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Advance Your Biblical Understanding
Build on your love of theology, history, and Scripture with a master’s degree in Theological Studies. Through this program, you can grow your love and passion for a deeper theological understanding of God and Christians around the world. With the ability to define your interest even further through a concentration, you can rest assured your concept of ministry and missions will stretch beyond your imagination.
Online Option
Interested in completing your coursework online? With our online Master of Theological Studies, you can get the same flexible degree program all from the comfort of your home.
About the Program
The Master of Theological Studies program aims to propel your vocational calling by offering you the best curriculum designed by religious researchers and theological scholars. As the church becomes less focused on truth and scriptural understanding, it is up to theological experts to dig, observe, and research the issues faced by Christians. Whether your interests lie in Old Testament, New Testament, History of Early Christianity, Modern American Church History, or General Theology, this degree is ideal for those seeking to pursue a future career within private academies, in specialized ministry areas, or at research-based universities. Adapting to the changing realities of ministerial and academic practices, this Master of Theological Studies program will mold scholars to serve the needs of both the church and the world.
Program Structure
All the Details on Your Degree
You will develop as a reader, researcher, writer and thinker through critical and constructive engagement with the Christian tradition and contemporary scholarship. Accordingly, the degree cultivates fair-minded, informed and well-prepared students for academic work and ministry.
Required Hours
48 hours
24-36 months time frame
Example Coursework
Systematic Theology I
Contemporary Religious Thought
Research Problems in Theology
Theological Explorations
Department
Upcoming Start Dates
January 13, 2025
May 5, 2025
August 25, 2025
Common Job Titles
Academic Professor
Doctoral Researcher
Christian school teacher
Concentrations
ACU’s Master of Theological Studies degree will teach you how to actively research primary sources and issues of scholarly discussion in biblical studies, theology, or church history to advance the field and collaborate with other religious scholars around the world. Throughout the program, you will also gain the ability to use the latest research methods to produce original research in one of the following concentrations:
History of Early Christianity
If you have a knack for languages, enjoy reading ancient texts and want to enrich your theological foundations for ministry, teaching or further study, this concentration will focus on exploring the roots of religion and offers special opportunities for learning about Christians living in the Eastern parts of the world.
Modern and American Christianity
The last five centuries have seen the fascinating and complex development of global Christianity. This research-oriented concentration is designed for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of historic expressions of Christianity, specifically from the 16th through the 21st Century.
New Testament
Designed to equip you with an advanced academic foundation in New Testament studies, you will gain proficiency in appropriate exegetical tools and languages, as well as a broad understanding of textual and theological issues as well as improve your ability to interpret a variety of New Testament texts.
Old Testament
Focused on equipping you with a solid academic foundation in Old Testament studies, you will improve in your ability to interpret a variety of Old Testament texts, as well as understand them within their larger cultural and theological contexts.
General Theology
Diving into more theological study tools and scholarship, you will gain the knowledge necessary to engage in rich conversations with fellow scholars and believers as well as deploy the resources of the Christian tradition to advance the practice of theology in the church, academia and society.
MEET THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Jeff Childers, Master of Theological Studies
Dr. Jeff Childers is a professor and program director for the Master of Theological Studies program. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Abilene Christian University in 1992. Dr. Childers received his doctorate degree in Foreign Language from University of Oxford in 1996.
Spotlight
The Insider Details of A Theology Degree
Whether you consider yourself a curious person or simply someone who has always looked for ways to grow spiritually, gaining a theological studies degree is nowadays seen as substantially more practical and meaningful than one might think. Housed within our Graduate School of Theology, the online Master of Theological Studies degree is open and available to anyone who is interested in broadening their horizons about God and His character.
Why Study Theology?
ACU’s mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world, which includes forming students’ spiritual and intellectual development in a distinctively and unapologetically Christian environment. So, with an expanded view of what theology can offer, let’s get more specific. Why should you get a theology degree?
U.S. News Highlights ACU’s Nationally Ranked Student Experience for Fifth Year in a Row
For the fifth consecutive year, the student experience at Abilene Christian University, both in and out of the classroom, was ranked as one of the nation’s best in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings released today – in the categories of Study Abroad, Learning Communities, Service Learning, First-Year Experience and Senior Capstone.
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Do you want to come home from work each day feeling fulfilled? Meaningful careers may be what you seek. Learn more here.
Research Sources
Graduates will have critical facility with the most important primary sources and issues of scholarly discussion in biblical studies, theology, or church history.
Research Methods
Graduates will have ability to use the best current methods of research in one of the following disciplines: biblical studies, theology, or church history.
Original Research
Graduates will demonstrate ability to produce scholarly contributions in their field of study.
To be considered for admission, students must:
- Complete the program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
- Submit an official transcript of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate 3.0 GPA or above in the area of focus or related area and evidence of an overall productive GPA.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Submit a reflective essay 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced.
- Complete an academic writing assessment.
The Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, an organization of more than 250 graduate schools that conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in theological disciplines.