Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

MA / ST

Master of Arts / Systematic Theology

Specialized study in Christian doctrine: its biblical grounding, historical development, logical coherence, and contemporary context.

The MA / ST trains students to engage theological ideas in the world today through a strong biblical, evangelical foundation, mastery of our diverse theological heritage, and familiarity with contemporary (including global) developments in theology.

Master of Arts / Systematic Theology

Where can this degree take me?

The MA / ST is primarily meant to serve as an intermediate step (among others) towards doctoral study in systematic theology or a related discipline, with the vocational goal of academic teaching and writing. This program could also prepare you for teaching in certain Christian secondary schools or Christian colleges, and would be a great complement to an MDiv for a ministry-oriented student interested in deepening his or her knowledge of theology.

What will I study?

The MA / ST (32 hours total) combines a biblical and systematic theology core with coursework in systematic theology, biblical theology, historical and/or contemporary theology, and church history. Students also have the flexibility to take further coursework in a secondary area such as bioethics or ethics.

All MA / ST students will attend an ST symposium (generally a lecture hosted by the ST department) twice each semester during two semesters of coursework. The MA / ST capstone experience is a major comprehensive exam and either two major papers or the MA thesis.

  • Biblical and Systematic Theological Core - 9 hours

    Required:

    ST 5105 Theology I 3 hours
    ST 5102 Theology II 3 hours
    ST 5103 Theology III 3 hours

    Note: Students who have take the equivalent of the above courses with a grade of B or above are encouraged to take at least two advanced doctrinal course such as the following:

    ST 7070 Models of Sanctification 3 hours
    ST 8040 Justification 3 hours
    ST 8050 Pneumatology 3 hours
    ST 8xxx Christology 3 hours
    ST 8xxx Providence 3 hours
    ST 8xxx God in Biblical and Systematic Theology 3 hours

  • Concentration Core - 19-26 hours

    Required:

    ID 6011 Global Theologies 2 hours
    ST 7505 Use of Scripture in Theology 3 hours

    Select one course in Biblical Theology such as:

    ID 5000 Biblical Theology and Interpretation 3 hours
    OT 7090 Old Testament Theology 3 hours
    NT 8640 New Testament Theology 3 hours

    Select two courses in Historical Theology and/or Contemporary Theology such as:

    CC 5610 Cultural Hermeneutics 2 hours
    CH 8320 Luther 3 hours
    CH 8330 Calvin 3 hours
    CH 8361 Jonathan Edwards 3 hours
    ST 7510 Contemporary Theology 3 hours
    ST 8310 Augustine 3 hours
    ST 8360 Karl Barth 3 hours
    ST 8390 Recent & Contemporary Theologians 3 hours
    ST electives 6-12 hours
    Note: Up to 3 hours of the Capstone Project may be applied
    MA/ST students should work with their faculty advisor to ensure course work provides adequate background for the capstone comprehensive exam and writing projects.

  • Electives - 0-7 hours

    After satisfying the above mentioned requirements, students who have not taken a total of 32 hours may take further elective course work in a secondary area related to the Concentration (e.g., Apologetics; Ethics; Philosophy of Religion; Bioethics).

  • Symposium in Systematic Theology - 0 hours

    Each MA/ST student is required to attend a Symposium in ST twice each semester during two semesters of course work (thus, attendance at a total of four symposia is required).  ST Symposia will be hosted by the ST Department.

  • Field Education & Capstone - 0-3 hours

    Field Education (0 hours)

    PT 5090 Field Ed (one semester) –or–
    ID 5080 Formation Group (two semesters) 0 hours

    MA/ST Capstone (0-3 hours)

    MA/ST Major Comprehensive Exam
    And one of the following:
    (a) ST 7980 MA Two Major Research Papers
    (b) 7485 MA Thesis
    Note: The thesis option requires a research methods course as an elective (generally ID 7900 Theological Research Methods 2 hours)

Field Education

All MA / ST students must complete a field education requirement. Learn more about field ed here.

What are the prerequisites for admission to this program?

In addition to the requirements for general admission, you’ll need the following:

  • An undergraduate major in Bible and/or theology, or a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate work in biblical and/or theological studies
  • An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Miller Analogies Test (MAT) required if your GPA is under 3.0