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 hours 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, in-person or online (hybrid) at Trinity International University - Florida, fully online, and at the extension sites (listed here).
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/MHC. Students may also complete their MA/TS degree and, depending on course alignment, use all the hours 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” in this Catalog.)
MA/TS Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
The admission requirements for the MA/TS are those described in the Admissions section of the Catalog and the following requirements specific to the MA/TS:
Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree, or the educational equivalent, from a recognized accredited institution. Applicants who lack an accredited baccalaureate degree may be asked to submit additional application materials, including a recent writing sample and evidence of their ministry experience. In some cases, admission with deficiencies is possible with the fulfillment of those deficiencies at Trinity.
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 admissions counselor.
Scores from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) (preferred) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA is less than 2.5, for those who do not have an accredited baccalaureate degree, and for others upon request from the Admissions Office.
MA/TS Residency Requirement and Program Duration
The residency requirement for the MA/TS degree is a minimum of 24 hours must be completed through Trinity coursework, with the final 8 hours taken through Trinity. The 24 hours may be completed with a combination of Bannockburn and extension site courses and through Trinity Distance Education or independent study courses as arranged with the program advisor.
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 semester hours with a cumulative GPA for program coursework of at least 2.5, with no coursework graded below a “C-” applicable to the degree.
- All entrance deficiencies and conditions are removed.
- Complete two semesters of Field Education; or one semester of Field Education and two semesters of Formation Group.
- Complete the MA/TS capstone project in the form of an integrative paper or ministry project for 2 hours.
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 eclectic 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 5-17 semester hours 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 hours 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 hours 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 hours 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 | ||
| Electives 4 | 16 | |
| Required | ||
| PT 5100 | Spiritual Formation for Ministry | 2 |
| Select one option from the following: | 0 | |
Option 1: | ||
| Field Education (two semesters) | ||
Option 2: | ||
| Formation Group (two semesters) | ||
| Field Education (one semester) | ||
| Capstone | 2 | |
| ID 7467 | MA Theological Studies Capstone Proposal | 0 |
| ID 7468 | MA (Theological Studies) Capstone | 2 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Include both OT and NT studies; languages not applicable.
- 2
Select from ST, PR, CC, BE studies
- 3
Select from CH and ME studies
- 4
These courses may focus in a department or area of interest or 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-Cultural Ministry Track | ||
| 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 for Ministry | 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 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Leadership Track | ||
| 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 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Preaching Ministry Track | ||
| 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 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry Care Track | ||
| BE 5020 | Bioethics and Cultural Engagement | 2-3 |
| CM 5000 | Introduction to Counseling Ministries | 2 |
| CM 6000 | Issues in Counseling Ministries | 1-3 |
| EM 5510 | Christian Formation & Journey | 1-2 |
| EM 6265 | Building Ministry Teams | 1-2 |
| EM 6275 | Developing Healthy Spiritual Leaders | 1-2 |
| ES 7815 | Change, Power, and Conflict | 1-2 |
| ID 6500 | Understanding the Social and Cultural Contexts of Ministry | 2 |
| PT 7290 | Pastoral Practices | 2 |
| ST 5600 | The Christian Life and Contemporary Challenges | 2 |
| ST 7200 | Christian Ethics | 2 |
| Total Hours | 17-24 | |