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 as:

1. foundation for a graduate research degree (PhD);

2. preparation for lay religious careers;

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

4. enhancement of institutional leadership roles; or

5. personal enrichment.

There are two curricular tracks available to students. MTS 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. MTS Focus, which allows greater curricular flexibility and requires the naming of a concentration, 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 MTS. 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.

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

Complete one of the following tracks.

MTS Core Track

• CHURHST 750 (Early and Medieval Christianity)

• CHURHST 751 (Early Modern and Modern Christianity)

• OLDTEST 752 (Old Testament Interpretation I)

• OLDTEST 753 (Old Testament Interpretation II)

• NEWTEST 754 (New Testament Interpretation)

• XTIANTHE 755 (Christian Theology)

• XTIANETH 757 (Christian Ethics)

• Senior Portfolio

• Thesis

MTS Focus Track

• Church History (complete any)

  • CHURHST 750 (Early and Medieval Christianity)

  • CHURHST 751 (Early Modern and Modern Christianity)

• NEWTEST 754 (New Testament Interpretation)

• OLDTEST 752 (Old Testament Interpretation I)

• Theol/Ethics (complete any)

  • XTIANTHE 755 (Christian Theology)

  • XTIANETH 757 (Christian Ethics)

• Focus Track Options (complete any)

  • Biblical Track (complete all)

    • OLDTEST 753 (Old Testament Interpretation II)

    • English Exegesis (complete 3 courses)

      • NT exegesis: Take at least 1 course that matches the following: NEWTEST 770A to NEWTEST 870Z

      • OT exegesis: Take at least 1 course that matches the following: OLDTEST 770A to OLDTEST 870Z

    • Bible Electives: Take at least 2 courses that match the following: NEWTEST 760 and above or OLDTEST 760 and above

  • Biblical (NT) Track (complete all)

    • OLDTEST 753 (Old Testament Interpretation II)

    • NEWTEST 760 (Hellenistic Greek)

    • NEWTEST 761 (Hellenistic Greek)

    • Greek Exegesis: Take at least 2 courses that match the following: NEWTEST 770A to NEWTEST 870Z

    • Bible Elective: Take at least 1 course that matches the following: NEWTEST 770 and above or NEWTEST 770A to NEWTEST 870Z or OLDTEST 762 and above or OLDTEST 770A to OLDTEST 870Z

  • Biblical (OT) Track (complete all)

    • OLDTEST 753 (Old Testament Interpretation II)

    • OLDTEST 760 (Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I)

    • OLDTEST 761 (Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II)

    • Hebrew Exegesis: Take at least 2 courses that match the following: OLDTEST 770A to OLDTEST 870Z

    • Bible Elective: Take at least 1 course that matches the following: NEWTEST 770 and above or NEWTEST 770A to NEWTEST 870Z or OLDTEST 762 and above or OLDTEST 770A to OLDTEST 870Z

  • History Track: Take at least 6 courses that match the following: CHURHST 750 or CHURHST 751 or AMXTIAN 756 and above or CHURHST 760 and above or HISTTHEO 790 and above or WXTIAN 760 and above

  • Theology and Ethics Track: Take at least 6 courses that match the following: XTIANETH 700 and above or XTIANTHE 700 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;

• OLDTEST 752 and 753, NEWTEST 754, CHURCHST 750 and 751, XTIANTHE 755, and XTIANETH 757 for those in MTS Core;

  • Any core course may be satisfied by Advanced Placement

• 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) for those in MTS Focus;

  • 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, or as an independent study, or as an additional paper outside current course work. The writing 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 a faculty member; and

• 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)

Recommended MTS Curricular Paradigm for MTS Focus and Dual Degrees

There is greater detail about the MTS Focus paradigm and paradigms for dual degrees 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 quite 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.

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.