DESCRIPTION

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) provides a foundation in biblical and theological studies essential to the responsible practice of Christian ministry. The degree is especially appropriate for persons seeking a specialized ministry in the congregational setting and for those wishing to enhance the effectiveness of their volunteer or lay ministries.

Student Learning OUTCOMES

1. The student will interpret passages of the Old and New Testaments in light of their literary, historical, and theological contexts.
2. The student will articulate the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith reflecting knowledge of major theological traditions (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, Stone-Campbell).
3. The student will demonstrate a readiness to serve as a minister or lay teacher informed by a biblical and theological understanding of ministry.
4. The student will prepare papers, sermons, classes, and other assignments employing research tools such as bibliographic indices and databases in biblical and theological studies (ATLA Religion Index, NT/OT Abstracts, etc.).

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degree Program

Background Courses (15 hours)
GRK 3351-3352  New Testament Greek or equivalent
CH 3312 Church History or equivalent
CS 3350 Researching and Writing in Theology
Three (3) hours in either:
     NT 4335 Biblical Theology OR
     NT 4313 Interpreting the Bible

Biblical Studies (15 hours)
OT 6301 Reading the Old Testament
NT 6301 Reading the New Testament
Six (6) hours of exegetically intensive text electives,
    1 in each testament
Three (3) hours in the division

Church History and Theology (12 hours)
CH 6303 Traditions in Christian Theology and Ethics
CH 6302 Christianity in America
TH 6301 Introduction to Theology
Three (3) additional hours in the division

Christian Ministry (9 hours)
MIN 6301 Introduction to Christian Ministry
Three (3) hours in either:
     MIN 6302 The Ministry of Preaching OR
     MIN 6304 Christian Worship
Three (3) additional hours in the division

NOTE the following regarding courses that serve as introduction to each division's curriculum are noted in bold text above. (OT 6301,
NT 6301, TH 6301, MIN 6301):

a. Students seeking to take coursework prior to completing that
    division's introductory course must have instructor approval.
b. Students with undergraduate work deemed as adequate as an
    introduction to a division's curriculum must substitute the equivalent
    number of semester hours of graduate-level coursework within the
    same division.

Additional Requirements
• Attendance at six (6) meetings of the monthly Student/Faculty
  Roundtable
• Successful completion of the MATS Bible Content Exam
   (click here for MATS Bible Content Exam Study Guide)

For more information, please contact Celeste at registrar@austingrad.edu.

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