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Reclaiming Advanced Biblical Scholarship

Discernment. Precision. Conviction. These are the principles that matter when it comes to theological excellence and biblical fidelity. As challenges to the truth mount from outside and inside the church, the Master of Theology program provides the depth and clarity you need to hold fast the word of truth in challenging times, and equip others to do the same. The Master of Theology program builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in the Master of Divinity program. It is designed to take students deeper and farther—whether the goal is the proclamation of the Word in the pulpit, the training of ministers in the classroom, or the preparation for doctoral studies in the academy.

Scholar

Specialize in one of four emphases of academic study, gaining competency in current trends, historical expression, and essential truths.

Exegete

Improve your skills in the interpretation of God’s Word by refining your knowledge of hermeneutics and the biblical languages.

Teacher

Grow in your ability to communicate effectively through seminars in pedagogy and opportunities to present papers for review.

Contributor

Cultivate excellence in writing by demonstrating critical thinking, in-depth interaction, and thorough research.

Core Classes and Schedule

View Academic Catalog

The Master of Theology program offers four emphases: Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, and Bible Exposition, culminating in a thesis for 29-unit Ph.D. track students and a research portfolio for the 28-unit non-Ph.D. track students.

What it Takes To Complete

2-3
Years to Complete
28-29
Required Units
4
Modular Sessions

Compare Master of Theology to our other Programs


Master of Theology

Degree Requirements

  1. Master of Divinity (or M.Div-equivalent M.A. of at least 72 credits)
  2. A consistent record of commendable Christian ministry experience

Career Outcomes

Qualification to fulfill a teaching position and pursue doctoral study, such as the PhD

Learning Outcomes

  1. As an advancing scholar, specialize in an area of biblical or theological studies, gaining facility in its literature and scholarship.
  2. As an advancing exegete, employ more refined skills in Hebrew and Greek translation, exegesis, and interpretation.
  3. As an advancing teacher, implement the skills of communication and effective teaching of course content.
  4. As an advancing researcher, demonstrate thoughtfulness, in-depth interaction, thorough research, and excellence in scholarly writing

Structure

To accommodate the pastor, teacher, or missionary already engaged in ministry, the Master of Theology program does not require residency at the Los Angeles campus. For each 15-week seminar, students can connect online from anywhere in the world for most of the weekly lectures and discussions. Students are required to meet in-person for one week, once each semester.


Doctor of Ministry

Prerequisites

  1. Master of Divinity (or M.Div-equivalent M.A. of at least 72 credits)
  2. 3+ years of commendable pastoral ministry experience

Career Outcomes

Enhanced skills in sermon preparation and public exposition of Scripture

Learning Outcomes

  1. As an experienced biblical expositor, to add further understanding, quality, and depth to the exegetical skill needed in sermon preparation.
  2. As an experienced biblical expositor, to add further understanding, quality, and depth to the sermon content synthesis.
  3. As an experienced biblical expositor, to add further understanding, quality, and depth to the rhetorical eloquence.
  4. As an experienced biblical expositor, to demonstrate enhanced expository preaching skills in a culminating program project.

Frequent Questions

How is the Th.M. curriculum structured?

In the 28-unit (29-unit, Ph.D. Track), modular Th.M. program, students are given the opportunity to select an Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, or Bible Exposition emphasis.

Exams

There are four major exams pertinent to each discipline, embedded in corresponding courses. The exams serve as Ph.D. qualifying exams.

Thesis or Capstone Project

To demonstrate academic ability in the non-Ph.D. track, students are required to compile a scholarly research portfolio for the completion of their studies. In the Ph.D. track, the successful submission of a research thesis is required.

What does the modular format look like?

To accommodate the pastor, teacher, or missionary already engaged in ministry, the Master of Theology program does not require residency at the Los Angeles campus. For each 15-week seminar, students can connect online from anywhere in the world for most of the weekly lectures and discussions. Students are required to meet in-person for one week, once each semester.

The 15-week fall and spring semesters are divided into three segments:

  1. The pre-module period involves 12 weeks of interactive learning facilitated through Canvas—our online learning platform.
  2. In-person courses at the Los Angeles campus are held for 1–3 weeks.
  3. After the in-person courses end, the term allows for an additional 2 weeks of supplemental learning facilitated through Canvas.
How do the Th.M. and Ph.D. programs complement each other?

The Master of Theology is a preparation degree for the Ph.D. program. Qualifying exams for the Ph.D. are incorporated into the Th.M. curriculum so that students are qualified to enter the doctoral program upon successful completion of the Th.M.

The Th.M. program is ideally completed in two-to-three years, and the Ph.D. program is completed in an additional two-to-three years.

The programs are designed as two halves of a whole. The Th.M. is the coursework that prepares students to write their dissertations in the Ph.D. program. During their Ph.D. studies, students will present a series of colloquia and a defense to the faculty.

If I continue with doctoral study at TMS, who will be my faculty advisor?

Students in the doctoral program will have three readers. The first is their advisor, who will be a member of the TMS faculty. The second reader is another faculty member, and the third is an outside reader from another like-minded seminary.

Advisors are assigned based on a student’s emphasis and the faculty’s availability. Upon application to the program, students may request an advisor. On occasion, a faculty member may also request to serve as advisor to a specific student.

Why TMS?

You wouldn’t trust a doctor who didn’t train at a hospital, who had never cared for an actual patient. In the same way, you shouldn’t entrust the care of your soul, or your family’s, to a pastor with no local church experience. You want someone who was trained in the church and trained by pastors.

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