Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)

The Master of Arts in Theological Studies exposes students to key questions and concerns in the fields of biblical studies, theology and practical ministry. Drawing from our specific focus on the Bible, graduates of the MATS program at HCU can responsibly bring the ancient texts of Christian Scripture into dialogue with historical, theological, and contemporary concerns.

Ministry in a multifaceted world requires multifaceted preparation. The embedded certificate allows you to receive the theological and biblical preparation you need for a sustained ministry, together with focused training to equip you for the ministry to which God has called you.

Our faculty and students represent a range of evangelical traditions and denominations. We welcome anyone who would wish to study with us.

Advantages and Opportunities of a Masters in Theological Studies

Through close interaction with experienced faculty in small, seminar-style classes, students in the MATS program will be challenged to grow intellectually and spiritually as servant leaders. One of the greatest strengths of our program is the personal interaction with faculty. Our MATS classes are capped at 15 students each, which allows us to get to know you personally. In addition, rather than always lecturing and merely giving you all the right answers, our classes are primarily seminar-style.  We read texts together and discuss them in community, allowing us all to learn from the diverse ministry experiences of those in the classroom. This not only encourages a deeper engagement with texts and ideas, but for those looking toward future study, it prepares for the type of discussion in PhD seminars.

Most students preparing for ministry pursue some type of graduate degree. The Master of Divinity (MDiv) has been the standard degree as it provides the most well-rounded and robust training for ministry. We offer a 75-hour MDiv, but for students who wish to pursue a more academically focused and shorter degree, our 40-hour MATS gives the core foundation desired by churches, while also providing flexibility in course selection. We offer the majority of our classes in the evening, in classes that meet one night per week, so you can easily wrap your studies around your work commitments.

The majority of our students are pursuing a vocation of church ministry, and our ecclesially engaged faculty are well-suited to help you in your preparation. Besides the variety of past church ministry experiences that we bring, many of our faculty currently serve as pastors and interim pastors. At the same time, some of you might be considering a PhD. Many of our faculty, some with degrees from world-class research universities, are engaged in research and publishing. Students from our programs have advanced to complete additional graduate work, including MAs and PhDs, at Yale University, Duke University, Manchester University, and the University of St Andrews. The option to write a thesis is especially helpful for those looking in this direction.

Besides the personal enrichment from studying the Bible, theology and ministry with great faculty, graduates of the MATS program will be equipped for a variety of opportunities. The MATS degree can provide the educational framework needed for most ministry and teaching opportunities. In addition, graduates may choose to pursue further education at the PhD level. If you are considering a PhD, a sister institution has drawn together a helpful description of the process of preparing and applying: “Pursuing a PhD.” In addition, Nijay Gupta has prepared a helpful book that describes the process in more depth: Prepare, Succeed, Advance.

Degree Plan and Course Requirements

The degree is 40 credit hours, which takes approximately two years.

Review degree plan

Note: Those entering the program without a prior undergraduate degree in theology, or without prior graduate studies in theology, are required to take CHRI 5300 Introduction to Biblical Texts and Doctrines in their first semester.

To find the costs of the program, see the current year Graduate Tuition and Fees for the MATS program.

HCU offers several types of scholarships to help our incoming students. In addition, the BGCT offers $100 per credit hour for master’s students who are pursuing ministry as a vocation. Please note that there is a Scholarship Application (and possibly an additional personal statement) different from the application for admission. Please make sure you check all the relevant boxes on the application. In addition, note that the Guild Scholarship has its own, separate Guild Scholarship Application, along with a separate personal statement. Current and entering students can apply for the Guild Scholarship. It is awarded annually, and the deadline for application is April 1. (Note that new references and a resume are not needed for the Guild application; these will be drawn from the application for admission. All that is needed is the letter of introduction, besides the Guild Application.)

Important Deadlines: Your Application file must be completed and Scholarship Application must be submitted by these dates to be considered for scholarships: Summer: April 1, Fall: July 1, Spring: November 1.

Students may take out loans to help finance the cost of their graduate education. To be eligible for federal loans, students must take at least 5 hours for a fall or spring semester, or 4 hours in the summer.

There are a variety of ways to engage the Department of Theology: we’re on Facebook,  we offer an annual Theology Conference, and we have regular lectures by preeminent scholars as part of the A.O. Collins Lecture Series.