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Master of Theological Studies

Program Code: D-TS-MTS
Degree Designation: Master of Theological Studies
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/mts

Program Summary

This two-year (four semesters) general academic degree is designed to provide an introduction to the theological disciplines in service to the following goals:

  • Foundation for a graduate research degree (PhD)

  • Preparation for lay religious careers

  • Grounding for teaching, research, or practice in another field (e.g., non-profit management, social work, history, psychology, music)

  • Enhancement of institutional leadership roles

  • Personal enrichment

Two curricular tracks are available to MTS students. "Core" is for those considering a wide variety of applications for their degree (including further academic study, lay ministry, deacon’s orders, nonprofit work, and secondary teaching) and who are seeking an all-around theological education in Church History, Biblical Studies, and Theology and Ethics. "Focus" allows greater curricular flexibility and requires the naming of a concentration; it is for students who have extensive, prior theological preparation in their undergraduate coursework and who intend to apply for further academic study after completion of the degree. Students matriculate into either MTS Core or MTS Focus or can request to enter the Focus program no later than the third semester of study. Students pursuing a dual degree with the MTS are eligible for the MTS Focus with permission from the academic dean.

Through study and engagement within this program, students will be able to:

  • Read and exegete Scripture and the great texts of the Christian tradition for the purpose of preaching and teaching the gospel with clarity, power, and reverence;

  • Think theologically and critically about the doctrines and practices of the church and about the world in which the church finds itself, in ways that are both faithful to the historic ecclesial tradition and responsive to the challenges of our time;

  • Improve skills related to research, critical thinking, and theological argumentation.

Academic Requirements

At least 16 courses total to complete the degree, including the following requirements:

Option 1: MTS Core Track

  • Required Courses (7 courses)

    • CHURHST 750

    • CHURHST 751

    • OLDTEST 752

    • OLDTEST 753

    • NEWTEST 754

    • XTIANTHE 755

    • XTIANETH 757

  • Senior Portfolio

  • Thesis

Option 2: MTS Focus Track

  • Core Courses (4 courses)

    • CHURHST 750, or CHURHST 751

    • NEWTEST 754

    • OLDTEST 752

    • XTIANTHE 755, or XTIANETH 757

  • Complete 1 Track (6 courses)

    • Biblical Track

      • OLDTEST 753

      • 3 English Exegesis courses

        • Must include at least 1 NEWTEST course numbered 770A to 870Z

        • Must include at least 1 OLDTEST course numbered 770A to 870Z

      • 2 Bible electives

        • Any 2 NEWTEST or OLDTEST courses numbered 760 and above

    • Biblical (NT) Track

      • OLDTEST 753

      • NEWTEST 760 

      • NEWTEST 761

      • 2 Greek Exegesis courses

        • Any 2 NEWTEST courses course numbered 770A to 870Z

      • 1 Bible elective

        • Any 1 NEWTEST course numbered 770 and above, or OLDTEST course numbered 762 and above

    • Biblical (OT) Track

      • OLDTEST 760

      • OLDTEST 761

      • OLDTEST 753

      • 2 Hebrew Exegesis courses

        • Any 2 OLDTEST courses course numbered 770A to 870Z

      • 1 Bible elective

        • Any 1 NEWTEST or OLDTEST courses numbered 770 and above

    • History Track

      • Any 6 courses from the following: CHURHST 750, CHURHST 751, AMXTIAN 756 and above, CHURHST 760 and above, HISTTHEO 790 and above, or WXTIAN 760 and above

    • Theology and Ethics Track

      • Any 6 XTIANETH or XTIANTHE courses 700-level and above

  • Senior Portfolio

  • Thesis

The requirements for the degree of Master of Theological Studies are:

  • Sixteen courses and four or more semesters of residency (transfer credit is limited to two courses), with no more than two courses outside of the Divinity School;

  • A normal load of four courses per semester;

  • For those in the MTS Core: OLDTEST 752 and 753, NEWTEST 754, CHURCHST 750 and 751, XTIANTHE 755, and XTIANETH 757

    • Any core course may be satisfied by Advanced Placement

  • For those in the MTS Focus: Four core courses total, including one course from each of the following areas as determined by the MTS director: History (CHURHST 750 or 751); Bible (OLDTEST 752 and NEWTEST 754); and Theology and Ethics (XTIANTHE 755 or XTIANETH 757)

    • One of the four core courses may be satisfied by Advanced Placement, though students may petition the academic dean and MTS director for an additional advanced placement for the MTS Focus

    • The MTS Focus requires a concentration in Bible, History, or Theology & Ethics

  • The maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 2.5;

  • Submission of a well-researched, clearly written final thesis. This thesis may build upon and elaborate work done in a previous paper in the program; it may be written in the context of a course, as an independent study, or as an additional paper outside current course work. The writing of the thesis is normally done in the final semester. A final draft of the thesis will be due to the thesis advisor no later than noon on the first day of reading week in the semester which the student will graduate;

  • Submission of a portfolio for review by an academic advisor;

  • Completion of all requirements for the degree within a four-year (eight-semester) period.

Administration

MTS students will draft program goals and project a four-semester course plan with their academic advisor. At each registration conference, students and advisors will reassess program goals and the course plan adopted by the student.

Recommended MTS Curricular Paradigm for MTS Core

(Required core courses in bold)

  • First Year

    • Fall

      • CHURHST 750

      • OLDTEST 752

      • Elective

      • Elective or biblical language

      • Spiritual Formation optional

      • First Year Writing Assessment

    • Spring

      • CHURHST 751

      • OLDTEST 753

      • NEWTEST 754

      • Elective or biblical language

      • Spiritual Formation optional

  • Second Year

    • Fall

      • XTIANTHE 755

      • Elective

      • Elective

      • Elective

    • Spring

      • XTIANETH 757

      • Elective (or optional directed study on thesis)

      • Elective

      • Elective

      • MTS Portfolio Review

Recommended MTS Curricular Paradigm for MTS Focus and Dual Degrees

Greater detail about the MTS Focus paradigm and paradigms for dual degrees is available on the Duke Divinity School intranet.

Continuation Requirements

The progress of all students is reviewed at the end of every semester by the Academic Policies Committee. The following are the continuation requirements for students enrolled in the MTS degree program:

  • The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. If a student falls below this level, the student may, at the discretion of the academic dean, be dismissed, placed on an involuntary leave of absence, or asked to participate in a limited program, which means that the student may enroll in no more than three courses;

  • At the end of the second semester the student on limited program who does not attain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 is dismissed. In exceptional cases a student who shows substantial improvement the second semester but does not attain a GPA of 2.5 may be given a third semester to do so;

  • The student must demonstrate progress in the program by completing courses. A student who has three or more unresolved incompletes or a pattern of multiple withdrawals may, at the discretion of the academic dean, be dismissed, placed on an involuntary leave of absence until the incomplete work is resolved, or asked to participate in a limited program.

The Master of Theological Studies and Law Dual Degree Program

Duke Divinity School and Duke Law School have established a combined four-year program in law and theological studies. Acceptance into this program requires applying separately for admission to each school. The students in the MTS/JD program may enroll the first year in either Duke Divinity School or Duke Law School. If the student begins in the former, the first-year curriculum is the same as that of other Divinity School students; if the student begins in the latter, the first-year curriculum is the same as that of other law students. The student’s second year consists of the full first-year program of the other school. In the third and fourth years of the program, the student takes courses in both schools. Approximately two-thirds of these courses are taken in Duke Law School.

The Master of Theological Studies and Master of Public Policy Dual Degree Program

Duke Divinity School and Sanford School of Public Policy have established a combined four-year program in public policy and theological studies. Acceptance into this program requires applying separately for admission to each school. The students in the MTS/MPP program may enroll the first year at Duke Divinity School. The student’s second year consists of the full first-year program of the other school. In the third year of the program, the student takes courses in both schools. Twelve Divinity units are required for completion.

The Master of Theological Studies and Doctor of Medicine Dual Degree Program

Duke Divinity School and Duke School of Medicine have established a combined five-year program in medicine and theological studies. Acceptance into this program requires applying separately for admission to each school. Students who apply to the MTS/MD program remain enrolled throughout their course of study in the School of Medicine, with courses taken in the Divinity School as a full-time student during the third year of study counting toward the research year in the MD degree program. Twelve Divinity units are required for completion.

The Master of Theological Studies and Master of Environmental Management or Master of Forestry Dual Degree Program

Duke Divinity School and Duke Nicholas School of the Environment have established a combined three-year program in environmental programs and theological studies. Acceptance into the program requires applying separately for admission to each school. The students in the MTS/MEM or MF program may enroll the first year at Duke Divinity School. The student’s second year consists of the full first-year program of the other school. In the third year of the program, the student takes courses in both schools. Twelve Divinity units are required for completion.

TMC Fellows Condensed MTS

TMC Fellows in UNC School of Medicine complete 14 units within the Divinity School. Students must graduate with MTS and medicine degree at the same time. Enrollment verification from Registrar’s office at non-Duke schools is required. A student who has completed all units before their last term may take a leave from the Duke program (if approved) or register for continuation (and pay the continuation fee) in order to have access to campus services.

Bulletin Links

2025-2026 Divinity School Bulletin. Download PDF here.