Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Introduction
The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) is...
- Foundational: Lay a firm foundation for thoughtful, robust, and authentic faith with our Foundational Core courses.
- Focused: Choose from twelve concentrations, allowing you to pursue a burning question or gain specific expertise for further study.
- Integrative: Learn to bring your faith to bear on all aspects of life and work, building a more integrated understanding of vocation and identity.
Students who take this program typically...
- Are seeking vocational discernment, spiritual formation, or renewed vision for a previous career;
- Are preparing for certain types of church or parachurch work; or
- Are pursuing further academic work.
Graduates go on to do a wide variety of things: many undertake further study, enter church or parachurch work, follow newly discovered passions, or return to previous careers. Whatever they choose to do, Master of Arts in Theological Studies graduates leave Regent with a confident new perspective and restored motivation for engaging God's call on their lives.
Program Structure
| Credit Hours | Time to Complete | Program Costs | Online Learning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 |
Full course load: 5 terms Part-time: 6 years max |
Total onsite tuition: $32,700 (60 credit hours at $545 per onsite credit hour) |
Up to 30 online credits |
Program Requirements
All students are required to take our Foundational Core courses. Most students also choose to concentrate in one area and take courses that support their work in that concentration. Some students choose the "no concentration" option and study more widely.
To graduate with an MATS, you must complete a final project. This project takes different forms in different concentrations, but it typically involves a comprehensive exam, a comprehensive paper, or a thesis.
You will be awarded the MATS degree when you have successfully completed 60 credit hours of study, including your final project, with a GPA of at least 3.0 (B).
Foundational Core Courses
MATS students must take the following Foundational Core courses.
| Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Old Testament Foundations (BIBL 501) | 3 |
| New Testament Foundations (BIBL 502) | 3 |
| Biblical Exegesis (BIBL 503) | 3 |
| Theology for Life (INDS 500) | 3 |
|
One of the following: |
3 |
|
One of the following:
|
3 |
|
One of the following: |
3 or 6 |
|
One of the following:*** |
3 |
| Total | 24 or 27 |
*History of Christianity I and II are both required for the History of Christianity, Spiritual Theology, and World Christianity concentrations.
**Theology I and II are both required for the Doctrinal Theology and the Spiritual Theology concentrations.
***If one of these courses is already required in a student's chosen concentration, they must take one of the other seven courses listed.
Note: If you are planning to pursue a ThM program after your MATS, you should carefully consider the ThM requirements while selecting your MATS courses in order to avoid unnecessary overlap.
Concentration Requirements
One of the highlights of this program is that it allows you to focus your studies in an area of concentration (see below). Each concentration has its own requirements. You can find worksheets outlining the requirements of each concentration on the pages linked below, or on our Academic Advising page.
Foundational Core Courses
Additional Requirements
Notes on the Requirements
Concentrations
Applied Theology
Cultivate your knowledge and skills for biblically and theologically informed ministry, service, and cultural engagement.Biblical Languages
Encounter God's word in a new way as you hone your abilities to read and interpret Scripture in its original languages.Biblical Studies
Enrich your understanding of the whole story of Scripture, exploring the texts and contexts of both the Old and New Testaments.Christianity and the Arts
Explore how the arts reflect, express, and develop theology, with attention to both artist and audience perspectives.Doctrinal Theology
Engage with systematic and historical approaches to a Christian understanding of God, ourselves, and the world.History of Christianity
Explore how Christians have thought, acted, worshipped, and believed through the centuries and around the world.Interdisciplinary Studies
Make connections between Christianity and various aspects of life and culture, from science and philosophy to education and civil society.Marketplace Theology
Develop a theology of vocation, exploring how human work and leadership intersect with God's mission in the world.New Testament
Cultivate a deeper understanding of the New Testament’s texts, historical contexts, and theological teaching.Old Testament
Deepen your understanding of the Hebrew Bible as an essential resource for Christian faith, thought, and practice.Spiritual Theology
Explore the richness of life in Christ by examining spiritual practices and experiences of Christians past and present.World Christianity
Learn from the experiences and insights of global Christians, with a special focus on contributions from outside the European tradition.Featured Faculty
Admission Requirements
Your application needs to demonstrate that your background and experiences have prepared you to succeed in graduate-level studies. This usually means that you have completed a bachelor's degree a grade point average of at least 2.8 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
If you do not have a bachelor's degree but are at least 28 years old, you can apply as a mature student. You'll be asked to explain how your life, work, ministry, and/or educational experience can be seen as equivalent to a university degree.
Contact the Admissions team or see our Admission Requirements page to learn more.
