The sixty credit hour MATS (plus two credit hours of field education) is designed for those whose primary focus is graduate theological studies rather than ministerial studies. Two one credit field education modules are required—the Intercultural Development Module and Vocational Excellence.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree is awarded to students who:
- Complete all Vocational and Spiritual Formation for Leadership evaluations and receive approval by faculty vote.
- Complete the required 60 semester hours of academic course work, plus 2 field education credit hours.
- Maintain a grade point average of 2.5. No grade under C- shall be counted toward the degree.
- Complete a declared area of concentration with a minimum of nine semester hours beyond the core requirement.
- Successfully complete a thesis with an oral defense completed in the final semester of studies.
- Rectify all incomplete grades no later than week seven of the semester in which they plan to graduate.
- Fulfill all financial obligations to the Seminary.
- Complete the degree program within seven (7) years from the time of matriculation.
Field of Concentration
MATS students declare a field of major concentration by the beginning of the second semester. Fields of concentration include Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, Theology/Ethics, and Cross-Cultural Ministry. Students may petition the Academic Cabinet for permission to declare a field of concentration not listed. The student fulfills the concentration requirement by taking nine hours in the chosen field.
Required core classes may not count toward the nine-hour concentration.
Concentration in Old Testament Language Requirement
This field of concentration requires working knowledge of biblical Hebrew. Students may demonstrate adequate proficiency in Hebrew by completing six semester hours of Hebrew at NPTS, or by passing a language proficiency exam administered by the biblical faculty. Language requirements are prerequisite to the 60-hour MATS.
Concentration in New Testament Language Requirement
This field of concentration requires working knowledge of biblical Greek. Students may demonstrate adequate proficiency in Greek by completing 6 semester hours of Greek at NPTS, or by passing a language proficiency exam administered by the biblical faculty. Language requirements are prerequisite to the 60-hour MATS. All MATS students concentrating in New Testament must also complete New Testament Greek Exegesis.
MATS Thesis Requirement
During the second year of studies, MATS students register for three credit hours of thesis research each semester through the Seminary Academic Services Office. Students are charged the Thesis Fee in addition to tuition at registration. The topic of the thesis must relate to the student’s field of major concentration. The topic is chosen in consultation with the director of the MATS degree program, who then assigns a thesis advisor to the MATS student. The thesis must be submitted by the beginning of the eighth week of the final semester. An oral defense of the thesis before a faculty committee must occur no later than week twelve of the final semester. Full thesis guidelines will be distributed by the director of the MATS degree program. Successful defense of the thesis is required for completion of the MATS with thesis option. The grading scale for theses is high pass, pass, or fail. Students are invited, though not required, to participate in a campus-wide event in which they may present their thesis work to the community.
Bible | 15 Credit Hours
| BIBL 5210 | Old Testament 1: Pentateuch & Interpretation | 3 |
| BIBL 5220 | Old Testament 2: Prophets & Preaching Legacy | 3 |
| BIBL 5230 | Old Testament 3: Wisdom & Israels Praise | 3 |
| BIBL 5240 | New Testament 1: The Texts & Their World | 3 |
| BIBL 5250 | New Testament 2: The Texts & Their Theology | 3 |
History | 9 Credit Hours
| HSTY 5210 | Christian History 1: the Early Church to the Early Reformation (1-16c) | 3 |
| HSTY 5220 | Christian History 2: Global Christianity (17-21c) | 3 |
| HSTY 5230 | Christian History 3: North American Christianity | 3 |
Theology | 12 Credit Hours
Spiritual Formation | 3 Credit Hours
| SPFM 5201 | Journey: The Story of Our Lives | 1 |
| SPFM 5211 | Intercultural Spirituality: Praying Together | 1 |
| SPFM | Spiritual Formation Elective | |
Communication Skills Elective | 3 Credit Hours
Student selects one course from the following:
On occasion, a 7190 Topics course which is not offered on a regular basis will fulfill an area requirement.
Cultural Diversity Elective | 3 Credit Hours
Student selects one course from the following:
| BIBL 6290 | Intercultural Readings of the Bible | 3 |
| MNST 5110 | Religions and Cultures | 3 |
| MNST 6125 | Issues of Christian Faith in the Americas | 3 |
| MNST 6130 | The Gospel in Asian Context | 3 |
| MNST 6135 | Experiencing African Christianity | 3 |
| MNST 6140 | Experiencing Global Christianity | 3 |
| MNST 6151 | Cultural Dimensions of Mission | 3 |
| MNST 6152 | Rethinking Mission: Lessons From Christian Art History & Practice | 3 |
| MNST 6352 | Journey to Mosaic | 3 |
| MNST 6401 | Sankofa: Racial Righteousness & Reconciliation | 3 |
On occasion, a 7190 Topics course which is not offered on a regular basis will fulfill an area requirement.
Concentration Electives | 9 Credit Hours
Thesis | 6 Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours for the Degree | 60 Credit Hours
Students are recommended for graduation when all requirements are fulfilled for the degree.
Field Education
The experiences designated as field education will be awarded two (2) credit hours in addition to the sixty (60) credit hours required for the MATS degree.