament Study 1; Church in Mission through History; Systematic Theology and Ethics) as stipulated for each concentration.
Concentration Requirements
An elective field of concentration enables students (with the approval of advisors) to obtain the particular Master of Theological Studies that will best suit their personal and vocational goals. The availability of particular concentrations depends on existing faculty and curricular resources. Students seeking a less-focused educational experience should select the M.T.S. in General Studies indicated above.
Summative Requirements – Internships, Methodology Courses and/or Research Papers
One or a combination of the following may fulfill this segment of the program: practica; methodology courses (such as educational methods, theological field education, exegesis/language); independent research. Three credit research papers must be connected to and of interest to the church; cross-disciplinary in nature, drawing on the area of concentration plus at least one other discipline within the Seminary’s curriculum; and written in clear, cogent English that demonstrates the student’s ability to analyze, synthesize, and think critically about an issue. Because these requirements are summative in nature, they should be pursued at the end of the student’s degree program and must be satisfactorily completed in order to advance toward graduation.
Concentrations
For specific requirements for each concentration, contact the concentration advisors.
M.T.S. Concentration in Biblical Studies and Theology
The curriculum for the M.T.S. in Biblical Studies and Theology includes language study (Greek and/or Hebrew), methodology and biblical background, and foundational coursework in theology and ethics. This focus offers an opportunity for deeper biblical study alongside of theological reflection on personal and global issues of concern today. Because of the diverse backgrounds and interests of our faculty, this concentration might take any one of several directions.
Program Requirements for M.T.S. Concentration in Biblical Studies and Theology
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Foundational Coursework | ||
| INTG 510 | A Guide to Seminary Writing 1 | 3 |
| BIBL 501 | Old Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 502 | Old Testament Study II | 3 |
| BIBL 503 | New Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 504 | New Testament Study II | 3 |
| THLE 510 | Theology and Ethics of Congregational Life | 3 |
| THLE 520 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Vision of Community | 3 |
| THLE 521 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Reign of God | 3 |
| SFRM 505 | Nurturing Spiritual Life & Character I: Introduction to Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| CHHM 510 | The Church in Mission Through History | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| BIBL 514 | Biblical Hebrew | 3 |
| or BIBL 516 | New Testament Greek | |
| BIBL 515 | Hebrew Exegesis | 3 |
| or BIBL 517 | New Testament Greek Exegesis | |
| Bible or Theology Electives | 6 | |
| Summative Requirements | ||
| Summative Project 1 | 3 | |
| Summative Project 2 | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Students can test out of this course.
M.T.S. Concentration in Christian Counseling
This concentration offers the opportunity to gain insights and abilities for ministry to persons where relational, interpersonal and caring skills are called for. This concentration does not prepare persons to be professional counselors, but it does lay a solid theological and counseling theory foundation for further preparation.
When selecting this concentration, it is especially important that the student understand how this course of study relates to the field and practice of counseling. Completion of the M.T.S. in Christian Counseling does not qualify a person for licensure, certification, or practice as a professional counselor. The course of study, however, does provide exposure to a variety of counseling theories, issues, and skills, and it requires the student to bring theological and biblical knowledge to bear upon this foundational social science material. Consequently, the M.T.S. with a concentration in Christian counseling is well suited for those who
- intend to pursue graduate studies in psychology/counseling,
- are engaged in lay ministry settings requiring interpersonal and caring skills, and
- desire to integrate their Christian faith with counseling theory and practice.
Program Requirements for M.T.S. Concentration in Christian Counseling
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Foundational Coursework | ||
| INTG 510 | A Guide to Seminary Writing 1 | 3 |
| BIBL 501 | Old Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 503 | New Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 502 | Old Testament Study II | 3 |
| or BIBL 504 | New Testament Study II | |
| THLE 510 | Theology and Ethics of Congregational Life | 3 |
| THLE 520 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Vision of Community | 3 |
| or THLE 521 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Reign of God | |
| SFRM 505 | Nurturing Spiritual Life & Character I: Introduction to Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| PRMN 510 | Foundations of Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| CHHM 510 | The Church in Mission Through History | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| SFRM 506 | Nurturing Spiritual Life & Character II Journey to Wholeness | 3 |
| Christian Counseling Electives | 12 | |
| Summative Requirements | ||
| 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Clinical Pastoral Care Practicum (cpc) | ||
| Clinical Pastoral Education | ||
Research paper or project | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Students can test out of this course.
M.T.S. Concentration in Christian Faith and Public Policy
This concentration equips persons to shape public policy in a way that is grounded in both Christian faith and social analysis by helping students learn how to integrate solid biblical/theological study and careful socio/political thought. The curriculum includes courses at Eastern University and other institutions as well as internships with local and regional agencies impacting public policy.
Program Requirements for M.T.S. Concentration in Christian Faith and Public Policy
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Foundational Coursework | ||
| INTG 510 | A Guide to Seminary Writing 1 | 3 |
| BIBL 501 | Old Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 503 | New Testament Study I | 3 |
| BIBL 502 | Old Testament Study II | 3 |
| or BIBL 504 | New Testament Study II | |
| THLE 510 | Theology and Ethics of Congregational Life | 3 |
| THLE 520 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Vision of Community | 3 |
| or THLE 521 | Syst.Theo.& Ethics: Reign of God | |
| SFRM 505 | Nurturing Spiritual Life & Character I: Introduction to Spiritual Formation | 3 |
| CHHM 510 | The Church in Mission Through History | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THLE 611 | Theology & Public Policy | 3 |
| THLE 612 | Political and Public Theologies | 3 |
| Public Policy Electives | 12 | |
| Summative Requirements | ||
| THLE 551 | MTS Internship in Christian Faith and Public Policy | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 48 | |
- 1
Students can test out of this course.