Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
The Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree program invites students and scholars who find fulfillment—and even a sense of spirituality—in the academic study of theology to deepen their knowledge through engagement with the School of Theology’s scholarly community. MTS students engage this degree as a step toward a variety of career paths. Many may be preparing for doctoral studies and an academic career, others for service within a congregation or for deacons orders, and some for work within nonprofit organizations. Recognizing that there is no “typical” MTS student, Boston University School of Theology provides students resources and a flexible curricular structure, allowing them to explore many areas of theological interest. With an exceptional faculty setting high academic standards, students enjoy many opportunities for interdisciplinary study within the School of Theology, across the broader Boston University, and with our partners in the Boston Theological Interreligious Consortium.
The MTS degree is designed to be completed over two years of full-time study. Its curriculum includes core coursework in Sacred Texts & Interpretation, History of Traditions & Institutions, Theology & Meaning-Making, Ethics & Lived Values, along with a Contextual Education experience to help students learn beyond the classroom (18 units). Beyond the core curriculum, MTS students have the flexibility to design their course of study through 30 units of free elective courses from any discipline across the School of Theology’s curriculum. MTS students may also use their elective credits to complete one of the School of Theology’s certificate programs, thereby adding an additional credential to their theological education record.
Please see the full description of the degree program in the STH Bulletin, which also contains admissions and financial information.
The School of Theology offers the following variations of the MTS degree program:
MTS Plan of Study
Plan of Study
MTS Core (18 units)
- First Year Formation in the first fall semester(3 units)
- Sacred Texts and Interpretation (3 units)
- Hebrew Bible or New Testament
- History of Traditions and Institutions (3 units)
- Theology and Meaning-Making (3 units)
- Ethics and Lived Values (3 units)
- One semester Contextual Education internship, project, or travel seminar (3 units)
Free electives (30 units)
Dual Degree: MTS/MAT
Opportunities abound for religious educators in both secular and religious contexts, not only for the teaching of a particular religion, but for teaching any number of other subjects in religious or faith-based institutions. The combination of expertise in theology and religion with the various academic fields for which the MAT prepares persons uniquely position graduates from the dual degree as interdisciplinary leaders and educators with broad intellectual horizons and pedagogical depth.
The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program in the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development (Wheelock) is designed for college graduates who want to continue their studies in an academic field, and at the same time secure initial licensure to teach at the secondary level. Currently, the School of Education offers MAT degrees in English Education, Mathematics Education, Modern Foreign Language Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education. While the MAT program requires students to possess an undergraduate degree, or equivalent amount of coursework, in the intended area of study, the program does not presume students have completed coursework in education. The MAT program leads to licensure as a middle or high school teacher in all states and in the District of Columbia through reciprocal licensure agreements. Individual states may have other requirements.
Dual Degree: MTS/MSW
The Master of Theological Studies/Master of Social Work (MSW) dual degree program is designed for students who are enrolled, or who plan to seek admission, in the dual degree program that the School of Theology shares with the School of Social Work. The track ensures that courses counting for both degrees are tracked properly and guides the student through both programs efficiently. At present, almost one-third of MTS courses are shared with Social Work, thereby reducing the time it takes to complete both degrees had they been taken separately.
For students who matriculated before Fall 2024, students can retain the MTS Specialization they were admitted into, such as Religion and Conflict Transformation, Transcultural Studies, Theology, Texts and Traditions, Religion and Science, Ecological Theology and Ethics, or Spirituality Studies.
MTS Conversion Plans of Study
All students who matriculated before Fall 2024 must use a MTS Conversion Plan of Study, which they can find on the MTS Program page in the Student Intranet.
MTS Learning Outcomes
The MTS curriculum is shaped by the conviction that religious life in today’s world may be enriched by deep exploration of theological traditions in dialogue with broad understanding of the complexities of our global context. Students have opportunities to prepare for a variety of contributions as religious leaders serving in diverse communities, analyzing religious life in relation to diverse social contexts, and increasing theological knowledge and understanding.
The primary learning outcomes of the MTS include:
- Develop a public theology that draws from textual, historical, and lived faith traditions.
- Grow in capacities to communicate effectively to address the needs of various publics.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of and creative engagement with the cultural and global realities and structures within which religious and other forms of public leadership are carried out.
- Develop capacities to interpret and to effect positive change within complex institutions.
- Engage across differences (social, cultural, and religious) in ways that foster mutual understanding, learning, and/or collaboration.
- Grow in self-understanding of vocation, capacity for seeking and providing relational support, and habits that will build resilience and sustain wholeness.
MTS Assessment Information
Assessment Process
First Term
- Students keep track of their Application essay for use in the assessment process, and MTS students are introduced to the assessment process in the First Year Formation course.
- Students should discuss the MTS program learning outcomes (see above) with their advisors.
Second Term
- Students take the MTS Assessment Survey before April 30 if matriculating in the fall, or December 1 if matriculating in the spring. The student is encouraged, but not required, to discuss the assessment survey with her/his faculty advisor during their regular advising meeting.
- The Academic Dean meets with the MTS cohort taking the assessment to discuss MTS experiences thus far. The surveys serve as a basis for that conversation.
- MTS Assessment Survey
Third Term
- Regular course selection/advising meeting with the faculty advisor.
- By the end of the term, the student should select one-course paper, project, or presentation to include with the materials shared with the assessment team in preparation for the final assessment conversation. A one-paragraph rationale for why the student chose the paper should be included. The assignment should be representative of your formation in the program. It could represent, for example, a shift in your thinking, a challenging idea that you worked through, the advancement of your scholarship. The genre is open.
Fourth Term
- The final assessment meeting takes place at the end of this term but prior to April 30 or December 1, depending on the final term.
- The student should meet with the advisor and one additional faculty member to discuss the student’s experience of, and growth in, the program. The additional faculty member may be any member of the faculty, including all full-time faculty and lecturers. Adjunct faculty may serve in some cases, with the approval of the academic dean, based on their history of teaching and mentoring experience with STH students. The student will take the MTS assessment survey again in preparation for the conversation. The following previously collected materials should be included in the survey form: personal statement, one paper/project/presentation. These materials will be sent automatically to the student’s advisor upon submission of the assessment survey.
- The two faculty members will review all elements in preparation for the conversation.
- Following the discussion, the two faculty members should together complete one single faculty assessment survey and submit it to the Academic Dean’s office. Faculty may, if they wish, submit separate surveys.
