Master of Arts (Theological Studies) (MA/TS)
MA/TS Purpose
The MA/TS provides a basic understanding of Christianity for general educational purposes. Trinity’s MA/TS draws from the breadth of the curriculum requiring substantive study in biblical, theological, and historical and global areas, combined with a significant number of units in the student’s area of interest. The MA/TS is particularly suited for Christians desiring to better understand God’s revelation to humanity in the biblical and theological context of orthodox historic Christianity and who are engaged in non-church-related vocations or for those seeking a general theological degree to accompany a specialized master’s degree. As a seminary degree, its particular focus is to relate theological studies to the work of the church. Program participants may also elect to focus their elective coursework, capstone project, and field education coursework on a particular subject area available in the curriculum or at their particular site.
The MA/TS may be completed in-person at the Deerfield campus and fully online.
Program Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies will be able to:
- Understand the biblical and theological constructs that form the foundation for the Christian faith.
- Think critically and constructively about the historic and global contexts of Christianity.
- Examine closely an area of Christian studies of personal interest.
- Articulate their Christian faith in light of their present vocational engagement.
- Grow in personal and spiritual maturity.
- Demonstrate competence in writing and research.
MA/TS and the MDiv or a Second Degree
The flexibility of the MA/TS curriculum and its biblical-theological focus makes it an ideal fit as a complementary degree to other MA programs, such as the MA in MHC. Students may complete their MA/TS degree and, depending on course alignment, also use all the units in the program toward an MDiv degree. If MA/TS students are anticipating future MDiv studies, they should select courses that are required in the MDiv program, including biblical language courses. See Degree Combinations or a Second TEDS Degree.
MA/TS Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
The admission requirements for the MA/TS are those described in General Admission Requirements for Master's Programs and the following requirements specific to the MA/TS:
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Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree, or the educational equivalent, from a recognized accredited institution.
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The applicant’s undergraduate grade point average must be a minimum of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; however, since GPA is not always an accurate indicator of an applicant’s abilities for graduate work, those with a lower GPA are encouraged to consult with an admission counselor.
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Applicants without an accredited undergraduate degree or who otherwise do not meet the admission requirements may be asked to submit additional documents, such as test scores, a writing sample or other evidence of preparation for Master’s level coursework as decided by the program director and the Admissions team.
MA/TS Residency Requirement and Program Duration
The residency requirement for the MA/TS degree is a minimum of 24 units must be completed through Trinity coursework, with the final 8 units taken through Trinity. The 24 units may be completed with either in-person and online classes.
MA/TS Statute of Limitation
All MA/TS requirements must be completed within eight years of matriculation into the program. Extension of the statute of limitation for up to two years may be granted by petition when a student has demonstrated consistent program progress toward the degree.
MA/TS Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General Graduation Requirements for All Master’s Programs.
- Complete a minimum of 42 units with a cumulative GPA for program coursework of at least 2.5, with no coursework graded below a “C-” applicable to the degree.
- Fulfill all entrance deficiencies and conditions.
- Complete two semesters of PT 5090; or one semester of PT 5090 and two semesters of ID 5080.
- Complete ID 7468 in the form of an integrative paper or ministry project for 2 units.
Master of Arts (Theological Studies) Requirements
The flexibility of the curriculum in the MA/TS allows participants to focus a significant part of their studies in an area of interest. Options available vary widely according to the interests of the student, curriculum available at a particular site, and course selections a student might make from the ability to cross-register into other seminaries in the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) consortium. Such flexibility provides a strong understanding of Christianity for general educational purposes while enabling students to use the 16 units of electives plus the capstone in their area of interest. Interest areas include: church administration, age or specialized ministry, Bible, theology, and many others. Many interest areas may be further pursued in a complete degree program in that area.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | ||
| Select 8 units of Biblical Studies 1 | 8 | |
| Recommended: | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament 1 | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament 2 | ||
| Introduction to the Old Testament 1 | ||
| Introduction to the Old Testament 2 | ||
| Theological Studies | ||
| Select 8 units of Theological Studies 2 | 8 | |
| Recommended: | ||
| Biblical Theology and Interpretation | ||
| Theology 1: The God of the Gospel: From the Father | ||
| Theology 2: The God of the Gospel: Through the Son | ||
| Theology 3: The God of the Gospel: In the Holy Spirit | ||
| Historical and Global Studies | ||
| Select 6 units of Historical and Global Studies 3 | 6 | |
| Recommended: | ||
| History of Christianity 1. The Patristic and Middle Ages | ||
| History of Christianity 2. The Age of Reform | ||
| History of Christianity 3. The Modern Age | ||
| Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry | ||
| Evangelism and the Local Church | ||
| Theology of Mission & Evangelism | ||
| Required 1 | ||
| ID 5080 & 5080 & PT 5090 | Formation Group and Formation Group and Field Education | 0 |
| or PT 5090 & 5090 | Field Education and Field Education | |
| ID 7467 | MA Theological Studies Capstone Proposal | 0 |
| ID 7468 | MA (Theological Studies) Capstone | 2 |
| PT 5100 | Spiritual Formation for Ministry | 2 |
| Electives 5 | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Include both NT and OT studies; beginning language classes not applicable.
- 2
Select from BE, PR, and/or ST courses.
- 3
Select from CH and/or ME courses.
- 4
Includes either two semesters of ID 5080 plus one semester of PT 5090, or two semesters of PT 5090.
- 5
These courses may focus in a department or area of interest of be selected from across the curriculum.
Optional Tracks
Students completing the Master of Arts (Theological Studies) may choose to complete one of the following optional tracks as part of their coursework.
Cross-Cultural Ministry Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ID 6500 | Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry | 2 |
| ME 5000 | Global Mission and the Local Church | 2 |
| ME 5001 | Evangelism and the Local Church | 2 |
| ME 6410 | History of the Expansion of Christianity | 2 |
| ME 6610 | Anthropology and Society | 2 |
| ME 6760 | Theology of Mission & Evangelism | 2 |
| ME 7300 | World Religions | 2 |
| ME 7450 | The Church in Latin America, Africa, and Asia since 1500 | 2 |
| ME 7710 | Gospel in Cultural Context | 2-3 |
| ME 8230 | Global Church Planting and Development | 2-3 |
| PT 6500 | Money and Ministry | 2 |
| ST 5600 | The Christian Life and Contemporary Challenges | 2 |
| Total Hours | 24-26 | |
Executive Leadership Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EM 5110 | Educational Ministry | 2 |
| EM 6265 | Building Ministry Teams | 1-2 |
| EM 6275 | Developing Healthy Spiritual Leaders | 1-2 |
| ES 7550 | Local Church as System | 1-2 |
| ES 7815 | Change, Power, and Conflict | 1-2 |
| ES 8710 | Social Intelligence and Leadership | 1-2 |
| ES 8715 | Appreciative Inquiry | 1-2 |
| ME 8250 | Leadership Development and Culture | 2-3 |
| PT 6500 | Money and Ministry | 2 |
| PT 7290 | Pastoral Practices | 2 |
| Total Hours | 14-21 | |
Ministry Care Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EM 5125 | Teaching and Learning | 2 |
| HM 6200 | Theology and Methodology of Biblical Preaching | 2 |
| HM 6201 | Preaching Lab | 2 |
| HM 7215 | Preaching with Genre Sensitivity | 2 |
| HM 7220 | Preaching and Pastoral Issues | 2 |
| HM 7316 | Preaching and Systematic Theology | 2 |
| HM 7410 | Learning from Minoritized Preaching Traditions | 2 |
| PT 6280 | Christian Worship | 2 |
| PT 7225 | The Essence of Biblical Leadership | 2 |
| PT 7290 | Pastoral Practices | 2 |
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Preaching Ministry Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EM 5125 | Teaching and Learning | 2 |
| HM 6200 | Theology and Methodology of Biblical Preaching | 2 |
| HM 6201 | Preaching Lab | 2 |
| HM 7215 | Preaching with Genre Sensitivity | 2 |
| HM 7220 | Preaching and Pastoral Issues | 2 |
| HM 7316 | Preaching and Systematic Theology | 2 |
| HM 7410 | Learning from Minoritized Preaching Traditions | 2 |
| PT 6280 | Christian Worship | 2 |
| PT 7225 | The Essence of Biblical Leadership | 2 |
| PT 7290 | Pastoral Practices | 2 |
| Total Hours | 20 | |